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With the first wave of Child Trust Funds maturing this year, there's a great opportunity to talk to your children about the benefits of saving and investing. If one of your children has recently celebrated their 18th birthday then there's a good chance they'll have some money in a Child Trust Fund (CTF), which they can now access for the first time...

On 17 November the FCA confirmed guidance for homeowners struggling financially due to coronavirus. The mortgage payment holidays scheme, first announced in March and then extended in May, has been further extended until 31 March 2021. How does it work? Those who have not yet had a payment holiday will be eligible for payment holidays of 6 months i...

As you are no doubt aware, the result of yesterday's US presidential election is not yet known. With 43 states having declared their results, the race is much tighter than the polls predicted and neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden have enough votes from the electoral college to claim a victory. To do so, they need to gain at least 270 of the electo...

During the past few months, millions of businesses have been forced to shut temporarily, with employees furloughed or working from home under very difficult circumstances. With various business sectors reopening in July, many have suffered significant financial damage due to lockdown. For some businesses, productivity has been lost due to illness a...

Stock markets do not react well in times of uncertainty and the effects of the pandemic continue to pile pressure on financial markets worldwide. During periods of increased volatility, such as we have seen over the last few months, the importance of spreading risk and considering the longer term, remain constant investment principles. Why diversif...

On 17 March 2020, as the country teetered on the brink of lockdown, the Chancellor announced that homeowners struggling financially due to coronavirus would be able to take a three-month mortgage payment holiday. What does this mean for me?The extended application deadline now coincides with the end of the furlough scheme. This means, if your workp...

Recent research shows 1 in 10 UK adults with a pension (and not yet retired) have reduced or stopped pension contributions because of Covid-19. 1 in 10 UK adults have reduced or stopped pension contributions1 in 4 workers are worried about paying for every day essentials1 in 5 workers are worried about keeping up with mortgage or rent payments The ...

Purchasing a property can be a busy, stressful time and it can seem like there are a million things to remember. Some things however, are more important to remember than others – for example, getting the right insurance in place at the right time. Many people believe that they only need to take out buildings insurance once they move into their new ...

Are you approaching retirement? If you are nearing retirement, you may have been particularly worried about the impact of recent market volatility on your pension assets and perhaps you are reassessing your retirement plans. There are several things to consider if you are planning to retire, which will depend very much on your own circumstances. Si...

Back in March, the Bank of England slashed interest rates to an all-time low of 0.1%, in a bid to alleviate the severe economic pressure caused by coronavirus. As the base rate cut fed through to mortgage rates and with the continuing pressure of a closed mortgage market, lenders responded by withdrawing mortgage offers, increasing rates and pullin...

The world is changing rapidly in a way that nobody could ever have expected, meaning your personal and financial circumstances are likely to have changed. It is important to regularly review all aspects of your finances and that includes reviewing your protection insurance, to make sure your policy provides adequate cover for your changing needs. U...

The coronavirus outbreak has impacted everyone across the globe, leaving many individuals and families in a precarious financial position. The crisis has shown that financial hardship can strike when we least expect it, demonstrating the importance of protection cover. As people's anxiety about their financial future intensifies, it's likely that m...

The Chancellor's announcement back in March, offering 3-month mortgage payment holidays for homeowners experiencing financial difficulties due to COVID-19, came as welcome news to many people. Mortgage lenders agreed with the Treasury that any customers who are in 'difficulty' will be eligible. Initial uptakeRecent data has revealed over 1.2 millio...

The Coronavirus outbreak is having a widespread impact across all aspects of our financial life, with many people finding their income reduced. At times like this it can be challenging to stay focused. No matter what age you are, now is not the time to neglect your pension. Try your very best to keep your pension planning and contributions on track...

Losing your partner at any stage in life can be devastating, but it may be particularly devastating when children are involved because of the financial pressures of raising a family. Ensuring your children and other dependants are provided for in case you die should be a top priority but less than a third of people in the UK have life insurance. Ke...

Evidence suggests that many more of us are putting down roots and choosing to stay in our current homes for longer. The average time a homeowner in the UK stays in their property is 21 years. This contrasts with the 1980's, when a fast-rising property market encouraged a move every eight years on average. However, high prices in some regions, Stamp...

Name:  Annette Hunter  What do you do at Stan Sherlock Associates?  I am a senior administrator within the mortgage and wealth departments. I have recently moved to the wealth department, but I still turn my hand to mortgages. I input and process cases, problem solve and see a case through to completion.  What do you enjoy most ...

A life insurance policy in trust is a legal arrangement that keeps a life insurance pay out separate from the valuation of your estate (property, money and possessions) after you die. Here we take a look at some main points to consider when deciding whether to write your life insurance in trust. The logisticsA trust is a legal entity that allows yo...

 Name: Sandra Sproat What do you do at Stan Sherlock Associates? I've worked here for almost 22 years, so I have my finger in many pies! As office manager, I work closely with Bobby and Emma Sherlock and we all try to maintain a happy environment for the staff. My secondary role has been described as 'office mum' which is quite an honour! What...

Whether you're a first-time buyer, a second- stepper or further up the housing ladder, buying a home is always a big move and can feel a bit like a roller coaster ride at the best of times. Now there is the added complications and worries that the COVID-19 pandemic may have caused for people's lives, finances and general wellbeing. Here are some ti...