Pension Adjustment Orders
As I mentioned in a previous blog, Divorce - Who Gets What, the division of wealth after a separation adds an enormous stress factor to an already difficult process. After the family home, pensions are often the second most valuable asset under consideration. In the...
How to Invest
The question of how to invest is an important one, never more so than in a time of stock market turbulence. 2018 has seen one of the US stock market’s worst ever days, followed by a six day rally, but all adding up to a resurgence in volatility. So, how to invest (and...
Probate in Ireland
It’s not a subject we like to dwell on but it is important to know what happens to our money after we die. Knowing the processes involved (and how long they take) is a great motivation to structure our finances in a way that makes it as easy as possible for our...
How Much Do I Need To Retire?
A question I get asked countless times is, how much do I need to retire? While there is no exact answer, and certainly not one figure that applies to everybody, there are two methodologies we can use to come to a conclusion. The Salary Method You’ll probably have seen...
A Financial Advisor’s Guide to Downsizing
Downsizing your home is a big decision that requires plenty of thought and planning. A large home and garden is wonderful for raising a family but it may not be the right place for you once the kids have flown the nest. Downsizing is often a very attractive...
Pensions Made Simple (ish)
Made simple, really? OK maybe I’m setting the bar too high but I want to tell you all you need to know about pensions. I’m bored already. Wait, this is important. Just give me 2 minutes of your time. OK, go on then, why do I need a pension? Because your income could...
Why You Should Own Your Own Home
While scarcity and affordability is a major problem for many young people considering buying their first home, there remain many reasons why you should strive to own your own home. 1. Inflationary Asset Although inflation is at cycle lows right now, it will return. It...
5 Reasons to Never Ever Buy Individual Shares
We’ve all thought about it, most of us have done it, some of us have made big gains, many of us have been burned. Many ‘experts’ endorse it as a perfectly sound investment strategy. Not me. Here’s why you should never buy an individual share... 1. Going to Las Vegas...
The Money Smart Investment Philosophy
Investing money demands care and consistency. Our investment philosophy consists of six golden rules based on global best practice which we apply to every client portfolio. 1. Have a Plan and a Process A stable decision-making process through boom and bust eliminates...