Monthly Archives: February 2026
The Affordability Test Shift: Are Lenders Quietly Becoming More Generous?
You may have noticed something surprising lately. After a couple of years of tighter borrowing limits and cautious lending, some buyers are finding they can borrow a little more than they expected. Agreements in principle are coming back higher. In some cases, income multiples are edging up again. Stress rates don’t feel quite as […]
Posted in Mortgage
The Protection Gap for High Earners: Why Your Employer Benefits Aren’t Enough
High earners often assume they’re well protected. A strong salary, a solid benefits package, and generous employer cover can create a sense of security. But employer protection is usually built around base salary, not total earnings. Plus, it only works while you remain employed. For those whose lifestyle is structured around bonuses, dividends or […]
Posted in Insurance
Are Frozen Tax Bands Quietly Costing You More Each Year?
Income tax rates haven’t gone up. And yet, if you’ve had a pay rise over the last few years, there’s a good chance more of your income is being taxed at a higher rate. That’s not a coincidence. It’s because key tax thresholds have been frozen while wages have risen. This quiet mechanism, known as […]
Posted in Financial Planning
The Retirement Identity Crisis: What Happens When Work Stops?
Most people plan carefully for retirement income. They calculate pension pots, review investments and work out how long their money needs to last. But far fewer of us stop to consider what happens to our identity when work stops. After decades of structure, routine and being known for what you do, retirement can feel a […]
Posted in Retirement Planning