Exploring personal finance and investing
Investing in bonds is clearly a popular investment class given there is over $100 trillion invested in bonds globally. How safe are bonds as an investment and what are the risks involved? What is a Bond? Governments and corporations issue bonds as a way to raise finance. In exchange for investing in bonds, the investor … Read More “Investing in Bonds – Risks and Rewards” »
You may have enjoyed a wee dram of whiskey over time, but have you ever considered investing in whiskey? The Irish translation of whiskey is uisce beatha which literally means ‘water of life’. Along with art, wine, and classic cars, the ‘water of life’, whiskey, is considered an alternative asset class to investing in say, … Read More “Is Investing in Whiskey a Good Idea?” »
Pension Credit is a means-tested government benefit. It helps with day-to-day living expenses if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Currently, almost 1.4 million pensioners in Britain receive Pension Credit. If you receive Pension Credit, can it be stopped? Let’s look at the circumstances under which this could happen. When Can … Read More “Can Pension Credit Be Stopped?” »
Minister for Pensions Laura Trott stated, “Up to an estimated 850,000 eligible households are not claiming Pension Credit, with up to £1.7 billion of available Pension Credit going unclaimed.” Department of Work and Pensions press release June 2023. The average Pension Credit is worth over £3,500 per year and it may mean you can get access to … Read More “Is Pension Credit Means Tested?” »
A pension is a long-term savings plan that you will use in later life to fund your retirement. Pensions are amongst the most tax-efficient ways to save for retirement. Not only do they cut your tax bill, they also grow almost tax-free. The Benefits of Saving for a Pension The benefits of saving for a … Read More “Guide to UK Pensions” »
Millions of people across the UK use cash and credit cards for purchases every day. However, why do so many overspend when using a credit card, unable to pay off their credit card balance each month? Reasons Why People Use Credit Cards Why do people use credit cards rather than cash or debit cards despite … Read More “Credit Cards Can Cause Overspending” »
The defence industry companies work with governments providing them with military capabilities across land, sea, air, and electronic systems. They help support current and future defence and military needs. Defence stocks, especially those of U.S. companies, have seen an increase following the outbreak of the Hamas-Israeli armed conflict on 7 October 2023. Defence Companies Whose Stock … Read More “Defence Stocks Rise Amid Conflicts” »
Why Invest In a Pension? Millions in the UK aren’t saving enough for retirement and face three options: Don’t depend on the State Pension. It’s only £203.85 a week or £10,600.20 a year for 2023/24. However, the amount you get may vary from this figure depending on your National Insurance (NI) record. This is far … Read More “How Much Do You Need For Retirement?” »
The annual house price inflation in the UK fell over the past year from 13.8% to just 0.6% as of July 2023. Here, I’ll examine why. Inflation Inflation in the UK currently stands at 6.7%. High inflation has been caused by: Bank of England Base Rates The Bank of England has increased base rates 14 times … Read More “UK House Price Inflation Drops to 0.6%” »
Previously I gave an overview of things to consider before investing in buy-to-let property. Here, I’ll take a look at the pros and cons of investing, some of which are based on my own experience in buy-to-let. Benefits of Buy-To-Let Buy-to-let can be a good investment which may bring the following benefits: Rental Income Your … Read More “Pros and Cons of Buy-to-Let” »
A friend recently said she was thinking about investing in a buy-to-let property. This is where you buy a property such as a house or flat and rent it out. She asked me for some guidance, given my experience as a landlady. This is what I told her. Things to consider before taking the plunge Securing … Read More “Invest in Buy-To-Let Property?” »
