A father and two children playing with a kite.

Less than a third of families have an emergency fund that provides financial security

Two-thirds of families could find themselves in financial difficulty if they face a shock because they don’t have enough saved in an emergency fund, research suggests. Do you have enough saved to cover potential emergencies? An emergency fund is an important part of creating financial resilience. It means you could maintain financial commitments and your lifestyle even if something unexpected …

Do you think financial protection claims aren’t upheld? 98% were paid in 2021

If you think that insurers don’t pay out when people make claims, you’re far from alone.  According to Scottish Widows, just 7% of people think that life cover claims pay out between 91% and 100% of the time.  For critical illness claims, this figure falls dramatically to just 2%. Together, these figures show the lack of confidence many people have …

7 essential money lessons your children need to know before they go to university

The day that you send your child or grandchild off to university can bring up mixed feelings. There’s pride and joy at their accomplishment, but also fear and worry as they venture out into the world on their own for the first time.   There’s also the issue of their financial security, with the National Student Money Survey estimating the individual cost of …

How self-employed workers can create financial security amid economic uncertainty

As a self-employed worker, it can be more difficult to manage your finances. Your income may vary or not be as reliable as those who are employed. According to a study from Scottish Widows, almost half of self-employed workers said their income fluctuates. The research suggests that self-employed people could be more susceptible to income shocks, such as an unexpected …

A father talking to his adult son.

5 compelling reasons why you should share a financial planner with your family

Money and financial decisions are often seen as a personal matter. However, making your family part of the financial planning process and discussing your goals with them can be valuable. A report from M&G Wealth found that 33% of advised families share the same adviser, with around 57% of those sharing the same adviser as their parents. If you’re used …