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 financeTo stay up-to-date with the latest news and views from the NorthStar team, why not subscribe to NorthStar Insights, our free email newsletter or check out our social media sites.
Revealed – The Cost of Being Loyal
We all know that you can save money by switching your services, but even so many prefer to stick with their existing company. Yet new research has found the cost of staying loyal to be almost £1,000 a year. That’s a huge amount of cash which most of…
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How to Steer Your Pension Back on Course
From the age of 55 you now have full control of your pension. But has anyone told you how to drive it? Taking wrong turnings now could limit your options later on – so make sure you arrive safely in your chosen retirement by taking our quick pension …
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A Third of Young Adults Are “Money Dreamers”
Having a money goal is a great indicator of a young adult’s skill with money – but not having a plan can mean many fail to achieve their hopes. That’s the big difference between “Money Planners” and “Money Dreamers”, as found in new research from the…
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Your Pension – Don’t Kill the Goose!
A decision on your pension can take only a moment, but you might have three decades to regret it. New market figures suggest that many people just aren’t giving this process the necessary attention, and could be damaging their retirement prospects. Y…
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Can You Solve the Riddle of the Fishing Rods?
Three fishermen, three rods, three price tags, but only one answer. Go on, take the bait. *Ding*. The bell rings above the door of Hartley’s Fly Fishing Supplies. Three men enter, all equally determined to win this year’s Lower Kimbleton angling tour…
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The Kids Aren’t Alright: Just 40% Taught Money Skills at School
Just one in four children aged between seven and 17 have received lessons in basic money management despite it being part of the national curriculum, new Money Advice Service research reveals. The study, part of Financial Capability Week, shows nine…
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KnowlEDGE Digital Magazine – Spring 2018
We’ve just published our exclusive quarterly digital magazine for Winter 2017. You can read and download your copy for free. Another year is almost complete, Christmas is round the corner and the days are dark and cold…
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How Rugby Could Help You Plan Your Financial Future
England rugby star and former British Lion, Will Greenwood MBE, discusses how applying small changes now can have a big impact further down the line. You may think it sounds odd that a sporting hero is giving out financial advice, but England rugby s…
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The Power of Pocket Money
Kids are getting close to £10 a week in pocket money these days – although some have to earn theirs through various jobs and chores. The average weekly amount is £9.70, which can be simply pocket money, made up through an allowance or earned. The ann…
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How Much Does Long-Term Care Cost?
In later life, many of us will probably need long-term care in one form or another. It is a good idea to think ahead about your likely care requirements, so you know in advance what kinds of care are available, what these might cost, and whether you…
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NorthStar’s Latest Investment Results Are In (February 2018)
One of the key services we provide our clients is investment management. As well as helping our clients protect the wealth they have already accumulated, it’s also crucial to help them grow their wealth over time. We have developed a unique investme…
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Don’t Suffer a Pension Hangover
You can now draw out your whole pension pot in one go – at least in theory. But, like drinking a whole bottle of champagne, what might sound fun can end up being a headache. If you don’t want a tax-induced hangover, it pays to know your limits. A pensio…
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Become Financially ‘Lucky’
Is luck something you can catch or is it something you can cultivate? And what about when it comes to your finances? Can you make yourself financially ‘lucky’? Luck. It seems a silly idea to take seriously. When it comes to our finances, can we reall…
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Will My Workplace Pension Be Protected?
The collapse of Carillion has once again drawn attention to the pension schemes of companies that go into administration. Following similar cases at BHS and Tata Steel, members of the Carillion scheme will need to be moved into the Pension Protection…
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Check Out These Free Online Financial Courses from True Potential and the Open University Business School
We believe that a major cause of the UK ‘Savings Gap’ is a lack of financial education. In fact, research by the Open University found that 70% of UK adults answered GCSE level personal finance questions incorrectly. Understanding your finances is th…
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Quick Ways to Detox Your Finances This January
By now, we’re betting you’re sick of the sight of tinsel, the smell of turkey and you’re regretting those eight mince pies you scoffed during the Queen’s Speech. The health industry knows you’re feeling over-indulged right now so push lots of regimes…
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More Ways Star Wars Can Teach Us About Money
Last year we shared four money lessons we can take from the original Star Wars movies. With the latest addition to the franchise, The Last Jedi in cinemas, we thought it was time to see what lessons can be found from the likes of Poe, Finn, Rey and K…
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We’re Taking on the 2018 Isle of Wight Challenge to Raise Money for MyBnk
Our founders, James Thompson and Derek Pegg have just signed up to take on the 2018 Isle of Wight Challenge - hoping to walk the full 66 mile (106 km) course in one go. The event takes place in early May so they need to get some...
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KnowlEDGE Digital Magazine – Winter 2017
We’ve just published our exclusive quarterly digital magazine for Winter 2017. You can read and download your copy for free. Another year is almost complete, Christmas is round the corner and the days are dark and cold…
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See Annuities in a New Light
Annuities have made a comeback. Having gone from being compulsory to being as fashionable as chintz, they’ve seen a surge in popularity since last year. But why? Some are suggesting it boils down to one word: certainty.Think about the past 30 years…
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Budget 2017 – What You Really Need to Know
We take a look at the key themes from the budget last week and assess how they may impact you. Who were the winners and who were the losers and what does it all mean for your finances? The economy – plenty more pain on the way. From a forecast point…
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Your Home as Your Retirement Fund – the Pros and Cons
New research suggests that homeowners are saving less into pensions than people who rent their properties. Some are clearly banking on their house as a source of money in later life – but when it comes to retirement, is property or a pension your bes…
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Better off Dead – Six Money Habits That Should Be Extinct
In this article, we take a look at some scary money habits that really should be extinct. None of us are perfect, but being a dinosaur with your dough can cost you hundreds of pounds. Evolve your ways and you could get a nice amount of...
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We’re Offering Free ‘Money Talk’ Sessions as Part of Financial Capability Week 2017
NorthStar Wealth Management is proud to announce their involvement in this year’s Financial Capability Week. Launching Monday 13 November, ‘FinCap Week’ will celebrate, showcase and amplify the work underway to improve financial capability in the UK…
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13 Financial Horrors to Avoid This Halloween
They can suck you dry and haunt you for years. No, it’s not the supernatural, but 13 very real financial horrors that could end up costing you cash. You don’t need a clove of garlic or silver bullet to avoid them though. Just following some simple ti..
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6 Ways That Advisers Beat Robots
So you’ve heard about ‘robo-advice’ – you’re just not sure what it means. Could online apps really deliver a service comparable to financial advice? Here are some reasons to be sceptical. Isn’t modern technology fab? You can chat to far-flung friends…
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Imagine Your Entire Financial Life Compressed Into a Single Day
You’ve heard of the biological clock – but did you know about your financial clock? Raising the money for life’s milestones takes time, and that time is more limited than you think. See what your life might look like if you lived it in just one day…
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Use the Force: What Star Wars Can Teach Us About Money
With the first Star Wars movie released 40 years ago, we wanted to share four lessons about money we can all learn from Luke, Leia, Han and co. 1. A drink can cost you an arm (though not a leg). In Star Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi (a Jedi) takes Luke to a ba…
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Sitting Pretty – Why Your Baby Needs a Pension
Welcome to the world of extreme financial planning. If you can’t imagine starting a pension pot for a baby, you’re not alone. But thanks to their ultra-forward thinking parents, some toddlers might be growing up on a gold mine. Picture the scene at p…
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Are We More Loyal to Our Banks Than Our Spouses?
Is it true that we’re more likely to dump our partners than we are to change our bank accounts? Although most of us would nod at the adage “a change is as good as a rest”, it’s unlikely that we truly believe it, at least when it comes to our bank accou…
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