The Blincoe Blog
We write in plain English - no jargon, no waffle - just useful ideas to help you take control of your money, plan ahead, and make smarter decisions.
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“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”
- Benjamin Franklin
Climbing the Wall of Worry: How Global Stocks Delivered Despite Crisis After Crisis
It's natural to feel cautious about investing. But history has shown that companies and stock markets are highly adaptable, rewarding long-term investors.
"Bears sound clever, but bulls make money"
Do UK Elections Affect Stock Market Performance? What the Data Says About Labour vs Conservatives
Does a change in government signal a change in prospects for the UK Stock Market?
End of Tax Year Checklist: Key Allowances and Planning Tips Before 5 April 2024
A summary of the main personal tax changes for 2024/25 plus planning opportunities into tax year-end
"8 more sleeps until tax year-end"
What Is Portfolio Rebalancing and Why It’s Essential for Long-Term Investing Success
Why we endorse 'tolerance-based' rather than calendar rebalancing
"Eat. Sleep. Rebalance. Repeat."
What Is a Lifetime ISA (LISA) and How Can It Boost Your First Home or Retirement Savings?
Are Lifetime ISAs a no-brainer?
Spring Budget preview
The Chancellor is due to unveil his latest Spring Budget on 6th March 2024
Avoiding the £100k Childcare Trap: A Smart Strategy for Parents with Young Children
For parents, crossing the £100k earnings threshold can actually leave you worse-off due to the impact on childcare costs. But this can be offset via pension contribution.
Should You Be Investing Outside the UK? What the Numbers Say About Global Diversification
Most investors have a home bias when investing, but this can add risk and reduce expected returns
"The average UK investor holds around 80% their portfolios in UK stocks [Interactive Investor]"
Venture Capital Trusts - what, why & how?
VCTs offer exposure to the 'companies of tomorrow' (AI, autonomous driving, e-mobility, health tech, etc.) and come with generous tax perks, but they're not for the faint-hearted...
"Power investing on steroids"
What Is FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and How Can You Achieve It?
Using cashflow modelling to determine the point of financial independence
"Financial independence may be closer than you think”
Buying commercial property via your pension
Small business owners can turbocharge their pension savings by buying their own business premises via a personal pension.
UK ‘Pot for Life’ Pension Reform: What It Means and the Pros and Cons You Should Know
Looking at the pros and cons of the Chancellor's plans for a single 'pension pot for life'
"One pot to rule them all, and in the darkness bind them”
The Power Law in investing (and the perils of picking stocks)
The bulk of stockmarket returns come from a surprisingly small cohort of companies.
"Don't look for the needle in the haystack. Just buy the haystack."
How to Use a General Investment Account (GIA) for Tax-Efficient Long-Term Investing
GIAs are simple, low cost and probably more tax efficient than you think
"Where you hold your investments can be as important, if not more important, than what you actually invest in”
Avoiding the Summer Slump: Why Regular Investing Beats Market Timing
Exploring average stockmarket returns by month and whether the evidence supports 'sell in May' and a Christmas rally
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (again)"
How to Claim Unused Pension Tax Relief: A Guide for Higher and Additional Rate Taxpayers
Every year, higher and additional rate taxpayers leave millions of pounds of pension tax relief unclaimed. According to recent research, this could be worth as much as £1.3bn over a 5-year period.
Family Income Benefit Explained: Affordable Life Insurance for Growing Families
Family Income Benefit policies - what are they and why they're a good life insurance option, particularly for those with young families
"Low cost life insurance, particularly well suited for those with young families”
The Autumn Statement: 3 things you might have missed
Improved ISA flexibility, calls for one pension pot for life and a ditched pension death tax
State Pension Set to Rise Again—But What’s Actually Behind the Increases?
On current annuity rates, a full State Pension is equivalent to a private pension worth over £200k
"The best investment you never had"
Paying 60% Tax? Here's How a Pension Contribution Could Cut That in Half
Once taxable income breaches £100,000, you become subject to an effective 60% income tax on the next £25,140. However, this can be mitigated via pension contribution.
