Equity release schemes, which allow elderly homeowners to release some, or all, of the value tied up in their homes, may have become increasingly popular in recent years, but there are as many reasons to …
Equity release is a last resort
Author: admin_mm
How to minimise your tax bill in 2006
We all moan about our tax bills, yet willingly hand over thousands more than we need to each year. According to a new report from AXA, the average British household will pay £603,697 tax in …
Corporate giving is easier than you think
The New Year is traditionally a time of good resolutions, but instead of thinking about ourselves – how to lose weight, how to save money – why not think about how your company could benefit …
Diamonds are a “great investment”
The bulls are running rampant in the diamond market. Overall, demand grew by 8% in 2004, and De Beers, which controls 60% of the global market, has pushed through two price increases this year – …
A drop of wine could protect your portfolio from IHT
The government is doing nicely out of inheritance tax (IHT), says Paula Hawkins in The Times: Revenue & Customs raked in nearly £3bn in 2004-5, up 16% on the previous year. In the search for …
Ten ways to get your finances in shape in 2006
Every year most of us blow a hole in our finances by spending too much on Christmas presents, eating, partying and new clothes. This year, it is estimated that British adults will spend an average …
Sipps: don’t rush into property just for the tax breaks
More column inches have been devoted to the subject of residential property than almost any other aspect of the A-Day changes. As of next April, higher-rate taxpayers will be able to buy a house with …
Sipp-ing wine could boost your pension
The whole world is talking about Sipps (self-invested personal pensions). In theory, come next April, wine will qualify as a Sipp investment, and you’ll be able to put it in your pension and have it …
Tax dodge of the week: Give to charity
If you are giving to charity this Christmas, make sure you claim Gift Aid to take advantage of a generous tax break, says David Prosser in The Independent. As long as you’re a taxpayer and …
A profitable alternative to toys this Christmas
Instead of buying a child yet another toy this Christmas, why not encourage the saving habit and give them money, suggests David Prosser in The Independent. Even the smallest gift can become valuable by the …