How are you setting your life goals? Are you following a well-trodden path or choosing aspirations that are meaningful to you? Everyone is different and spending some time thinking about what you want to achieve could lead to greater wellbeing and a sense of purpose. Imagine you’re preparing for retirement. The traditional outlook would suggest you make time to relax, help look after your grandchildren, and maybe book a cruise. That might sound great at first, but when you examine what you want, perhaps you discover travelling the UK in a campervan, penning a novel, or joining a band sounds more attractive. Similarly, you might have gone to university and are now working your way up the career ladder because... Read More

Psychology could be one reason why some people are reluctant to invest, even when it fits into their wider financial plan. Managing risk is an important part of life. You check the road before you cross the street, and you might be encouraged to take out home insurance just in case something happens. So, it’s not surprising that people often seek to minimise financial risk. Yet, data suggests that Brits are more risk-averse when considering investing than other nations, including the US. According to Manchester Metropolitan University (21 July 2025), excluding workplace pensions, only 23% of people in the UK invest in the stock market, compared with nearly two-thirds in the US. The difference in the number of people investing... Read More

In last month’s article, you read about why it’s often more difficult than you expect to identify scams. With the amount of money lost to fraud rising, being aware of common types of scams could mean you’re in a better position to spot the warning signs. According to UK Finance (15 June 2026), £1.28 billion was lost to fraud in 2025, an increase of 4% when compared with 2024. There were 4.06 million confirmed cases of fraud in 2025, which fall into two broad categories, both of which may affect individuals. Unauthorised fraud: This occurs when the account holder doesn’t provide authorisation for the payment to proceed. Instead, it’s carried out by a third party. For example, this could happen... Read More

As the main summer holiday season usually ends in early September, this can be a great time to make your own travel plans. The “shoulder season” in September and October sits between the peak holiday time of summer and the off-peak time of winter. Choosing this autumn window for your holiday means you can often avoid the crowds and usually enjoy a more ambient temperature than the full-on heat often experienced in August. Plus, it can mean it’s easier to visit major attractions without endless queueing. Read on to discover four destinations that you might like to consider exploring in the coming months. 1. Malta Malta is one of the best Mediterranean destinations to visit in the autumn months, as... Read More

Key changes are being made to ISAs in April 2027, and they could affect how you use the tax-efficient wrapper. You might have read in the news or heard that the ISA allowance is being cut or that tax will now apply to cash savings. While there is some truth in these statements, without further details they’re misleading. To cut through the sometimes confusing headlines, we explain the two changes you should be aware of. ISAs are a popular and tax-efficient way to save and invest An ISA provides a tax-efficient way for people in the UK to save and invest. Typically, the interest or investment returns you earn from money held in an ISA won’t be liable for tax.... Read More