KC Wealth

Maximising your tax allowances is crucial for a healthy financial future. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your allowances before the financial year ends: ◻️ Use your ISA allowance: Invest up to £20,000 tax-free in a Cash or Stocks & Shares ISA. ◻️ Max out your pension contributions: Contribute up to £60,000 or 100% of your earnings (whichever is lower) and benefit from tax relief. ◻️ Utilise Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exemption: The allowance is £6,000 for 2023/24—consider selling investments to stay within this limit. ◻️ Gift money: Take advantage of the £3,000 annual inheritance tax gift allowance. The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested. #taxplanning #financialadvice #ISAs #pensions #finance #taxallowances #wealthmanagement

◻️ Stock Take Speaking at the Jackson Hole economic symposium last week, Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell indicated the time had finally come for the Fed to begin cutting interest rates. The annual event had taken on additional interest this year, with the question of when, not if, rates would be cut high on a lot of economists’ minds. ◻️ Wealth Check When we talk about saving and investing, we generally think of them as the two main ways to set money aside for the future. It can be easy to confuse them as one and the same thing – or think that you should opt for one or the other. In fact, they’re two quite distinct options that you have for aiming to grow your money for your future. ◻️ Last Words “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.” Oasis confirms a much rumoured reunion tour, 15 years after their last show. To read more about this week's finance updates click the link in the comments below! #finance #news #insights #weekwatch

Is it better to save or to invest your money? Each can support your financial wellbeing and future goals, but in different ways. We look at the differences, the pros and cons, and what it means for you and your family. ◻️ Savings and investments are different but complementary ways of funding your future. ◻️ Cash savings are ideal for a rainy-day fund or to pay for a short-term goal. Investments are for the long term and will require more risk. ◻️ Creating the right balance between saving and investing is the heart of a well-balanced financial plan. We’re here to help you work out the right mix for you so you can achieve your goals. To find out more about whether you should be investing or saving, click the link in the comments below! #finanicalplanning #finance #financialwellness #financialadvice

It’s never too early (or late!) to start thinking about your retirement. Whether you're just starting out or already contributing, there are plenty of ways to grow your pension pot. Here are some tips to help you secure the future you deserve: ◻️ Maximise employer contributions: If your employer offers to match your pension contributions, make the most of it! It's essentially free money added to your pension pot. ◻️ Increase contributions gradually: Start by increasing your pension contribution by 1% each year. Small changes now can have a big impact on your final pot. ◻️ Use tax relief to your advantage: Remember, pension contributions receive tax relief. That’s extra money going into your pot, simply for saving! Talk to us if you’re unsure how to maximise this. ◻️ Consider consolidating pensions: Have old workplace pensions? Combining them into one pot could help reduce fees and simplify your pension planning. ◻️ Stay invested: The longer you stay invested in your pension, the greater the potential for growth. Ride out the ups and downs of the market with a long-term view. For more information about our retirement planning services, please visit our website! The value of investments with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of selected funds and these can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested. #pensionplanning #retirementgoals #financialadvice #pension #financialfreedom

◻️ Stock Take Worries around a potential US recession continued to fade last week, as a raft of positive economic data appeared to help build confidence in global markets. Chief among these was UK GDP, which grew by 0.6% in the second quarter of 2024, compared to the first quarter. ◻️ Wealth Check After your early-stage business has made some sales, it’s tempting to look at your bank balance and think you’re in a great position. However, even with healthy customer numbers and revenue, in a small and growing enterprise, things can get bumpy quickly if you don’t implement sound financial management measures. ◻️ Last Words “I was going to sail around the globe in the world’s smallest ship but I bottled it.” Comedian Mark Simmons' joke, which was voted the funniest joke at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival. To read more about this week's finance updates click the link in the comments below! #finance #news #insights #weekwatch

As financial advisers, we believe one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is financial literacy. Starting early helps them understand the value of money, make smart choices, and avoid common pitfalls. Here are some fun and simple ways to get started: ◻️ Open a savings account together. ◻️ Give them an allowance and let them make spending decisions. ◻️ Play games that involve money. ◻️ Talk openly about your own financial goals and challenges. Remember, it's never too early to start the conversation. #financialliteracy #financialplanning #finance #family #money

We all hope for the best, but it's crucial to plan for the unexpected. Protection planning ensures you and your loved ones are financially secure even when life doesn't go according to plan. Here's why it's important: ◻️ Income protection: If you're unable to work due to illness or injury, income protection can replace a portion of your income, allowing you to focus on recovery. ◻️ Life insurance: If you pass away, life insurance can provide a lump sum to your family, helping them cover expenses like mortgage payments, bills, and education costs. ◻️ Critical illness cover: If you're diagnosed with a serious illness, critical illness cover can provide a lump sum to help you cover medical costs, make lifestyle adjustments, or take time off work. By working with a financial adviser, they can help you create a personalised protection plan that fits your needs and budget. For more information about our protection planning services please visit our website. #ProtectionPlanning #FinancialAdvice #PeaceOfMind #UKFinancialAdvisor

◻️ Stock Take As the dust started to settle from the panic in markets at the start of August, many investors were left thinking ‘what was that all about?’ Global share prices had started to unwind two weeks ago after the Bank of Japan raised interest rates, spurring a jump in Yen prices. In addition, weakening job market data in America led to rampant speculation that the US was about to enter a recession. ◻️ Wealth Check Financial education is the key to everything when it comes to being prepared for the worst. If you don’t have that financial awareness, you might not know what actions you should be taking. A major aspect of that is understanding the importance of starting to plan ahead as early as possible in your career, especially as it’s likely to be short and could be made even shorter by injury. ◻️ Last Words “We know the Olympics Games cannot create peace. But the Olympic Games can create a culture of peace that inspires the world.” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach reflects on the Paris Olympics, which ended over the weekend. To read more about this week's finance updates click the link in the comments below! #finance #weekwatch #financenews #news #insights

Ever wondered what behavioural finance is all about? Why does it matter? How does it impact investors? And what can investors do to avoid some of the inherent risks and mistakes that we, as humans, make when it comes to investing our money? Hear from SJP’s Director of Research, Joe Wiggins, to find out. #BehaviouralFinance #Investor #FinancialMarket

How much do you need to retire? The cost of a comfortable pension has risen again in the last 12 months. As part of the upcoming Pension Awareness Week, we look at what a happy and enjoyable retirement might cost you. ◻️ We now have more choices, more information and more personal accountability for our retirement income. But will the future we look forward to be one we can afford? ◻️ The Retirement Living Standards, launched by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA), helps provide a budgeting benchmark for three different standards of living: minimum, moderate and comfortable. ◻️ If you’re planning your retirement lifestyle, these living standards are a practical starting point for anyone unsure about whether they need to save more for their retirement. To find out more how much a comfortable retirement could cost you, click the links in the comments below! #financialplanning #finance #retirement #pensionawarenessweek