Goal!
Financial planning is all about goals. Goal setting is one of the most essential parts of any plan, and I’m glad most of the advice industry has moved on from “your goal is to have
October 30, 2023 No Comments
Happy Days…a cheese sandwich, anybody?
We’ve all heard the saying, “Money can’t buy you happiness.” I have been a financial planner for 30 years, and I would say there is truth in this. Money may not buy you happiness, but
October 21, 2023 No Comments
The Art, the Science and the the Practice of Successful Investing
Here at Capital, one of the leading global fund managers we partner with is Dimensional Fund Advisers (DFA). Their founder and chairman, David Booth recently published an article that is worth sharing with you. The
October 18, 2023 No Comments
You Need to Do It Now
I’ve always loved the sport of rugby. I played throughout my time at school and college, occasionally captained the team and still love to watch the game, especially international matches. So, I’m currently relishing the
October 1, 2023 No Comments
No IFS, no buts, the tax collector is coming…
Way back in March 2023, before our gloriously changeable British summer, Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt set out his plans the abolish the pension ‘lifetime allowance’. This was met with welcome noises from pension savers and pensioners
September 15, 2023 No Comments
Your Pension and the end of the Lifetime Allowance
In the spring Budget it was announced the ‘lifetime allowance’ was being abolished. The date was set, 6th April 2024, and before this, the lifetime allowance tax charge would be set to 0%. The measure was
August 20, 2023 No Comments
Eighteen Summers
We’ve just returned from our family summer holiday, and as my eldest child, Sean, is almost 15, the concept of “18 Summers” is firmly on my mind. The idea is that from the moment they’re
August 4, 2023 2 Comments
What’s Your Money Story?
People may decry watching television as an activity that melts your brain, the same way some people were once skeptical about radio. Even the written word – reading and writing, were once reserved only for
July 28, 2023 2 Comments
Embracing Change: Lessons from “Who Moved My Cheese”
We all know that during our lifetime, things change. Some changes are of our own doing, some are not, but the ones we often feel anxious about are those that we didn’t ask for. The changes
July 12, 2023 2 Comments
The only ‘free lunch’ in investing
Life is a fascinating journey filled with unexpected twists and turns, and sometimes we’re faced with opportunities that seem ‘too good to be true’. In 1965, a 47-year-old smart French property lawyer named Andre-Francois Raffray
June 30, 2023 No Comments
Thoughts on the current high interest rate world
Your home is your castle. It may not be a mediaeval castle under attack from the Normans, the Dutch, or the French, but today it’s potentially under attack from interest rates and recession. Interest rates
June 27, 2023 No Comments
A bitter pill to swallow.
“Somehow, in the UK, someone needs to accept that they are worse off”. Huw Pill That’s right, according to the Bank of England’s chief economist, Huw Pill, we are all poorer than we were this time
June 15, 2023 No Comments
From Amazon to Capital: Introducing Olivia
As I reflect on my first few weeks at Capital, I thought it would be useful to introduce myself and share my story as I come from a background that is not the typical route
May 31, 2023 No Comments
To gift, or not to gift? When Inheritance tax is the question!
There is not a week that goes by here at Capital without a client contacting us, wanting to help family or friends with a cash gift. It’s great to assist our clients to do this
May 24, 2023 2 Comments
I can get 4% on cash deposit now – why would I invest in the markets?
Every year there is an investment winner. One ‘asset class’ that deliver better returns than all the rest. Cash is rarely that asset class. It’s a conversation that comes up regularly in our client meetings
May 22, 2023 No Comments
3 Life Lessons from a beer billionaire.
To celebrate the 25th episode of my podcast, Bulletproof Entrepreneur, I was delighted to be able to speak with James Watt, the Co-Founder and CEO of the brewery, pubs, and hotels group, BrewDog. BrewDog is
April 30, 2023 No Comments
The Secrets to a Sensible Investment Philosophy – your Regular Reminder
At our core, we firmly believe that adopting a systematic approach to investing is the key to a successful investment journey. Rather than relying on empty promises, we emphasize the importance of evidence-based and logical
April 27, 2023 No Comments
Getting the balance right – a taxing tale.
When it comes to our preferences, we all have a soft spot for expensive or high-quality things that make us feel good. Whether it’s Range Rovers, exotic holidays, or stylish Louis Vuitton bags, these items
April 27, 2023 No Comments
An important update about trusts
For some, the word trusts conjure up thoughts of super-rich families trying to protect their money, but in fact, many of us use trusts in our routine financial planning. The most used trusts are will
April 21, 2023 No Comments
Spring Budget 2023: The Pensions Perspective and how it impacts you.
The Chancellor was still speaking at the dispatch box, delivery the eagerly anticipated Spring Budget as the first of many e-mails, text and WhatsApp messages began arriving in my inbox and phone from eager clients.
March 24, 2023 No Comments
All the Money, All the Time, All at Once – tradeoffs and decisions on the road to financial freedom.
Have you ever thought to yourself – if I received a £1million windfall what would I do? (Depending on your circumstances, you may need to adapt this to £10million or £100million to make it a
March 21, 2023 1 Comment
Lessons from Silicon Valley Bank’s demise
The spectacular work ‘Another Place’ by the British sculptor Antony Gormley[1], of one hundred naked men scattered along 1.5 miles of Crosby Beach in Liverpool, provides a useful twice-daily reminder about hidden risks in the financial world. As
March 15, 2023 No Comments
Someday… maybe one day?
Someday I will eat healthier, so I lose those few kilos I need to. Someday I will start having a few alcohol-free nights to give my system a rest. Someday I will quit smoking. Someday
March 10, 2023 No Comments
Goodbye and Thank you – reflections on my time at Capital.
As I prepare to say goodbye to the company, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible experiences I’ve had and the things I’ve learned during my time at Capital. Working for the firm over
February 28, 2023 1 Comment
Warren Buffett Has Approved Your Investment Portfolio.
Warren Buffett is considered one of the greatest investors of all time and between 1965 and 2021 his investment company, Berkshire Hathaway managed to generate returns of over 20% a year, which is double the
February 20, 2023 No Comments
Entrepreneur Series – Michael O’Leary – Ryanair
Michael O’Leary is a force of nature. The driving force behind Europe’s largest airline, he has completely transformed the fortunes of the business since he took over as CEO. When he joined the company, Ryanair
February 15, 2023 No Comments
Missing the best days in the market
Most investors – at some time – will be either tempted to time when to be in or out of equity markets – or wish they had when markets fall. It would be great to be
February 2, 2023 No Comments
Cash – the Magic formula – Part II: The Options
In Cash Part I – The Magic Formula – we looked at how much cash you should hold by introducing three simple, tried, and tested rules designed to help protect you in an emergency, to
January 31, 2023 4 Comments
The Geometry of Wealth – How to Shape a Life of Money and Meaning
Every now and then, you read a book that completely captivates you. I read a lot, and it’s rare that I get totally immersed in any book, let alone a book about personal finance! Brian
January 31, 2023 No Comments
2023 – Looking Backwards And Forwards
At the start of 2022 investors needed reminding that investing is not an easy game, despite having enjoyed around a decade of relatively strong – and fairly consistent – market returns, even in light of
January 5, 2023 No Comments
What We’ve Learned in 2022.
After two years in which all of our attention was focused on Covid-19 and its impact on our lives, 2022 has been a welcome return to the type of concerns that consumed us before March
December 22, 2022 No Comments
When was the First Time, you did something for the Last Time?
Life is full of last times. For a few weeks, months or years you find yourself doing something routine and then, sometimes barely realising it, you stop doing that thing forever. While there is only
December 20, 2022 12 Comments
Costs matter!
Hopefully, the headline of this note will not come as a surprise to you. It is remarkable, though, just how relaxed some investors are about letting others dip their hands in their pockets to extract high
December 8, 2022 No Comments
Cash – the Magic formula – Part I
I often get asked by clients, friends, and family, how much cash the right amount is to hold on deposit. Too little and you run the risk of not being able to meet short term or
December 1, 2022 1 Comment
What is True Wealth?
You may remember him from the first series of the TV show, “Dragon’s Den”. Richard Farleigh was ‘the nice Dragon’. A thoughtful entrepreneur with a soft Australian accent he was the more acceptable face of
November 30, 2022 No Comments
The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement: Does anyone else need a drink?
Is it just me or am I amongst friends if I say I am getting rather tired of the doom and gloom being constantly reported in the media about the state of the economy? I
November 28, 2022 4 Comments
Value – worth waiting for
Sensible investing is about taking on sensible risks in your portfolio, which starts with owning equities over cash. Historical data and logic tell us to expect a premium for doing so. In the long run this
November 24, 2022 No Comments
A note on abrdn
When you set up an investment portfolio, invest in a pension or ISA or other ‘tax wrapper’, you need to appoint a platform or wrap custodian/administrator. The primary role such an organisation is to provide
October 31, 2022 No Comments
In defence of democracies, markets and the media
Three prime ministers and three chancellors in as many months, certainly feels chaotic, possibly a bit embarrassing, as well as a little depressing. There is no doubt that the UK could do with some stability, fiscal
October 28, 2022 No Comments
Capital appoints a new Director
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs Chirine Harb to the main Board as a Director of the company (subject to FCA approval). Chirine has also been promoted to Chief Operations Officer with
October 27, 2022 No Comments
How is your portfolio really performing?
You’ll be familiar with the story of David versus Goliath. The young shepherd boy, David armed with only a simple slingshot, takes on the mighty giant, Goliath and emerges from their battle, victorious. When I
October 26, 2022 No Comments
Pensions in 60 seconds
A lot of people hear ‘pension’ and think pipe, slippers and old age. While people do often access their pension in old age, they are much more than the first image that pops into our
October 23, 2022 No Comments
Introducing Chirine Harb – Head of Operations
I was born and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. My parents were both hard working and raised me to be the same. I excelled at school and sport, but unfortunately, the opportunities for girls in
September 30, 2022 4 Comments
A rational view of the current financial news.
Whatever your politics, there seems to be little sympathy for the new Chancellor. It’s been a tough first week in his new job; lambasted by the media, accused by the Labour leader of ‘crashing’ the pound and causing
September 29, 2022 2 Comments
The Mini Budget Explained
As we all know by now, the new Chancellor announced his “Mini Budget” about a week ago and we’ve witnessed how this managed to blow up the markets. Kwasi Kwarteng, is known for his doctoral
September 27, 2022 No Comments
The Value in Unlocking Your Adviser’s “Black Book”
Where I live it’s near impossible to find a great builder who is reliable and good value. The same goes for a plumber, car mechanic, or even a dentist! So, when a friend or neighbour
September 5, 2022 2 Comments
A Lasting Gift for Your Family
My Dad, Laurie Smith turns 82 this month and I recently travelled to his home on the west coast of Scotland to spend several days talking with him about his life. And the best thing
August 29, 2022 2 Comments
Why IHT is not such a big deal after all
Inheritance tax (IHT) receipts for 2021/22 in the UK were £6.1 billion. Overall, the UK government collected £915 billion in 2021/22 in public sector receipts, therefore inheritance tax made up less than 1% of overall
August 21, 2022 No Comments
What having an autistic son has taught me about having a plan
My son Theo has autism. He is 4 years old. Many thoughts and worries go through your head when a diagnosis like this is received for your child. My biggest ones are what will become
July 27, 2022 1 Comment
Bonds and Base Rates
Investors sometimes convince themselves that they know what the future holds and seek to position their portfolio to benefit from that knowledge. As one of our clients, you will know that this is not a
July 25, 2022 No Comments
A guide to surviving a stock market crash
A brief dive into investor psychology, how stock market downturns can affect our ability to make rational decisions, and the opportunities and dangers that can arise. For most of us, investing is a necessary part
July 20, 2022 No Comments
For your listening pleasure
On June 16th, full of nervous anticipation, I launched a new project. A podcast called The Entrepreneur Transition went live with 3 episodes and a trailer where I explained the idea and what I hope
June 29, 2022 No Comments
Tips for unsettling times
The news today can feel a little bit unsettling. There is no doubt that these are tough emotional times for investors. Russia’s invasion and brutal war in Ukraine is unsettling on both a human and an economic
June 15, 2022 1 Comment
The impact of Inflation and the Ukrainian war on your portfolio.
Inflation, War, Financial Crisis and Market Crash are just some of the buzzwords in the news today. One can easily get worried, and fear is usually one of the leading factors when it comes to
June 1, 2022 No Comments
George Barbov – Who I am and why you’re reading this…
Seven years. Exactly seven years is the time between being a broke 25-years-old finance student who was painting hotel rooms in central London and now writing this piece and calling myself a Content Creator, Writer,
May 31, 2022 4 Comments
Record-high inflation, a cost-of-living crisis and a global food shortage – What does it mean to you?
What’s in the news? It’s a fact, UK inflation levels reached its highest level in 40 years. Even though many analysts described Inflation as transitory, we’ve been witnessing quite the opposite during the past 12
May 29, 2022 No Comments
The Perfect Investment Strategy for the Current Market
Addressing the House of Commons in 1947, Winston Churchill said that ‘democracy is the worst form of government – except for all the others that have been tried” That famous quote came back to me
May 17, 2022 2 Comments
Confused by crypto currency and the blockchain? Here are 10 quick pointers to help.
Blockchains, Web3, the metaverse, NFTs, cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, Dogecoin, dApps and DAOs. These terms have surged into mainstream media, from nowhere over a decade ago. At the time of writing the total value of crypto assets,
May 2, 2022 No Comments
Understand how your energy prices, food sustainability, and climate change are affected by the Russia/Ukraine situation
The single most common question we have been asked by clients recently has been “How will the situation in Ukraine impact inflation and overall living standards for us in the UK?” To consider this, we should
April 29, 2022 No Comments
The four reasons you should switch right now to a Financial Planner who offers a Flat-Fee service
There is something of a paradox built into the delivery of wealth management services today. On the one hand, the main reason why you seek advice from a financial planner in the first place is
April 18, 2022 No Comments
The UK inflation rate soars to a 30-year high as cost pressures hit businesses hard
The cost of living is on everyone’s lips. No matter where you turn; the radio, television, social media, or newspapers, the message is clear. Costs are going up and budgets are being squeezed. For the
March 30, 2022 No Comments
In volatile times it’s better to do as little as possible with your investments. Here’s why.
A sporting world record was created in London on February 27th 2022. As the Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Chelsea remained goalless towards the end of extra time, it seemed like the game was
March 28, 2022 No Comments
The quirky maths of investing
A good proportion of us shy away at the mention of the word ‘maths’, but in the investing world, there are some quirky mathematical outcomes that are worth reminding ourselves of. The first is that if
March 17, 2022 No Comments
Why portfolio management on its own is not enough if you want to achieve financial freedom.
Here’s one of the most common things I hear from people curious about working with us: “Well, financial Advisor John Smith manages a few of my accounts…but…I’m reaching out because I feel like his team
March 16, 2022 No Comments
Uncertainty abounds – it always does.
Today, it certainly feels like the world is in a very uncertain place. Authoritarian states are flexing their muscles, with Russia violating Ukraine’s sovereignty and China’s ongoing subjugation of Hong Kong with the new National Security
February 25, 2022 No Comments
Why market volatility is not the biggest risk to your retirement plan
Markets have been incredibly volatile to start 2022. Each day continues to bring unique bounces up and down to a near-historic level intraday for those of you watching. (Tip one – don’t) Scary right? Not
February 21, 2022 No Comments
How proactive tax planning can help power you to a rewarding retirement.
Are you proactive or reactive when it comes to your taxes? Although you have a lingering feeling that you might be paying more than you need to and could be taking advantage of some punchy government allowances, you never
February 14, 2022 No Comments
How breaking the cycle of pain sets you up for financial success in retirement.
I cycle every morning along the north bank of the River Thames into the City of London. I cycle to square off too many carbs, but it’s also become a habit. It’s the single most
February 9, 2022 No Comments
I Spent 12 Months Researching the Best Way for Business Owners to Invest Their Personal Wealth. Here’s What I Found.
In 2009 as the world began to emerge from the global financial crisis, I began a research process that was to last a year. My firm manages hundreds of millions of pounds (£) of our
January 31, 2022 No Comments
Unpacking inflation
Inflation measures the general increase in the price of goods and services. Left unchecked, it can be a dangerous foe to the long-term investor, eroding the purchasing power of one’s hard-earned cash over time. Since
January 26, 2022 No Comments
Why talking to your partner about money will help improve your relationship.
Money is the number 1 thing couples argue about. A poll of over 2,000 British adults by legal firm Slater and Gordon found that money worries top the list of reasons why married couples split
January 24, 2022 No Comments
The Vital Decision Every Entrepreneur Must Take Before Selling Their Business
The Offer to Buy Your Company Most offers to buy your business will include some form of ‘earn-out structure’ and you could be asked to stay on at the new company for another three to
January 19, 2022 No Comments
I asked a ‘Dragon’ from Dragon’s Den what his definition of True Wealth was. This was his response.
Richard Farleigh is an ex-hedge fund manager, chess champion and wildly successful businessman. He appeared as a “Dragon” in the popular TV show Dragon’s Den (the UK version of Shark Tank) and has been listed
January 17, 2022 No Comments
The most important part of your entrepreneurial journey and why I’m writing about it.
If you own a business or want to – you need to understand something important. “To begin you must study the end” Jose Raul Capablanca, World Chess Champion 1921-1927 As an entrepreneur, you’re putting everything
January 12, 2022 No Comments
2022 – Looking backwards and forwards
Anyone relatively new to investing could be forgiven for thinking that it is a simple game and easy to make money i.e. punt on what is going up most and buy the dips. Perhaps even those
January 10, 2022 No Comments
The secret to investing? Learn from history.
In the summer of 1999, I joined an investment bank to work on their client service team. In four short months I experienced how “putting all your eggs in one basket” can destroy wealth accumulated
December 20, 2021 No Comments
Do you want to be rich or wealthy?
My Mother-in-law, Angela is retired and lives in a comfortable apartment in the Home Counties. Her total income is around £26,000 a year, made up of various pensions and modest drawings from a small investment
December 15, 2021 No Comments
FOMO may be bad for your wealth
It feels at the moment that the markets have gone a little mad. Almost everything you hear on the news or read about investing suggests that everything is going up. The US market is up
December 13, 2021 No Comments
Can you afford to help your children onto the housing ladder, and how do you do it?
This is one of our most frequent questions from clients, no matter what their level of family wealth. With the average UK home now hitting £256,000, up 8% over 2020 even in the times of
December 6, 2021 No Comments
Budgeting for busy professionals. How much should I be saving from my net pay?
Many busy professionals have some degree of flexibility with working hours and the work-home balance. This is a great lockdown innovation, but it hasn’t reduced the time pressures to commit to a profession or career.
December 1, 2021 No Comments
Can you afford to retire early?
Let me begin with the motivation for retiring early, which neatly fall into two main camps: What are you running away from? – a bad boss, a boring and repetitive job, the too-long commute, low pay, or
November 29, 2021 No Comments
Do we have enough to retire? Calculating your Magic Number
David Reid worked hard, very hard. But he played hard too – he enjoyed the lifestyle which he had created with his wife Sue and their daughters, Sarah and Emma. David was 50 and he
November 24, 2021 No Comments
What you might be wondering as an Investor
Whether you’ve been investing for decades or are just getting started, at some point on your investment journey you’ll likely ask yourself some of the questions below. Trying to answer these questions may be intimidating, but
November 22, 2021 No Comments
Crisis of the day – how to ignore the noise and avoid taking retirement-busting mistakes.
The Stock Market keeps marching higher and higher, however, at some point, the market will eventually fall. And when it does, the financial media will amplify the perceived significance of an event and its expected impact on
November 17, 2021 No Comments
All-Time-High Anxiety
KEY TAKEAWAYS: Financial journalists periodically stoke investors’ record-high anxiety by suggesting the laws of physics apply to financial markets—that what goes up must come down. But shares are not heavy objects kept aloft through strenuous
November 15, 2021 No Comments
Why is wealth management so last century?
“21st-century kids are being taught by 20th-century adults, using the 19th-century curriculum on an 18th-century calendar.’ Tom Hierck, Education Consultant Having their kids home-schooled for several months during lockdown gave many parents a rare close-up
November 10, 2021 No Comments
How owning the best companies in the world can help you get retirement ready
Investing can be a strange old business that makes otherwise intelligent people behave in – let’s just say – less than logical ways. Fuelled by a rapidly rising market, Bitcoin, tech stocks, Tesla, are delivering
November 8, 2021 No Comments
Why inflation is the silent killer (and what you can do about it)
Did you know that money is stolen from your bank account each month? Inflation impacts our life in small doses which makes it easily overlooked from one year to the next, however, over time, it
November 3, 2021 No Comments
The 10 lies we tell ourselves about investing and why they matter
Investing in markets is an excellent plan for meeting long-term goals, like maximising your retirement income. And yet, even though the most successful investment principles are simple, they aren’t always easy to understand and accept.
November 1, 2021 No Comments
Scoring your own century – what it means for your life, work, and finances
One of the largest financial fears people face is running out of money before running out of breath. Nobody, by choice, wants to end their days living in extreme poverty. The problem is, nobody knows what
October 27, 2021 No Comments
Enjoy a successful retirement after answering these 4 questions
What does the word retirement mean to you? The time in your life when you choose to permanently leave your working life behind? Or perhaps getting to a position in your life where work is
October 25, 2021 No Comments
The hidden value of great financial planning
“There is no greater happiness than freedom from worry, and there is no greater wealth than contentment”. Even now almost 2,500 years later everyone still worries about money, what the future may hold, and the
October 20, 2021 No Comments
10 frequently asked questions that will help you start to understand your pension choices
Considering the rules and regulations that govern them, dealing with your pension can throw up many questions. Understanding your pensions can help you to live the life you want when you retire. So, to help,
October 18, 2021 No Comments
How proper financial planning can change your life for the better
Everybody makes plans. You do it all the time. What to wear to the party. Where to go for the long weekend. Which route to take to the theatre. Life is full of plans, many
October 13, 2021 No Comments
Planning tomorrow today – why you need financial planning
As we all age and move upwards along our own earnings curve, many of us fall into ‘lifestyle creep’ whereby our costs increase in line with our new higher income. That’s pretty normal for this
October 11, 2021 No Comments
Intelligent Investing – the story of how David can beat Goliath
Prior to the financial crisis in 2007/9, we outsourced investment recommendations to external discretionary portfolio managers. The thinking was that these firms were populated by vast armies of economists, researchers and analysts and would deliver
September 28, 2021 No Comments
What is evidence-based investing?
If you went to your doctor with a complaint, how would you expect them to make a diagnosis? Would you expect them to base their assessment on years of scientific evidence and research? Or should
March 16, 2021 No Comments
How to boost your investment income – 7 proven tax-busting tips
Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax can cause a real dent in investment returns. Discover seven ways to reduce tax on your investment income. Benjamin Franklin once wrote that “Nothing in the world is certain,
December 28, 2020 No Comments
Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger: The Exceptions Who Prove the Rule
Who are the world’s best investors? You might say Warren Buffett, the Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, or his vice chairman Charlie Munger. Neither would be illogical. Buffett is worth $71.5 billion today,1 give or
August 20, 2020 No Comments
Four key ways for your business to claim more tax relief now and save money
Tax is one of the trickiest areas of running a business. It can be a bewildering, complicated area, particularly for those without specialist training. Maintaining records and filing returns requires a lot of work. And
July 14, 2020 No Comments
Why you cannot see the investment Woodford for the trees
Neil Woodford was fêted by pundits as a star manager for years. He was even touted as a guru of sorts. He could do no wrong. Until he did. Shooting stars fall to earth as
October 23, 2019 No Comments
Four important steps you need to take to retire early
Explore the four important steps for you to take to retire early. This is important because if you get it wrong or change your mind, it may be difficult to re-enter the workplace at a
October 17, 2019 No Comments
The night of magical living. And dying. How to relate to grief and loss and discover true meaning
My first contact with Stephen was when he called Capital in the Spring of 2016. He explained that he and his wife Carol were previously advised by a firm of financial planners, but due to
October 11, 2019 2 Comments
Five-step guide to investing for senior executives
This is a 5-step guide to investing. It assumes you have already taken care of any outstanding debt and have insured yourself against possible misfortunes (e.g. being too ill to work, suffering from a catastrophic
September 20, 2019 No Comments
3 unique ways pensions beat savings accounts
There are various benefits to having a pension, not least to provide a regular and dependable income in later life. Many people reject pensions as a way of saving, and for the most part for
September 15, 2019 No Comments
Why you should come to your Discovery Meeting – the value of your voice and story being heard
Are you an equal in your marriage or partnership? This seems like an obvious question to ask, but it isn’t always as clear as we think. What about when it comes to your future? When
September 6, 2019 No Comments
The hidden dangers of inflation and how it can deflate the money in your pocket
Learn about the dangers of inflation and how it can deflate the money in your pocket The long-term effects of inflation can cause crippling financial pain in the course of your lifetime, but particularly at
September 5, 2019 No Comments
What you need to do when a sudden and unexpected wealth event happens
What would you do if you got a windfall of over £1 million? You may have thought about it a few times whilst daydreaming, of course—but what happens when it becomes a reality? After all,
September 2, 2019 No Comments
The true cost of investing and why you should be alarmed right now
There have been an abundance of reports recently exposing the true cost of investing. The Sunday Times took the lead, but others soon followed. Some big names are in the news – Neil Woodford, the former ‘star’ fund manager,
August 2, 2019 No Comments
How to avoid financial chaos when your partner dies and the family finances are a mystery to you
Dealing with life after losing a husband can be confusing and painful. Emotions run high and low. Following soon afterwards comes a tsunami of financial problems to knock you even further backwards. Few widows are
June 23, 2019 No Comments
How to invest like Warren Buffett and ride out market downturns
Good investing looks easy but isn’t simple. Discipline is a necessity. Learn how Warren Buffett followed some simple lessons and won big. “In the short term, the market is a popularity contest. In the long
June 3, 2019 No Comments
A new car– buy or lease? What’s the best option for you?
Freedom, the wind in your hair, the excitement of exploring new places, the anticipation of coming home. Or bumper to bumper commuting, congested traffic, unexpected expenses, and potholes. Your feelings about cars might be accurately
May 21, 2019 No Comments
Why investment costs really matter
Do you know how much of your money was lost on investment charges, costs and fees last year? Even worse, how much has been lost since you first invested? If you could go back and
April 9, 2019 No Comments
Tax evasion vs tax avoidance. Will you get into trouble for trying to minimise your tax bill?
Do you like paying tax? That’s a tough question. Some people see the value in paying their fair share of tax and some people despise having to do so. But what is the difference between
March 28, 2019 No Comments
How to grow your wealth with a proven investment strategy – discover the four principles
There are more opinions as to what makes a good investment strategy than investments themselves. So, how do you make sense of it all? One overriding principle that will serve you well is to adapt
February 21, 2019 No Comments
Spending the children’s inheritance – Living the high life vs saving for the next generation
For many years, it’s been traditional for parents to pass down wealth to their children after they die. Clients often set financial goals around leaving a financial legacy or supporting their children when they are
February 6, 2019 No Comments
The dangers of ignoring financial planning in your retirement years
“I have retired now, my life is less complicated, so do I need a financial planner in retirement?” The simple answer is… yes, you do. This is a question that we hear regularly at Capital.
December 27, 2018 No Comments
The top 5 things you need to know before selecting a great financial planner
Once you discover how you could benefit from financial planning, the challenge is deciding which financial planner to work with. This could be the difference between a great experience that positively impacts your future, or
December 17, 2018 No Comments
The 10 best ways to cut your inheritance tax
Inheritance tax is the UK’s most hated tax according to a recent article in The Independent. Over £5bn was paid to the Treasury in the last tax year and the number of estates paying inheritance
October 17, 2018 No Comments
Why couples shouldn’t shy away from talking about death
There are some things in life that no amount of planning can prepare you for. The death of a spouse is one of them. The circumstances of such a personal tragedy are worse if the
August 14, 2018 No Comments
Come rain come shine – how to look at investment returns like weather forecasts
High or low, boom or bust, the global economy changes temperature all the time. It is difficult, nigh on impossible, to predict what happens. Follow our guidance and weather all storms. ‘Expected’ returns on your
August 9, 2018 No Comments
Six reasons why working with a financial planner beats robo-adviser apps almost every time
The abundance of online investment information and robo-advisers has many of us questioning if we really need a financial planner. This guide will show you the lifelong value of engaging with a financial planner, and
June 20, 2018 No Comments
Why so many are delaying retirement to become “olderpreneurs”
At one time when you hit your 60s you would hang up your work suit, slide tired feet into some slippers and snuggle up on the sofa watching daytime TV or potter in the garden.
April 12, 2018 No Comments
5 reasons why tinkering with your investments is doomed to failure
Modern life swamps us all with so much news, information, and punditry, that it is easy to be overwhelmed with a feeling of doom and gloom. The list of things to concern us peddled by
December 18, 2017 No Comments
The core fundamentals of a sound investment strategy
This blog discusses the core fundamentals of a sound investment strategy. We will strip away the hype to reveal the evidence behind the myth. “Prediction is difficult, especially when it’s about the future” Thank you
November 24, 2017 No Comments
We are proud to present FileSafe™ (inc video)
At Capital, our clients’ financial security is at the heart of everything we do. We constantly innovate to enhance the way we communicate and share important and confidential documents with our clients. So, we are proud
June 26, 2017 No Comments
Investing Intelligently – it does what it says on the tin
According to the 2015 Investment Association (IA) survey1, assets under management by their members came to £5.5 trillion – that number is over 47 times the annual cost of running the NHS2. The vast majority
April 28, 2016 No Comments
The 6 investment principles that will keep the odds firmly in your favour
You are reading this because you are probably facing an investment issue, and want the best result and outcome to help you to live a better life. We believe that if you follow our six
January 22, 2016 No Comments