For months, you’ve probably heard about the cost of living crisis and how it means your budget needs to stretch further. However, if you collect the State Pension, the high rate of inflation could mean it increases by a record amount in the 2023/24 tax year.

The State Pension benefits from something known as the “triple lock”. This means that the amount you receive increases each tax year by one of the three measures below, whichever is higher:

  • Average wage growth year-on-year for the May to July period
  • Inflation as measured using the C...

5 important things to check this Pension Awareness Day

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 31st of August 2022

If you’re guilty of ignoring your pension, a review ahead of Pension Awareness Day on 15 September can help make sure you’re on track for the retirement you want.

Here are five important things to check.

1. How is your pension invested?

The money held in your pension is usually invested.

This provides an opportunity for your savings to grow over your working life. Over the decades you’ll be saving, investing your pension contributions can really add up. It means you could look forward to a more comfortable retirement.

So, understanding ...


From goldfinches to hedgehogs, you can spot a lot of British wildlife without having to leave your home if you create a haven in your garden. If you want to create a place where nature can flourish, a few simple changes to your outdoor space can have a huge effect.

Garden Wildlife Week will take place between 6 and 12 June, making now the perfect time to give your garden an update with insects, birds, and other creatures in mind.

Gardens play a huge role in creating a well-balanced ecosystem, but some gardening trends can discourage wildli...


Whether you’re at home or on holiday, the sun shining can boost your mood. As the summer months draw near, if you feel like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders and you notice that you’re more cheerful, there are several scientific reasons behind this. Here are six.

1. The summer means days are longer

Long, dark nights in the winter can mean you feel more tired and down, while longer days in the summer can be uplifting.

Longer days don’t just mean you benefit from more light and sunshine, which play a role in improving your wellbe...


The Bank of Mum and Dad has become an integral part of the property market. Many first-time buyers would struggle to secure a home without the help of their parents and other family members.

However, support doesn’t have to mean handing over a lump sum to use as a deposit, as there are other options.

According to Lloyds Bank, the average price a first-time buyer pays is £264,140. As house prices have climbed, it’s not surprising that more aspiring homeowners are finding themselves relying on some form of support.

This may mean moving in w...


Gaps in financial education are leaving many teenagers unprepared for managing their money and becoming independent. The good news is that they’re keen to learn and recognise how important getting to grips with personal finance is.

Personal finance is part of the national curriculum. 73% of students surveyed as part of The London Institute of Banking and Finance’s Young Persons’ Money Index 2021-22 said they receive some form of financial education in school.

Yet, for many it’s sporadic. Fewer than half said they’d had access to financial ...


As part of a long-term plan, you may be thinking about whether you could need some form of care later in life. While you may hope to rely on your family to provide the support you need, you should still consider how you’d pay for care services if you need to.

According to charity Carers UK, around 1 in 8 adults are carers, the equivalent of 6.5 million people. The care these people provide will vary greatly, and around 1.4 million provide more than 50 hours of care each week.

Understandably, many people planning for their later years would...


Misconceptions mean that 40% of homeowners don’t have life insurance

Posted by siteadmin on Tuesday 24th of May 2022

Do you have life insurance in place? A survey suggests that some homeowners are choosing not to take it out because of common misconceptions about how life insurance works.

Life insurance would pay out a lump sum to beneficiaries if the policyholder passed away during the term. As a result, it can provide financial support to your loved ones when they need it most and ensure they don’t need to make large financial decisions when they’re grieving.

You can choose how much cover life insurance provides. Often, this is linked to how much your ...


3 tips to manage your concern in an uncertain time

Posted by siteadmin on Monday 28th of February 2022

Since the start of 2022, you’ve probably noticed that global markets – and perhaps the value of your pension or investments – have been a little uncertain.

Over the last week or two, the ongoing situation in Ukraine has exacerbated this volatility.

It’s natural to feel nervous or worried when national or global events have a direct influence on your wealth. In recent weeks, there has been an almost perfect storm of events that have conspired to unnerve markets around the world, including:

  • The Russian invasion of Ukraine
  • Rising inflatio...

International Day of Happiness: What could we learn from Bhutan?

Posted by siteadmin on Tuesday 1st of February 2022

20 March 2022 marks the United Nation’s (UN) International Day of Happiness. After two years of challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, looking after your wellbeing has never been more important.

The annual International Day of Happiness is a global celebration to promote the idea that happiness is a fundamental human goal and calls for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes happiness and wellbeing of all peoples”. When you think about countries that promote happiness, Bhutan may not spring to m...


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