Category Archives: Uncategorized

7 Retirement planning mistakes that could cost you thousands

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We all know that we need to plan for our future but few of us want to contemplate getting older so it is easy to keep putting off the topic. The fact is that planning for retirement is one of the most important financial steps you’ll ever take. Despite good intentions, many people fall into common traps that can delay or even totally derail their retirement goals.

These mistakes may seem small now, but over time, they could cost you a huge amount of money; tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds or dollars.

Here are 7 retirement planning mistakes you should avoid, with action points.

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UK Budget October 2024 – a summary for UK expats in the GCC

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This is the first UK Budget by a Labour government since 2010, and the first one from a woman Chancellor of the Exchequer in Rachel Reeves. Considering the role has existed for 800 years, this is a significant moment for representation in politics.

Will this Budget be a defining moment for the new Labour UK Government? This is was never going to be an easy Budget with giveaways and we all knew that.  It was claimed to be a budget for the average working person and it has largely met that brief, although some will not be pleased with certain announcements.

Following every Budget or Statement, I write an article to give you a concise overview of some of the main points, with particular reference to any changes that have major relevance to those living outside of the UK, and especially in the GCC.

The UK press will cover many points in detail but much of it will not be directly relevant to expats so this article focuses on the points that will be most relevant to us.

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Living in the UAE. 10 major money mistakes you want to avoid

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Moving to the UAE is a big change. Living in the UAE, or even the wider GCC, is not quite like life elsewhere.

It is not uncommon for expats for make a few financial mistakes but proper planning, some research, and the right advice will make for a better experience, and a better life generally.

This article has a list of the most common errors and while some may seem obvious, they are all made regularly. Knowledge is power so have a read and make sure you aren’t making mistakes that you could easily avoid.

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15 reasons why you need a will

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Arranging suitable wills is an important part of financial planning and one that is too often overlooked or not addressed as it seems complicated – but can be much easier to organise than you might think.

Wills are important and if you don’t have one this is something you need to address.

Here are 15 reasons why you need a will:

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UK Budget March 2024 – a summary for GCC expats

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Another Spring, another UK Budget, but what will it really mean for you?

Following every Budget or Statement, I write an article to give people who are not resident in the UK a concise overview of some of the main points, with particular reference to any changes that have relevance to those of us living outside of the UK, especially in the GCC.

The UK press will cover many points in detail but much of it will not be directly relevant to expats so this article focuses on the points that will be of most interest.

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10 sensible steps for smart investing

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I have put together a simple guide to 10 practical and logical steps you need to follow when investing so to find out more, read on…

It is too easy to side-tracked from planning your future, our lives are busy after all, but it rarely needs to be as complicated as some might make out. My role is to make this simpler and easier for you so while we discuss serious topics, so our conversation is friendly and the language straightforward.

The financial services industry is full of jargon and sales messages so sometimes it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction, the reality from the adverts and the sales pitches.

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Higher education costs – the facts & how you can plan

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The days of most expats having their children’s school fees paid for them are gone and even if you have an education allowance as part of your salary package it will stop on finishing secondary school. If they then want to go on to tertiary education, whether that is university, college, or vocational study someone has to pay and the burden is likely to fall on to parents.

Have you thought about how much may be required, or how to fund the additional study that you children may want, or indeed may need, in order to do what they want in life and be successful?

Statistics show that over their working life someone with a bachelor’s degree in the USA will earn, on average, almost twice as much as workers with a high school diploma. Source: US Census Bureau

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What has a financial adviser ever done for you?

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Paraphrasing Monty Python, purely to get your attention, but it’s a valid question. I am in an industry that is frequently criticised in the UAE, often for good reason, but let me explain why using a qualified adviser (rather than a salesperson pretending to be an adviser) is a good thing and how you can benefit.

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Can you afford to survive a critical illness?

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I have two simple questions for you. Could you and your family survive financially if you suffered a serious illness and were unable to work? Even if you could, would it decimate your savings and future plans?

Being diagnosed with cancer, heart disease or having a stroke is something you don’t expect and is often a matter of bad luck, but you can take steps to make sure you and your family can manage without any financial problems, taking away a major cause of stress.

Let me tell you about a true story. This happened to a client of mine.

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Seasonal Spending – hints and tips for a happier Christmas & New Year

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As we head rapidly towards the end of 2019 the prospect of Christmas and New Year is daunting for many due to the cost of the celebrations. With Christmas being as much a cultural as a religious event for most people, and New Year being a party time too, this article is all about some hints and tips for budgeting at this time of year.

The holidays are a time when people want to splash out but it is all too easy to get carried away with all the advertising, tempting shop displays, and the associated pressure to make everything perfect.

The cost of living in the UAE is higher than ever and with many people having concerns about expenditure, and even job security, there are ways to cut back but still have a good time.

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