Unfortunately, we now live in a world of fake news and ‘alternative facts’[1] where parties shamelessly push their own agenda at the cost of salient facts. In order to be heard in the noise of social media, research headlines need to be bigger and more eye-catching. For those investing using an evidence-based approach that means it…
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By and large, behavioral science suggests that human beings make lousy investors. Whilst we are excellent problem solvers, we suffer from a whole host of well-documented biases that, on average, erode the investment returns on offer from markets [1]. Being aware of our biases is a useful exercise if we are to limit the impact that…
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Although it’s common to set out new goals at the start of the year, those resolutions are often broken by the time spring rolls around. If you’re wondering how to get back on track, now is the perfect time to acknowledge the achievements you’ve already made this year and to start planning out the next few…
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Financial planning doesn’t have a lot in common with science fiction. Yet, cash flow modelling could allow you to explore the lives you could lead if you made different decisions. So, it has more in common with the multiverse theory than you might initially think. The multiverse theory suggests there is a hypothetical group of multiple universes with many different…
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The new tax year has only just started. Yet, making the most of your allowances now, rather than waiting until March 2024, could make sense. Read on to find out why. When a new tax year starts on 6 April, many allowances reset, such as the: ISA allowance Pension Annual Allowance…
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The benefits of having a will in place are well-documented, although if you don’t have a will, or haven’t updated it in some time, you’re not alone. A recent survey from MoneyAge has found that 51% of adults in the UK currently don’t have a will in place.
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Do you find pension information confusing? You’re not alone; 50% of people in the UK describe the information they receive about their pension as “overwhelming”, according to a Standard Life study. Fortunately, there are places where you can seek guidance or advice. The survey found 83% of people think financial advisers offer useful support. If you’re not…
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Inheritance Tax (IHT) can affect what you leave behind for loved ones. It’s essential you understand if it’s something you need to think about, as there could be steps you can take to reduce a potential bill. Over the last few months, you’ve read about what estate planning is and how to calculate the value of…
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The spectacular work ‘Another Place’ by the British sculptor Antony Gormley[1], of one hundred naked men scattered along 1.5 miles of Crosby Beach in Liverpool, provides a useful twice-daily reminder about hidden risks in the financial world. As Warren Buffet once said about easy money and favourable markets hiding risks: ‘You only find out who…
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Just six months ago, Kwasi Kwarteng stood up in the House of Commons and delivered his controversial “Mini-Budget”. The announcements ultimately brought down the short-lived Truss administration, with current chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, announcing a series of policy measures in November 2022 aimed at calming the markets. Having taken “difficult decisions to deliver stability and sound money”, the chancellor has delivered…
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