News & Views

How much retirement income do I need? From minimum to comfortable income

News & Views, Finance

Don’t lie to yourself about your retirement income. Putting your head in the sand only encourages pain further down the line.
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Coming up to retirement: 9 essential tips to a happy future

News & Views, Finance

Peter McGahan explores the nine emotional needs that must be considered as we approach retirement. ...

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Corporate tax avoidance: How UK tax havens lead the way while you pay

News & Views, Tax

Peter McGahan questions the UK's position as enablers of corporate tax avoidance at a time when British consumers are being taxed so...

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Death and taxes: Consumers pay while corporations play

News & Views, Tax

Peter McGahan muses over rising taxes and why the burden is passed to the public rather than the corporation making extraordinary profits.
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Good financial decisions: How apathy and emotion can be expensive

News & Views, Finance

Apathy has always been the biggest risk to investors and savers. As Peter McGahan explains, it can be expensive and gets in the way of good...

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The inflation hoodwink: What’s behind extraordinary rises

Finance, News & Views

Tightened your belt over the past three years? The reasons for those rising costs aren't as transparent as you've been led to believe....

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Rising inflation – a deeper dive into who makes money from misery

News & Views, Finance

With rising costs on everything from water bills to mortgages and the weekly shop, Peter McGahan explains why the real causes of inflation should worry you.
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Why inflation matters: the painful facts facing UK families

News & Views, Finance

Inflation really does matter. It wipes out your financial security and it hurts us all, well not necessarily all. Read on, Peter McGahan...

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Pension drawdown or annuity? Freedom vs security

Pensions, News & Views

Overshadowed by pension drawdown, the unfashionable annuity is back in vogue as people seek security amid financial turmoil. But which...

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Targeted retirement funds: Effective strategy needed

Savings & Investments, News & Views

Peter McGahan examines the value of targeted retirement funds. Learn how managing your investment portfolio strategically can minimise risk and maximise growth…
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Planning your financial future: Why you should eat the egg, not the chicken

Finance, News & Views

Identifying your financial priorities and ignoring consumer distractions is a simple, effective strategy for future savings, writes Peter...

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Return of the 100% mortgage and a boost to beleaguered ‘help to buy’

News & Views, Property

Recent moves to revive the 'help to buy' scheme could be a political vote swinger but something more creative is needed to assist those...

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How mortgage apathy can cost £160,000

News & Views, Property

If you’re sitting on your mortgage, assuming that switching won’t bring any significant gains, think again! It might be costing you more than you r…
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Disturbing headlines about banks in trouble – no need to panic

Finance, News & Views

There is a lot of noise about banks in trouble and doom-mongering of imminent financial collapse. Peter McGahan reads between the lines to...

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Are the banks really in trouble? The collapse of SVB needn’t be a worry

Finance, News & Views

Headlines, headlines, fear, and more fear. It can all become a little overwhelming indeed, writes Peter McGahan....

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Two cool ISA tips – Understand market fluctuation and why volatility can be a friend

News & Views, Savings & Investments

In a final ISA column before the end of tax year rush ends, Peter McGahan shares some useful tips for would-be investors.
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The brutality of tax on your investments | Impact, examples and strategies

News & Views, Savings & Investments

ISA season is upon us so Peter McGahan takes a look at the benefits of the tax-free investment product and how you could be missing out! ...

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Watch out for the April 5th investment tax change

Finance, News & Views

As we approach the end of the financial year, Peter McGahan looks at investment tax allowances and an unwelcome reduction that is due in...

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Fraud risk to over-65s is revealed as Scam Bingo game launches

News & Views • One Comment

Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign launches Scam Bingo game to help raise awareness as new research highlights the risk of fraud to over-65s.
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Unlocking the benefits of equity release: risk and reward examined

News & Views, Equity Release

Over the next couple of weeks, Peter McGahan will give a good run down of all the thoughts, risks and benefits around equity release and...

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Equity Release: understanding the perils of mis-sold products

Equity Release, News & Views

Peter McGahan explains why there are many solutions available before equity release is the right choice - even with the pressures of the...

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Setting financial goals – simple steps to regaining control

Money Saving Tips, News & Views

Financial security and independence are key emotional needs but to achieve it you need discipline and a goal. Peter McGahan explains how you can achieve this w…
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Our mental relationship with money

Finance, News & Views

Post-Christmas financial stress catches many of out in January. Here, Peter McGahan explains why a proactive approach to money management...

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Are Green Mortgages worth it? The drive for efficient energy living

News & Views, Property

Crippling energy costs have caused many homeowners to explore how to be more efficient. So what are Green Mortgages and what do they do?...

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Avoid the Christmas scams – vigilance is key.

News & Views

Christmas is a lucrative time of year for scammers. Peter McGahan says don’t act emotionally and always keep your guard up if you want to avoid falling f…
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PSTN and copper switch off – older people worry about changes to landlines

News & Views

New research exposes knowledge gap around the 'Copper switch off' and highlights concern among older people about the looming change....

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Recession fear mongering – this is no time for investors to panic

News & Views, Finance

Peter McGahan argues against a pattern of headlines spelling recession and doom for the UK economy in 2023 and says investors must look to...

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Energy bills: why household finances and business certainty will continue to suffer

News & Views

Professor Jim Watson explains why more ambition is required to deliver energy efficiency policies or accept that many households will remain vulnerable to high…
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Spending and emotional needs – short-term happiness turns sour

News & Views, Finance

Why real financial planning is needed to counter the short-term boost of emotional spending that only postpones the stress and anxiety of...

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Gender Investment Gap – Women missing out on £599 billion

News & Views • One Comment

Research shows UK men have £599 billion more than women in ISAs, investment accounts and private pensions...

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Pensions, mortgages and the chaos of The Muppet Show. What’s going on?

News & Views

Peter McGahan looks back on a tumultuous couple of weeks in politics and the impact on your pensions and mortgages.
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Cost of living: Savings relied upon by many to help balance books

News & Views

Many turn to savings to navigate cost of living, whilst pension contributions remain steady since June according to Barnett Waddingham...

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Making a Will: importance of when, why and how you should do it

News & Views

If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that there’s no better time to make a will than right now. Victoria Timothy...

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Top call centre complaints – older people affected most by poor service

News & Views

Banks continue to shut branches forcing people to use call centres, here are the top annoyances of telephone banking.
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Why under-insurance of your home could be a very painful mistake!

Finance, News & Views

80% of UK properties are underinsured – here’s why cutting costs now could cost you far more than you bargained for!...

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Should I downsize to save on energy costs?

Money Saving Tips, News & Views

Downsizing is an attractive option for some people given high property prices. Peter McGahan examines what you need to consider....

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Mortgage rates and the economy – proactive steps offer better security

News & Views, Property

Mortgage lenders are removing offers and rates are rising, but what does that mean for your mortgage? Peter McGahan explains.
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Help-to-Buy nightmare – the next mis-selling scandal?

News & Views, Finance

Help-to-Buy was supposed to solve the problems of 1000s of people struggling to get onto the property ladder but as David Woodward explains...

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What will Liz Truss do for us? Big decisions needed

News & Views, Finance

Peter McGahan considers what the new PM will offer the UK and more importantly what she will do for the pounds in your pocket....

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The UK’s most common online and text scams – don’t fall victim to cheats

News & Views, Home & Lifestyle

A new survey has uncovered the UK’s most common online and text scams and the over 60s are the group most susceptible to be drawn in.
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Unexpected tax traps and how to avoid them

News & Views, Tax

The UK has a complex tax system. Navigating it can be difficult and it can be easy to fall afoul of tax traps and pitfalls. Here are the...

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Creative ways to make money from risk

News & Views, Savings & Investments

Peter McGahan returns to the theme of risk exposure and how diversification of risk can pay dividends in the longer term. ...

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Trussenomics vs cold reality of a monumental crisis

News & Views, Finance

Susannah Streeter, senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown considers what wriggle room the new PM has on the economy.
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Cost of living: 4 in 10 worry about need to work beyond the state pension age

News & Views, Pensions

More action needed to support workers earlier to ensure successful transition to retirement....

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Sterling versus euro – gloomy forecasts, costs increase and existential risk

News & Views, Finance

Winter promises tough times for the pound and the euro but even tougher times for consumers if you have dependencies in both currencies....

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Reduce your tax bill – be brilliant at the basics

Tax, News & Views

Tax mitigation is very different to avoidance. Peter McGahan explains how to reduce your tax bill without offending the tax man.
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Financial shock – How to reduce worry of unexpected money troubles

News & Views, Finance

Life can come at you fast. Even the most carefully laid financial plans can easily be derailed by the unexpected....

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Over 50s money worries keep 41% awake at night

News & Views, Finance

Money worries are the number one cause of sleep loss among over 50s, new research finds....

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Tax advice – the stars that unnecessarily fell through poor guidance

Tax, News & Views

Peter McGahan examines how poor tax advice has landed a string of celebrities and stars in trouble with the tax man.
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Housing market – cashflow is a killer but market will level

News & Views, Property

If you are in the housing market, you cannot predict its movements, but you can think to protect yourself against the hikes, writes Peter...

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Bitcoin – be mindful of the false promise of easy money

News & Views, Savings & Investments • One Comment

Back in 2017, I was asked about Bitcoin and covered the benefits and risks at length. For the record, when it was at £4000 as a price and...

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Fuel duty – UK falls behind Europe in supporting motorists through cost of living crisis

News & Views

Finance expert Holly Andrews says more is needed from government to help consumer cope with spiralling fuel and energy costs.
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What now for the stock markets? Security in insecure times

Savings & Investments, Finance, News & Views

Volatility in the stock markets and inflationary pressures are putting pressure on our spending, but as Peter McGahan explains the reasons...

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Older people ‘unretiring’ – data reveals pension crisis prompting return to work

News & Views, Pensions

Nick Jones, head of retirement living at Lottie, warns of the impact the pensions crisis will have on older workers approaching retirement....

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Kill emotion to see through noisy financial data

News & Views, Savings & Investments

Headlines, hyperbole and emotions are not a sound base for your investment decisions, writes Peter McGahan
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ESG investing and greenwashing – the dirty secrets of UK funds

News & Views, Finance

Less than 10% of UK funds meet Environment, Social and Governance policies and the net is closing in. ...

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Managing your money to outsmart stagflation

News & Views, Finance

Peter McGahan continues his look at stagflation and the steps you should consider when managing your money. ...

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Protect your money – Stagflation has arrived

News & Views, Finance

Peter McGahan considers the impact of stagflation on the economy and how its consequences affect your buying power and savings.
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How to deal with inflation – best ways to reduce financial stress

News & Views, Finance

Peter McGahan looks at how you can deal with inflation by taking stock of your monthly expenditure....

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Record interest rates … risks danger of Stagflation

News & Views, Finance

As the newspapers scream of record interest rates, Peter McGahan asks why they are rising and what benefit to the economy is there? ...

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Rising energy bills – no help for pensioners in the Queen’s Speech

News & Views, Finance

Sarah Coles, host for Hargreaves Lansdown’s Switch Your Money On, reflects on the Queen's Speech and more importantly what was missing. ...

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Easy steps to reduce inflation – action needed

Finance, News & Views

Peter McGahan suggests the easiest steps to reduce inflation would be to apply a windfall tax but legislative action needs to be taken to...

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Pension poverty – 1000s face income worry as divorce rate soars

News & Views

New research shows a growing number of couples are divorcing in later life and separation can deal a critical blow to the financial wellbeing of both parties.
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Who is really driving inflation? Lobby groups and lies for profit

News & Views, Finance

Peter McGahan examines who profits from inflation and the unseen influence of lobby groups on our economy....

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How to spot scams – Impersonation text scam

News & Views, Finance

Louise Baxter-Scott of the National Trading Standards Scams Team and James Walker of data security experts Rightly, reveal how to spot and...

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How to safely hold your investments – Essential steps peace of mind

News & Views, Savings & Investments

Peter McGahan explains why you should understand where your investments are held and how to manage them effectively....

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Long-term social care – 5 myths exposed

Care and carers, News & Views

Long-term social care is fogged by many wrong assumptions. In this column, Sharon Bonfield debunks the five most common misconceptions. ...

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Key features of new no fault divorce law explained 

Relationships and dating, News & Views

Solicitor Megan Bennie explains why she believes new no fault divorce laws are sensible reforms that will bring a range of new options for couples considering …
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Financial plan – why goals are key to successful money management

News & Views

The past two years has paralysed many people revising their spending or creating a financial plan. Peter McGahan explains why it's time to...

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Energy crisis: Rising cost of energy prices sparks concern among elderly

News & Views, Finance

With the rising energy costs set to soar this Friday (1st April), Will Donnelly - Care Expert and Co-Founder of Lottie - has warned about...

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Soaring inflation could push over 55s onto the breadline

News & Views

36% of over 55s are worried that the financial pinch will hit them shortly as prices continue to rise.
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Debt advice – Driving forward change to support those in need

News & Views

Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) Chief Executive Caroline Siarkiewicz highlights MaPS work to transform debt advice to help those in need....

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Purchasing power of pensioners pummelled as inflation soars

News & Views, Finance

Helen Morrissey, senior pensions and retirement analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, looks at how inflation is putting pressure on pensioner...

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Equity, wealth and the worrying cost of inflation

News & Views, Finance

It’s the question we all want an answer to – will our costs continue to soar?
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Retirement planning – How to pass on your wealth to family

News & Views, Finance • One Comment

Sharon Bonfield looks at your options If you hope to leave something to children or grandchildren after you've gone....

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Rising inflation – The rich get rich and the poor get poorer

News & Views

Peter McGahan continues his examination of inflation, how it is weakening your spending power and why banks stand to benefit....

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Will inflation continue to rise? Expert view

News & Views

Will inflation continue to rise? is the question many of us need answered. Peter McGahan takes a look at what is driving up the cost of living.
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Inflation bubbles and their devastating impact on society

News & Views, Finance

As the man on the street struggles to feed their families companies are posting profits of billions ...

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Inheritance Tax – Best ways to use resident nil rate band

News & Views, Tax • One Comment

'Inheritance Tax is about as popular as a politician' so take action to protect against it, writes Peter McGahan....

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Our biggest tax worries: the knowns and the great unknowns

News & Views

Taxes will rise in April and consumers are concerned – these are the known rises. However, they also fear further hikes to IHT, capital gains and savings…
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Protection planning – take your 1st steps to financial security today

News & Views, Finance

Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Peter McGahan looks at why protection planning is so important...

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Loyalty penalties – how to save £100s on your car insurance

Motoring, News & Views

The Financial Conduct Authority has clamped down on car insurance loyalty penalties offering consumers the hope of more affordable prices. ...

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Green living important to retirees

Finance, News & Views

A new report has revealed that green credentials are important for more than 80 per cent of those interested in living in a retirement...

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When you retire – a new beginning or panic stations?

News & Views, Pensions

Many people are still getting to grips with what the changing pension landscape means for them and what they need to do. ...

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Financially healthy 2022? Think smartly and sustainably

News & Views, Money Saving Tips

Look at the new year as an opportunity to refresh your financial plans and take back control of your money.
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‘Inflation proofing our money is essential particularly in today’s very unknown markets’

News & Views, Finance

Inflation is currently more than 2.5 times the inflation target the Bank of England is supposed to hit/stick to. Peter McGahan looks at...

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Wealth management – using crystal balls and expertise

News & Views, Finance

Have your investment and pension funds fallen either recently or in the past? David Woodward wealth manager and managing director of...

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Financially healthy Christmas

News & Views, Finance • One Comment

36% of women suffer stress, due to money, at Christmas, trying to make it as special as possible. Peter McGahan considers what you can do to prevent overspendi…
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Easy Inheritance Tax tips

News & Views, Tax

Peter McGahan lays out some straightforward rules for mitigating the impact of inheritance Tax....

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Inheritance Tax – understanding the value loan trusts

News & Views

Peter McGahan explains how Loan Trusts can help you start the process of estate planning and mitigate exposure to Inheritance Tax....

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COP26 or sustainable living? Now or never time

News & Views

Soundbites and political facade, Peter McGahan questions what COP26 can deliver without strong leadership and action.
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Top 10 tips for finding the right care provider

Care and carers, News & Views

Sharon Bonfield examines the challenge of finding the right balance for your loved ones' care needs....

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Stagflation and your buying power

News & Views

How many remember the 300 year low inflation rate we currently have of 0.1 per cent, is well below the average since 1975 of 9.4 per cent?...

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The benefits of independent financial advice

News & Views

Peter McGahan discards the financial jargon for a common sense explanation of why it is necessary to seek independent advice when managing your finances.
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Restricted or independent financial adviser?

News & Views

There is a world of difference between an independent financial adviser and a 'restricted' adviser. Peter McGahan explains how it can...

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Your local economy – cherish and protect it

Finance, News & Views

How the convenience of shopping online undermines the local economy and starves the Exchequer of tax revenue....

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Paying for care: don’t panic – plan!

Care and carers, News & Views

Paying for care is a challenge many families will face and failure to look ahead could have far reaching consequences if you rearrange your estate for income a…
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