Generation Z, people born between 1997 and 2012, are more likely to take a career break from work than any other generation. Sabbaticals are an extended break from your job that last long enough for you to fully relax and distance yourself from your work life, often ranging between a month and a year, or sometimes longer. Recent research found …
5 surprising and unconventional economic indicators
How do you judge whether an economy is sliding into a recession? Some unconventional theories suggest looking at the hemline of skirts or sales of ties could provide valuable insights due to patterns in consumer behaviour. According to finance corporation JP Morgan, as of the end of May 2025, there was a 40% risk of a US and global recession …
How to prepare your loved ones for the “great wealth transfer”
Passing on your wealth to loved ones could transform their lives and mean they have more opportunities in the future. However, to get the most out of the “great wealth transfer”, younger generations need to be prepared to manage their inheritance. According to September 2024 data from Vanguard, it’s estimated $18.3 trillion (£13.45 trillion) in wealth will be transferred globally …
How emotional decision-making could harm your outlook in retirement
Retirement can be a tricky time to manage your finances. Often, it represents a huge change as your regular income might stop and, instead, you start to deplete your assets. So, it’s natural that emotions might influence some of the decisions you make if you let them, but it could be harmful. Here are three different ways emotions could affect …
What the Back to the Future ripple effect could teach you about financial planning
It’s been 40 years since Back to the Future delighted cinema-goers with its time-travelling adventure. Teenager Marty McFly discovers the power of the “ripple effect”, and it’s something that could be valuable when you’re creating a financial plan as well. One of the plot devices in Back to the Future is the ripple effect – the spreading impact of an …
Investment market update: May 2025
Uncertainty continued to lead to market volatility in May 2025. However, there was some good news for investors as some markets recovered the losses they experienced in April 2025. Read on to find out more and what factors may have influenced your portfolio’s performance recently. While market movements may be worrisome, remember, it’s a normal part of investing. Keep your …
Report: Social connections and kindness essential for wellbeing
The 2025 World Happiness Report has been released, and this year, it has highlighted the importance of social connections and giving back to your community. The World Happiness Report assesses the current state of happiness around the world, and this year’s edition revealed that Finland has been ranked as the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year. …
How to use the “gifting from income” rule to reduce your estate’s Inheritance Tax bill
According to a Citywire report, forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) suggest the amount of Inheritance Tax (IHT) paid to HMRC will have increased by 11.6% in 2024/25 compared to 2023/24. This will mean that the total amount of IHT paid in the 2024/25 financial year will have reached a record high of £8.4 billion. The report suggests …
The simple step that could boost your annuity income in retirement
You’ve likely spent years preparing for retirement and envisioning the lifestyle you’d like to enjoy once work is officially behind you. You might have even accumulated a significant pension pot through careful planning to help support this dream lifestyle. As you explore some of the different ways to draw an income from your retirement fund, one option you might have …
4 steps that could recession-proof your retirement
If you’ve been keeping up with the news recently, you’ll likely know that global economic growth is under increasing pressure. In February 2025, the Bank of England halved its forecast for UK growth this year from 1.5% to just 0.75%, the BBC reports. Meanwhile, the Guardian reveals that US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) shrank by 0.3% in the first quarter …