While inflation is stabilising in many major economies, markets continue to experience some volatility, which may have affected your investment portfolio. According to the latest International Monetary Fund’s Global Financial Stability Report , markets could be underestimating the risks of conflicts and upcoming elections. Indeed, the rising price of gold suggests some investors are seeking a safe haven amid news of interest rate cuts, the upcoming US election, and escalating

If you’ve ever struggled to find motivation, you’ll know how draining it can feel to push through and finish your work. Getting out of a rut can be difficult, but is far from impossible. Finding a way to boost your creativity and approach your work with fresh eyes can help you leap back into your projects with renewed energy. Indeed, recent research from Stanford University has found that changing your location could help you escape a creative rut. Read on to discover why it’

As a self-employed worker, managing your finances can be more complex. One area you might have overlooked or be unsure where to start with is saving for your retirement. According to the House of Commons Library, there are 4.24 million self-employed work ers in the UK as of July 2024, and research indicates many don’t understand pensions. Indeed, an interactive investor survey asked self-employed workers three basic pension questions and found that just 9% could answer all th

If you’re working and contributing to your pension, you might think you don’t need to do any more retirement planning just yet. However, seeking retirement advice in your 30s and 40s could mean you’re in a better position when you’re ready to give up work. According to a survey published in IFA Magazine, putting off retirement planning is something many workers are guilty of. Indeed, it found that just 5% of Brits aged between 35 and 44 had taken financial advice to help them

The end of the year is fast approaching, and while your mind might be on celebrating the festive period, it’s the perfect opportunity to tick off some financial tasks you might be putting off. Spending some time going through your finances and thinking about what you want to achieve next year could help you step into 2025 feeling confident about your future. So, here are 10 jobs you could complete before the end of the year. 1. Check the interest rate your savings are earning

Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the new Labour government’s first Budget on 30 October 2024. Amid the announcements were key changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Inheritance Tax (IHT) that could affect your financial plan. Ahead of the Budget, prime minister Keir Starmer said it would be “painful” as there was a £22 billion black hole in the public finances. Indeed, Reeves went on to announce measures that would raise annual tax revenues by £40 billion by 2030. Some of t

In July, the markets were affected by general elections taking place in the UK and France, and the ongoing presidential campaign in the US. Read on to find out what else affected investment markets in July 2024. Uncertainty and numerous other factors may affect the value of your investment portfolio. However, for most investors, long-term trends are a better indicator of their strategy’s performance than short-term movements. Returns cannot be guaranteed, but, historically, m

The trend for wanting your money to have a positive effect on the world when you invest has been growing. If it’s something you’ve considered, the terminology might seem confusing with phrases like “ESG investing” and “impact investing” used interchangeably. Read on to discover what the difference is and how it might affect your investment decisions. ESG and impact investing share similarities but take different approaches ESG investing incorporates environmental, social, and

Failing to set out your wishes in a will could mean your assets aren’t passed on to the loved ones you’d like to benefit from your estate. As a result, this could have a significant effect on your legacy. A will is one of the main ways to ensure your assets are passed on to your loved ones according to your wishes. So, if you don’t have a will in place, what will happen? Intestacy rules are applied if you pass away without a will If you pass away without a valid will, also kn

It doesn’t matter how much you prepare; sometimes unexpected life events could mean your carefully laid plans go awry. While you can’t know what’s around the corner, you can change how you respond to unpredictable events to help keep your financial plan on track. A life event could have a huge impact on your wealth, both now and in the future. Circumstances outside of your control might even lead to you changing your long-term goals. So, even if you already have a robust fina