In a few weeks, eight chess players will gather in Canada to compete in the World Chess Championship 2024 to determine who takes the top rank. The approach the world’s best chess players take could provide some powerful lessons for investors. Read on to discover what you could learn from grandmasters. 1. Set out a clear goal Competitive chess players have a clear goal when they sit down to play a game – to win. But they’ll often have other aims too. They might plan to force moves, which will allow them to play out tactics or combinations that favour them. By focusing on the end result they want to achieve, they can try to take the necessary steps. Jose... Read More

When you start thinking about the steps you need to take when retiring, your focus might be on the financial side. Yet, it’s often a good idea to start with your lifestyle aspirations. Last month, you read about the different options when deciding how you’ll retire. Now, it’s time to consider what your ideal retirement lifestyle would look like. Setting out your retirement lifestyle may be useful for several reasons, including: Giving your retirement plan a focus Helping ensure your financial plan reflects your aspirations Informing the financial decisions you make. So, if you’ve yet to think about what your life will look like once you stop working, it could be a rewarding task. 3 useful questions to answer when... Read More

The start of the new year is the perfect time to reflect on what has happened over the past 12 months. Although the news often focuses on disheartening events, there are plenty of heartwarming stories out there that can restore your faith in humanity. From science breakthroughs to exciting projects, here are seven stories you might have missed. 1. Researchers discovered a new treatment for Alzheimer’s Scientists found that two 20-minute electrical stimulation sessions per day can improve the memory and cognitive performance of elderly people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The technology stimulates neural networks in the brain, which improved patients’ brain plasticity and led to the participants of the study having increased speech and recollection skills. The incredible treatment... Read More

When creating a financial plan, you often start with your goals. After all, setting out your aspirations first lets you create a plan that’s tailored to you. Yet, understanding your numbers is just as crucial for successful financial planning and they could help you understand the effect of your decisions. So, which numbers are the key ones you should know? Which numbers you may want to track will depend on your goals To keep your financial plan on track, monitoring key numbers can help you assess your progress and identify potential gaps. Read on to discover which numbers could be important in two different scenarios. Ensuring your family’s financial security If you have a family, a key priority might be... Read More

Retirement can be an exciting milestone, but one that you might feel nervous about too. Setting out how to achieve the retirement lifestyle you want could help put your mind at ease. One of the first things you may have to consider is how you’ll retire – would a phased retirement suit you? Over the next few months, you can read about key considerations if you’re nearing retirement, from contemplating the emotional side of stepping away from work to how to access your pension. Read on to discover if a gradual retirement transition could be for you. A retirement transition period could help you create a work-life balance that suits you Not too long ago, many retirees followed the same... Read More