Author: Lloyd Kafton
The Early Exit Retirement Plan Most People Overlook
Most people assume they’ll work into their late 60s, not because they want to, but because they think they have to. But what if that assumption is wrong? The truth is, many people could stop working sooner than they realise. The key is knowing your number and testing the plan, not relying on guesswork or […]
Posted in Retirement Planning
How Spreading Investments Too Thin Could Be Slowing You Down
Diversification is one of the most repeated pieces of investment advice, and for good reason. But here’s the part that rarely gets mentioned: too much diversification can actually hold you back. Instead of boosting performance or reducing risk, overdoing it can lead to a bloated portfolio that’s confusing, inefficient, and ultimately less effective. The […]
Posted in Financial Planning, Investments
The Property Gifting Cheat Sheet: Keep It in the Family, Cut the Tax
Thinking about gifting a property to your kids? It’s something we hear a lot, especially from parents who’ve built up wealth in their home and want to help the next generation. But handing over a house isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. Between inheritance tax rules and tricky timeframes, a well-meant gift can come with […]
Posted in Financial Planning, IHT Planning
Can Your Home Pay for Its Own Makeover?
Dreaming of a kitchen extension or a new bathroom? With savings squeezed and costs climbing, many homeowners are asking the same question: Can I use my mortgage to fund it? If your property’s value has gone up, you might have untapped equity sitting in your walls, and yes, that could mean your home can help […]
Posted in Mortgage
Mortgage Overpayments vs. Building Wealth: What’s the Smarter Move?
Overpaying your mortgage feels like a win, and it can be. But in 2025, when interest rates are high at 4.25%, investment returns are bouncing back, and tax rules are shifting under your feet, the question isn’t just “Should I overpay?” It’s “What’s the smartest place for my money right now?” Let’s zoom out and […]
Posted in Mortgage
5 Tax-Free Ways to Gift Money in 2025 Without Triggering the Taxman
Thinking of giving your kids a bit of help with their deposit? Or slipping your grandkids some cash for uni? Just make sure HMRC doesn’t turn it into an accidental tax trap. Fortunately, there are several perfectly legal ways to give financial support without creating a future inheritance tax headache. And in 2025, with frozen […]
Posted in Financial Planning
Your 50s Financial Game Plan: 5 Moves to Make Before Retirement Hits
You’re in your 50s. Retirement’s not here yet, but it’s not some abstract idea either, it’s getting real. These next ten years could be the most powerful for shaping your post‑work lifestyle. Whether you’re behind, on track, or flying ahead, this is the time to get strategic. And no, it’s not about chasing some impossible […]
Posted in Pensions
How to Get the Most Out of Your Adviser in 2025
You’ve got a financial adviser on your side; great move. But here’s a question worth paying attention to: are you getting the most out of that relationship? Like a good GP or personal trainer, your adviser can only work with the information you give them. The better the input, the sharper the outcome. This certainly […]
Posted in Financial Planning
No Pension Panic: Here’s Your Retirement Backup Plan
Just as we’re settling into the 2025/26 tax year, the retirement headlines are heating up again. Government chatter about raising the State Pension age to 68, sooner than planned, has sparked fresh anxiety, especially for those born in the late 1960s and early 1970s. And understandably so, because if the rules shift, and access gets […]
Posted in Financial Planning, Pensions
Cash at 5% – Too Good to Pass Up, or a Long-Term Trap?
It’s been a while since savings accounts turned heads, but here we are: 5% AER on easy-access cash. It feels like a win, finally, your money’s earning something without lifting a finger. But before you go stuffing every spare pound under the metaphorical mattress, it’s worth asking: is this the smartest move for your long-term […]
Posted in Financial Planning