(Feb 2012)

Saving for your children: 5 ways to build funds for their future

Sadly, I’m sure that life for our children is going to be tougher than it has been for us. Since the mid-90s, costs have spiralled out of control. It has been reported that property prices have increased by 240% in London since 1996, the average wedding these days costs £20,000 and it’s predicted that students could leave university with debts of up to £54,000.

So, what options do we have if we want to help ease our children’s burden by putting away some funds for their future?

What are your New Year's Resolutions? Setting your goals for 2012

Christmas seems to go very quickly, doesn’t it! It’s only a couple of days of festivities after weeks of preparations. However, even a short break does give you time to reflect and prepare yourself for the new year.
One of the most common new year’s resolutions is to sort out finances, but many people say this without devising a plan that sets out exactly what they want to achieve. As Brian Tracy says: “People with clear written goals accomplish far more than people without them can ever imagine.”

Roundup of 2012: Vivian's view of the year just gone

Compared with the snow, volcanic ash and general election during 2010, 2011 started with a much smoother and quieter ride. Consumer confidence seemed to be on the increase, with the hot weather and the Royal Wedding attributing to the second sharpest rise in May since the survey began in 1974.

Why saving for tomorrow can reduce the tax you pay today: Tax-efficient ways of contributing to your pension

Pension and tax legislation is changing fast and becoming more complex, but this has also created opportunities. Read on to find out how paying into your pension for the future could reduce the amount of tax you pay today.
The Government has announced that, from 2013, child allowance will cease for higher-rate tax-payers. This is currently £20.30 per week for your first-born, totalling £1,055.60p.a. But, what if you are on the cusp of higher-rate tax relief? Are there any measures you can take in order to keep the allowance? The simple answer to this is YES.

Building your NEST egg: A new way to fund your retirement

You may have heard about the demographic timebomb, and the concern the Government has about how people are going to fund their retirement.
The population is aging, while the number of children we are having is declining. Current figures suggest that over a quarter of under-16s alive today are going to reach the age of 100! Meanwhile, the number of employers who offer workplace pensions is decreasing.

Pensions: Changes happening fast and furious. What pension changes are coming to effect

In years gone by when most new Pension legislations came in there usually was quite a long period before the implementation, giving us time to comprehend them and advise clients of the implications. However the times we live in today is unprecedented and the coalition has felt the best way forward to resolve the countries current predicament, is to make radical changes including Pension Legislation.

The Plain Facts: have we really gone through a major market crash?

I'm writing this article after a week of Stock Market turmoil and the riots. I have no idea what the future will bring, I am hoping that it will be quiet. So where are we now? The FTSE 100 currently stands at about 5,320, the Dow Jones stands at about 11, 270 and the Nikkei at about 8,964.
I believe for laymen watching the news, their understanding could be that we've just gone through a major market crash. But what are the plain facts? Just over a year ago the FTSE 100 finished on the 30th June 2010 just above 4,900, the Dow Jones finished on the 26th August 2010 just below 10,000 and the Nikkei finished at just under 8,850.