Time to update that QROPS?

If you are looking at this wondering what on earth I am on about, a QROPS is a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme – an overseas pension arrangement into which existing UK pension plans were transferred. A strange acronym but there will be many UAE residents who have one.

If you have one you need to read this article as there may be a better, more suitable, and cheaper option for you.

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2023 is the year to get serious about your financial goals

It has often been said that “a goal without a plan is just a wish”, meaning that action is required if you want to achieve your goals in life.

We all spend our lives hoping for the best but you need to do something if you are serious about your life goals, specifically your financial life goals.  Do you want to retire at age 55? Do you want to buy a holiday home? Do you want spend some years travelling the world?  Great ideas but how will you achieve them?

With proper planning you can take action to turn these wishes into reality so read on…

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Interest rates, inflation & UK mortgages – some facts

I know a few people are worrying about mortgage interest rates and are hesitating buying property because of that so let’s put the increases it in perspective. There are loads of complex and jargon-heavy articles in the financial press but we’re busy this time of year so this is a simple guide to what has been happening and why it’s not as bad as it may look.

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UK Autumn Statement November 2022 – a summary for expats

UK Budgets seem to come thick and fast these days with the last one in September, albeit that was referred to as a ‘fiscal event’.  A small budget by any other name can lead to as many problems as a big one and that caused huge ructions in financial markets, leading to many of the announcements being rescinded, and another change of Prime Minister and cabinet, albeit still from the same political party.

As is usually the way, new Chancellors like to put their seal on the role so Jeremy Hunt delivered his Autumn Statement this afternoon. You may like to note that he is the seventh Chancellor in just seven years.

This article is a brief overview of some of the main points with particular reference to any changes that are pertinent to those living outside of the UK and especially in the GCC. The UK press will cover many points in detail but many of the points 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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UK Property Investment – 10 reasons why it makes sense

UK property has a great deal of potential as an investment and it is easier to get into than you might think, with lower starting prices and plenty of benefits.

Read on to find out why UK property could be good for you.

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10 sensible steps for smart investing

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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UK Mini Budget September 2022 – a summary for expats

When a new Prime Minister takes office, it is usual for them to want to put their own stamp on things and Liz Truss and her team are doing just that. Kwasi Kwarteng, the current Chancellor of the Exchequer, has made a few announcements today, a mini-budget if you will, or an oddly named ‘fiscal event’ according to the government.

As has been the case in recent years, many measures have already been announced or deliberately leaked so this was largely about clarification.

This article is a brief overview of some of the main points with particular reference to any changes that have relevance to those living outside of the UK and especially in the GCC. The UK press will cover many points in detail but many of the points will not be directly relevant to expats so this article focuses on the points that will be most relevant to us.

EDIT. As this mini-budget went down so poorly, and did such dmanage to UK financial markets, Kwazi Kwateng was replaced by Jeremy Hunt and many of the announcements have since been rescinded so I have commented under each section to clarify.  Added comments are in italics.

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Sitting tight – the importance of remaining invested

There is no question that we are in interesting times for investment markets and we have all seen falls in the value of our portfolios This article is designed to explain why you really should not worry and why you need to remain invested.

The key thing to remember is that to make money over the long-term it is not about timing the market, but about time in the market.

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Need to know: The UK’s Foreign Spouse Exemption, the tax issue you don’t hear about

I last covered this topic many years ago, so it is time for an update. If you are a Brit with a foreign husband or wife, or you are not British but are married to a Brit, this article is for you.

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