With the announcement of the emergency budget on July 8th, there are expected to be many changes to a number of financial legislations. One expected change is to the way tax free allowance is structured. Pre-election, the Conservative manifesto included details about how high earners’ tax relief would be decreased in order to fund an inheritance tax allowance increase of up to £1 million. 

Fixed rate mortgages are currently at the lowest rate ever seen. This means it is now possible to secure a 2 year fixed mortgage at a rate of just 1.07% and a 10 year mortgage for less than 3%.

George Osborne has set a date for an emergency budget. On July 8, key changes to financial structure and legislation will be made, as proposed in the Conservative manifesto.

Setting up a savings account is one thing, but regularly paying into it is another. Getting into the habit of saving money is not easy, and even though you may start the month with the best of intentions, come the end of it there may be very little to put away.

So, how can you avoid overspending and ensure you have a healthy sum to put away regularly? Budget!

Now we have the results from the General Election, investors’ first moves will be an indicator for how the country’s financial situation will take shape over the next term.

Here’s a summary of the key things to watch...

With the upcoming General Election, it may be time to think about your finances ahead of changes to current policies and legislation. As we get closer to the day, it is wise to read up on what a new government will mean for your savings and investments. With a hung parliament likely, some of the smaller parties may get chance to push through some of their policies which could come as  a surprise to some.

Managing your personal finance can be a minefield. With so many options available, regulations surrounding them, not to mention the technical terms attached to them! As we approach the end of the financial year, no doubt you are increasingly looking at the best ways to store and invest your money.

With the end of the tax year approaching, there are a number of things you may want to think about ahead of the 5th April deadline.

Announcing plans for how the Government proposes to handle the deficit, pensions, tax, savings and public spending (to name a handful of topics), economists have been examining the details and identifying the budget's impact. 

As none of us know what’s around the corner, it is important to consider making a Will. This is a task usually associated with old age, however there is always a risk of losing the ability to make rational decisions, leaving you unable to pass on your wishes to your loved ones.  Tragedy can strike at any time and it is reassuring to know that your living intentions will be fulfilled on death. We’re going to take a look at some of the reasons that you may want to write your Will sooner rather than later.

Buying a property has long been seen as a rite of passage, a seminal moment in reaching adulthood as you leave behind the care-free days of renting. For the current generation, with house prices generally being 5 times income for first times buyers, it is more difficult than ever to get on the first rung of the property ladder.

So, what can you do to put yourself in the best possible position to be able to afford your first home? Here are some pieces of advice…

When writing a Will, your first thought are usually be about how your estate and possessions are passed on to your loved ones. In the digital age, there is much more to consider than just physical assets...

By now, all small businesses should be aware of workplace pensions. You might have seen the advertising on TV – ‘Workplace Pensions. We’re All In’. That may already be true of the country’s largest businesses, but to smaller businesses and their employees, implementation is now looming large on the horizon. If you employ one or more qualifying people, then at some point you will have to comply and set up a qualifying Auto Enrolment Pension Scheme.

Planning for retirement is not a straightforward process, and when it comes to choosing a pension there are lots of different things to take into account. You may not be aware, but there are actually three different types of pensions. Let’s explain a little about them…

Pensions are a tax advantaged way of saving for retirement. You may already have a pension you can pay into, such as a work pension. If you haven’t got one already, and are looking into starting one, you may want to consider the following…

In simple terms, a Will is a way of letting your family, friends or even organisations (such as charities) know what your wishes are upon your death. These wishes are most commonly concerned with how your estate is to be divided up. This includes the amount of money you wish a family member to receive from your estate or the appointment of guardians for your minor children....

Do you want to reach the end of 2015 richer than when you started it? Unless you receive a significant windfall, the only way you are going to achieve this is by saving. So, what better time to start than now?

Recently, we looked at how pension flexibility allows you to use your pension “like a bank account” once you reach the minimum age.

For those of you who are not yet at retirement, may have questions about pensions and what you need to consider when planning for the longest holiday of your life – retirement. Here are our top 5 things to think about when organising your pension.

“Freedom and choice in pensions” is something of a hot topic at the moment, but you may be unaware of what this means for you. After April 2015, once you reach the minimum retirement age of 55 (this may be earlier if forced to retire due to ill-health) you will have the freedom to access your personal/company pension as and when you please. There will no longer be an annual limit on how much you are allowed to withdraw and you will be able to use your pension fund “like a bank account”.

A friend of mine recently told me about a profit he made while trading penny shares in a British Oil Company. His thinking behind the purchase was “They’ve fallen substantially so they have to recover, right?” This proved to be a good decision as eventually the share prices rose and he ended up making a profit. The reality is that, although this was a shrewd investment, he was lucky to make a profit and could have quite easily had his fingers burnt...