Good Money Week: 3 ways you could align your finances with your values
Good Money Week starts on 30 September and encourages you to think about the potential impact your financial decisions have on the environment and wider society. You might already consider the effect of some of your financial decisions. Perhaps you pick up Fairtrade bananas or chocolate when you’re shopping because you want to support the […]
Want to support your children through university? Here’s what you may want to consider
Millions of students across the UK are preparing to head to university and pursue their educational goals. As a parent, you may feel proud as you help them pack up their belongings and move into their own space for the first time. Yet, you might also be worried about how they’ll cope financially or repay […]
5 practical questions to consider when you’re naming a Lasting Power of Attorney
Who you choose to act on your behalf if you lose mental capacity is an important decision. You want to select someone you trust and you feel confident could act in your best interest should you need them to. So, read on to discover five practical questions you might want to answer when you’re setting […]
Regular financial reviews may help you get more out of every stage of life
Balancing your long-term goals with enjoying your life now can be a difficult balancing act. Regular financial reviews could ensure you get more out of your life at every stage by helping you to strike a balance that suits your needs. It’s a common misconception that financial planning is simply about accumulating wealth. While managing […]
How “lifestyle financial planning” could help you reach your goals
Effectively managing your finances to get the most out of your assets often means going beyond paying into a pension regularly or selecting a fund to invest through. That’s why lifestyle financial planning could help you better align your finances with the life you want to lead now and in the future. Financial advice alone […]
Inheritance Tax: 5 shrewd strategies for reducing a potential bill
If you take a proactive approach to managing your wealth, you could reduce how much Inheritance Tax (IHT) your estate may be liable for when you pass away. Last month, you read about what IHT is and when estates become liable to pay it. Now, read on to discover some of the shrewd strategies you […]
We’re a B Corporation! Doing our best for our clients, community and the environment
We’re delighted to announce that Clear Future Financial Planners has achieved a milestone of which we’re very proud: we’ve officially become a B Corporation. We’re the first financial planning company in Gloucestershire to be awarded this status, and one of only about 20 UK independent financial advisors. As a whole, there are 2,000 companies in […]
What a Labour government could mean for your finances
In a decisive and historic victory, the Labour Party won the 2024 UK general election with a significant majority and Keir Starmer has become the UK prime minister after 14 years of Conservative government. The new chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has already pledged to “fix the foundations” of the British economy in a bid to drive […]
What the 2024 general election could mean for your finances
2024 has been called “the year of elections” with an estimated 2 billion people around the world heading to the polls. Voters in the UK will have their say on 4 July. Now that each of the main parties has published their manifestos, here’s what the 2024 general election could mean for your finances. Conservatives […]
Could downsizing help fund your retirement?
Research suggests that retirees could boost their income by downsizing. While selling your home and moving to a smaller property could be a valuable way to fund your later years, there are some important considerations you might want to weigh up first. Read on to find out more. Over the last few decades, the value […]
What 70 years of BBC news bulletins could teach you about investment markets
70 years ago, the BBC broadcast its first daily television news programme. Since then, round-the-clock news has become available, and you can get the latest headlines with a few taps on your smartphone. While being connected can be positive, for investors, it can make periods of volatility and choosing an investment even more difficult. Read […]
How Norway’s “oil fund” became an ESG investment leader
The world’s largest sovereign wealth fund has become a leader in ESG (environmental, social, and governance) investing. Yet, the money initially came from an unlikely source – fossil fuels. Read on to find out how Norway’s “oil fund” embraces ESG issues, and how you could too. Norway’s sovereign wealth fund holds around 1.5% of all […]
3 fantastic benefits of leaving a charitable legacy in your will
According to a report from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), in 2023, three-quarters of people in the UK supported a charity in some way. Whether you donate money, fundraise, or volunteer your time, you might want to consider how to extend your actions to create a charitable legacy in your will – and there could […]
How a financial plan could alleviate your inflation worries
The uncertainty of how the cost of living will change during your lifetime can make long-term planning difficult. After all, how can you be certain how your expenses will change in 20 years or more? If you’re worried about the effect of inflation on your security, a financial plan could provide peace of mind. Research […]
The value of financial planning: The intangible benefits that could boost your wellbeing
Consider the benefits of financial planning. If the first advantage that comes to mind is the opportunity to grow your wealth, you might be overlooking some of the intangible benefits that could improve your wellbeing. Last month, you read about the potential financial benefits of working with a financial planner and how it could help […]
All the winners and losers from the 2024 Spring Budget
With one eye on a forthcoming general election, the chancellor has announced a Budget aimed at generating long-term growth, with “more investment, more jobs, better public services and lower taxes”. While the headlines will inevitably focus on Jeremy Hunt’s cut in National Insurance contributions (NICs), many less headline-grabbing messages will affect millions of families and […]
Your Spring Budget update – the key news from the chancellor’s statement
The 2024/25 tax year is just a month away, and chancellor Jeremy Hunt has delivered his 2024 Spring Budget, outlining the government’s plans for the next fiscal year and beyond. With a general election looming – prime minister Rishi Sunak has said he will call it before the end of the year – the chancellor […]
A worrying 2 in 5 wealthy individuals have fallen victim to a financial scam
A recent survey reported by Professional Adviser revealed that 2 in 5 wealthy individuals have been the victim of financial crime. Of the 2,000 people with assets worth more than £250,000 who were surveyed, 41% of them reported they had been scammed, with more than a third saying they had fallen victim in the last […]