6
Nov
2023

What do Taylor Swift and the weather have in common? They both affect the economy

The health of the economy can affect your finances. A strong economy could lead to the value of investments rising, or the need to raise public finances may mean your tax liability increases. However, predicting how the economy will perform can be difficult as numerous factors can have an impact. When you think about what affects the economy, sunny weather and Taylor Swift concerts might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, data shows they could both deliver an important boost to GDP. Here are just four examples of events that might influence economies. 1. Taylor Swift’s tour is projected to generate $5 billion of consumer spending in North America alone Taylor Swift’s current Eras Tour is...
Read More
6
Nov
2023

How to help your family manage your affairs when you pass away

Planning for your death can be emotionally difficult, but it could be a huge help to your loved ones. Research suggests administering an estate after a loved one has passed away can affect mental health and finances. Read on to learn more about some of the steps you could take to help your family manage your affairs. According to the Exizent Bereavement Index 2023, more than half of people dealing with bereavement and administering an estate say it’s harmed their mental health. Furthermore, 28% said they suffered financial difficulties. This was driven by unexpected costs, Inheritance Tax (IHT) obligations, or pressure to distribute assets. In fact, just 1% of people said they found the probate process easier than expected. 6...
Read More
12
Oct
2023

5 simple tips that could help you make better decisions

When you’re facing big life decisions, it can be difficult to know which choice to take. Read on to learn some simple tips that could improve your decision-making. According to Eva Krockow, a lecturer at the University of Leicester, the average person makes a staggering 35,000 decisions every day. Of course, many of these decisions will be unconscious. You probably give little thought to how quickly to walk when you’re heading to the shop or whether to smile at a stranger you meet on the way. A lot of the decisions you make you will do on autopilot rather than deliberating the different options. Even those that you make consciously, many will be relatively unimportant in the grand scheme of...
Read More
12
Oct
2023

How to make happiness part of your financial plan

People often think of their financial plan as a way to grow their wealth and provide financial security. You might consider areas like your pension or financial protection to be core parts of your financial plan. Yet, while they’re important, your happiness is essential too. Financial planning is about helping you reach your financial goals, but it goes further than that. It’s about making your money work in a way that aligns with your lifestyle aspirations and understanding how it could improve your wellbeing. After all, you might want the money in your pension to grow, but your money will often be linked to other aspirations you may have. For example, you might want investments to perform well so you...
Read More
12
Oct
2023

3 essential factors to consider if you plan to gift wealth to avoid Inheritance Tax

Figures suggest more families are gifting to avoid Inheritance Tax (IHT). While passing on assets to loved ones may seem like a clear solution, it isn’t always so simple. More estates are becoming liable for IHT as thresholds for paying the tax are frozen. The Office for Budget Responsibility predicts HMRC will collect £8.4 billion from IHT receipts in 2027/28, compared to £7 billion in 2022/23. The portion of your estate that exceeds IHT thresholds could be taxed at a standard rate of 40%. So, it’s not surprising that families are looking for ways to mitigate a potential bill. According to a Telegraph report, the number of people who have gifted assets that would become exempt from IHT if they...
Read More
4
Sep
2023

Investment market update: August 2023

Globally, signs suggest the pace of inflation is slowing. However, businesses in some sectors are struggling and weighing on economies. Read on to discover some of the factors that affected investment markets in August 2023. According to a Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) from JP Morgan, reports indicated that manufacturing in Asia, Europe and the US is contracting. New orders declined for the 13th consecutive month, which could have medium-term consequences for investment markets. When reviewing your investments, remember to take a long-term view. Volatility is part of investing and, usually, sticking to your long-term strategy makes sense, rather than reacting to short-term movements. If you have any questions about your investments or the current climate, please contact us. UK The...
Read More
Mathew Brooks
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.