Smart Money July/August

Welcome to our latest edition. It’s not surprising that the world of investing can seem complex, especially in the current global economic climate. Investors face an endless supply of market news, many investment choices and often-changing market conditions. There are a number of key principles that every investor should follow with the aim of building an effective long-term strategy designed to achieve their financial goals. On page 06 we look at ten principles that every investor needs to know.

As your income increases, the complexity of your finances may too. Tax-efficiency is a key consideration when investing because it can make such an enormous difference to your wealth and quality of life. However, the type of investment and tax-efficiency you should be looking for depends on whether your priority is to save a lump sum for the future or to draw an income today. On page 09 we consider a number of allowances and reliefs available to UK taxpayers to help reduce your overall tax bill.

As you approach the last five years before your retirement, there will be a lot of things to consider. You’ll need to think about your finances, your health, your housing situation and your plans for the future to live comfortably in retirement. There will also be lots of questions to ask and a number of things to review in order to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable retirement. Turn to page 10 to read the full article.

The rising cost of living is one of the most pressing issues facing many families today. The price of food, energy, fuel and other necessities has risen significantly in recent months. This has made it difficult to make ends meet and has put a strain on many household budgets. As many people feel the squeeze as the cost of essential items continues to increase, there are a few important things to consider to maintain your financial wellbeing. Read the article on page 03.

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