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 …

Close-up of someone holding hand the hand of an older woman with a walking aid.

4 vital things you should discuss when naming a Lasting Power of Attorney

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) gives someone you trust the ability to make decisions on your behalf if you cannot. This can ensure there’s someone taking care of your affairs and advocating on your behalf if you’re ill or lose mental capacity. Naming an LPA is an important step, and it’s one you should discuss with the prospective person …

A man drinking a coffee at home with his feet up.

As interest rates rise, should you overpay your mortgage?

After more than a decade of cheap borrowing, interest rates are rising. If you’re paying off a mortgage, making overpayments could save you money. The Bank of England has increased interest rates to tackle high inflation. That means the cost of borrowing has increased and it could mean your mortgage costs you far more overall. If you have a tracker- …

An older couple watching the sunrise on a hike.

State Pension triple lock: Pensioners set to benefit from a 10.1% rise

The State Pension is set to increase by a record amount under the triple lock due to high levels of inflation. If you’re claiming your State Pension, read on to find out what it means for your income. While there had been speculation that the triple lock would be suspended this year, the Conservative Party under Liz Truss committed to …

National Pension Tracing Day – Let’s find your old pension pots

October can be a scary month; the nights are drawing in and All Hallows’ Eve takes pride of place on the very last day. There is, however, a far more important day that takes place around the same time and very few of us are aware of it. The 30th October is National Pension Tracing Day, I admit it’s not …

A couple hugging with keys in their hand.

3 useful options that could protect you if you’re buying a home with a partner

When you’re buying a home with a partner, thinking about the relationship breaking down is the last thing on your mind. However, it’s important to think about protecting yourself and ensuring assets would be divided fairly. Having a conversation with your partner about what would happen if you were to break up can be difficult. But tackling challenging “what if” …

A group of employees in an office meeting.

Business owners: The essential basics about salary sacrifice pensions

Salary sacrifice schemes could offer employees a tax-efficient way to boost their retirement savings. It could benefit your business too, so they are well worth considering. If you’ve been thinking about salary sacrifice pensions or want to explore how you could expand your workplace benefits, read on to discover what they could mean for your business. What is a “salary …