Star Wars Day on 4 May is a celebration of the legendary sci-fi saga that has been capturing audience imaginations since the release of Star Wars (later called A New Hope) in 1977. The film launched one of the biggest franchises in history, spanning 12 films and nine TV series, as well as countless books, comics, and video games. Generations…

After millennia of struggling to survive against the brutal reality of nature, the human brain is hardwired to avoid risk. But though the fears of being eaten by a predator or getting lost in the wilderness are no longer a worry for most of us, humans are generally still risk-averse by nature. This can have ramifications for many aspects of…

If you’re concerned about running out of money during retirement, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s one of the top financial concerns in the UK. Being proactive and working with a financial planner to create a retirement plan could offer you peace of mind. Read on to find out why. In an Aegon survey, 7 in 10 financial advisers said…

A lender rejecting your mortgage application can be stressful and time-consuming, and it might even mean you miss out on buying your dream home. A survey has found that most high net worth individuals aren’t securing their preferred mortgage. Read on to find out why and how a mortgage adviser could help you. According to Mortgage Solutions, 90% of corporate…

It’s often said that Brits are obsessed with buying their own homes. But it doesn’t end with our property. The popularity of TV shows like Grand Designs and Location, Location, Location proves we can’t get enough of the property market. As well as showing off the latest interior design trends or bargains you can find at auctions, there are some…

While inflation continues to be a challenge for many economies, there are positive signs in the UK and around the world. Read on to find out what may have affected stock markets and your investment portfolio in March 2024. Remember, volatility is part of investing and most people should invest with a long-term outlook. If you have any questions about…

In recent years, the focus on personal wellness has been a growing trend. Indeed, data reported by Statista reveals that the forecasted size of the wellness market could reach as much as $8.47 trillion by 2027. While it may seem as though embracing mindfulness and striving to live a healthy life are modern trends, this isn’t the case. In fact,…

The gains you can make before potentially paying Capital Gains Tax (CGT) have halved for the 2024/25 tax year. If you plan to dispose of assets, the change could affect you. Read on to find out when you could be liable for CGT and some steps you might take to manage a bill. CGT is a tax on the profit…

The start of the new tax year on 6 April 2024 is an important date for your financial calendar. Several allowances and exemptions reset, including your ISA allowance, Dividend Allowance, and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Annual Exempt Amount. Now may be a good time to start utilising these allowances and exemptions to make more tax-efficient contributions to your savings and…

We’re proud to announce that VouchedFor has included five of our advisers in their 2024 guide, distributed today in The Times. The guide identifies and celebrates the UK’s best financial advisers, all based on feedback from their clients. Inclusion in the guide is a tremendous honour. What is VouchedFor? If you’re not familiar with VouchedFor, it’s a platform that allows…

Nobody likes to think about their own death, but it may be important to consider some of the challenges your family could face when you’re gone. The “cost of dying” is on the rise and if you don’t put plans in place now, you could leave your loved ones in a difficult position. Indeed, according to SunLife, the average cost…

Recently, you read about how five Black Swan advisers had been included in this year’s VouchedFor Top Rated guide. Our talented advisers achieved this accreditation thanks to all the brilliant feedback we receive from clients. Now, we’ve won another prestigious award based on the verdict of the Black Swan team – and we’ve also been named one of the best…

More than 1 million investors will be hit with a Dividend Tax bill for the first time in the 2024/25 tax year, according to an AJ Bell report. Read on to find out if you could be affected and discover some of the steps you could take to mitigate a tax charge. A dividend is a way of distributing a…

As property prices and rental yields have steadily increased in recent years, buy-to-let property has often been seen as a useful way to invest your money. However, figures suggest the pace of growth is slowing and landlords face increasing regulation that might mean it’s not as attractive as it once was. For some people, buy-to-let investments could still be a…

Humanity is becoming increasingly aware of how we treat our planet. With more people experiencing the effects of climate change and global warming than ever before, the campaigns to protect the Earth are becoming more urgent. Earth Day has advocated for permanent, global change to save our planet for over 50 years. Named the planet’s largest civic movement, Earth Day…

If you’re looking for a fun way to spend time with your loved ones over Easter, why not explore one of Britain’s many impressive country houses? Discover the beautiful landscapes and incredible stories while enjoying brilliant Easter activities at these seven historical homes. 1. Dunham Massey, Cheshire Step into the 17th century in this gorgeous Georgian home and investigate their…

While many economies are still struggling with high inflation there are signs that the pace is starting to slow, which could pave the way for interest rate cuts later this year. To reflect this, the OECD has lifted its 2024 global growth forecast by 0.3%, when compared to the end of 2023, to 2.9%. However, the international organisation warned that…

A recent survey reported by Professional Adviser revealed that 2 in 5 wealthy individuals have been the victim of financial crime. Of the 2,000 people with assets worth more than £250,000 who were surveyed, 41% of them reported they had been scammed, with more than a third saying they had fallen victim in the last six months. 20% of the…

The Canadian educator Laurence J. Peter once quipped, “An economist is an expert who will know tomorrow why the things he predicted yesterday didn’t happen today.” While Peter’s pithy indictment may perhaps be a bit unfair to an entire class of economists, historical study and contemporary research suggest that following the “experts” or trends based on the current “noise” isn’t…

When you pass on, it should hopefully be a time for your family to come together, mourn, and commemorate your life. However, there has unfortunately been a recent increase in the number of inheritance disputes, and cases are at a record high. From rising property prices to a surge in dementia diagnoses, there are several factors behind this trend. One…

If you receive a bonus or a windfall, the temptation can be to spend a substantial chunk of it right away on something you’ve been eyeing for a while. However, unless the payment is truly life-changing, it can be wise to resist the urge to spend it on expensive non-essentials. Avoiding the lifestyle creep of gradually increasing your spending on…

With one eye on a forthcoming general election, the chancellor has announced a Budget aimed at generating long-term growth, with “more investment, more jobs, better public services and lower taxes”. While the headlines will inevitably focus on Jeremy Hunt’s cut in National Insurance contributions (NICs), many less headline-grabbing messages will affect millions of families and businesses. Read on to find…

The 2024/25 tax year is just a month away, and chancellor Jeremy Hunt has delivered his 2024 Spring Budget, outlining the government’s plans for the next fiscal year and beyond. With a general election looming – prime minister Rishi Sunak has said he will call it before the end of the year – the chancellor claimed that the government had…

Loneliness is something that many people will experience during their lifetime. Recognising the signs and knowing how to offer support could make all the difference to someone who is struggling. Feeling lonely can affect all generations, and it might be more common than you think. A survey suggests that almost half of UK adults feel lonely at least occasionally. Around…

A new study from Aviva has found that almost half of motorists had botched a car repair, leading to an average cost of £803. 97% of people now attempt to fix their own car, compared with only 75% of people 10 years ago. While this is most likely an attempt to save money, in many cases, motorists achieve the opposite…

Did you know the UK generates more than 220 million tonnes of waste a year? Of that waste, around 44% is recycled, but a large proportion goes to landfill. Read on to discover how embracing the circular economy could reduce waste. Not only is a huge amount of waste going to landfills, but the production of items could be costing…

According to a study from Vanquis, people in the UK make an average of seven large impulse purchases each year. This adds up to at least £1,050 a year in spending that people later come to regret. Vanquis tasked mathematician and University Challenge star Bobby Seagull with finding ways to avoid “buyer’s regret” – the feeling that many people experience…

Nigel Farage made headlines recently after a public dispute with high net worth banking and investment establishment, Coutts, when they closed his account. Their official reason was that he had fallen below the £1 million minimum investment and borrowing threshold after paying off a mortgage. Farage, on the other hand, claimed it was for political reasons. While Coutts initially denied…

The summer holidays are here and you may be wondering how you are going to keep your children or grandchildren entertained until they go back to school. You will likely be spending a lot more time with them taking trips together, going on family days out, or just relaxing at home. While you have this quality time with them, you…

Cash savings are a simple way to hold your wealth and you can easily access the funds whenever you need them. You may also generate interest over time, and you typically don’t assume the same level of risk that you do when investing. As such, you may think that cash savings are a “safe” and low-risk option. However, that is…

Every summer, the focus of world sport turns to a 42-acre site in the south-west of London. Since 1877, the All England Club has hosted the Wimbledon championships – one of the most prestigious tournaments in the tennis calendar. The only Grand Slam event to take place on grass courts, the tournament offers a cool £2.35 million to the winner…

As your parents and grandparents get older, it’s likely that they will need more support from you and other members of your family. But, when it comes to their finances, a new study has found that middle-aged people are “overwhelmed” and underprepared for having to help their elderly relatives deal with money. A survey reported by This is Money found…