Latest Financial News

10 Questions to ask an Independent Financial Adviser

Finding out what an IFA does and how they operate is half the battle - Click here to read more

How can I build the right sort of portfolio?

Building an investment portfolio is a complex task but also an important one - Click here to read more

What is a Sipp and do I need one?

The appeal of Sipps is widening beyond their original appeal to wealthy people - Click here to read more

Is all debt bad debt?

The one sentence version: Neither a borrower nor a lender be; just how relevant is that advice today - Click here to read more

What is offshore investing?

- Click here to read more

How can I be greener and save money?

With energy prices going through the roof it makes financial sense to save energy even if you arent concerned about your carbon footprint - Click here to read more

What's the best way to donate to charity?

Use one of the tax deductible government schemes which enhances the value of your gift to the charity and can save you tax - Click here to read more

What is Inheritance Tax?

You may not be able to take it with you but the government is keen to get its share - Click here to read more

What happens if I?m self employed?

You become the driver not a passenger in your business; make sure youve passed the theory test before you start the ignition! - Click here to read more

Can my home be my pension?

Yes provided it is worth enough you have paid off your mortgage and you are prepared to trade down to a smaller home at retirement - Click here to read more

Do I have alternatives apart from taking an annuity?

Yes there are choices out there and you should be looking at them - Click here to read more

Can I really make a difference to the world around me?

Personally and financially theres never been a better time to be greener the choice is wider its easier to act upon and there are lots of people willing to help! - Click here to read more

Do I need a power of attorney?

Yes if you want to make sure your affairs can be managed in case of mental illness or incapacity the time to do this is now! - Click here to read more

How can I make a budget and stick to it?

Few individuals sit down and work out all their inescapable outgoings and set them against their income But unless you keep your spending within sensible limits leaving a margin for savings you can easily find yourself in trouble - Click here to read more

What is an IFA (independent financial adviser)?

An IFA can be many things; a source of financial advice a life-long financial coach a provider of advice for a single financial transaction an ear to bounce ideas off of a facilitator in realising your lifes goals - Click here to read more

How much do I need to retire on?

Because you need to ensure you dont run out of money before you run out of life - Click here to read more

How can I spot the type of IFA to avoid?

Steer clear of those who are not interested in your financial welfare - Click here to read more

What are investment bonds?

They are a potentially tax-efficient way of holding a range of various investment funds together in one place - Click here to read more

Seven easy steps to having enough money to retire on

Be realistic about the cost and plan accordingly - Click here to read more

What tax breaks will the Government give me?

Pensions remain one of the most tax-efficient means of saving for our retirement make the most of them - Click here to read more

Great tips to improve your credit rating

Nobody has an automatic right to credit Now that borrowing is harder its more important than ever to make sure your record is smartened up to impress choosy lenders - Click here to read more

Why should I do if I get into debt problems?

Taking positive action now can help you deal with debt problems before they get out of hand - otherwise organisations such as Citizens Advice Bureau or National Debtline can provide valuable advice - Click here to read more

What should I do if I get into debt problems?

Taking positive action now can help you deal with debt problems before they get out of hand - otherwise organisations such as Citizens Advice Bureau or National Debtline can provide valuable advice - Click here to read more

What happens to my tax affairs if I?m self-employed?

Once you become your own boss you are the driver not a passenger; make sure youve passed the theory test before you start the ignition! - Click here to read more

Do I really need life insurance?

How much are our lives worth and why do we need to insure them Advisers Julie Lord and Richard Gough debate the subject of life insurance - Click here to read more

Isn?t investing in the stock market risky?

Equities do carry risk but historically they also offer the best chance of beating inflation - Click here to read more

Can I be my own financial adviser?

DIY financial advice is time-consuming and risky while using an adviser can save you time and make you money - providing the find the right one - Click here to read more

Why is car insurance so expensive?

Thats a matter of opinion - in 2006 UK motor insurers wrote £102 billion of motor insurance premiums and paid out over £8 billion in claims - Click here to read more

What does 'risk' mean?

Risk is an inevitable and important part of investment and life - the key is taking the right level and kind of risk and spreading your bets as far as possible - Click here to read more

What will I do when I finish work?

Are you seriously telling me that work is the only thing in your life - Click here to read more

Whatever happened to company pensions?

The responsibility for your financial security in retirement now rests with you - Click here to read more

Am I addicted to debt?

No you are addicted to overspending - Click here to read more

How can I pay for school and college fees?

The numbers are big; start saving as early as you can - Click here to read more

Four questions to ask yourself about retirement

Get your head around four crucial questions and the road ahead will be much clearer - Click here to read more

Should I get a consolidation loan?

It could be useful if you need to reduce your monthly repayments on borrowing but the overall cost may be higher - Click here to read more

What is a fund?

A fund lets the smaller investor play with the big boys - Click here to read more

Will the state look after mum (or dad)?

Yes but depending on herhis state of health and her finances - Click here to read more

Can I have too much insurance?

Yes particularly if it is general insurance such as buildings contents or motor cover or income protection and permanent health insurance where there are limits on what will be paid out - Click here to read more

How can I find good financial advice?

The first step towards gaining control of your money is simply to make the commitment to take action; the fact that you are reading this shows that you are already over the first hurdle - Click here to read more

What costs more, what costs less when you have retired?

Dont assume your cost of living will fall significantly when you retire - Click here to read more

How good is the state pension?

With the state pension paying just 17% of average lifetime earnings the UK desperately needs a change - Click here to read more

Should I always tell the truth?

Yes - because if you dont your insurer can not only refuse to pay your claim but could also sue for fraud or obtaining money by deception - Click here to read more

How can I cope best with divorce?

You will cope best with divorce if you are realistic about what you need and do an inventory of all you own and owe - Click here to read more

What should I know about income drawdown?

More people are looking at the flexible option of income drawdown after they retire - Click here to read more

What do credit reference agencies do and why are they important to me?

Credit reference agencies maintain files on all your borrowings from credit cards to mortgages and any arrears or defaults will affect your ability to borrow in future - Click here to read more

How can I prevent solicitors charging excessive fees for obtaining Probate?

by not making solicitors executors of your will - Click here to read more

What will a good independent financial adviser do for me?

Your trusted adviser will help you to achieve your short medium and longer term goals and objectives in life by using a comprehensive financial planning strategy over time - Click here to read more

What if they say no to a claim?

Take the matter up with the insurer but if that is not satisfactory ask to have the matter referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service a free dispute resolution service - Click here to read more

Must Do for October: Offspring flying the nest? Give them water wings to stop them drowning

Give the student in your life a few financial lessons - Click here to read more

Why are credit reference agencies so important?

Credit reference agencies maintain files on all your borrowings and any arrears or defaults will affect your ability to borrow in future - Click here to read more

The type of independent financial advisers to avoid

A good IFA can be worth their weight in gold Just make sure you pick the right one - Click here to read more

Should I let my son/daughter buy a car?

Yes in term of safety its much better than a motorcyle scooter or bicycle and it saves you having to ferry them around - Click here to read more

What if my IFA sells up?

Good financial advice requires an honest and productive relationship between client and adviser but changes to a business can be positive if appropriate action is taken early - Click here to read more

A mass market marvel from Mondavi

Yes you can find good wines that sell by the gazillion; plus our weekly prize competition - Click here to read more

A Beaujolais that is a cut above the rest at a bargain price

Yes there are decent wines from there; plus a chance to win a years access to Janciss new website - Click here to read more

Win £50 of wine in our favourite bottle competition

Just tell us about your most memorable wine to win the prize - Click here to read more

An Olympian Pinot Blanc from California

Plus a chance to win two great wine DVDs - Click here to read more

It?s not Malbec, but it?s from Argentina and it tastes great

Find out about this wine and win two wine DVDs in our competition - Click here to read more

An appealing Spanish red

Tasting this rioja feels like putting on an old pair of slippers - Click here to read more

A cool and fresh Italian white

Plus a £70 prize on offer in our wine competition - Click here to read more

A true bargain Riesling at under a fiver

Not dry but priced so sweetly - Click here to read more

A beautiful Rhône for your Christmas table

Great wine great label great price: what more could you ask for - Click here to read more

What Does Risk Mean?

- Click here to read more

What do I do with my boomerang children?

You can encourage them to survive on their own with advice and financial help - Click here to read more

Are comparison sites useful?

Generally yes but you must treat the information with caution - Click here to read more

How do I pick a care home for dad?

By doing your research visiting likely homes asking friends - in particular parents doctors or medical advisers who may know what is available locally with suitable care at a price you can afford and checking with your local authority - Click here to read more

Must do for January: Take a long hard look at retirement

Retirement its in front of you oh yes it is! Dont let yours be a riches to rags story says Joss Harwood of Eldon Financial Planning - Click here to read more

Have a sweet new year with this lovely Sauternes

As sampled at Buck House no less - Click here to read more

A Spanish surprise from an unlikely region

The wonderful thing about Spain is that great wines pop up in some of the least celebrated places - Click here to read more

A good wine and a good conscience

For the first time ever Wine Relief the wine-related fundraising initiative in aid of Comic Relief has its very own wines - Click here to read more

Find this wine!

Mount Horrocks Semillon 2007 Clare Valley is made in very small quantities allowing the producers to keep a close eye on every detail that matters - Click here to read more

A stunning wine from central Italy

Make no mistake about it 2006 has produced some stunning wines from central Italy including this beauty which is exceptionally easy to find - Click here to read more

One of the best-value labels around

When a friend asks me which wines they should buy for a party I very often steer them towards Yering Frog bottlings - Click here to read more

A sweet, round and rich red

This Terrasses cuvée is sweet round and rich with that delightful herby overlay of successful southern Rhône reds - Click here to read more

A sweet wine with pioneering beginnings

Jancis Robinson tries the Averys Pioneer Range Shiraz 2005 Yarra Valley - Click here to read more

Sipps: who should invest and why

The tax relief charges and options available with Sipps - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson?s wine of the week

Sulphur dioxide or the sulphites that are cited on more and more wine labels worldwide are not evil weapons in the modern winemakers arsenal of added chemicals - Click here to read more

Good value Argentine reds

Jancis Robinson is taken by the Tapiz Malbec 2007 Luján de Cuyo - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson's wine of the week

These hand-crafted wines are truly great value - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson: Two great Chilean Sauvignons

In hot humid weather what could be more agreeable than a really sleek racy cool refreshing Sauvignon Blanc - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson: A Riesling to remember

If you want to see what the fuss about the new generation of dry German Rieslings is try this wine - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson: This wine is too good a bargain to ignore

A bargain red with rich spiciness from Asda - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson: a red you can drink just on its own

This light soft red is a special bottling that has been created for Wine Rack - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson: a wine to stop you in your tracks

A fragrant delicate white that makes a terrific summer apéritif - Click here to read more

Where to get the best student accounts

With the next lot of students getting ready for life at university sorting out the finances is vital - Click here to read more

Dos and don'ts of student bank accounts

Stick to these rules when you start university life and your finances will take care of themselves - Click here to read more

How to buy time when owing tax

If you are subject to self assessment are strapped for cash and want to avoid paying tax penalties the HMRC has set up a service that can give you a period of grace - Click here to read more

A short cut to spread betting

Angus Campbell of Capital Spreads gives you the run-down on how financial spread betting works - Click here to read more

Over-50s, take advantage of the ISA limit increase

This October the over-50s will have their ISA limit increased by £3000 - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson: white delights

Fine intellectually interesting and sensually stimulating alternatives to white burgundy - Click here to read more

How to buy a property at auction

Buying a property at an auction seems to be gaining momentum But while this can produce a bargain there are all sorts of pitfalls - Click here to read more

10 tips for buying a property at auction

If you decide to buy a property at auction make sure you follow these 10 tips - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson: Canadian cheer

A truly dynamic duo from the land of the Mountie that will amaze wine lovers - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson: the Brangelina connection

The estate has strong links to the music industry and to Brad and Anje On top of this this wine is a tangy white that is impressively persistent - Click here to read more

The answers to your inheritance tax questions

Dozens of Citywire readers have sent in questions about IHT Tax expert Colin Jelley provides the answers - Click here to read more

Will your home be your retirement fund?

How your home can provide you with an income in your twilight years - Click here to read more

The best Child Trust Funds on offer

Parents should not let money in CTFs languish; it should be invested as soon as possible - Click here to read more

Why being charitable can help your pension

Pension savers on an income greater than £150000 can boost their tax relief by making donations to charity - Click here to read more

Top tips for insuring a holiday in the UK

With the current trend for holidaying in the UK just how much cover do you need to take out - Click here to read more

10 tips to selling property at auction

Some basic steps you should take when considering selling your house at auction - Click here to read more

How to sell property at auction

Selling at auction could be a good move if you want to get the best price for your property - Click here to read more

How to pick stocks

Whether you want to pick stocks yourself or are looking to buy a fund it is essential you do plenty of homework before you hand over your cash - Click here to read more

Wine of the Week: Roasted autumnal scents

Jancis Robinson raves about a wine with a great combination of approachability structure for the future and lovely purity - Click here to read more

Top 10 pension dos and don'ts

When you plan your pension these top tips will help you on your way - Click here to read more

Castillo, queen of the desert

Young with an admirable intensity and pungency this Sauvignon Blanc from the Elqui Valley is a force to be reckoned with - Click here to read more

Wine of the week: South Africa's First Lady

One of those rare easy reds that can happily be imbibed on its own - Click here to read more

Forget champagne for a tenner - try this one instead

The British media have recently been bedazzled by the notional prospect of champagne as cheap as £10 a bottle by Christmas but Jancis Robinson thinks it is worth spending a little more - Click here to read more

Some tips to help you write a will

Many people dont know whom to consult about writing a Will and it is right to be more than a little sceptical  - Click here to read more

Don't underestimate this mass-produced wine

I dont think Ive ever recommended a wine of the week that seems to be as widely available as this one writes Jancis Robinson - Click here to read more

How to invest ethically

More people are interested in investing with their conscience While it is difficult to know where to put your money and whether it really is doing any good there are some good options - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson finds 'a truly ground-breaking wine'

The wine writer is impressed by a unique Australian Shiraz - Click here to read more

How to give to charity ? without filling the government?s coffers

Andy Gadd head of research for the Lighthouse Group explains how to give to charity tax efficiently - Click here to read more

How to protect your pension against inflation

The size of the inflation threat we face is uncertain but there are measures you can take to prepare yourself - Click here to read more

Corporate bonds explained

What they are how they are priced and the risks - Click here to read more

How to choose the right Sipp

The questions you need to ask yourself when choosing a Sipp by financial planner Francis Klonowski - Click here to read more

Moving or retiring abroad and your finances: more of your questions answered

Our tax expert provides the answers to your questions about the impact on your finances of moving or retiring abroad - Click here to read more

House buying and selling without using an estate agent

Want to avoid the expense and pain of using an estate agent Lorna Bourke outlines the options and whether it can be done successfully - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson: A Bourgogne Blanc to heartily recommend

Fans of pure white savoury burgundy are encouraged to try these wines imported into the US by Michael Skurnik and Atherton but practically unknown in France itself - Click here to read more

Your SIPP questions answered

John Moret has answered the questions on self-invested personal pensions submitted by Citywire readers - Click here to read more

10 questions you should ask an IFA

The crucial questions you should ask an IFA before you become their client by Simon Gibson of Atkinson Bolton Consulting - Click here to read more

Your SIPP questions answered: Part 2

John Moret has answered Citywire readers questions on SIPPs - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson: A well-deserved gold medal winner

One of those rather rare red wine varieties that produces wines you can drink with or without food - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson: Spain continues to surprise wine lovers

I never thought I would ever be convinced by a Spanish Riesling but Castell dEncus Ekam 2008 Costers del Segre has won me over - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson: A bargain among the 2008 burgundies

A pure poised marvel which will be much cheaper to buy now rather than later - Click here to read more

Protecting your wealth against a weak pound - more questions answered

Currency specialists HiFX answer questions covering pensions abroad and the pounds strength against the euro dollar and Swiss franc - Click here to read more

Protecting your wealth against a weak pound - your questions answered

Mark Bodega of foreign exchange specialists HiFX has answered questions from Citywire readers on how to protect your overseas wealth in the face of a weak pound - Click here to read more

Don't miss the online tax filing deadline

Allow plenty of time before the 31st January deadline writes Lorna Bourke who provides some helpful guidance - Click here to read more

How to prepare yourself for a rise in Capital Gains Tax

With a CGT rise likely after the election investors should review their portfolio of shares and property to see what can be done to minimise any potential tax bill - Click here to read more

How to invest in bonds and gilts

What are bonds and gilts and where can you buy them - Click here to read more

How to get the best from a financial adviser

Lorna Bourke offers some golden rules for getting the best out of any financial adviser - Click here to read more

How to use spread betting to trade currencies

Angus Campbell of Capital Spreads explains how to use spread betting to trade currencies - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson: an elegant, refreshing and nuanced Pinot Noir

This 2008 Pinot Noir has both fruit and freshness but is far from simple - Click here to read more

Jancis Robinson: a lusciously aromatic red

This is strongly recommend to those looking for a versatile red that offers a whole range of new flavours and textures - Click here to read more

Why you should take capital gains tax seriously

With a little careful planning you can avoid unnecessarily gifting some of your hard-earned savings to the taxman writes Fidelity tax expert Paul Kennedy - Click here to read more

Tax changes are coming ? here?s how to prepare

End of year tax planning should start early this year as there is a raft of changes of which high earners must take account  - Click here to read more