Modern life is often full of constant stimuli, from notifications popping up on your phone to the noise of the TV in the background. Finding time and ways to declutter your brain could improve your wellbeing and allow you to really relax. Being overstimulated might mean your brain rarely gets to rest, even when you’re enjoying downtime. It could harm your wellbeing if you don’t get a chance to turn off. Finding practical ways to reduce stimulation can restore a sense of calm. Here are seven simple ways to declutter your brain. 1. Reduce digital stimuli Technology has made life simpler in a lot of ways, but it also provides countless distractions and stimuli. If you find your attention is... Read More

The current situation in the Middle East has led to market volatility. While it might seem new, similar movements have happened before, and looking at how these events have affected investor behaviour could be useful. At the end of February 2026, the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, which have further escalated. The uncertainty caused by the war has affected market confidence, leading to falling prices. The Middle East is a large exporter of oil, and the war has resulted in prices rising, which is likely to affect businesses and consumers around the world. In addition, the Strait of Hormuz, an important waterway for trade, has been affected by the conflict, which may harm international supply chains. These external... Read More

How your brain works can affect how you view wealth and different assets. For many, this can mean cash feels like a safer option than alternatives, but it’s not always the right one. Indeed, sometimes choosing to hold cash could mean you miss growth opportunities. 3 reasons why cash might feel like the “safe” option 1. Cash can feel more tangible than alternatives One of the benefits of cash is that you can withdraw the money and hold it. This makes it feel more tangible as an asset. Even when cash is held in an account, knowing that you can access it and it’s typically simple to manage online might mean it feels more comfortable than assets like bonds or... Read More

Cryptoassets are not regulated financial products so please be aware that trading them carries a considerable amount of risk for your capital. Cryptocurrencies are also not covered by existing consumer protection laws and are not suitable for the majority of investors. As a non-traditional asset, you might overlook paying tax associated with crypto activities. Doing so could leave you with an unexpected bill and a potential HMRC fine, so it’s important to be aware of what tax you might be liable for. As crypto becomes more common, regulations around these assets are changing and could affect you in the future. Keeping an eye on the changes could help you avoid surprises. Tax rules for cryptoassets are complex, and you might... Read More

Next year, a significant change to how pensions are treated when calculating Inheritance Tax (IHT) could mean more families become liable for the tax. Here’s what you need to know to understand if your estate could be affected and how you might mitigate a potential bill. Currently, pensions are usually outside your estate for IHT purposes. As a result, your pension might provide a tax-efficient way to pass on wealth to your loved ones. This will change on 6 April 2027, when most unused pension funds and pension death benefits will be included in IHT calculations. According to HMRC (25 November 2025), the changes mean around 10,500 estates will become liable for IHT where previously they would not have been.... Read More