How to Protect Your Children’s Inheritances from Ending Up in the Guardian’s Fund
“Live each day as if it were your last… because one day, you’ll be right.” (Benny Hill)
It’s always tempting to procrastinate about decisions that force us to address the inevitability of our own mortality. But we have no choice when it comes to protecting our loved ones after we are gone, because to protect them a will (“Last Will and […]
Can Your👍Thumbs-Up Emoji or E-Signature Seal a Deal?
Data messages or electronic signatures are now recognised in our law as equivalent to a proper basis upon which a contract can be concluded. Thus, a valid written contract can be concluded electronically.
ECTA (the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act) means that you can, in many cases, create legally binding agreements purely electronically – via email, WhatsApp, social media and the […]
Five Reasons why a Financial Windfall Must be Managed Carefully
Receiving something like a substantial inheritance or the proceeds from a sale of a business can be thrilling. However, it is also often problematic, both because of how we deal with it and how it affects those around us.
Psychologist Stephen Goldbart even coined the term “Sudden Wealth Syndrome” to describe the extreme stress that people who come into large sums […]
Can Gratitude Make you Feel Better About Your Money?
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” (Oprah Winfrey)
Most personal finance advice focuses on practical things like budgeting, saving, and investing. But financial wellbeing isn’t found on a spreadsheet. It really begins with how we approach our financial lives.
The attitudes we have […]
R is for rebalancing
Ready, set, go…
When you first meet your advisor, you’ll provide all your financial details (yes, this can be daunting) and discuss your short, medium and long-term objectives. You’ll also be asked about your attitude to risk, to determine your individual risk profile. Armed with this information, your advisor will allocate your funds to a selection of appropriate assets, each with […]
Don’t let Money Ruin Your Relationship
“I don’t care too much for money, for money can’t buy me love.” (The Beatles)
For many couples, money is a regular source of tension. And, unfortunately, this can have serious consequences.
In a study by researchers from Utah State University and Kansas State University published in 2012, the researchers found that financial arguments in a marriage are stronger predictors […]
Three Financial Imperatives for Women in Divorce
There is a well-worn social myth that in a divorce from a heterosexual marriage it is the men that get fleeced while their ex-wives make away with the spoils. The reality, however, is very different.
Research from the London School of Economics found that women who worked before, during or after their marriages see, on average, a 20% decline in their […]
Compound Interest: The Eighth Wonder of the World
“If you understand compound interest, you basically understand the universe.” (Robert Breault)
Don’t be simple
One of the best ways to understand compound interest is to know what it’s not — the appropriately named simple interest. This easy example illustrates the difference between the two.
Mr X decides to invest in an account that pays simple interest of 10% on his capital. He […]
Should You Ask ChatGPT for Financial Advice?
“Artificial Intelligence is the future … and the future is here.” (Dave Waters)
Artificial intelligence (AI) language models like ChatGPT are incredibly exciting. The ability that they have to bring together information and provide answers to a wide range of questions is remarkable.
However, they do have many people worried about whether machines will be taking over their jobs. And financial advisers […]
