Insights

Insights

  • Guide: 7 key allowances you might want to use before the end of the 2025/26 tax year

    The new tax year will start on 6 April 2026, and many of your important allowances and exemptions will reset. Checking whether you could use these valuable allowances before the end of the 2025/26 tax year on 5 April 2026 might help your money go further. Before you make any [...]

    Published On: February 2, 2026
  • Investment market update: January 2026

    Geopolitical tensions and threats of trade tariffs continued to impact global investment markets at the start of 2026. Read on to find out what factors may have affected your investments at the start of 2026. Markets experienced highs, but geopolitical tensions continue to cause volatility On 2 January, the first [...]

    Published On: February 2, 2026
  • 5 ways to embrace solo travelling later in life

    With a rising number of people embracing solo travelling, it could well be something you’re considering. Even though it might seem like an experience for younger people, it’s never too late to try exploring a new destination by yourself. If it’s on your agenda but you’re a little nervous, read [...]

    Published On: February 2, 2026
  • Employee Ownership Trusts: Why they could be a strategic exit option for business owners

    If you’re a business owner thinking about your long-term plans, you might have already considered the ways you could exit your company. Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) have become a common way to transfer ownership of your business to your valued employees. However, if you’ve been following the news lately, you [...]

    Published On: February 2, 2026
  • The money lessons you can teach children at every stage to boost their financial literacy

    Financial literacy was first introduced into the national curriculum back in 2014, aimed at children aged between 11 and 16. However, the delivery was inconsistent, as the requirement wasn’t mandatory across all schools. Now, as part of a curriculum assessment, a stronger approach to financial literacy lessons is being adopted. [...]

    Published On: February 2, 2026
  • What you can learn from Michael Sheen about spending with purpose

    Spending money with purpose can improve your wellbeing. With International Day of Happiness taking place on 20 March 2026, now is the perfect time to think about how you want to use your wealth in a meaningful way, taking inspiration from renowned actor Michael Sheen. Often, people think about financial [...]

    Published On: February 2, 2026
  • How to be a successful investor: Following a strategy that’s right for you

    There’s more to being a successful investor than following the latest market trends and tips. Setting out a strategy that’s right for you could allow you to balance risk against your goals. Last month, you read about the importance of defining what success means for you. With your goals outlined, [...]

    Published On: February 2, 2026
  • Investment market update: December 2025

    After a year filled with uncertainty and rising trade tensions, markets were calmer in December 2025. Find out what may have affected the performance of your portfolio at the end of the year. Market volatility eased in December 2025 Markets were downbeat at the start of the month. Most European [...]

    Published On: January 7, 2026
  • The salary sacrifice pension cap essentials business owners need to know

    You might already know that salary sacrifice can be a practical way for your employees to bolster their retirement funds, while reducing their tax liability. However, in the 2025 Autumn Budget, the government announced changes to how salary sacrifice is treated for National Insurance (NI) purposes. From April 2029, a [...]

    Published On: January 7, 2026
  • Gifting to reduce an Inheritance Tax bill? Here are 5 things to check first

    In the Autumn Budget 2025, the chancellor announced that Inheritance Tax (IHT) thresholds would remain frozen for a further year, until 2031. Upcoming changes will also see unused pensions included in an estate for IHT purposes for the first time from April 2027. These measures could see estates facing a [...]

    Published On: January 7, 2026
  • 7 ways financial planning could help you set realistic goals

    As 2026 begins, it’s a good time to think about what you want to achieve in the coming months. A tailored financial plan can help you set realistic goals. Creating goals on your own can be challenging, especially if they bring together several different parts of your financial plan or [...]

    Published On: January 7, 2026
  • Why retirement has a language problem and how to change the narrative

    Language is powerful. The words you use to describe different scenarios can change how you perceive events, and the language used for retirement could lead to a pessimistic outlook. Writing in an article for Saga (21 October 2025), lexicographer Susie Dent explains that in English, “retire” has its roots in [...]

    Published On: January 7, 2026