The Blincoe Blog
Who Really Holds Your Investments? Understanding the 4 Layers of Protection When Investing Through an Adviser
When you invest through a financial adviser, there are several different parties involved in the management of your investments. Each plays a crucial and unique role. Many investors worry: "What happens to my money if one of these companies fails?" It's a valid concern, and one that UK financial regulations address through robust protection mechanisms.
10 Common Investment Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them): A Guide for Smarter Long-Term Investing
This is the second in a three-part series on common financial planning mistakes. In this installment, we cover ten common investing pitfalls—from chasing dividends to home bias and poor diversification. Small missteps can have big long-term impacts.
What Recent Market Volatility in 2025 Teaches Us About Risk Tolerance
What a ride! After hitting all-time highs on 19th February, the market plunged nearly 19% in six weeks, only to recover swiftly not long afterwards. A bear market scare and a bull market bounce, all within a single quarter.
Are Venture Capital Trusts Worth It? Performance vs Tax Relief
We’ve previously explored the mechanics of VCT investing – the rules, the risks, and the generous tax perks, but we’re returning to the topic this week. The key question we ask is: Is VCT investing still worth considering?
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage or Invest? Pros and Cons Explained
This is a question that comes up frequently: If you have some spare cash, should you use it to pay off your mortgage or invest it for future growth?
How to Stay Calm (and Invested) When Markets Get Scary
Global financial markets have suffered a bruising few weeks. At the time of writing, the US benchmark S&P 500 index has fallen 8% year-to-date and stands 12% below its all-time high achieved just seven weeks ago(!!).
Why Market Volatility Is Back — and What Investors Should Do About It
It’s been a volatile few weeks on the stock market, driven by concerns over a potential trade war and signs of a slowdown in the US economy.
Factor-Based Investing Explained: The Smart Middle Ground Between Active and Passive
Investing is typically framed as a choice between two approaches: active or passive. But what if there was a middle ground that could potentially offer the best of both worlds?
Why the US Dominates Global Markets—and What UK Investors Should Watch
Since 2011, the US market has grown by over 20%, now making up two-thirds of global equities.
Investment Lessons from 2024 and What They Mean for 2025
Nine charts tell the story of an extraordinary year in financial markets and some insights for the period ahead.
What Real Investment Risk Looks Like — And Why Volatility Isn’t It
Successful investing isn’t about avoiding risk entirely. It’s about understanding the different types of risk, accepting them, and managing them wisely to achieve your financial goals.
Should You Invest Only in the US Stock Market? Why Diversification Still Matters
Is doubling down on US equities, at the expense of global diversification, a good strategy? We think not.
Is Your Workplace Pension Too Cautious? Why Default Funds Could Be Costing You
Is your workplace pension invested too defensively?
What to Do When Markets Crash: Your Investment Fire Drill
We're overdue a bear market. It will feel daunting, but it's all part of the investment journey.
"What to do when the next bear comes"
ISA Inheritance Explained: How the Additional Permitted Subscription Works
Understanding the mechanics of the Additional Permitted Subscription
Offshore Investment Bonds: How to Defer Tax and Optimise Withdrawals
Using investment bonds to defer taxation on underlying investment profits from a period as a higher/additional rate taxpayer to one as a basic/non
Junior ISAs vs Junior SIPPs: The Best Way to Invest for Your Child’s Future
Junior ISAs and Junior Pensions offer scope to build sizeable ‘nest eggs’ in your children or grandchildren’s names, and in a highly tax efficient manner.
"Balancing tax efficiency with accessibility"
Premium Bonds vs Cash Savings: Which Is Better for You?
A decent option for the 'rainy day' fund
The Power of Compounding: Why Starting Early Beats Saving More
“Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it. He who doesn’t, pays it” [Albert Einstein].