When it comes to investment we are still living in interesting times. With so many unexpected global events in recent years and those that are ongoing, investing has not been a great deal of fun of late, and I fully appreciate the frustration of clients, of all investors.
This article is designed to provide some context and comfort. So read on…
Too many people bury their heads in the sand when it comes to planning for their financial future so we need to face some facts.
The reality is that most people are facing a significant shortfall in their retirement income.
According to recent figures, the average UK pension pot totals just £50,000 and the average pension income is £500 a week. That income will not just be from the pensions, but from other sources such as the state pension, personal investments or property.
The average UK resident has savings of just £17,365 and 34% have no savings or less than £1,000. Equivalent figures are not available for GCC expats but given that our incomes are higher than UK averages I would hope it is rather more. That said, I all too frequently come across people without any savings or investments.
In this article I look at some of the mistakes you want to avoid and issues that you really cannot afford to ignore.
The times, they are a-changing, to quote Bob Dylan, and that is the case in the UAE as Muslim expats can now write UAE wills and distribute their assets exactly as they wish, in the same way as non-Muslims.
This is a huge change, and very welcome for many residents, especially those who have bought property in the UAE. Provided a will is set up correctly, and formally registered, assets will no longer be subject to distribution according to Sharia Law.
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.
An offshore bank account is a useful tool for any GCC-based expat. You don’t need to be wealthy to have one and there are multiple benefits.
Offshore banks are highly regulated and they are not just for the rich, or for anyone wanting to be a bit shady – quite the opposite!
To find out why an offshore account is right for you, and how to open one, read on…
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.
On 24th February, we woke to the news that Russia had invaded Ukraine. The situation had been deteriorating for a while but now we have the terrible reality of military conflict.
The article is about financial matters, not politics, but they are closely aligned and I want to tell you why you shouldn’t panic about falls and fluctuations in stock markets – and what you must not do.
Many of us make New Year resolutions, but how many of those are about our finances? And how many of them do we really keep?
2020 and 2021 have been tough years for large numbers of people and we can’t be sure of what else is in store, but knowing you have taken all the right financial steps will put you in a good position to weather any future storm.
Invariably, we could all do a little better and some focus rarely goes amiss. With that in mind here’s a list of 10 steps you can take to get yourself financially fitter in 2022.
It is estimated that in the UK alone more than £8 billion is languishing in under-performing investment funds. Add all the money in offshore funds and other jurisdictions and the number is worryingly large.
These poorly performing funds, known as dogs, can be found in all sectors but action can be taken. If your money is stuck in the dog house you can do something about it.
Many of us make New Year resolutions, but how many of those are about our finances? 2020 was a tough year for large numbers of people, and we aren’t out of the woods yet, but knowing you have taken all the right steps will give you some peace of mind.
Invariably we could all spend less and save more and a little focus rarely goes amiss.
With that in mind here’s a list of 10 steps you can take to get yourself financially fitter in 2020.