Author Archives: ross@planrfp.co.uk

Financial planning can add real value to your life, helping you achieve your goals and enjoy the lifestyle you want. When you think about financial planning, you might initially focus on the financial element. Perhaps you’re interested in how planning can help you reduce your tax bill, invest to get the most out of your […]

There’s speculation that the Bank of England (BoE) will cut the base interest rate further in 2025. Read on to find out why the central bank’s decision could affect you and what to consider when assessing if it’s the “right” time to fix your mortgage interest rate. A mortgage is a type of loan that […]

Older workers could find they’re more exposed to financial shocks because financial protection doesn’t meet their needs. Read on to find out if a protection gap might affect you and how you could close it.  There are several different types of financial protection, which would pay out a lump sum or regular income when certain […]

One of the retirement challenges many people face is how to handle wealth decumulation. During your working life, you’re typically working to increase your wealth, and this usually shifts as you enter retirement.  So, if you’re retired or are nearing the milestone, read on to find out more about decumulation dilemmas and how you might […]

This guest blog was written by Chris Budd, who wrote the original Financial Wellbeing Book as well as The Four Cornerstones of Financial Wellbeing. He founded the Institute for Financial Wellbeing and has written more than 100 episodes of the Financial Wellbeing Podcast.  There is an old joke that sheds light on the role that […]

The importance of remaining calm is often something that’s talked about when discussing investment market volatility. But there are other factors outside of your control that might lead to emotional decision-making, including uncertainty about the upcoming Autumn Budget.  Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to deliver an Autumn Budget at the end of October. Despite being […]

Understanding where your wealth is coming from and how you’re using it could help you make more informed decisions. However, as so many assets are intangible, having a clear picture of your wealth can be difficult. Finding ways to visualise all your assets is often useful, and something people have been doing for centuries.  When […]

Do you consider yourself an optimist or a pessimist? The “blue dot theory” could suggest that humans are hard-wired to be pessimists, after psychologists discovered that once our brains are primed to see something (such as a blue dot), we see it everywhere, even when it’s not really there. Read on to learn more about […]

When you’re buying a property, Stamp Duty can be a significant expense that you need to consider. So, read on to find out when the tax is paid and how to calculate a potential bill.  According to data published in IFA Magazine in June 2025, the government collected £14.1 billion in Stamp Duty in the […]

In April 2028, the age you can usually access your pension, known as the “normal minimum pension age” (NMPA), will rise from 55 to 57. So, if you hope to retire at 55, you might need to update your retirement plan.  Even if your planned retirement date seems far away, creating a plan now could […]