There’s something oddly enduring about the debate between property and pensions, as if, decades later, we’re all still trying to pick a team. For many UK expats, especially those living in places like Thailand or southern Europe, the pull of “bricks and mortar” feels natural. It’s tangible, it’s lifestyle-driven, and it can even double as […]
Stop Hoping, Start Planning Most people don’t deliberately avoid planning for retirement; it just slips further down the to-do list. Life is busy, pensions feel complicated, and there’s always a quiet assumption that the government will step in. The reality is that state support was never designed to provide a full retirement income, and without […]
For years, pensions have been the quiet hero of estate planning: tax-friendly, reliable, and mostly out of the inheritance tax firing line. But from April 2027, that peace of mind takes a knock. Unused pension savings will fall within the UK’s inheritance tax net, and due to the way the tax layers stack, your loved […]
It’s been an eventful first six months of 2025 to say the least. Central bank shifts, surprise inflation data and a couple of geopolitical curveballs in the mix. Having your money spread across countries means you've probably felt the repercussions. The economic headlines ripple right through pension pots, property plans, and everyday spending. Whether you’re […]
The Year to Recalibrate If you've glanced at pension headlines recently, you might have seen a lot of noise – lifetime allowance scrapped here, inflation-adjusted thresholds there. It sounds like chaos. But here’s the upside: 2025 could be one of the best years in recent memory to rebuild your pension strategy around today’s rules, especially […]
When most people think about tax, they focus on the headline rates: 20%, 40% and 45%. What people often overlook is the effective tax rate - the actual rate you end up paying on each extra pound you earn, once all the oddities in the system are taken into account. One of the most surprising […]
Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement, delivered on 26 March 2025, was less about big announcements and more about setting a tone: steady, serious, and focused on long-term discipline. With sluggish growth, rising borrowing costs, and global uncertainty all weighing on the economy, the message was clear - now is the time to protect public finances […]
The Bank of England has dropped the base rate from 4.75% to 4.5%, but what does the rest of 2025 hold for the UK and global economies? With significant changes on the horizon, interest rates will largely shape the financial landscape for individuals in the UK and beyond. By understanding global interest rate trends, forecasts, […]
As we leave behind the turbulence of 2024, the first quarter of 2025 presents a fresh opportunity to reassess and refine your financial strategies for what’s shaping up to be a year of economic uncertainty. By understanding key economic trends, political developments, and global shifts, you’ll have the insight needed to safeguard and build your […]
From the tax hikes of Labour’s Budget to the eventual steadying of interest rates and inflation, 2024 was fascinating from a financial perspective. Of course, there was also Donald Trump’s re-election, which will have a huge impact on markets in the year ahead. If 2024 has taught us anything, it’s that economic resilience and a […]
In November 2024, Donald Trump shocked political commentators by winning the US presidential election for the second time. Of course, US elections are significant from a global perspective, and the next four years look set to be an interesting period for financial markets. From fluctuations during the election to projections for the future, strategic recommendations […]
After taking an unprecedented 100+ days since the election to deliver the first Labour budget in more than a decade, the speculation and counter-speculation are over. When Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced the Autumn Budget on October 30, 2024, we knew the focus would be on economic stability and sustainable growth, but there was more. The […]
For high-net-worth individuals, navigating the UK's tax landscape is becoming increasingly challenging. With the Labour government poised to introduce sweeping changes, many are left wondering what’s next. While some reforms, like adjustments to the Non-Dom status, have been anticipated, others - like the potential introduction of an exit tax for wealthy expats - have caught […]
Put this date in your diary: Wednesday, 30th October 2024, the first Labour government budget since 2009. While there is speculation and counter-speculation about what we can expect in the budget, the government will need to make some difficult decisions. These could impact the short-term popularity of Keir Starmer, but with a five-year term, the […]
It’s fair to say that the incoming UK government has hit the ground running with an ambitious housebuilding target. Broadly speaking, the target is an additional 1.5 million new homes over the next five years, which will include affordable and social housing. Planning restrictions are also likely to be lifted in green and grey belt […]
As we journey through our working lives, we often take comfort in the knowledge that our pensions will support us when it comes to our retirement. However, the harsh reality is that for many, their pensions may not be enough to maintain their desired lifestyle. Did you know that almost 30% of people have no […]
Politics and finance are two topics often discussed in tandem. As we approach the UK general election on July 4th, there is much speculation about how a potential change of government will influence taxes, economies, and investment. While it is dangerous to look to the past for indications of future changes, it is crucial to […]
While the most obvious potential benefit from starting early with regular investments is enhanced returns, there are many other factors to consider. Naturally, as investors, our focus tends to be on short-term returns. Only when you look back and consider annualised returns over a longer period can you begin to grasp the real benefits of […]
While many people associate base rates with their mortgage rates, the devil is in the details. To understand the direct relationship, it is essential to appreciate the Bank of England's role and why it is so crucial to businesses and individuals. Setting interest rates UK base rates currently stand at 5.25%, with expectations that we […]
The fight for equal opportunities in the workplace is far from done, and a recent report by Scottish Widows showed how the gender pay gap impacts pension savings. When you consider that people could be paying towards their pension for 40 years or more, what may seem relatively small differences today can have a considerable […]
Pension consolidation is probably not at the top of your financial to-do list, another of those topics that can be revisited at any time. Is there any urgency if your funds are invested and you're receiving your annual updates? When you begin to look into pension consolidation in a little more depth, you will notice […]
Over the last few years, one thing has been evident: financial markets quickly adapt to changing environments, some of which have been dramatic. As we move into 2024, when looking at your investments, it is essential to consider the broader situation, and then we can start to dig down into the individual sectors. Global economies […]
When considering any investment, it is essential to recognise that without risk there is unlikely to be any return. For example, while Treasury bonds are often recognised as the gold standard of investment, they can create a return because there is a risk that the government may default, no matter how small the chances. On […]
Since moving to Thailand in 2009, I quickly became aware of the cost of education as an expat. I spent many years, to some extent, shocking people as to just how much it would cost to send their children through school and then university. When Peyton was born, I then experienced firsthand just how much […]
Managing wealth effectively is more critical than ever in a world of financial complexities. It's not just about accumulating assets; it's about securing your financial future, achieving your goals, and ensuring a legacy for future generations. This is where wealth management plays a pivotal role. In this article, we'll delve into the intricacies of wealth […]
Amid the ongoing Covid pandemic, it is easy to overlook the significant changes in the makeup of the global economy. We tend to assume that the US and the expanding EU will become more dominant, but this does not appear to be the case. Instead, there is strong evidence to suggest that over the next […]
In general, global life expectancy has been increasing gradually for decades. Aside from a dip as a consequence of Covid, the impact of enhanced healthcare, diet and lifestyles has been positive. This is even more evident in the Far East compared to the likes of Europe and the USA. Today, global life expectancy stands at […]
If you asked ten people to describe the role of their financial adviser, you would receive several variations. In a world of new technology, innovation and fast-moving markets, independent financial advisers are more valuable than ever. They provide a balanced approach to all areas of finance, personal, business and investments. However, a recent survey by […]
The underlying strength of the APAC economy is well documented; expected to go from strength to strength in the short, medium and long term. Recent events suggest that the technology sector will be one of the main drivers, with the region set to become THE global technology hub. We will now look at the foundations […]
Ironically, we teach children and young adults various subjects in school that they are unlikely to require in their everyday lives. Yet, we have topics they will come across daily that they need to learn after leaving the education system. To put this into perspective, when was the last time you used Pythagoras's theory or […]
Thankfully, there are a few bright spots for the global economy amid uncertainty regarding interest rates and inflation. While many economies experienced a rebound in 2022, the prospects for 2023 and 2024 are mixed, to say the least. However, a recent report by the IMF suggests it may be time to revisit investor exposure to […]
The financial sector is constantly moving and evolving at a lightning-fast pace. In recent years we have seen significant changes and developments, such as the introduction of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Due to often similar investment goals, many people are now questioning the value of mutual funds against ETFs. There are various issues to consider, […]
It looks like 2023 could be a challenging year for the worldwide economy and stock markets. Amidst the cost of living crisis, brought on by historically high inflation and rising energy costs, many countries are set to dip into recession. According to research, the average recession lasts around ten months, with the stock market said […]
Since the US subprime mortgage crisis began in 2007, there have been numerous financial challenges for investment markets. We have seen the Covid pandemic, tensions in Ukraine, double-digit inflation and an ongoing cost of living crisis. It is fair to say that this has tested the nerves of many investors. So, how do you cope with volatile investment markets?
The perfect financial advisor should be able to help you all the way into adulthood, but this isn't always the case. Let's examine the distinction between a financial advisor and a financial planner. What characteristics should we be on the lookout for in a financial planner?
In order to achieve long-term financial security, it is vital to have a long-term financial plan in place. This will be supplemented by short-term financial targets, which will be the stepping stones to long-term financial goals. However, it is just as important to recognise that short, medium and long-term financial goals can be adjusted over time. Life doesn’t remain static, you may have noticed!
Bear markets are part and parcel of investing. It’s that simple. And while it’s understandable to get nervous when bearish trends happen, history has shown that they don’t last forever.
Here, we’ll examine bear markets of the past to contextualise today’s economic uncertainty. We’ll explore how long bearish trends have historically lasted, how long the current bear market is likely to continue, and the bear market opportunities available to investors.
WHY DOLLAR COST AVERAGE? Pretty much the hardest part of investing isn’t actually picking good investments (though it’s still important, and not easy) – it’s the psychological side. In turbulent markets like we’ve had recently, resolve is tested. “Is my strategy right?” “Do I take money out?” “Is now a good time to invest?” The […]
Knowing why and when to use a financial advisor can be difficult. Many people wait until they have become wealthy to get advice and come into money, often through inheritance or the sale of a business. But there are many more everyday reasons to bring in the support of a professional financial advisor. Wealth is […]
It probably hasn’t escaped your attention that markets have been turbulent this year, and with this period of volatility giving investors pause for thought, I have found myself wondering “how long will this bearish, flighty mood last?.” Even for financial professionals (sometimes especially for us!) this type of widespread market weakness tests our ability to […]
Investing involves risk. In some cases, risk can be reduced by timing the market instead of jumping in blind. If jumping blind – basically investing without doing any research at all - is ever acceptable it’s when the stakes aren’t too high, a bad outcome won’t impact negatively on your lifestyle, and you’re buying a […]
Overnight Asia US and European stock futures were flat on Friday, with global stocks poised to cap their best week in a month as improving economic data provided solace against an acceleration in infections in the US. Contracts on the S&P 500 were little changed after the Index rose in the wake of a stronger […]
Overnight Asia Equity futures dropped and Asian stocks traded in a muted fashion at the start of the third quarter, as investors assessed mixed data on the global economy amid concern over the Coronavirus spread and Sino-American tensions. Shares fell in Japan on low volumes, with sentiment capped as confidence among large manufacturers in the country […]
Investing is about making your money work harder for you. We believe it should be simple and rewarding. It can be worrying when stock markets go down. These guides will help explain what to do - and what not to do - during times of uncertainty. Putting time on your side This guide looks at […]
Many workers approaching retirement age have probably worked for several companies in their lifetime, and with it, contributed towards several pensions. Employees don’t always understand work pensions and assume they lose it or forget about it when they change jobs. The burning question is whether it is advisable to consolidate all these pensions into one […]
Fidelity International Global recently published this article today, (November 18, 2019). US markets US equities rose Friday after upbeat comments on prospects for a US-China trade deal from White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow. The Dow industrial average and the S&P 500 both rose 0.8 percent, and the NASDAQ gained 0.7 percent. Kudlow said the […]
As an expat in a new country, you are living the dream. Your salary is often much higher than back home and you are exposed to a higher quality of life. It is very easy for new expats to go on a spending spree when they first receive their expat salaries. They want to experience the local […]
