Let’s be honest, on the morning of 21 October few of us were waiting with bated breath as the latest UK inflation stats were revealed. But, for millions of people, that moment was significant.

That’s because the September (Consumer Price Index) CPI inflation figure forms part of the government’s ‘triple lock’ formula used to determine the forthcoming rise in the level of State Pensions.

Triple lock
The triple-lock safeguard was introduced by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition in 2010 and aims to ensure that the value of the State...

When Tom and Pete bought their first property together, things couldn’t have been going better. They both had good jobs, were pulling in decent salaries and were excited about spending the rest of their lives together.

They chatted about making a Will a few times, but somehow life always got in the way. Until one day, 10 years later, Pete got a call that would change his life forever. Knocked down by a car while crossing the road, Tom had tragically passed away.

The intestacy trap
Grieving for the loss of his partner, Pete then found out ...

Nudge theory was popularized in 2008 by behavioural economist Richard Thaler and legal scholar Cass Sunstein. In simple terms it is about making it easier for people to make a certain decision that is ultimately in their own self-interest.

Day-to-day
In the short term there are some financial nudges you can do to apply nudge theory to your own finances.

Put your decisions into context – During lockdown, local or national (or whatever COVID-19 throws at us next) do you really need to buy another plant, candle or pair of joggers.

Set simpl...

Wherever you go, you’d be hard pressed to find a house without at least a little bit of clutter.

From the kids’ old teddies (well, they might want Ed the Ted for their own children, you see) to receipts from the 1980s (they might take it back after 40 years), attics and basements across the UK are full of what optimists might call ‘keepsakes’ and what others would probably call ‘junk’.

But is it always? If Flog It or Cash in the Attic are anything to go by, our houses are literal gold mines of undiscovered treasures, just waiting to be f...

Did you know that the State Pension age (SPA) increased to 66 for both men and women in October 2020 and it’s set to rise further? Knowing your SPA, together with how much you can expect to receive, is an important part of your retirement plan that is often overlooked.

Why do I have to wait longer?
In 1908, when the first State Pension was introduced in the UK, you would have to wait until the grand old age of 70 before being able to claim. This was at a time when life expectancy at birth was around 40 years for men and 43 for women, and w...

With Covid-19 rules changing almost daily, extensions to furloughs and local and national lockdowns many are facing money worries this winter. If you’re trying to get a mortgage and want to push your property transaction through before the Stamp Duty holiday ends, how do you prove your income – especially if it has temporarily been reduced due to furlough or short-time work?

For those who remain on furlough or have otherwise seen their income temporarily reduce, providing proof of income to mortgage lenders now presents a serious challeng...

When James and Allison first started renting together, they were determined it would be a temporary move.

Fresh out of university, they turned their attention immediately to homeownership, putting away as much of their money as their rent and living costs would allow.

Allison had always been careful with my money and imagined with both of them saving they would be able to get a foot on the property ladder sooner rather than later.

Along came COVID
Fast forward six years with a budget of £250,000 and a carefully scrimped and saved £25,000...

You’ve retired from work, you’ve waved a cheerful goodbye to your colleagues and you’re ready for the rest and relaxation you so rightly deserve. It’s exciting! For a couple of weeks. Then the doubt sets in.

What will you do with your life, you might find yourself asking? How will you fill the long daytime hours? How will you manage without the comfort of your routine? Where will you find your purpose, if not from work?

Planning – it’s not just financial
Whenever we talk about retirement, it’s all about the pension. If you have enough in ...

As a nation, we aren’t great with our financial acronyms and terminology. Life is busy and our heads are often full of important things to get done to make it through the week, without having to worry whether we know our LTV from our ERC!

You’re certainly not alone if you’re feeling financially flustered. Recent research has found that more than a fifth of British adults are confused by everyday financial terms.

Worth taking the time to review your mortgage
When you do find some time to settle down on the sofa with a cuppa or a glass of w...