It can be difficult not to let your emotions influence the decisions you make. When investing, emotional decision-making could be harming your portfolio’s performance and your ability to reach your goals. While you try to make investment decisions based on logic and facts, it can be easy for emotions, from fear to excitement, to play a role at times. And a survey of financial advisers reveals it could be costing you more than you think. According to a report in FTAdviser, financial advisers believe emotional decision-making costs investors at least 2% each year in foregone returns. They believe two of the biggest mistakes investors make are: Being too influenced by the news (47%) Taking too little risk (44%). If you’ve... Read More

Brits are struggling with financial jargon and aren’t sure where to start with investing. It could mean some people are missing out on opportunities to increase their wealth. A survey from Lloyds Bank found that 50% of Brits say they were scared of investing. Furthermore, 38% say financial jargon is baffling. Misunderstanding common financial terms could lead some people to make decisions that aren’t right for them. Despite dominating the headlines over the last year, 3 in 10 people said they didn’t understand “inflation”. As inflation has a direct effect on your cost of living, not understanding how it influences your outgoings could mean some budgets are no longer realistic. Other common investing terms people are clueless about include: Asset... Read More

One of the remarkable things about living in the UK is the abundance of rich and vibrant history found in almost every town and city. From the early settlements of the Celts in around 600BC to the invasions of Romans, Gaels, Saxons, Vikings and Normans, our green and pleasant archipelago has witnessed the convergence of many distinct peoples and cultures, resulting in the fascinating history you can explore today. So, with summer here, now could be the ideal time to delve into the historical locations around the UK to learn more about how our nation developed over time. Continue reading to discover five fascinating UK destinations that are steeped in history. 1. York York has played a central role in... Read More

After more than a decade of low interest rates, many people will be pleased to see the amount their savings are earning is starting to rise. Yet, it could mean you need to pay a tax charge. Interest from saving accounts may be liable for Income Tax. When the average interest rate was below 1%, you usually had to have a substantial amount held in cash accounts to face a tax charge. However, as interest rates rise, you could unexpectedly cross the tax threshold. So, read on to find out when you need to pay tax on interest and how you could avoid a bill. Do you benefit from the Personal Savings Allowance? The Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) lets you... Read More

Spending too much money in retirement is a common fear. Yet, some retirees struggle with the opposite challenge – they spend too little. Read on to find out why and what you can do if you’re too frugal in retirement. Underspending once you give up work may be more common than you think. It’s easy to see why some retirees adopt this approach. As many retirees are responsible for managing their income and ensuring it lasts, there is a real danger of overspending and facing a shortfall in your later years. In fact, interactive investor’s The Great British Retirement Survey found 40% of retirees worry about running out of money. However, underspending can be dangerous in a different way. It... Read More