What future awaits the new £20?
At a launch event during October, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney revealed the latest in the Bank’s new series of polymer banknotes, a £20 featuring the artist JMW Turner. Cash no longer king The polymer notes are certainly more resilient and secure than their paper predecessors, but isn’t the cashless society gathering pace and […]
Pension inequality starts at birth
In recent years, the gender pay gap has been a rather hot topic. However, the difference between the pensions savings of men and women – or gender pension gap – is perhaps less discussed. By the age of 50, women have accumulated an average of just £56,000 in pensions savings against £112,000 for men4. Girls […]
Yes, you CAN be a homeowner if you’re self-employed
Don’t believe us? Keep reading for some handy tips to help you get on the property ladder while enjoying the benefits of working for yourself. Getting a mortgage is hard enough these days but being self-employed adds an additional layer of complexity. So much so, in fact, that over a million self-employed Britons believe they’ll […]
The green shoots of Spring?
As we enter a new decade, the global economy seems to be precariously balanced. Although recent data supports this pessimistic prognosis, forecasters suggest 2020 is set to observe a recovery. Global growth rates Gross domestic product (GDP) data for the third quarter of 2019, highlighted a continuing decline in global growth. In the US, GDP […]
The sandwiched: finding time to thrive
One consequence of an ageing population and delayed parenthood is the growing number of people who are left sacrificing their own time, wellbeing and finances in order to care for those around them. And it’s very easy for this group to simply focus on surviving rather than thriving. The ‘sandwich generation’ This term was first […]
Stay protected in 2020
Don’t overlook the importance of having the right plans in place to protect yourself, your family, your valuables and your home, in case an unexpected event should happen. Insurance cover isn’t just about a payout when you die. It can also give you peace of mind in knowing that you would be able to cope […]
Financial resolutions for a prosperous New Year
The New Year period is a common time for people to take stock of their finances and make resolutions designed to boost their financial wellbeing. And a new study has found the likelihood of success in this area is heavily linked to receiving professional advice and the establishment of clear financial objectives. Advice is key […]
Tone up your finances in 2020
As we face the year ahead with great anticipation, thoughts of resolutions, often centred around lifestyle improvements and healthy living, usually feature high on our to-do lists. It’s all too easy to overlook the resolution to take stock and refocus on your finances. A new year is the perfect opportunity to do this. Whilst a […]
Property market resilience? What does 2020 hold?
Heightened economic and political uncertainty has cast a shadow over the property market in recent times. Although activity has been subdued in certain areas, as buyers and vendors hesitate, forward looking metrics indicate that market sentiment over the next 12 months show signs of resilience1. Prices are expected to rise at a national level over […]