Pete has just inherited £35,000 from his grandma and he’s thinking about investing in a buy-to-let property but has no idea where to start. So, what are the key things Pete needs to know?

Is the buy-to-let market a good investment?

Some of Pete’s friends have warned him that the buy-to-let market is still reeling from the effects of the covid pandemic. They claim, with more people working from home, there has been a population shift away from major towns and cities - reducing the demand f...

Rachel is a 35-year-old charity administrator. When she started her current job nearly six years ago, she was automatically enrolled into her workplace pension. Auto-enrolment for workplace pensions was introduced in the UK to encourage more people to save for retirement. It means employers have to enrol into a pension any workers who are:

• Not already in a pension
• Between the ages of 22 and the state pension age
• Earning more than £10,000 a year
• Working in the UK

Rachel was...

Markets experienced some June gloom in the wake of further interest rate hikes and lower economic growth forecasts.

Global growth is set to slow to 3% this year and 2.8% in 2023, according to the organisation for economic development (OECD). [1] The ongoing war in Ukraine has added to the slowdown, along with high inflation following the pandemic.

Supply chain issues caused by lockdowns in China are also having an effect on the global economy’s ability to bounce back and are predicted to co...

As parents to four children ranging in age from three to 12 years old, Rachel and Samantha were horrified to hear on the news that a quarter of 20-to-34 year olds still live at home with their parents. As much as they love their kids, the idea they might still be a permanent fixture around the house into their 30s terrifies them.

Are Rachel and Samantha right to be concerned?

The short answer to this is yes! Research by Civitas has indeed found that a quarter of 20-to-34 year olds still live with their parents – a million more than two d...

What is business protection insurance and how does it work? Find out why it could be right for your business.

If you own or run a small business, protecting it is always a priority, especially if something were to happen to a key member, which could affect the financial health of the company. In this situation, business protection insurance could provide some peace of mind.

What is business protection?

Business protection provides coverage in the event that a director, business partner or other key empl...

Being tax smart means knowing the basics about how tax affects your life and money. Here are 10 ways to reduce your tax bill, which could make your money go further for you and your loved ones.

Personal savings allowance
You’re entitled to receive some interest on your savings tax-free every year, depending on your income tax band. For non-taxpayers or basic rate taxpayers you’re allowed up to £1,000 per year; for higher rate taxpayers you get £500. If you have savings with a spouse or partner, you can ...

The Bank of England has raised interest rates which means bigger mortgage bills for some homeowners.

Since December 2021 the Bank of England raised interest rates from 0.1% to 1.25% to combat soaring inflation.

This move will have a knock-on effect as mortgage lenders raise interest rates in response, which will increase monthly payments for some borrowers.

What does a rise in interest rates mean for your mortgage?
Anyone without a fixed-rate mortgage is likely to see their bor...

Sarah and Andrew’s 10-year-old twins, Isabelle and Isaac, couldn’t be more different. While Isabelle is boisterous and full of beans, Isaac is gentle and reserved. The children do have one thing in common though - they’re both extremely bright and they already know exactly what they want to do when they grow up. Isabelle loves animals and wants to be a vet; and Isaac is a very talented artist and has his heart set on art school.

When they found out they were getting two for one, Sarah and And...