Blog
Insights from the Charles James team
House Buyers Taking out Longer Term Mortgages
More and more house buyers are taking out 30 year or more mortgages in an attempt to cut down on their monthly repayments.
Changes to Your Pension Annual Allowance
Changes to pension tax relief are coming in April next year.
Could Your Will be Contested?
One woman went to court and received over £150,000 of her mother's estate, despite not being included in the will. Does this mean that your will could be contested too?
Mortgages and Rising Interest Rates
Homeowners set to face extra costs with an interest increase “drawing closer”.
Interest Rates Remain Low on Super Thursday
The decision has been made to keep interest rates set at a record low 0.5%, despite expectations that they would rise.
Inheritance Tax Changes - How Are You Affected?
The recent changes to inheritance tax have caused confusion as to how much can be passed on tax-free in a will. We take a look at how you may be affected.
The UK is Third Most Popular Place for Investment
According to a report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), the UK is the third most popular place for international investment.
How to Avoid Pension Scams
Pensions are one of the best ways to secure your future after retirement, however pension scams are becoming more commonplace in the UK, putting people’s savings at risk.
Interest Rates Increase: Opinions
Despite inflation sitting at 0%, the Bank of England could be about to raise interest rates to a targeted 2%. We look at the opinions of a number of leading financial experts.
Is Cash Still King?
As cashless payments become increasingly popular, are we about to see the end of coins and notes altogether?
Interest Rates Set to Rise
Mark Carney, the current governor of the Bank of England, has suggested that interest could rise to around 2% within the next three years.
Saving Increases By 50% in Just 10 Years
The amount that people are saving every month has risen by 52% over the past ten years, according to the spring 2015 NS&I Savings Survey by TNS.
Apple Pay and Online Financial Security
Apple Pay launches in the UK today allowing those with an iPhone to pay for goods using their device. But what is Apple Pay and just how safe is your money when banking and buying online?
The EU Countries With The Longest Working Hours
A recent study published in the Independent shows the average number of hours worked in the EU by country. The average number of hours worked is 37.2, but do we in the UK work more or less?
The Budget 2015 Pensions and Tax Summary
The 2015 Budget was announced yesterday, and with lots of changes and information to take in, you may have missed some important points. Here is a roundup of some of the key announcements made by the Chancellor George Osborne regarding personal tax and pensions.
Budget 2015
Find your preferred live feed for today's budget announcements following the election of a Conservative government in May.
Do You Understand Personal Finance?
Many of us have a poor understanding of personal finance, often underestimating the cost of certain aspects of living or life events. But how can we better prepare for financial inevitabilities?
When Did We Stop Talking About Money?
Discussing personal finances has long been considered a little crude or even a taboo. We take a look at the reasons why it's good to talk when it comes to money...
Will the Crisis in Greece Affect The UK?
Greece have defaulted from payment to the IMF, but what are the consequences for the UK and the rest of Europe?
What A Cheap Will Could Cost You
While many of us put off making a will for various reasons, the perceived high costs of legal assistance is not always one of them.