Blog
The discounted gift scheme is an arrangement which allows you to make a gift for inheritance tax (IHT) purposes while retaining the right to a fixed income (in the form of regular withdrawals) for your lifetime (or until the trust fund is exhausted). Firstly, from the amount of capital which is to be gifted you
Read more
Did you know that people are twice as likely to take out insurance for a pet than they are themselves? This is a choice which could have server financial consequences. In a survey by Cirencester Direct, over a third of respondents said they have, or would take out, pet insurance. However, just 17% would take steps
Read more
Investing for the financial future of children and grandchildren are key areas of concern for parents and grandparents. This can be for various reasons including funding education or helping them to buy a house in the future. There are special rules to consider when investments are made for the benefit of, or on behalf of,
Read more
DIY investors now have unprecedented access to investment information and markets. This has levelled the informational playing field between them and professional investors. Even though you may have the tools to do manage your own portfolio, should you go down the DIY route? What you need to be a successful investor Time and interest You
Read more
Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) have always been viewed as highly useful when looking at someone’s tax planning. Over time VCTs have become more mainstream and for certain clients are just another way to invest tax efficiently. VCTs are publicly-listed companies which invest money in small UK businesses who are not quoted on the main stock
Read more
Every business owner is likely to have considered insurance for accidents, company vehicles and their premises. However, many do not feel business protection is relevant to them. Small business owners are often too busy to focus on the wider ‘what if’ risks their business could face. Protecting business profits Can a business die of a
Read more
It is no secret the Government debt has reached epic levels. With interest rates being as low as they are, it is accepted that servicing the debt may not be as challenging as the size of the debt would (superficially at least) indicate. Low to negative yield Government Bonds (Gilts) are being bought by the
Read more
This month has some welcome positive news. There was an increased likelihood of economic growth picking up in China as early as the second quarter. While economies are recovering in many parts of the world, they are a long way from where they would have been in the absence of Covid-19. Predictions are that global
Read more
Level term assurance policies have a known level of cover that will be paid out in the event of death within a known period of time. Premiums remain level throughout and should you survive the policy term, there will be no benefit. As this type of contract only provides cover in the event of death
Read more
First-principles thinking helps reverse-engineer complicated problems. The idea is to break something down to its base elements. We can then reassemble them from the ground up. This approach was used by the philosopher Aristotle. Elon Musk and Charlie Munger are among those who use it now. It allows them to cut through the fog of
Read more
