Essential Money Blog
We went to an awards do a few weeks ago and the runner up of the Mortgage Adviser of the Year for which we were also shortlisted, happened to be sitting next to me. Although I was obviously pleased they'd done well I was amazed when he admitted they didn't offer all the products from the market place. read more »
With a number of clients with existing investment properties and following a fair number of discussions recently as to when would be a good time to get back into the property market, I thought the following report from Henderson New Star made interesting reading. read more »
I'm comfortably sitting reading the Sunday papers and am fascinated by the front page assertion by Jonathon Porritt, the government's green adviser, that couples who have more than two children are being "irresponsible" by creating an unbearable burden on the environment. read more »
I've just been reading a fascinating story of how Bernard L Madoff, former chairman of the Nasda stock exchange has been arrested on charges of running a $50 billion Ponzi Scheme. A ponzi scheme - as in Charles Ponz, the crook who ripped off the gullible in 1920 with a pyramid investment fraud. He took from Peter to pay Paul, using money from new investors to pay interest and dividends. read more »
I get asked fairly regularly by my dental clients whether it is advisable to trade as a limited company. As I'm not an accountant it's not easy for me to give a definitive answer. In fact you should really have a feasibility study done for you by an experienced accountant that specialises in working with dentists. read more »
I'm busy taking lots of calls from clients worried about their money, as markets continue to tumble and banks get gobbled up (see earlier entry today). If you're a client and you're worried, please feel free to call me - it might be you need to take action, it might be that everything is fine. read more »
There's so much happening in the financial markets at the moment that it's hard to keep up - saw this article today and thought i'd add it here.. Although even since this article was published the terms of the Lloyds/HBOS deal have been announced.
By Stuart J Watson | 17 September 2008 read more »
I read a very interesting press release today from Ros Altmann who is an Independent Pensions Consultant. The press release contains details of Ros’ latest work analysing public sector pension schemes and calls for an informed debate on the subject. read more »
I've just written a few words for the monthly tax tips column of The Probe regarding claiming allowances on dental or surgery equipment. If you want to read that you can click here ... read more »
Dan Norris our extremely efficient mortgage administrator has today passed her first finance exam - the CF1 (Certificate in Financial Administration). This paper covers financial services industry including regulation and legislation. read more »
Lara Southgate has successfully passed her CF1 exam last week following up on Lisa's success only a month ago.
Lara and Lisa are both planning to get married (not to each other mind) and can now focus on trying on wedding dresses and organising their day.
Well done Lara!
I'm very pleased to announce that Lisa Cooper our extremely efficient administrator has today passed her first finance exam - the CF1 (Certificate in Financial Administration). This paper covers financial services industry including regulation and legislation. read more »
Cycling home last night in daylight, in a fluorescent yellow jacket on my bright blue bike and a passenger in a white van decided to open his door without looking in the mirror. I hit his door pretty hard - buckled the front wheel and smashed my precious speedo but somehow I managed not to come off the bike (I was going up hill so not going as fast as normal). read more »
