When stock markets lose their glitter, as has been the case in recent weeks, gold is often the beneficiary. So what is going on? The rhetoric from many share watchers has been along the lines of bull markets do not...

Thinking of deferring the State Pension? Time to carefully calculate whether you are likely to be better off or not. And, as part of that process, you need to confront you own mortality – how long do you think you...

Interest in buy-to-let and second homes is fading fast as taxes bite, the evidence suggests. The Government clearly targeted this area to make it easier for first time buyers competing with landlords to snap up homes at the bottom of...

Everyone knows that social care for the elderly is in crisis but it seems no-one can come up with a better system, one which will command sufficient support. Lots of ideas but so far no consensus. Currently you have to...

Just a year ago I wrote an article on Ethical Investing and I concluded that it was “not exactly the Age of Ethical Investment, but the trend is definitely there”. Things have moved on to such an extent that I...

Many more of us need to take out a lasting power of attorney (LPA) or risk leaving ourselves vulnerable in old age. A report last month from Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) in conjunction with think tank Centre for Future...

It’s always been the way that some clients try to time markets … wait for a fall and then invest. It is perhaps part of the human psyche to believe you can outsmart the experts, and how the British love...

Have you ever thought how you would make ends meet if you had a serious accident or illness? There’s your mortgage or your rent to pay, the weekly groceries, utility bills and general everyday living expenses. Not only do you...

A Greater Birmingham firm of independent financial advisers (IFA) has launched a training scheme to provide new career opportunities in the profession. As part of it, Eastcote Wealth Management (EWM) has linked with Aston University to secure some of the...

The current pension Lifetime Allowance is threatening to play havoc with group life assurance schemes – popular with many companies. Employers need to be up to speed on the different types of schemes available and consider if their employees are...