Planning aspects

Take control of your finances and enhance your prosperity by visiting our planning guides. They will take you through the essentials of financial planning, from using your personal tax reliefs to making a will.

Failing to plan is like planning to fail - start here to look at key planning opportunities.

Claiming tax deductible expenses when employed

Very few expenses are tax-deductible from earnings from employment, though two cases in 2010 could mean that the scope is a little wider than previously thought.

A lifetime of personal financial planning

Throughout life, from childhood to retirement, circumstances and priorities change. At every stage it is important to make well-informed decisions to ensure that you and your family are following the best strategies for achieving your goals.

Planning for a year's prosperity

Ideas for managing your income tax, pensions, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, amoongst other subjects.

Giving to charity

Gift Aid is the main vehicle for tax efficient giving to charities. It applies to any donation whether large or small, regular or one-off.

Tax planning - don't let the tail wag the dog

Tax planning is a year-round activity - and a very important part of your overall financial strategy.

Building your wealth

Making your savings grow and being able to retire when and how you want is one of your most important financial objectives. But achieving this goal takes planning and perseverance.

Achieving financial security in retirement

For many people their retirement plans have been devastated by the fall of the stock market in the first decade of the new millennium, reduction in property values and the fall in interest and annuity rates. What chance now of a 'comfortable retirement'?

Strategies for you and your family

No matter what your age, personal or financial status, you will have dreams, and expectations. The impact of the recession necessitates a review in order to evaluate what realistic view you take of your planning. We can advise and help you plan how to make your goals a reality.

For business owners only

If you are thinking of starting a business, you should consider, among other factors: the impact of the current economic downturn, the suitable availability of funding, your break-even, the nature of the business, the profit potential, the rate at which you expect the business to grow, the impact of being the business owner on all areas of your life and the degree of risk involved.

Does your estate planning pass the test?

It is never too early to plan your estate. If it is large, it could be exposed to inheritance tax at 40%, and if it is small, advance planning can help you ensure that your assets will go to your chosen beneficiaries. Currently only 2% of estates have a liability to IHT.

Inheritance tax planning

Planning to minimise the liability to IHT is a team effort involving you and your professional adviser. To enable long-term objectives to be set, it is necessary to make decisions about your finances and your family.

Making a will and other related matters

Making a Will is one of the most fundamental aspects of estate planning, yet many people do not appreciate its importance.

Funding your children's education, a £40,000+ debt?

Every parent wants to give their children the best possible start in life - but the prospect of funding a child's education right through to university can be daunting. However, with careful planning and good advice, you can avoid those education headaches.