NorthStar Blog
Welcome to the NorthStar Blog. The place for the latest news, information and opinion from the NorthStar team helping you stay on top of what's going on in the world of finance.Budget 2024: The Key Announcements
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered the final Budget before the next general election yesterday. With almost all of the key measures being leaked before the event, there were few surprises in the list of announcements. With the Conservative Party trail…
Embrace Evidence-Based Investing to Grow Your Wealth
Evidence-based investing stands in stark contrast to speculative hunches or arbitrary guesswork when it comes to managing investment portfolios. At its core, this investment strategy hinges on comprehensive research and the meticulous study of market…
Fall in Love with Your Finances This Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is more than just chocolates and roses; it’s a time to celebrate love and unity. Amidst the romantic gestures and thoughtful gifts, it’s also an ideal moment to consider your financial journey with your partner. Establishing a robust…
Preparing for a Century: Financial Considerations for Living to 100
As human lifespans extend further, it’s crucial to address the financial implications this longevity brings. This article explores the challenges ahead and provides actionable steps to ensure a financially secure life as we consider the prospect of…
The Ten Most Common Money Mistakes
When it comes to managing our personal finances, navigating the path to financial prosperity can be as challenging as it is rewarding. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting to build your financial foundation, understanding and sidestep…
The New Year Financial Detox: Transforming Your Finances for a Prosperous 2024
As the New Year approaches, it’s the perfect moment to start thinking about a financial detox journey – revitalising your money habits to secure a brighter financial future in 2024. Much like detoxing your body, detoxing your finances involves a deli…
Everything You Need to Know About the 2023 Autumn Statement
Jeremy Hunt delivered the Autumn Budget yesterday against a backdrop of a cost of living crisis and a looming general election. The economic situation and outlook remain challenging and government finances relatively tight. Despite inflation falling…
The Money Conversations All Couples Need to Have
In the pursuit of love, many of us seek that elusive ‘perfect person’- someone attractive, kind, engaging, sharing our interests and a person who makes us feel special. There’s a pervasive belief that when we encounter this person, we’ll instinctively…
How to Become a Pension Millionaire
Becoming a ‘pension millionaire’ might seem like a pipe dream, particularly in view of the cost-of-living pressures many people are facing. But it may be more attainable than some people think when you combine regular and cost-efficient investing with…
The Dangers of Investing in Cash for the Long-Term
In today’s financial landscape, many individuals are considering the allure of cash investments as a safe haven for their hard-earned money. While the appeal of easy-access savings accounts offering interest rates of around 5% is evident, it’s crucia…
We’re Proud to Be Supporting Talk Money Week 2023
Talk Money Week is taking place from 6th – 10th November 2023 and is the annual event all about getting the public talking about money. The week is overseen by the Money and Pension Service – a national body bringing toget…
New Survey Reveals a Worrying Level of Financial Literacy in Britain
A recent survey conducted by Shepherds Friendly revealed that Britain is facing a significant challenge in terms of financial literacy among its population. Financial literacy, in this context, refers to the understanding and knowledge of basic finan…
New Report Finds One in Three Brits Facing Hardship in Retirement
Retirement should be a period of relaxation and enjoyment after years of hard work. However, a recent report has revealed a concerning trend in the retirement landscape for Britons. The study conducted by Scottish Widows, a renowned pension provider…
Women’s Pensions Worth a Third Less Than Men’s – How Can We Close the Gender Pensions Gap?
In today’s society, achieving financial security in retirement is a crucial concern for individuals. However, a disheartening disparity persists between women and men when it comes to pension savings. Recent statistics reveal that women’s pensions ar…
Seven Great Reasons to Take Financial Advice in 2023
The increasing cost of living has brought to the forefront the importance of seeking advice when making significant financial decisions. In 2023, the need for financial advice has never been more crucial. Here are seven compelling reasons why:
Pension vs Property: Which Is the Better Investment?
Both pensions and property investments can deliver long-term growth – and, when it comes to funding your retirement, both could have an important role to play. Here we weigh up the advantages and limitations of both property (whether buy-to-let or y…
Five Crucial Questions for the Bank of Mum and Dad
Adult children are increasingly banking on the financial support of their parents, but older generations must not lose sight of their own needs. If only all banks were as charitable as the Bank of Mum and Dad. Parents and grandparents handed over ne…
Cost of Living Crisis and Market Volatility Drive Increased Demand for Retirement Advice
New research from Aegon and NextWealth shows demand for retirement advice continuing to increase. The 2023 edition of the ‘Managing Lifetime Wealth: Retirement Planning in the UK’ report builds upon research conducted in previous years to show a numb…
Six Reasons to Top Up Your Pension
With the end of the 2022/23 tax year almost upon us, time is running out to make the most of your tax-free exemptions and allowances before they disappear forever.There is so much more to pensions than just providing an income when you stop working…
Spring Budget 2023 Special
The Chancellor presented a ‘back to work’ budget focused on encouraging the economically inactive population to return to work with major changes to pensions and childcare funding announced. Fortunately, the economic outlook is not as dire as predict…
What’s the Real Value of Financial Advice?
There is now mounting empirical evidence that financial advice can provide significant benefits for people of all ages and backgrounds. While many individuals may believe that they can manage their finances on their own, research now shows that those…
How to Boost Your Pension Pot When Money Is Tight
The cost of living crisis is forcing many of us to cut back on important things. In most cases, non-essential expenses such as holidays, takeaways, and nights out are being sacrificed. But for some of those really feeling the pinch, retirement goals a…
Four Questions to Ask Before Buying an Annuity
With rates at 14-year highs, the annuity revival is in full swing. But there’s lots to consider before trading your retirement savings for a lifelong income. We’ve all been there at some point. We buy something which, at the time, we’re more…
How to Save for Your Long-Term Goals
Blocking out the short-term noise isn’t easy at the moment; the volume is cranked up to the max. On the economic front, inflation remains high, mortgage rates are at their highest level for 14 years, and the UK falling into recession seems imminent…
Scrooge’s Christmas Pension Plan
Herein lies a tale in which a youthful gentleman of casual bearing has an unsettling encounter with an irascible festive spirit, which in its wisdom enlightens the young fellow with useful and practical pension advice. Sitting comfortably? Then let us beg…
How to Plan for Retirement at Different Life Stages
As the retirement savings journey often spans several decades, it can be helpful to separate your plan into stages. This will help you achieve the right blend of enjoying today and funding tomorrow. Here we outline the key retirement planning consider…
The Secret to Becoming a Successful Investor
When it comes to investing, there is no shortage of experts who claim to have the secret to success. There are those that claim to have come up with the ultimate quick-win investment strategy, the next sure-fire winning stock, technical analysis that…
How to Beat Inflation – Our Top Tips
With inflation in the UK currently at 9.9%, it’s little surprise that the impact of price rises is putting a significant financial strain on most households. Inflation is on the rise throughout the world but the UK is expected to experience faster pr…
Helping Our Clients Navigate Through Turbulent Times
Given the news this week, we wanted to take this opportunity to provide all our clients with a special update on market and economic events and outline how we can help navigate through these turbulent times. This week has seen financial markets and e…
We’re Proud to Support Financial Planning Week 2022
We’re pleased to announce our support for Financial Planning Week 2022. This will be the sixth year we have been involved with this nationwide campaign and we’re delighted to be among a select group of companies chosen to support this initiative. Run…
Awards, Accreditations & Trade Associations
NorthStar is proud to be a member of the leading financial planning trade associations. Through a continued commitment to adhere to the highest professional standards and deliver exceptional service, NorthStar has received a number of awards and professional accreditations.