Once again, US president Donald Trump’s trade tariffs have affected investment markets throughout April 2025 and could have far-reaching implications over the coming months. Indeed, UN Trade and Development now predicts that global growth will slow to 2.3% in 2025, compared to 2.8% last year. While experiencing volatility can be daunting as an investor, remember to take a long-term view. Historically, markets have recovered from periods of downturn. However, it’s important to note that investment returns cannot be guaranteed. Trade tariffs and their effect on the market in April 2025 Since Trump took office in January, uncertainty around trade policies has affected global markets, and these announcements continued to have an effect in April. On 2 April, markets prepared for... Read More

Confidence when you’re handling your finances is a good thing. It can help you feel in control of your financial future, but it is possible to be overconfident too. Indeed, overconfidence is a type of cognitive bias that could affect investors and may be associated with harming your investment returns. Investors who overestimate their skill or knowledge could be more likely to make poor financial decisions, here are four reasons why. 1. You may take more risk than is appropriate All investments carry some risk, but being aware of what level of risk is appropriate for you is essential. If you’re feeling overconfident, you might be more likely to choose options that are riskier in the hope of generating higher... Read More

This guest blog was written by Chris Budd who wrote the original Financial Wellbeing Book, and also the Four Cornerstones of Financial Wellbeing. He has written more than 115 episodes of the Financial Wellbeing Podcast and founded the Institute for Financial Wellbeing. Whether money makes someone happy is a question that provokes many different opinions. Some will say yes; just look at people who have nothing and compare their happiness with people who have lots. Others will say no; some of the poorest areas of the world show the greatest happiness, and some of the richest people are unhappy. Research tells us that, as with most things in life, the answer is a bit of both. Understanding this interaction between... Read More

Geopolitical tensions have led to a bumpy start to 2025 for investors. If you’re worried about volatility and what it might mean for your long-term finances, there are reasons to remain calm despite the uncertainty. The ongoing war in Ukraine has resulted in some anxiety in Europe, with the UK and other countries committing to increasing defence spending. In addition, the new Trump administration in the US has imposed several trade tariffs on partners and suggested more will follow. As a result, many companies and sectors have seen share prices rise and fall more sharply than usual. Indeed, according to the Guardian, the euro STOXX equity volatility index, which tracks market expectations of short- and long-term volatility, reached a seven-month... Read More

When people think about financial wellbeing, they often link it to frugality or building wealth. Yet, an effective financial plan isn’t always about that, sometimes, it might make sense to spend more. It can be difficult to get your head around. After all, as a child, you’re often taught that being sensible with money means putting it in a savings account rather than spending it. Yet, this approach only focuses on growing your wealth, rather than using it in a way that helps you reach your goals. So, here are three scenarios where your financial plan might involve increasing your outgoings. Spending more could help you reach lifestyle goals At the heart of your financial plan should be your lifestyle... Read More