You’ve got the power: What should you think about when managing a loved one’s finances? June 27, 2018 Medical advances mean that we’re living longer. That’s the good news. The bad news is that for some of us, our bodies will survive our minds. And it’s for this reason that we are seeing more Lasting Power of Attorneys (LPAs) and deputyships in force. These are legal documents that give someone else – [...]
Wine over matter: TV wine expert Amelia Singer on working with Jamie Oliver and binge-drinking Brits June 25, 2018 “I wasn’t going to start with this statement, but hey why not – I’m all about cross-dressing when it comes to wine,” says Amelia Singer, with a glint in her eye. What she means is that wine is best served with life’s other great enhancers – like art, music, and food. That might sound obvious [...]
It’s been almost two years since the Brexit vote – where now for the pound? June 20, 2018 It's been an eventful two years to say the least. As our negotiators go to great lengths to untangle Britain from the European Union, no asset reflects this tumultuous journey more than sterling. In the fortnight after the June 2016 referendum, the pound plunged to $1.28 from $1.49. With most speculators pricing in a [...]
A class of their own: The head of Redington is on a mission to stop money from being a taboo subject June 18, 2018 "Let's play a game,” says Rob Gardner, opening up his bag of tricks. A jumble of colourful building blocks spill out onto the table in front of me. He tells me to make as many towers as I want, as high as I want. “I can’t believe I’m being paid to do this,” I [...]
Don’t get caught up in your mortgage lender’s game of Space Invaders June 13, 2018 You might be familiar with Space Invaders – the computer game where you have to shoot aliens. According to UK Finance, that retro 70s game resembles the challenge that lenders face in the interest-only mortgage market. That is, once lenders have recouped cash from the easy targets (or borrowers), they then have to take [...]
We talk to the founder of maternity fashion brand Seraphine about sexism and style June 11, 2018 What do the Duchess of Cambridge, Angelina Jolie, and Gwen Stefani all have in common? At different points in time, they have all worn clothing from the Seraphine fashion range. But Seraphine is no normal fashion label – this is a brand that specialises in maternity clothing. In its 16-year history, it has become a [...]
How the founder of Push Doctor hopes to take the stress away from the NHS June 4, 2018 Nowadays, it’s rare to hear any mention of the NHS without the word “crisis” trailing closely behind. Increasing patient numbers and the worst winter period on record have left the NHS bowing under the pressure. A recent report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies and the Health Foundation said taxes would have to increase by [...]
Safe as houses: How to invest in property without buying a home May 31, 2018 Brits are falling out of love with the property market. A recent report from Rathbones found that more than half of investors now take a pessimistic view on the sector. It’s easy to see why, when the government is making life harder for private landlords – with a tax hike just one of several measures [...]
Death of the deposit: A new type of rental model is emerging, but could it be the next PPI scandal in the making? April 10, 2018 Most renters will be familiar with the drama that surrounds deposits. The average deposit in London is an eye-watering £1,765, according to the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. But saving up hundreds of pounds is only half of the battle. Recouping all of your cash at the end of your tenancy is often a huge headache, and [...]
Healthy habits of Isa millionaires March 21, 2018 For many of us, becoming a millionaire might seem like a farfetched dream. But it might not be as difficult as you first thought, provided you adopt the right behaviours. While the government has regularly ramped up the annual tax-free threshold over the years, in 2017 the allowance saw a massive jump up to [...]