17 July 2025

Want to improve your investing skills? Don’t make these three common mistakes

Getting ahead with investing isn’t simply down to picking the best stocks, funds or bonds. It’s also about not falling into various traps that catch out individuals time and time again.

Here are three mistakes that all kinds of investors make. If you’re aware of them, and understand why they should be avoided, it can help to keep you on the right...

17 July 2025

Fancy cutting £500 off your council tax bill and investing it instead?

If you feel that your council tax is too high for where you live, you might be right.

Council tax is projected to cost households an average of £1,740 for the 2025-2026, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility, an increase of 6.1% from last year.

But you may be able to reduce your council tax bill by proving that your residence is in the...

8 July 2025

The link between economic growth and stock market performance

If a country’s economic growth slows down or speeds up, many assume that its stock market will mirror that performance. There is a close relationship between the two, yet it is not as simple as saying the rate of GDP will be the precise amount you will make from a fund tracking a particular country’s stock market.

Investor expectations drive...

3 July 2025

Can you afford to take time off work?

Taking an extended break from work has become increasingly popular in the past few years, whether as a solution for burnout, the chance to make a career shift, or simply to take some time to explore.

But if you’re taking leave from work, it usually means giving up, at least temporarily, the salary that comes with it. This can mean a big hit to your...

18 June 2025

How much cash do I need for emergencies?

Having money saved for a rainy day can be key to making you feel financially secure. But how much savings you should hold, versus when you should start investing, can be difficult to balance.

Generally, advisers recommend holding between three and six months of expenses in cash savings. Many people refer to this pot as an emergency fund. This is...

16 June 2025

How your pension can save you from paying too much tax

While a promotion or new role often comes with the benefit of extra money in your pocket, you may be surprised when you receive your first pay check by how much of that extra income has been gobbled up by tax.

This is especially true when that new role pops you into a higher tax bracket, and suddenly, some of your income is being taxed at a rate of...

11 June 2025

Five ways to reduce your tax bill

Taxes are one of the certainties of life, but it doesn’t make it feel any better when you see them come out of your income. However, if you’re smart with your money, there are ways to protect your savings and investments from unnecessary taxes, leaving more for you to enjoy down the line.

Often, the key to these savings is to act sooner rather than...

9 June 2025

Is the main US stock market index too reliant on just a handful of companies?

Even though US stock indices hold hundreds of names, your diversification may be less than you think because of how companies are weighted in the index.

They are weighted by the value of each stock – so various companies worth trillions of dollars will account for a much bigger chunk of the index than those worth low billions of dollars.

This year...

6 June 2025

Does your pension meet the new retirement savings estimates?

The amount of money you will need for retirement has ticked up for those aiming for comfortable or moderate lifestyles in later years, according to research by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA).

A single retiree is now expected to need an income of £31,900 each year for a moderate lifestyle (a £400 increase on the previous...