Is the UK mortgage market still open for business?
You may be wondering what the current situation is with the mortgage market. Are all new mortgage deals off? Have providers stopped lending altogether? At the start of the Covid-19 lockdown, numerous mortgage lenders scrapped deals or only offered loans to those with large deposits. Santander, Nationwide and Skipton Building…
Technology bringing the generations together
One upshot of the coronavirus pandemic has been the way technology is helping us to keep in touch with each other, especially across the generations. A range of apps are playing an important role in keeping us entertained in lieu of all the sporting events and social events being cancelled.
Business owner? How to deal with the effects of Covid-19
Coronavirus has already had a damaging effect on businesses across the globe. As the crisis continues to develop, how firms act now is the difference between weathering the storm and sinking the ship. A distinct trait of enduring companies is the way their leaders deal with emergencies in times like…
4 ideas to keep the kids occupied during lockdown
Keeping children occupied can be difficult at the best of times. Keeping them entertained at home during the coronavirus lockdown, with severe restrictions, may seem nigh on impossible. But here are a few ideas we hope might help to fill some of the days: 1. A mini bake-off While you’re…
3 top tips to survive a bear market
The current coronavirus pandemic has wiped billions off global stock markets. In the world of investing, such markets where share prices experience prolonged price declines are known as bear markets. A bear market describes a situation in which stock markets fall 20% or more from recent highs amid widespread pessimism…
How to avoid going stir-crazy during the coronavirus lockdown
The effects of the government enforced isolation period will be felt across the whole nation. It’s going to be tough for all of us to spend three weeks (at a minimum!) without leaving home except for essential travel and one form of daily exercise. We’re going to have to adapt…
Final countdown to the end of the tax year
You may have seen lots of ads already about the end of the tax year. But if you’ve not yet taken any action, now is the time to do so to shield your savings from tax. Here is a handy checklist of what to do and what not to do…
Government support for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic
On 17th March the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced a dramatic set of temporary measures designed to support people and businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic. As greater restrictions on personal movement are brought in, they aim to help those most effected by it through the forthcoming months. How successful they are…
Coronavirus – and mortgage payment holidays
What is a mortgage payment holiday? A mortgage payment holiday is a short-term arrangement where your mortgage lender allows you to make no monthly mortgage repayments (or to make reduced payments) for an agreed period. Instead these payments are added on to your mortgage balance. If you are adversely affected…
Coronavirus – and the markets’ volatility
With billions being wiped off the stock market due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s hard for investors not to panic. Markets are exceptionally volatile, despite measures taken by central banks around the world, including the Bank of England, to try and reduce the impact of the outbreak. There are, however,…