What are your financial goals for 2018?

If you haven’t given much thought to your New Year resolutions, there’s still time even now and here’s one you should seriously consider. Make 2018 the year you plan your long-term wealth and get the right advice to help you achieve your goals.

Review your financial objectives

It helps to start with a clear idea of what your goals are – have they changed? Think through what your key saving, spending and investment plans are for the next 12 months and decide what you want your money to do for you. For instance, are you looking to become debt-free, save for your children, or plan your retirement spending?

Pensions

This year, you’ll be a year older and a year closer to your retirement. Pensions are one of the most efficient savings vehicles for the future, offering tax-free growth and tax relief on contributions. Plus, if you join a workplace scheme (including not opting out of pension auto-enrolment), then your employer will, in most cases, make contributions on your behalf, meaning you’ll effectively benefit from free money. Sitting down with us will help you get a clear picture of how much your pension is likely to be worth, and we will be able to tell you if you’re saving enough for a comfortable retirement, or if you need to put aside more to ensure you have enough to live on in your later years.

Review your savings and investments

Don’t forget to make the most of this year’s ISA allowance. For the 2017-18 tax year, it’s a generous £20,000 or £40,000 for a couple in separate ISA accounts. ISAs are a great way to save tax-effectively; each year, more and more people  are becoming ‘ISA millionaires’.

If you’ve held a portfolio of investments for a while, it might be time to review its performance. We will be able to assess the stocks and shares you hold, and ensure the balance of your portfolio remains in line with your risk profile and asset allocation strategy. A review gives you the opportunity to consider moves like selling investments that are underperforming or taking a profit from a holding that has appreciated considerably in value over the years.

Write, or update an existing Will

Dying without a Will could leave your family in disarray and facing financial worries.  It’s a simple procedure that means you can decide in advance what you want to happen to your wealth on your death. You know it makes sense.

For further information on Financial Planning please contact one of our advisers on 01793 881602
or download our free Key Guide:

The financial planning journey

Our full range of Key Guides can be found here

 

The value of investments and the income they produce can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.

The value of pensions and the income they produce can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.