I’d like to start the new year by looking at something that’s ostensibly very simple – saving money. When you’re saving, there’s a tendency to obsess about investment returns. Often this is driven by media comment and the publicity churned out by investment fund managers. Previous returns, heavily promoted, on a specific fund can lead to a thought process of “this fund went up 20% last year, so if I invest £10,000 it may well be worth £12,000 by the end of the year.” Instead, you should look at saving money differently. The amount you save and when you save it is far more important than investment returns when it comes to your future wealth and prosperity. Saving money is... Read More

As we head towards the end of 2021, it’s natural for you to start looking ahead to what 2022 may bring. To my mind, the start of a new year is the perfect time to think about what’s important to you, and the impact this has on your personal finances. I therefore thought it might be an ideal time to suggest 10 new year financial resolutions that will help you get you on the right financial track in 2022. 1. Take some time to understand what’s important to you With all the TV channels showing repeats, and films you’ve seen a dozen times before, the Christmas break gives you the ideal opportunity to take a step back. Spend some quiet... Read More

As we approach the end of the year, I’ve gone back through the newsletters you’ve received from me this year and pulled out some of the key lessons I’ve shared. These might not give you all the answers you need to plan your financial future. Your situation is unique to you, and your financial planning process should be equally unique. But following these lessons should stand you in good stead, and put you in a strong position to enjoy the retirement you deserve and have worked hard for. So, in the spirit of the 12 days of Christmas, here are your 12 key financial lessons from 2021. 1. Inflation is one of the biggest threats to your financial wellbeing In... Read More

The value of your investments, particularly your pension fund, is crucial to the success of your financial planning. A key factor when it comes to growth on your investments is the amount of risk you’re prepared to accept to meet your financial goals. Here are eight key facts about investment risk that you should consider when you’re investing your money. 1. It’s important you understand what “risk” is From crossing the road to buying a new car, there is an element of risk involved in almost everything you do. Each time you do something that could be risky, you’ll take steps to reduce that risk. So, when you’re crossing the road, you’ll check for oncoming traffic. If you’re buying a... Read More

How you invest your financial assets is key to your financial future. So, it should be at the heart of your financial planning process. Effective and successful investing doesn’t happen by accident. As with most things, you should always have a plan in place, and follow that when you’re building – and managing – your portfolio. I strongly believe that you should have some guiding principles that create a framework within which you can make decisions about your investment strategy. Here are 10 investment “commandments” for you to adopt. These very much reflect my investment ethos and the way I look to advise all my clients when it comes to investing your money. 1. You must have a plan, and... Read More