The Importance of Reviewing Your Protection
Posted by JSCFinancial on Monday 5th of June 2023
Protection insurance is an essential part of life, providing a safety net in the event of unexpected events, such as accidents or illnesses.
If you do not review your protection cover on a regular basis, you could end up paying too much for a policy that no longer suits your needs or not having the cover you need for your circumstances.
It’s important to review your protection regularly to ensure that you have the coverage you need to protect yourself and your family at the most affordable rates.
There are many reasons as to why you might...
Is it time to check your contents insurance?
Posted by JSCFinancial on Monday 5th of June 2023
Is it time to check your contents insurance?
Whether you are looking to buy brand-new items or saving a little cash with pre-loved items, starting a family can be expensive.
There are the everyday costs, whether it is the cost of disposable nappies or the cost of running the washing machine for reusable nappies. Then there are the big-ticket items like prams, cots, and car seats.
With all the excitement of a new baby reviewing your contents insurance is probably the furthest thing from your mind. But all the new furniture, electrica...
Start of the tax year checklist
Posted by JSCFinancial on Thursday 6th of April 2023
The new tax year on 6 April 2023 is a great time to review your finances.
The new tax year means annual allowances are reset and ready to be reused – to help you make the most of your money. This year more than ever, with interest rates and inflation on the rise, it’s a great time to review your pensions and investments.
Note: The following figures apply to the 2023/2024 tax year, which starts on 6 April 2023 and ends on 5 April 2024.
ISAs
The maximum you can invest across your ISAs is £20,000 (if it’s a cash ISA, stocks and shares ISA or ...
3 important reasons for staying invested through market downturns
Posted by JSCFinancial on Wednesday 29th of March 2023
It’s been a difficult year for investors so far. Inflation and political uncertainty have led to market volatility.
Market volatility can be scary, especially if the value of your investments drops, but it’s important not to let fear guide your decision about whether to stay invested in your portfolio. Here are three reassuring reasons for staying invested in the stock market during uncertain times.
1. The best financial decisions are not based on emotion
Emotions can play a big role in your financial decision-making if you aren’t vig...
The Cost of Moving Home
Posted by JSCFinancial on Monday 20th of March 2023
Buying a home comes with extra costs and fees you need to be aware of – from securing your mortgage to booking the removal van.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, downsizing or moving to your dream family home, it’s an exciting – and busy – time. It also comes with costs that could take you by surprise, so here’s a look at the ones you’re likely to come across and how we can help you through the journey.
Advice fee
We can help when you’re applying for your mortgage in principle, putting you in a strong position once an offer is accepted. ...
Finding Your First Home
Posted by JSCFinancial on Monday 20th of March 2023
Searching for your first home can be an overwhelming experience, but when it’s the biggest purchase of your life, you need to ensure that it’s right for you. There are so many things to consider, so to help you with one of the biggest decisions in your life, we have drawn up some helpful tips and guidance when finding your first home.
Start with an open mind
There is the danger of becoming too fixated on certain locations or certain properties. It’s important to be open when searching for your first home, ensuring that you’re considering a...
First-Time Buyers Guide to Saving For a House Deposit
Posted by JSCFinancial on Monday 20th of March 2023
First-time buyers guide to saving for a house deposit
When preparing to buy your first home, saving for a deposit can be a difficult process. As house prices, inflation and the cost of living increases, it can be challenging trying to save a large sum of money. It’s also important to consider all the other costs that are involved in buying a property – conveyancing, legal fees, insurance policies and moving to name a few.
How much do I need to save?
A 5% deposit of the property value is the minimum amount you are able put down, howe...
Mortgage Affordability
Posted by JSCFinancial on Friday 17th of March 2023
How to improve your chances of passing a mortgage affordability assessment
Getting on the housing ladder can feel like one of the hardest and longest processes in the world and the cost of living crisis is probably not helping. You need to come across as attractive buyers for lenders to consider you, but there are many factors that can reduce how much lenders are willing to let you borrow for your home.
How do lenders decide whether to offer you a mortgage?
If you’re applying for a new mortgage, remortgaging or increasing your curre...
Considerations for first-time buyers
Posted by JSCFinancial on Friday 17th of March 2023
Being a first-time buyer can be daunting. Not only are you about to make one of the biggest financial decisions in your life, but you’ll probably also have family members and friends offering their ideas on the right house, mortgage, lender conveyancer and even removal company for you.
We’ve put together some ideas to try and take away some of the stress and confusion and give you confidence to move through the home buying process as smoothly as possible.
Get the right advice
Of course, we’re going to say that - it’s what we do! We’ll rev...
Spring Budget 2023 - Winners and Losers
Posted by JSCFinancial on Thursday 16th of March 2023
Spring Budget winners and losers
The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, has delivered the next part of his plan: “a Budget for long term and sustainable growth”. Read on to find out who were the winners and losers from the 2023 spring Budget.
Winners
Over-50s returning to work
In his speech, the Chancellor said that “older people are the most skilled and experienced people we have”. So, he announced steps to make it easier for those over 50 to work for longer.
Firstly, the government announced an enhancement to the “midlife MOT” strategy – of...
