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.
🔍 Looking for something specific? Use the search tool below.
“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”
- Benjamin Franklin
Charitable bequests in IHT planning
Charitable bequests: where philanthropy meets tax efficiency.
How to Use Bare Trusts to Fund School Fees — and Reduce IHT
Using bare trusts, in the names of minor children, to fund private school fees.
How Cashflow Modelling Helps You Answer: When Can I Afford to Retire?
The power of cashflow modelling in retirement planning
Autumn Statement Rumours: Which Tax Changes Might Actually Happen?
A summary of all the rumoured tax hikes circulating over the past few weeks
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"
Planning the Third Act: How to Build a Retirement You’ll Enjoy
Moving from a period of saving to spending can be emotionally challenging, but herein lies the true value of financial planning
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
Labour Tax Plans: How ISAs, CGT and Inheritance Could Change in 2025
Rachel Reeves has warned of tough choices to come - which taxes could be in her crosshairs?
Life insurance in estate planning
Using whole-of-life insurance to provide for an inheritance tax charge
"'It's insurance Jim, but not as we know it!'"
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].
Emotional Biases in Investing: How to Avoid the Most Costly Mistakes
Overcoming emotional bias in investing...
Will a Labour Government Change Pension Rules? What to Know Before the Election
Pensions and a Labour government: what we know so far and what might happen
Why Estates Over £2m May Face a 60% Inheritance Tax Hit—And How to Avoid It
Certain estates are subject to a marginal 60% inheritance tax once their value exceeds £2m
"...and how to achieve an immediate 20% tax saving”
Five ways to save inheritance tax
A record £7.5bn in IHT was paid in the 2023/24 tax years - here are five options to mitigate a potential charge
VCT Recycling: A High-Risk, High-Relief Strategy for Experienced Investors
Long-term VCT investors can supercharge returns by ‘recycling’ positions into new VCTs every 5 years.
