The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, gave his first Autumn budget on Wednesday. Georgina Wright, Chartered Financial Planner at Abbotstone Financial Solutions looks at the main points as to what they mean for you and how this has played out against her own predictions. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has slashed its forecast for economic growth over the next few years. This may be a result of B

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, has announced that the government will publish its Autumn Budget on Wednesday 22 November 2017. The Autumn Budget sets out the government’s plans for the economy based on the latest forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). With just under a week to go there is much speculation as to what the Chancellor will introduce/reduce in his first budget s

It is a delight to be able to put aside some money for your children or grandchildren. But what are the options when looking at long term saving? We have looked around and come up with our top 5. 1 – Junior ISA A really tax efficient way to save for a child. Up to £4,080 can be invested on a yearly basis in a Junior Cash ISA or Junior Stocks and Shares ISA. No tax is payable on any interest earned or on any capital g

It is a delight to be able to put aside some money for your children or grandchildren. But what are the options when looking at long term saving? We have looked around and come up with our top 5. 1 – Junior ISA A really tax efficient way to save for a child. Up to £4,080 can be invested on a yearly basis in a Junior Cash ISA or Junior Stocks and Shares ISA. No tax is payable on any interest earned or on any capital g

From April 2017, those under the age of 40 can contribute to a lifetime ISA to the sum of £4,000 each tax year for the purpose of purchasing a first home or for retirement. At the end of each tax year the government will provide a 25% bonus on the contributions, so if you save £4,000 in the tax year the bonus will be £1,000. Savers will be able to make Lifetime ISA contributions and receive a bonus from the age of 18

Money. It’s generally always on our minds, making sure we have enough, making sure the kids have got what they want, making sure our investments are where they should be and giving us the best return, it’s never ending! If you don’t review your savings and investments regularly you stand to lose money. In fact, many banks, building societies and product providers rely on you doing nothing! Here are 5 signs that you n

Managing christmas spend is never easy. For most of us, it is the most expensive time of the year. Is there a way of managing the spend, however, and preventing it from spiralling out of control or managing to recoup expenditure? Robert Brealey, a chartered financial planner with Abbotstone Financial Solutions, advised that although it is a little late in the day for a 12-month action plan, it is never too late to co

These are usually the first words spoken to me once someone is aware I am a Financial Adviser, says Georgina Wright, Chartered Financial Planner, at Abbotstone Financial Solutions. As a financial planner my role is not all about investing! There is a huge market for advice in the UK that is not being recognised or advised and this is the “oh, but I have no money” market. In today’s “have everything” society the minds

‘It’s not all about qualifications but building, maintaining and managing relationships’ says Georgina Wright, Chartered Financial Planner, at Abbotstone Financial Solutions. In 2012 legislation was brought in increasing the level of qualifications required for Financial Advisers before advice can be given. A good thing I do not doubt. A skill we do not get examined on is our soft skills, our bedside mann