We live in challenging times. We have been through the biggest economic slump in 300 years, cast off from our erstwhile European trading partners and come under attack by successive generations of Covid 19.
Many of us have been forced to concentrate on short term financial survival. But even if we are fortunate enough to enjoy some financial stability everyday money management can be confusing and stressful, especially if you’re new to it or are facing a change in circumstances.
It is hardly surprising that many people are not thinking about their financial future.
At Continuum we are looking at why careful planning is vital for your future – and why you need to start now.
The difference planning makes
As the covid crisis has made very clear, we can’t see what is round the corner, but that doesn’t mean that we can afford to simply wait and see what comes along.
Your future is too important to leave to chance. Financial planning makes a huge difference at every stage in your life, whether it is providing protection and peace of mind now or helping you reach your long-term financial goals.
Mortgage
Buying a home of our own is a priority for most of us.
Without planning ahead, even getting a deposit together may be impossible.
With a mortgage planned around your needs and circumstances, you may not only be able to afford a home of your own, you may be able to afford a better home, and pay it off years early.
Protection
Life can be uncertain and when we have a family who depend on us, uncertainty is something that we cannot afford.
Without planning and a proper financial safety net to provide an income if you were no longer there to provide it yourself, or became unable to work because of illness or accident, you and your loved ones are at risk. Everything you have worked for could be lost.
With a carefully planned package of life insurance, income and health cover, you could have complete peace of mind, knowing that financial security would always be available.
Wealth creation
Making spare cash the basis of real wealth is something we should all consider doing.
Without planning, the chances of succeeding in investment by luck alone are small.
With investment planning and a proper strategy, you could be able to see steady growth in your portfolio, building capital and providing income as you grow older.
Pension
We are all getting older and whether your retirement is imminent or still many years away, you need to start thinking about the best way to build up a pension pot and the best ways to use the sum you have built up.
Without proper planning, you are unlikely to have the kind of pension pot you need for a comfortable retirement.
With proper pension planning, you can take full advantage of the government’s tax concessions – and expert investment – and aim to build up the cash lump sum you need.
After you are gone
It is a sad fact that we will all die, while those around us will carry on.
Without proper planning, the taxman can help himself to the wealth you have spent your life building up which you want to leave to those you spent that life with. Inheritance tax – IHT – could take 40% of everything you leave above a threshold of £325,000.
With proper estate planning, it may be possible to avoid IHT liabilities altogether and ensure that your beneficiaries are your loved ones, not HMRC.
We can prepare for the future, even if it is unknown and by doing so, we can make it very much more secure and comfortable, for ourselves and those we love.
It starts with the little things. Coming up with a household budget or working out how much you can put into a savings plan each month might not require professional advice. But finance can be complicated – another reason why people fail to make the plans they need.
At Continuum we can assist you with everything from general financial planning and investment advice to specialist guidance on products like pensions.
Our company mission is to bring clients a lifetime of financial planning. Not only will we find solutions to your immediate financial needs, we will work with you to find answers to your needs as they change throughout your life.
First, we will sit down with you to understand your financial priorities and objectives. Then we will plan the best strategy to help you to reach those goals.
Once you understand the recommendations and agree a plan of action, your adviser will implement the recommendations. He or she will help you complete the necessary paperwork and put your plan to work for you.
The information contained in this article is based on the opinion of Continuum and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation to suitable Protection, mortgage products or investment strategy, you should seek independent financial advice before embarking on any course of action.
The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate taxation and trust advice & will writing.
The levels, bases and reliefs from taxation depend on individual circumstances and may be subject to future change.
