The Omnis Investment Club podcast is now out - week in the life of financial markets #omnisinvestmentclub #omnisinvestments

Lisa is a university lecturer and a keen kayaker in her early 50s. She’s also a single mum to two teenage daughters – Lila and Eliza. Lila is in the final year of her A-levels and Eliza is in the first year of her GCSEs. Both daughters are very academic – Lila wants to be a doctor and Eliza a vet. With the cost-of-living crisis showing no signs of lessening its grip, despite earning over £50,000 a year, Lisa is finding she has less and less disposable income at the end of the month. With the cost of her daughters’ continuing education and her own retirement on her mind, she is finding money is becoming a constant source of worry. After giving up work, she was planning to throw her kayak in the back of her campervan and explore Europe. But she’s becoming increasingly concerned that those retirement plans will have to be seriously curtailed. Why it’s more expensive being a single parent Lisa is one of 2.9 million single parents in the UK, with a quarter of all families in this position. And research shows it’s more expensive raising a child alone. Figures from the Child Poverty Action Group, the cost of a child report, reveals that in 2023, the full cost (including housing and childcare) of raising a child in the UK was £166,000 for a couple and an eye-watering £220,000 for a single parent. Single parents pay more because fixed costs like transport are shared between fewer people, so a higher proportion of those costs are attributable to the child. As a result, single parents like Lisa are being disproportionately affected by the cost-of-living crisis. A report from the charity Gingerbread found the financial situation of two in three single parents in the UK is worse than it was a year ago, with one in five using credit to pay for household essentials and a similar number turning to food banks. The same report revealed one in three single parents have seen the amount of debt they have increased over the past year, with almost half of those finding themselves more than £1,000 deeper in debt. In total, 76% of all single parents are in debt and half of those owe more than £2,000. So what financial support is there for single parents? If you’re a single parent, it’s worth using a benefits calculator to check you’re claiming all the financial support you’re entitled to. There’s a calculator on the Gingerbread website or you can use the government one. Depending on your situation, the benefits and financial support you may be able to claim include: Child benefit Council tax reduction Universal credit Widowed parent's allowance 15-30 hours of free childcare Tax-free childcare Healthy start vouchers NHS low-income scheme Free school meals Why single parents should get financial advice If you’re a single parent, it makes sense to get financial advice regardless of your age or income. Whether you’re approaching retirement like Lisa or you’re at the start of your career, speaking to a professional can be vital in ensuring you make the most of every penny and avoid costly mistakes. Expert advice is useful for everyone but arguably more so if you’re a single parent with children who are financially dependent on you. A financial adviser has the experience and market knowledge to assess your situation accurately and provide recommendations for suitable products and services. So, if you’re a single parent and you’d like advice on any money-related matters, we’d be delighted to help. Approved by The Openwork Partnership on 03/06/2024

Hardly a day goes by without the cost of living hitting the headlines. For many homeowners the increasing costs of owning and running a home is having a huge impact on household budgets. Even if you are near the top end of your monthly budget, or are expecting a ‘payment shock’ when you come to remortgage next, you may be wondering whether it’s worthwhile paying more than the minimum repayment each month, with the aim to save money in the long run. So, what are the benefits of making mortgage overpayments? Mortgage-free sooner Overpayments can either be a one-off lump sum or a regular overpayment made throughout the year. Overpaying on your mortgage means you can potentially clear your mortgage balance quicker. Reduce the amount of interest you pay It could also make sense to overpay on your mortgage rather than keep your money in a savings account, because you may earn more in interest savings on your mortgage than you could earn in a typical savings account. Access to better rates in the future Lenders will offer you better rates if you have a lower loan to value. The more you can pay to reduce your mortgage, the potentially lower interest rates you’ll have when you come to remortgage to a new deal. Are there any downsides to overpaying your mortgage? Overpaying on your mortgage might not be right for everyone. Using savings to overpay on your mortgage could leave you with less cash to fall back on in an emergency. Not all lenders have the same rules for overpaying and there may be a penalty fee called an Early Repayment Charge (EPC) if you overpay too much. You should only make overpayments if you’re sure you can afford them. It’s a good idea to make overpayments if you already have an emergency fund, and you don’t have any other, more pressing debts that need to be repaid. It’s always a good idea to discuss your options with an adviser, we can help guide you through all your mortgage options including advice on making overpayments. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Approved by The Openwork Partnership on 07/02/2024

What does a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) cover? A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more people to make decisions on your behalf during your lifetime. The people you appoint to manage your affairs are called the attorneys. An LPA is a completely separate legal document to your will although many people put them in place at the same time as getting their will written, as part of planning for their future. What does a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) cover? There are two types of LPA which come into effect when you are no longer able to make your own decisions. A health and care LPA lets your attorney make decisions about your medical treatment and day-to-day care. This can include where you live, what you eat, what medical treatment you receive and who you see. A financial decisions LPA lets your attorney handle (and make decisions about) your money and property. This can include paying your bills, selling your property, collecting your pension and collecting your benefits. Do you need an LPA? Without an LPA, if you need someone to step in and manage your finances or make decisions about your healthcare in the future, their only option will be to apply for a deputyship order through the court. This can be a costly, complex and lengthy process. If you have an LPA, it can take effect as soon as it’s needed, meaning your chosen attorney can step in to help straight away. Once your LPA is in place, you have peace of mind in knowing that someone you trust can look after your affairs if you're ever unable to yourself, because of an illness or an accident. Don’t put it off More than 75% of the over 55s have not registered an LPA. The benefits and the simplicity of putting one in place should encourage you to make the decision to get your ducks in a row before it’s too late. Which is where we can help. Getting it right is too important to leave to chance, so get in touch and we can ensure you’re directed to the right place to organise and register your LPA. Approved by The Openwork Partnership on 20/02/2024 Will writing and Lasting Power of Attorney are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The Omnis Investment Club podcast is now out - week in the life of financial markets #omnisinvestmentclub #omnisinvestments

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Life can be full of surprises. You can’t be prepared for everything. You may have some insurance to support you financially if the unexpected happens, but have you considered how private medical insurance might offer you and your family the peace of mind you need if your health takes a turn for the worst? A growing trend According to data published by The Telegraph, close to half a million people have taken out private medical insurance over the past year, as NHS waiting lists hit record levels this autumn. According to government statistics almost 7.8 million people were waiting to start routine hospital treatment in September 2023. Against this backdrop, it’s hardly a surprise that more people than ever are considering the benefits of private medical insurance including faster access to medical treatment for themselves and their families. It’s not just speed of access, it’s also about the quality of care you receive, the flexibility of choosing where and when you would like to receive treatment, and the range of treatments, medicines, facilities and consultants available to you. Cost-restrictions in an already stretched NHS mean that not all breakthrough treatments are accessible. With private medical insurance you can sleep easy, safe in the knowledge that the very best care is available. It’s more affordable than you think Avoiding lengthy waits for treatment and quality of care are just two of the biggest attractions of taking a route which has traditionally been seen as too expensive for most. But through our specially selected health insurance partner we can help you find the right policy for your budget. If you already have private medical insurance, we may be able to find you cheaper premiums for your circumstances, and all with a free no obligation quote. The pandemic provided a reminder to us all of just how precious good health is – and acted as a reset for many. Health became a priority, and continues to be so. Spending money on private medical insurance may not have previously been a priority but protecting you and your family over the long-term means a growing number of people are taking the time to consider a more proactive approach to getting the treatment they may need. We love our NHS but we know the pressure it’s under We have nothing but respect for the hard-working and talented individuals who make the NHS what it is. But we also know that the service that has given so much to so many is under unprecedented pressure. We also know that there is often a faster and better alternative. We can make sure you get all the information you need to decide whether private health insurance is the right option for you. Call Richard on 07749 522 065 or drop us an email at enquiries@planguardfinance.co.uk