Category: Financial planning

Bonds are a common feature in many investment portfolios, alongside stocks, shares and cash assets. But how do they fit into your investment portfolio and what percentage should be allocated to bonds? What is a bond? Before diving into purchasing bonds, it’s important to understand exactly what they are and, therefore, how they can be

Welcome to our latest update of the investment markets. We take a quick look at some of the key factors that influenced the stock market in August and could continue to do so over the coming months. August has been characterised by volatility, recession fears and the ongoing trade war between the US and China.

With summer over, the nights are already starting to draw in and the colder weather is arriving after months of record-breaking temperatures. That doesn’t mean you have to shelve your UK holiday plans until the spring though. Throughout autumn, there is still plenty of places to head without having to step on a plane when

Care in old age and the associated costs continue to be an area of concern for those planning their finances for retirement. With costs often in the tens of thousands of pounds annually, it may be one of the biggest expenses that needs to be factored in. However, the uncertainty of whether it’ll be needed

When you access your pension for the first time, will you still be working? Just a few years ago, it would have been a rare occurrence, but now half of people flexibly accessing their pension are still employed. Whilst it does have advantages, it could mean spending too much too soon. So, why is this

Changes to how savings are taxed means ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts) may not be as attractive as they once were. However, there are still plenty of reasons why ISAs should be part of your financial plan. ISAs were first introduced 20 years ago in a bid to encourage more people to save. An ISA is

Retirement isn’t often associated with boosting your activity and fitness levels. But remaining in good health is important and can help you get far more out of life. We’ve got nine tips for embracing an active lifestyle after you’ve given up work. When you think of retirement, it’s probably relaxation and kicking back that first

The summer months are here, and another group of teenagers are eagerly awaiting the results of their A levels to find out if they’ve secured a space at their chosen university. If your child or grandchild is among those hoping to gain a degree over the next few years, it’s a time that’s filled with

The world of investing can often seem like it’s filled with jargon and confusing phrases. Among those may be ‘bear market’ and ‘bull market’. When you’re reading the financial papers of newspapers or browsing online, these terms are likely to crop up, but what do they mean? Bull markets: A bull market is typically characterised

We spend much of our working lives contributing to a pension to create an income that affords a comfortable retirement with a few luxuries. But a survey suggests that many saving into a pension are worried about running out. A poll conducted by FT Adviser asked financial advisers what their clients planning for retirement two