The FIRE movement is a small but growing lifestyle movement. It stands for “financial independence, retire early”, and challenges the traditional path of working until you’re in your 60s before retiring. While the steps FIRE members take can be extreme, it does share some of its core principles with financial [...]

As you may know, inflation (or the “cost of living”) has been rising at a faster pace than usual. If you’re retired, the effect of inflation can be more pronounced and it’s important to understand how it could affect your lifestyle now and in the future. The Bank of England [...]

In 1793, a vast army of the French First Republic locked horns with a combined force of Royalists and their foreign allies at the port city of Toulon. It was in this battle that a young artillery officer caught the attention of his superiors, demonstrating not only a high [...]

The 2021/22 tax year ends on Monday 5 April 2022. This is the date when many allowances reset, and it could be your last opportunity to make use of some of them. Keeping track of how you’ve used your allowances can reduce your tax liability and help you boost [...]

When you invest, how much do you expect to receive in return? A survey suggests that some investors have unrealistic expectations that could affect their long-term financial security. Research from Aegon found that half of UK adults have put money into investments because interest rates are low. While this can [...]

As a parent or grandparent, you may be thinking about ways you can build a nest egg for children or grandchildren. It’s a step that can give them financial security as they become independent. According to the Royal Mint’s 2021 Savings Report, 93% of parents say a savings account [...]

As we head into a new year, it’s common to think about the changes you could make to your life to improve your wellbeing and reach your goals. Taking steps to instil positive habits at the start of 2022 could set you up for greater wellbeing in the long term. [...]

The UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) took place in November in Glasgow. The climate change summit brought together countries to discuss how they can tackle the global issue. It was the first time since COP21, which took place in 2015, that parties were expected to enhance their commitments to climate [...]

The pension gap between men and women is closing. But, once life expectancy is taken into consideration, women still need to save an extra £185,000 for retirement, on average, according to the Scottish Widows 2021 Women and Retirement report. The report finds that young women in their 20s today can [...]

Whether retirement is over a decade away or just around the corner, you could face significant challenges that may affect the lifestyle you want. Learning more about these potential obstacles and taking steps to reduce their impact now could make heading into retirement smoother. Almost half of people see retirement [...]

Pension tax relief has been boosting pension pots for 100 years. Over your working life, it’s an incentive that can add thousands of pounds to your retirement savings. While incredibly valuable, research suggests many high earners are still missing out on their full tax relief entitlement. Pension tax relief has [...]

“Employment is up, investment is growing, public services are improving, the public finances are stabilising, and wages are rising.” This is the backdrop against which Rishi Sunak presented the 2021 Autumn Budget. Promising “a stronger economy for the British people”, the chancellor outlined his taxation and spending proposals. Here’s a [...]