For decades there has been talk of overhauling the five-day working week to improve work-life balance. Now, 100 British companies are embracing change to shorten the working week to four days. With research suggesting it could improve productivity, could more businesses follow suit? 

100 companies across the UK have signed up for a permanent four-day working week for all their employees, who will not lose any pay. In total, the companies employ around 2,600 people, so only represent a tiny fraction of the UK’s workforce. Yet, it’s hoped tha...

The government has extended a scheme that means homebuyers could access a mortgage with a lower deposit. If you’re hoping to purchase a property this year, it could make your goals a little bit closer. 

As house prices have climbed while wages have stagnated for many workers, saving a deposit is often one of the initial hurdles first-time buyers face. 

Indeed, a report from Nationwide suggests that first-time buyers aiming to save a 20% deposit can expect to save for at least six years, assuming they put aside 15% of their take-home pay. I...

Over the last year, interest rates have increased from historic lows. Fixed-rate mortgage payers that have been shielded from the rises so far could find their outgoings rise if their deal ends in 2023. 

The Bank of England increased its base interest rate several times over the last 12 months to tackle high levels of inflation.

For savers, it’s been good news, as interest rates on savings accounts have started to rise after more than a decade of being low.

However, for borrowers, it means the cost of debt has climbed. From credit cards t...

When you think about retirement planning, what challenges come to mind? While ensuring you have enough saved and that you don’t run out of money are common concerns, there is one you may have overlooked: changing from a saving to a spending mindset.

To secure your retirement, putting money away has likely become a habit that you’ve embraced for decades. Perhaps you contributed to a pension, made sure your mortgage was paid off, or invested with a long-term plan. These positive habits could have helped you towards greater flexibility and mor...

When you’re deciding how to pass on assets and who you want them to go to, understanding their value, and how this might change, is crucial. 

Last month, you read about why estate planning should be part of your overall financial and life plan. Now, read on to discover why getting to grips with what your estate covers is important. 

Essentially, your estate is everything you own when you pass away. This could be material items or assets like your investments or savings. As a result, when you first think about what you’d like to pass on to ...

The UK has a long history of sports and games, from jousting or local folk games to the emergence of modern sports like football and tennis in the 18th and 19th centuries.

On 30 September, National Sports Heritage Day celebrates sporting culture and aims to inspire people to be more active and try something new.

To mark the occasion, there will be special sporting events, efforts to raise awareness for local teams, and a chance to reminisce over old photographs.

While you may fondly remember the success of the 2012 London Olympics or the ...

Being mortgage-free before you retire is a common goal. It can be difficult to secure a new mortgage deal once you pass retirement age and retiring debt-free means you can make the most of the next stage of your life.

However, high property prices, longer mortgage terms, and other factors mean that millions of people in the UK could retire with outstanding mortgage debt.

If you’re not sure if you’ll pay off your mortgage before you want to retire, there are options.

12% of retirees had outstanding mortgage debt when they retired

Retirin...

Shared ownership is a government-supported scheme designed to help people get onto – and move up – the property ladder. Since its introduction it’s helped thousands of homebuyers across the country.

Each year, Shared Ownership Week raises the profile of shared ownership, collating stories and useful advice about how the scheme can help you to buy a home with a lower deposit and smaller mortgage. This year’s event takes place between 15 and 21 September.

If you’re considering shared ownership, you may have heard negative stories or misconce...

As a trustee, you may be unsure about what your responsibilities are and the steps you need to take. If you’re acting as a trustee, here are some of the essential things you need to know.

Being a trustee means that you’re taking responsibility for money or assets that someone, known as the “settlor”, has placed in a trust for someone else, known as the “beneficiary”. You may have to make decisions about how the assets are used or when they are distributed.

There are many reasons why someone may set up a trust. It can be an efficient way to...