News

Investing money can feel daunting because you can’t be sure what your returns will be or whether you’ll suffer a loss. While you can’t eliminate uncertainty from investing, there may be things you can do to overcome the fear of the unknown if it’s affecting your financial decisions.

According to an article from Financial Planning Today (4 February 2026), uncertainty is pushing people away from investing.

Indeed, 23% of Brits are more likely to choose a cash account over an investment account than they were previously, due to political and economic uncertainty. The majority (83%) of Brits said the world feels more uncertain than it did a few years ago.

Over the last few years, headlines have been dominated by events that can affect personal finances, such as high inflation, potential tax changes, or trade tariffs. So, it’s not surprising that uncertainty is affecting how people view investments.

Taking a cautious approach by not exposing your wealth to investment risk might seem sensible, but it could limit your growth opportunities.

While investment returns cannot be guaranteed, the potential returns may be higher than the interest you’d receive from savings over a long-term time frame. So, dismissing investing because of uncertainty could harm your ability to reach your long-term goals.

If uncertainty means you’re worried about investing, here are five tips that could help you overcome it.

1. Focus on what you can control

Investment performance is influenced by numerous factors that are outside your control. Instead of spending your time worrying about these, focus on what you can control.

For example, you’re in control of your savings rate, investment time horizon, and how much investment risk you take. You may be able to adjust these areas to suit your investment goals and financial circumstances.

2. Define your investment goal

A clear investment goal might help you make decisions that are aligned with your wider financial plan and boost your confidence.

You might be thinking about retirement and have calculated with your financial planner that you need £500,000 at age 65 to achieve your goals. Your financial planner might demonstrate the regular contributions you could make and the potential returns needed to reach this target, as well as show you what would happen if returns were lower than expected.

Having access to this information could provide some clarity around why investing might be useful in your circumstances.

3. Start small

If you’re new to investing, you don’t need to go all in straightaway. You might benefit from starting small by investing small, regular amounts rather than a lump sum.

This approach could ease your fears and provide a useful learning experience. You might feel less worried about market volatility if your investment account holds only £1,000. As you become used to market movements, you may feel more comfortable investing larger sums where appropriate over time.

4. Take a long-term view

Short-term market volatility when investing is normal, and this uncertainty can be worrisome.

Instead of looking at how investments have performed each week or even each month, take a longer-term view. Assess the returns over several years. This can help, as investment ups and downs typically smooth out over a longer time frame, and the general trend is upward.

However, keep in mind that investment returns cannot be guaranteed, and it’s important to invest with your risk profile and wider financial circumstances in mind.

5. Diversify your investments

One way to manage investment risk is to invest in multiple opportunities across a range of sectors, geographical areas, and assets. By diversifying your investments, you can spread the risk you’re taking, which might reduce the volatility your portfolio experiences overall.

If you invested in just one sector and government legislation negatively affected the operations of these businesses, the value of these stocks might dip at the same time. In contrast, if you hold investments in a range of sectors, firms operating in other areas could help balance the effect of the government announcement.

Again, while diversifying is a useful investment strategy, it doesn’t guarantee returns or mean your portfolio won’t experience volatility.

Contact us to talk about investing

We can help you assess whether investing is aligned with your goals and financial circumstances, and which investments could suit your needs if it’s appropriate. Please contact us to arrange a meeting.

Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.

People often focus on maintaining their health as they age. They might set goals to stay active or eat well. However, there’s one area that you might have overlooked – joint health.

Your joints play a crucial role in everyday mobility, comfort, and independence. Poor joint health can limit your lifestyle as you age, yet it rarely gets attention until pain or stiffness appears.

Mobility is closely linked to healthy ageing, and protecting your joints supports everything from physical activity to social engagement. The good news is that joint health isn’t determined just by genetics or age. Lifestyle choices play a major role, and even small changes can have long-term benefits.

Whatever your age, taking steps now to protect your joints can help reduce discomfort later and support an active lifestyle for longer.

Here are three practical tips to help you look after your joints.

1. Keep moving

It might seem counterintuitive, but one of the best things you can do for your joints is to use them regularly. Movement helps maintain flexibility and strengthens the muscles that support joints.

Low-impact exercise is particularly beneficial because it minimises stress on the joints while still delivering health benefits.

Low-impact exercises you might want to try include:

• Walking
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Yoga or Pilates
• Strength training

You can incorporate many low-impact exercises into your routine at home, such as following a yoga class on TV. Alternatively, you could join a class at your local gym or search for walking clubs if you want to meet new people and find an extra source of motivation.

According to guidance from the NHS, adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, along with strength exercises that work all the major muscle groups on two or more days.

Strength training is especially important for joint health. Muscles can act like a shock absorber, which can reduce the impact on your joints, such as your knees or hips, and potentially reduce the risk of injury.

If you already experience joint pain, it can be tempting to limit movement. However, that could make your joint health worsen over time, as it may cause further stiffness or muscle weakness. Instead, you might want to focus on gentle exercises that you can gradually build up. A physiotherapist or other health professional may be able to provide a tailored exercise routine for you.

2. Maintain a healthy weight and balanced diet

Body weight has a significant impact on joint health, particularly on joints like the knees, hips, and lower back. Even small amounts of weight loss can reduce pressure on these joints.

Nutrition also plays an important role in joint health. While no single food can “fix” joints, certain nutrients help support them, so you might want to review your diet or consider supplements to increase your intake of:

• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Vitamin D
• Calcium
• Protein

Keeping hydrated is another important factor for joint health. Cartilage, the cushioning tissue in joints, contains a high percentage of water, so drinking enough water through the day helps maintain its function.

3. Protect your joints day-to-day

Daily habits can either protect or strain your joints over time. Small adjustments could make a meaningful difference.

Some practical strategies include:

Use good posture and body mechanics

Poor posture, especially when sitting for long periods, can increase stress on the neck, shoulders, and back. Adjust your workstation so screens are at eye level, feet are flat on the floor, and your back is supported.

Avoid repetitive strain where possible

Repeated movements without breaks can irritate joints and surrounding tissues. If your work or hobbies involve repetition, schedule regular pauses to stretch and reset.

Warm up before exercise

Cold muscles and joints are more vulnerable to injury, even if the exercise is low-impact. A short warm-up improves blood flow and mobility.

Prioritise sleep

Sleep is when the body repairs tissues and reduces inflammation. Chronic poor sleep can worsen pain sensitivity and slow recovery.

Seek medical advice if you’re worried about your joint health

Joint problems aren’t just about discomfort. Poor joint health can affect independence, mental wellbeing, and overall quality of life.

So, if you’re worried about your joint health or you’re experiencing pain, seek medical advice.

The amount of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) investors collectively pay is set to soar over the next six years.

According to a Telegraph article (11 December 2025), the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has adjusted its estimate for how much will be raised through taxes, including CGT.

The OBR now predicts revenue from CGT will reach £114 billion between the 2025/26 tax year and 2029/30 – an increase of £6 billion on its previous forecast. Indeed, by 2030, the levy is expected to double in just six years, generating £30 billion annually for the government.

Investments that aren’t held in a tax-efficient wrapper may be liable for CGT when they are disposed of. Read on to find out the CGT essentials investors need to know.

Capital Gains Tax may be due when you dispose of certain assets

CGT is a tax on the profits you make when you dispose of certain assets, including:

• Most personal possessions worth £6,000 or more, apart from your car
• Property that’s not your main home
• Shares that aren’t held in a tax-efficient wrapper
• Business assets.

It’s important that investors and others disposing of assets are aware of the CGT rules to avoid an unexpected bill.

The rate of CGT you’ll pay will depend on your tax band and any other income you’ve received during the tax year.

In 2026/27, the CGT rates are:

• 24% if you’re a higher- or additional-rate taxpayer who has made gains from residential property or other chargeable assets
• 18% if you’re a basic-rate taxpayer and your gains, combined with your taxable income for the tax year, fall within the basic Income Tax band. Gains above the basic-rate band will be liable for CGT at a rate of 24%.

As an investor, there are allowances and other ways to improve tax efficiency that could be useful when managing your CGT liability.

The Annual Exempt Amount is £3,000 in 2026/27

Each tax year, you have a tax-free allowance known as the “Annual Exempt Amount”. In 2026/27, this is £3,000 for individuals. The portion of your gains that falls below this threshold will not be liable for CGT.

You cannot carry forward your unused Annual Exempt Amount to a new tax year.

As a result, you might want to consider spreading the disposal of your assets across several years to use the Annual Exempt Amount to reduce your tax bill.

In addition, you can pass assets to your spouse or civil partner without CGT being due. As the Annual Exempt Amount is an individual allowance, doing this and planning as a couple could mean you can make up to £6,000 in gains each tax year before tax is due.

Investing in ISAs or pensions could be tax-efficient

As an investor, there are tax wrappers you could use to improve your tax efficiency and potentially reduce a CGT bill.

Investments held in a Stocks and Shares ISA aren’t subject to CGT. In 2026/27, you can place up to £20,000 into ISAs during the tax year.

Similarly, investments held in your pension aren’t subject to CGT, and you may also be able to claim tax relief on your contributions for a further boost.

However, pensions are a long-term investment, and you can’t usually access the money held in one until you’re 55 (rising to 57 in 2028). As a result, a pension may not be suitable if you plan to use the money before you retire or if you don’t have other assets you can draw on in an emergency.

Contact us

We may be able to help make tax efficiency part of your financial plan by identifying allowances and strategies that suit your needs. If you have any questions about CGT or other taxes that affect your personal finances, please get in touch.

Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates, and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax planning.

More than half of UK pension savers are also building up retirement savings outside their pension, according to a MoneyAge article (22 December 2025). As pensions provide some useful benefits when saving for retirement, these savers could be missing out.

The survey found that people saving for retirement outside a pension were using a mix of cash savings, Stocks and Shares ISA, buy-to-let property, and other investments with the aim of building long-term wealth.

For some people, these options could be appropriate for their financial circumstances and retirement goals. However, they might also have overlooked the benefits of using a pension.

4 reasons pensions are a valuable way to build retirement wealth

1. Your employer will contribute to your pension

If you’re an employee aged over 22 earning more than £10,000 a year, your employer must auto-enrol you into a pension. If you don’t opt out, your employer will need to contribute to your pension on your behalf at a minimum rate of 3% of your pensionable earnings, though they may contribute a higher percentage.

Should you choose not to save through a workplace pension, you’ll miss out on this additional money that could support you in retirement.

2. Pension contributions benefit from tax relief

To encourage workers to save for retirement, the government offers tax relief on pension contributions. In effect, this means some of the money you’ve paid in Income Tax is added to your retirement savings.

Pension tax relief is provided at your marginal tax rate. Usually, the basic rate is automatically added by your pension provider, and you can use a Self Assessment tax return to claim the remaining amount if you’re a higher- or additional-rate taxpayer.

In 2026/27, the amount you can contribute to a pension without facing a charge is usually £60,000 (the Annual Allowance) or 100% of your annual earnings, whichever is lower. If you’ve already taken an income from your pension or you’re a high earner, your pension Annual Allowance could be as low as £10,000.

3. Your pension is usually invested

The MoneyAge article notes that people are twice as likely to save for retirement in cash (43%) outside a pension compared to a Stocks and Shares ISA (21%).

While cash can be tempting to avoid exposure to investment risk, the interest from a savings account could be lower than investment returns. As many people save for retirement over a long-term time frame, low-yielding cash accounts could mean they retire with significantly smaller pots than they would have if they had invested.

Normally, the money you deposit into a pension will be invested with the aim of delivering long-term growth. While returns cannot be guaranteed, this provides an opportunity for growth that outpaces inflation or cash interest.

4. Investments held in a pension aren’t liable for Capital Gains Tax

When investments aren’t held in a tax-efficient wrapper, such as a pension, the gains you make when you dispose of them could be liable for Capital Gains Tax (CGT). As a result, a pension could be an effective way to invest for your retirement.

Some circumstances might mean a pension isn’t the most appropriate option

There are times when using a pension to save for retirement might not be the most appropriate option.

For example, if your financial circumstances could mean you need access to the money in the short or medium term, a pension would lock it away. As a result, you might feel more comfortable holding the money outside of a pension.

Alternatively, you can’t usually access your pension savings until you turn 55 (rising to 57 in 2028). So, if you’re hoping to retire sooner than that, you might need to establish savings outside of a pension to bridge the gap.

Many people in retirement will draw from multiple sources to create an income stream that suits their needs and financial situation. Contributing to a pension doesn’t mean you can’t build retirement wealth elsewhere or vice versa.

Get in touch to talk about your retirement

If you’re unsure about your options for saving for retirement, please get in touch. We can assess if a pension might be right for you, as well as explore the alternatives.

Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates, and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.

Workplace pensions are regulated by The Pensions Regulator.

The saying “money can’t buy happiness” is true. Wealth doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be happier, but it could give you the freedom to focus on the things you enjoy and boost your wellbeing as a result.

How you use money is just as important as having it when assessing whether it would improve your happiness. Intentional financial decisions that are made based on your priorities and goals could promote a greater sense of joy.

How money could improve your happiness

First, simply having money in the bank or a higher income could improve wellbeing.

Indeed, a survey carried out by Virgin Money (1 October 2025) suggests 89% of Brits experience money worries, with 1 in 3 stating they regularly worry about their finances. Not only can this cause financial stress, but it could also affect other areas of life, such as relationships with loved ones.

Feeling confident in your finances can ease concerns and enable you to focus on the things you enjoy.

Finances can also influence other areas that are important for wellbeing.

A Harvard study (16 February 2023) has been tracking what makes people happy for more than 85 years. A common factor among the happiest people – the ones who stayed healthy as they grew older and lived the longest – is that they had the warmest connection with other people.

Indeed, the director of the study Robert Waldinger said: “In fact, good relationships were the strongest predictor of who was going to be happy and healthy as they grew old.”

The findings aren’t too surprising. When you ask people what is important to them, family and friends usually appear high on the list. Social connections are often essential for happiness.

At first, it might seem like your finances have little influence over social connections. However, financial freedom could give you more time to spend with loved ones and the opportunity to enjoy new experiences with them.

Similarly, you might want to volunteer to meet new people and support your local community. Being able to reduce your working hours could allow you to pursue that goal.

Why a financial plan could provide direction

So, money could support your happiness, but it isn’t a given. You need to consider what improves your wellbeing and how to use your wealth in a way that allows you to focus on that.

The good news is that’s the essence of a financial plan – bringing together your finances and aspirations to create a tailored plan.

After working with a financial planner, you might find that you’re in a better position than you thought.

Perhaps you’ve been daydreaming about exploring new locations, but you’ve held off booking anything because you were worried about how it would affect your long-term finances. You may discover you have enough to fly to exotic destinations already, and a plan gives you the confidence to do it.

In these cases, a financial plan could mean you don’t miss out on opportunities to improve your happiness because you’re unsure about your finances.

It’s also possible that you discover a gap, which could place your happiness at risk. For example, if you want to travel in retirement, you might find you aren’t on track to achieve this.

Identifying the gap now could mean you’re in a position to make higher contributions to keep your plans on track and enjoy the retirement you’ve been looking forward to.

Get in touch

If you’d like to build a financial plan that’s focused on your happiness and wellbeing, please contact us. We can work with you to build a tailored plan that suits your aspirations.

Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

Once you’ve set out your investment goal and strategy, what comes next? Often, it’s time to test an important investment skill – your patience.

The average investor might benefit from a long-term approach

When you think about the most important skills in investing, you might consider the ability to choose the “right” investments or understanding market movements. Yet, for the average investor, patience could be far more valuable.

Usually, investment strategies require a long-term outlook, so you need to be patient to achieve your goals. While it might be tempting to adjust your portfolio based on the news or market movements, for the average investor, creating a strategy that’s aligned with their goals and risk profile, and then holding assets long-term, could prove more effective.

Historically, markets have delivered returns over long-term time frames and have recovered from downturns. While it’s impossible to guarantee this will happen in the future, it suggests a long-term strategy may be effective.

In contrast, trying to time the market could lead you to miss out on potential returns and taking more risk than is appropriate.

So, being able to practise patience could be a valuable skill for investors.

5 practical steps that could improve your patience

Practising patience might be more difficult than you expect, especially during times of market volatility. Here are some practical steps that could help you stick to your long-term strategy.

1. Follow a goal-based investment strategy

It’s natural that you want to reach your goals as fast as you can. However, investing is typically for the long term, and rushing could be harmful, as you might be more likely to make poor decisions.

Having a clear, goal-based strategy may be valuable if you find you’re impatient to achieve your objective.

2. Schedule regular reviews with your financial planner

It’s easier than ever to see how your investments are performing. With a few taps on your phone, you can see the value of your investments in seconds.

Technology makes tracking performance convenient, but it doesn’t always encourage a patient, long-term mindset. With so much information at your fingertips, it’s tempting to check your investments frequently, and it might lead to an approach that’s focused on short-term gains rather than a patient, long-term outlook.

Instead, schedule regular reviews with your financial planner, such as quarterly or annually, depending on your needs. This provides you with a way to check your progress towards your goals and may reduce your focus on short-term market movements.

3. Diversify your investments

Volatility is part of investing, and there’s always a risk that the value of your investments will fall. During periods of uncertainty, it’s normal for fear to lead you to be impatient – you might consider withdrawing money from your investments because you believe your long-term goals are at risk.

Diversifying your portfolio can’t eliminate investment risk, but it might limit extreme volatility by providing balance. As a result, it could make periods of uncertainty more manageable and mean you’re less likely to act impulsively.

Similarly, choosing investments that align with your risk profile and attitude to risk could help you feel confident in your long-term strategy.

4. Identify what triggers impatience

Identifying when you’re most likely to be impatient could help you become aware of when you might make decisions that don’t align with your investment strategy.

You may be more likely to act rashly when your emotions are heightened, such as when markets are experiencing volatility or when work has been stressful. Recognising when you might be impatient could give you a chance to step back.

Setting yourself a 24-hour cooling-off period before making any investment decisions could be useful, as you’ll often find your emotions have subsided.

5. Automate some investment tasks

Automating investment steps could mean things keep ticking along without you having to do anything, so there’s less chance of you being tempted to make changes.

For example, if your strategy includes depositing money into an investment account each month, you might set up a standing order for this to happen automatically.

Contact us

If you’d like our support when investing, or to understand whether investing could form part of your wider financial plan, please get in touch.

Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.