NorthStar Blog
Welcome to the NorthStar Blog. The place for the latest news, information and opinion from the NorthStar team helping you stay on top of what's going on in the world of finance.
Six Reasons to Top Up Your Pension
With the end of the 2022/23 tax year almost upon us, time is running out to make the most of your tax-free exemptions and allowances before they disappear forever.There is so much more to pensions than just providing an income when you stop working…
Spring Budget 2023 Special
The Chancellor presented a ‘back to work’ budget focused on encouraging the economically inactive population to return to work with major changes to pensions and childcare funding announced. Fortunately, the economic outlook is not as dire as predict…
What’s the Real Value of Financial Advice?
There is now mounting empirical evidence that financial advice can provide significant benefits for people of all ages and backgrounds. While many individuals may believe that they can manage their finances on their own, research now shows that those…
How to Boost Your Pension Pot When Money Is Tight
The cost of living crisis is forcing many of us to cut back on important things. In most cases, non-essential expenses such as holidays, takeaways, and nights out are being sacrificed. But for some of those really feeling the pinch, retirement goals a…
Four Questions to Ask Before Buying an Annuity
With rates at 14-year highs, the annuity revival is in full swing. But there’s lots to consider before trading your retirement savings for a lifelong income. We’ve all been there at some point. We buy something which, at the time, we’re more…
How to Save for Your Long-Term Goals
Blocking out the short-term noise isn’t easy at the moment; the volume is cranked up to the max. On the economic front, inflation remains high, mortgage rates are at their highest level for 14 years, and the UK falling into recession seems imminent…
Scrooge’s Christmas Pension Plan
Herein lies a tale in which a youthful gentleman of casual bearing has an unsettling encounter with an irascible festive spirit, which in its wisdom enlightens the young fellow with useful and practical pension advice. Sitting comfortably? Then let us beg…
How to Plan for Retirement at Different Life Stages
As the retirement savings journey often spans several decades, it can be helpful to separate your plan into stages. This will help you achieve the right blend of enjoying today and funding tomorrow. Here we outline the key retirement planning consider…
The Secret to Becoming a Successful Investor
When it comes to investing, there is no shortage of experts who claim to have the secret to success. There are those that claim to have come up with the ultimate quick-win investment strategy, the next sure-fire winning stock, technical analysis that…
How to Beat Inflation – Our Top Tips
With inflation in the UK currently at 9.9%, it’s little surprise that the impact of price rises is putting a significant financial strain on most households. Inflation is on the rise throughout the world but the UK is expected to experience faster pr…
Helping Our Clients Navigate Through Turbulent Times
Given the news this week, we wanted to take this opportunity to provide all our clients with a special update on market and economic events and outline how we can help navigate through these turbulent times. This week has seen financial markets and e…
We’re Proud to Support Financial Planning Week 2022
We’re pleased to announce our support for Financial Planning Week 2022. This will be the sixth year we have been involved with this nationwide campaign and we’re delighted to be among a select group of companies chosen to support this initiative. Run…
Feeling the Stock Market Jitters? Five Ways to Protect Your Wealth
The sight of stock markets falling can fill even the most experienced investor with the jitters. While we appreciate that ups and downs are par for the course when investing in stocks and shares, seeing your hard-earned savings lose value is rarely a…
Will There Be a UK Recession in 2022 and What Could This Mean for You?
Many of us have already been feeling the pinch as the cost of living quickly morphs into a crisis. Gas and oil prices have skyrocketed, and we can all expect further energy price hikes later this year. Is it time to buckle up, and prepare for the wor…
Only 25% Of Brits Over 60 Have Been Scammed, Making Pensioners Savvier Than Teenagers
Financial scams are on the rise but new research commissioned by Unbiased reveals that pensioners may be more scam savvy than teenagers. In fact 66% of teens and young people have admitted to falling for scams, as opposed to 25% of those aged over 60…
75% of Brits Fear Cost of Living Crisis Will Impact Their Retirement
Brits are putting retirement plans on hold and many are worried that they will be financially stretched due to the rising cost of living, according to a recent survey. According to the Unbiased survey, three quarters of those aged 50 and over are wor…
An Update on Our Carbon Reduction and Climate Action Projects
At NorthStar we believe the long-term sustainability of our planet is crucial. NorthStar is therefore committed to being a ‘climate friendly’ company. We offset a significant proportion of our carbon footprint by removing greenhouse gas emissions fro…
Financial Advice and Downsizing Tips for Empty Nesters
So, your youngest child has left for university and you’ve found yourself with an empty nest. This time in your life typically means you have the most disposable income you’ll ever have. There are three ways to make the most of it – spend it, save it…
Is Your Pension Protected?
Your pension is a precious nest egg that enables you to look forward to a comfortable retirement. However, it’s hard to ignore media headlines about pension scams, pension fraud, falling stock markets and insolvent employers causing problems for their…
NorthStar Picks Up Another Prestigious Award
We are proud to have been officially recognised as a ‘Top Rated Firm’ by VouchedFor. This designation is given to the very best financial planning firms that can demonstrate a continued commitment to exceptional customer service and those that achieve…
How to Survive Volatile Investment Markets
The past few weeks have seen a huge escalation in the volatility of many investment markets. We’ve witnessed a number of very large daily falls along, while other days have seen markets rebounding strongly. Investment markets continue to react to the…
COVID-19’s Impact on Cash and Coins: The Pros and Cons
Will the UK become contactless for good? The trends are certainly looking that way. According to UK Finance, cash was used for just 17% of all payments in the UK in 2020, down from 56% 10 years prior. Paying by card is convenient. It means you don’t…
How Much Money Do You Really Need for Your Retirement?
It’s tricky to know how much money you need stashed away to retire and live a lifestyle you’re happy with. While the amount will vary from person to person, we’ve put together some rough estimates, as well as the question you shoul…
The Ultimate Guide to Gifting Money to Your Grandchildren
Gifting money to your grandchildren is a great way to help them get set up for later life. But gifting large sums of money at the wrong time can see a large chunk of the gift subject to a heavy tax burden. In this article, we cover how to leave a fin…
Are Interest Rates Going up and What Happens If They Do?
Interest rates have been in a slump for months, and lots of us are now questioning when they’ll start to rise again in 2021 and going into 2022. There is no way of telling exactly when and what the Bank of England will choose to do to interest rates…
Pension Triple Lock: What Is It and Why Is It Changing?
The government has confirmed its plan to suspend the ‘triple lock’ for annual state pension increases for a year. A key part of previous budget commitments since its introduction in 2010, the triple lock ensures the UK state pension continues to rise…
Budget 2021: Your Guide to the Key Announcements
The Budget was delivered yesterday by Chancellor, Rishi Sunak. With many of the key policy announcements trailed heavily in the press during the previous week, was there much of substance left to deliver? We take a look at the key points from the 2021…
Get Ready for Talk Money Week 2021
Talk Money Talk Pensions Week is taking place from 18th – 22nd November 2019 and is the annual event all about getting the public talking about money and pensions. The week is overseen by the Money and Pension Service – a new national body bringing t…
KnowlEDGE Digital Magazine – Autumn 2021
We’ve just published our exclusive quarterly digital magazine for autumn 2021. You can read and download your copy for free. As we move into autumn, we have some interesting and informative stories, expert analysis and topical news. Our main story lo…
Cryptocurrency – Great Investment or Risky Gamble?
Bitcoin is now trading at around four times its price just a year ago, and other cryptocurrencies have seen price surges of up to 18,000%. But is it a golden opportunity, or a bubble in imminent danger of collapse? And is crypto worth the environment…
Awards, Accreditations & Trade Associations
NorthStar is proud to be a member of the leading financial planning trade associations. Through a continued commitment to adhere to the highest professional standards and deliver exceptional service, NorthStar has received a number of awards and professional accreditations.
