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It’s time to think about life insurance

If you have dependents – people who rely on you financially – then you should have life insurance. In fact, if you have dependents and don’t have life insurance, you are exposing them to grave financial risk. And who would want to do that? Life insurance tends not to...

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Omnis Market Update

Last Week - Key Takeaways Markets: Vaccine rally loses steam Global shares rallied at the start of the week as Moderna became the second firm to announce a successful trial of a coronavirus vaccine;The markets fluctuated later in the week as the optimism was tempered...

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What you need to know about self-build mortgages

If you’re thinking of building your own home, financing the project may be high on your list of priorities. Self-build mortgages are different from normal mortgages. They release funds at stages during the building work, rather than in one lump sum when you complete a...

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Omnis Market Update

Last Week - Key Takeaways Markets: More certain outlook lifts shares Global shares rallied at the start of the week after pharmaceutical firms Pfizer and BioNTech announced a coronavirus vaccine which they have jointly developed proved to be effective in more than 90%...

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What are millennials investing in?

It’s seems like every day you see another article in a newspaper about millennials ‘killing industries’ in recent times young people were said to have caused the demise of doorbells, napkins and even breakfast cereal. These tales of millennials bring the end to...

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The Bank of…Granny and Grandad?

WRITTEN BY KIRSTY TELLING 21ST OCTOBER 2020 The Bank of...Granny and Grandad? For many younger people struggling to get a foot on the property ladder, the Bank of Mum and Dad is the only option. With rent taking a huge chunk out of their income and the requirement for...

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Omnis Market Update

WRITTEN BY DANIEL ROGERS 9TH NOVEMBER 2020 Last Week - Key Takeaways Markets: Shares rally as Biden closes in on White House Global markets rose as Joe Biden, the challenger, edged towards victory in the US presidential election which ended up being much closer than...

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Getting mortgage-ready

WRITTEN BY KIRSTY TELLING 27TH OCTOBER 2020 Buying a home takes careful preparation and planning. As well as finding a property you like, you need to get your finances in good order before lenders review them and assess your ability to make repayments on your...

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US Election 2020

WRITTEN BY KIRSTY TELLING 28TH OCTOBER 2020 The office of US President carries huge influence all over the world and, as a result, the way the American electorate votes on 3 November will undoubtedly impact financial markets across the globe. US elections are always...

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Omnis Market Update

WRITTEN BY DANIEL ROGERS 02ND NOVEMBER 2020 Last Week - Key Takeaways Markets: New lockdowns concern investors Global shares fell as the number of coronavirus infections in the US and Europe continued to rise, and many European countries were forced to reintroduce...

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Omnis Market Update

WRITTEN BY DANIEL ROGERS 26TH OCTOBER 2020 Last Week - Key Takeaways Brexit: Talks resume between UK and EU The pound strengthened against the US dollar after the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier claimed a free trade deal was within reach if the two sides are...

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Omnis Market Update

WRITTEN BY DANIEL ROGERS 19TH OCTOBER 2020 Last Week - Key Takeaways Markets: Shares falter as new infections rise Global shares fell in the middle of the week as the number of coronavirus cases rose in Europe and the US and politicians continued talks over a further...

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Flexible insurance for when you need it

WRITTEN BY KIRSTY TELLING 09TH SEPTEMBER 2020 It's all too easy for us to put our head in the sand when it comes to thinking about our protection requirements. People tend to find it challenging to engage with the topic as it involves thinking of negative potential...

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Exchanging contracts? Get insured first

WRITTEN BY KIRSTY TELLING 09TH SEPTEMBER 2020 Purchasing a property can be a busy, stressful time and it can seem like there are a million things to remember. Some things however, are more important to remember than others – for example, getting the right insurance in...

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Are you approaching retirement?

WRITTEN BY KIRSTY TELLING 09TH SEPTEMBER 2020 If you are nearing retirement, you may have been particularly worried about the impact of recent market volatility on your pension assets and perhaps you are reassessing your retirement plans. There are several things to...

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The world is changing – so should your insurance

WRITTEN BY KIRSTY TELLING 09TH SEPTEMBER 2020 The world is changing rapidly in a way that nobody could ever have expected, meaning your personal and financial circumstances are likely to have changed. It is important to regularly review all aspects of your finances...

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COVID-19 affects retirement plans for over three million

WRITTEN BY KIRSTY TELLING - 14TH SEPTEMBER 2020 Recent research shows 1 in 10 UK adults with a pension (and not yet retired) have reduced or stopped pension contributions because of Covid-19. 1 in 10 UK adults have reduced or stopped pension contributions1 in 4...

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Daily Investor Update 3 August

Written by Imogen Lockhart 03rd August 2020 First of all, as the UK and many countries around the world tentatively ease their lockdowns, we hope that you and your family are continuing to stay well and benefiting from the initial steps to get back to normal. The...

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Reviewing your Pension contributions

As you approach retirement, you probably want to know when you can afford to stop working. Having worked hard throughout your career you deserve to enjoy your retirement without having to worry about your finances. It may be worth reviewing your pension contributions...

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You’re not average

What does average look like? Information released by the Office for National Statistics shows the average British man, Mr Average, is 38, will live to 85 and earns £31,103. The average British woman, Ms Average, is 40, will live to 88 and earns £25,308. The LV= risk...

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Crowdfunding the cost of healthcare

Crowdfunding is becoming increasingly common among people who need healthcare that’s not freely available through the NHS. The increase is said to be due to access to overseas clinics and high-profile social media campaigns such as the 2014 campaign for Mike Brandon....

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Brexit – What does it mean for you?

Whichever side of the Brexit debate you have been on, Friday 31 January 2020 marked a momentous point in the country’s history. For at the stroke of 11pm, the UK ceased to be a member of the EU: the divorce was finally sealed. 'Get Brexit Done' It’s clearly been a...

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How much can I pay into my Pension?

A pension is a tax-efficient, long-term savings plan. You can benefit from tax relief on the contributions you pay in and your pension pot has the potential to grow with minimal tax. Currently, you can save up to £40,000 every year into your pension, but there are...

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Charity Donation

During the festive period, we decided to reduce our spending on Christmas cards and instead donated £500 to Blue Smile. Happier children - Brighter futures Blue Smile support the mental wellbeing of Cambridgeshire pupils with expert arts-based therapies, unlocking...

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Christmas Closing Times

We are closed from 1.30pm on Christmas Eve and re-open as usual at 9am on Thursday 2nd January. If you have an urgent query, please call 01480 357100. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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Conservatives win majority

The Conservatives look set to form the next Government, extending their period in office for another five years. The number one priority of the new Government is to deliver Brexit as Boris Johnson has said repeatedly during the campaign: “Get Brexit done, and we can...

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Mr Dawson’s journey with Ewing Associates

One of Norman’s long-term clients, Mr Dawson, shares his 30-year journey with Ewing Associates: Back in the late 1980’s, I met with Norman to proceed with his recommendation to start an Income Protection policy, a Critical Illness policy and a Pension. I remember...

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Is joint life cover best for couples?

If you want to help make sure your loved ones will have financial security if you pass away, life insurance cover is the answer. But, if you’re part of a couple and you both need cover, should you take out single policies, or a joint policy that covers both of you?...

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Does diversification matter?

When it comes to building your investment portfolio, you might have been warned about avoiding putting all your eggs in one basket. It’s wise to spread your money across a range of different investments. That way, if the value of one of them falls, it should have a...

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How will changing working patterns affect your pension?

The sooner you start saving, the healthier your pension pot is likely to be when you need to draw on it. But what happens to your pension planning if your working hours reduce, or stop? First things first If you join a company you may be enrolled into their workplace...

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What are your home contents worth?

  Did you know that the average value of contents in a three bedroom family home is estimated at £55,000.* It can be a daunting task to calculate all of the items in your home, so we've produced a 'General Insurance Calculator' to help. You can download a copy of...

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Why should you use a Mortgage Adviser?

For the vast majority of people, having enough cash to buy a home outright is unthinkable. We live in a society where most home buyers work hard just to get the deposit together. The remaining funds are borrowed from a lender, such as a bank or a building society;...

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Lewis Ludlam – A Ewing Associates Hero

By Francesca Case On 8th September, Lewis Ludlam flew to Japan to represent our country in the 2019 Rugby World Cup. As many of our clients know, Lewis is the Northampton Saints Rugby Player who we have sponsored for the last few years and we are immensely proud of...

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The factors influencing your pension choices

Planning the best way to draw your pension savings is not straightforward, after all, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to retirement. Life expectancy, the impact of inflation and the choices available at retirement (thanks to the 2015 Pension Freedoms) are...

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Investing for the next generation

In the early years this might translate into a surplus of toys or days out, but this stage eventually passes, and thoughts turn towards the future transition from child to adulthood and beyond. This longer-term perspective raises the question of how best to provide...

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The insurance policy that could prove critical

Some people might be put off buying a critical illness policy because they believe it’s unlikely to pay out, despite the proportion of claims paid by insurers standing at just over 92%. So why is there such a gap between perception and reality among consumers? There...

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Take control of your investments

Getting a clear, concise view of your investment portfolio can be difficult and time-consuming. That’s why we use a secure, online system known as a platform. A platform gives you secure, online access to your investment funds with a transparent, easy -to-understand...

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Viktorija – Mortgage & Protection Adviser Q&A

We are delighted to welcome Viktorija to the team as our newest Mortgage & Protection Adviser. She has existing experience as a Mortgage and Protection Adviser and we asked her some questions about herself and her views on the world of Financial Planning: Why did...

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Work Experience at Ewing Associates

            This week we have had the pleasure of a work experience student in our office and 2 generations of the Ewing Family. Blake Ewing, Norman’s Grandson, has been with us to learn all about Financial Planning and what we do for our...

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The Value of Financial Advice: Infographic

Data from a large survey of individuals and households has discovered that those who received financial advice subsequently ended up with, on average, £13,424 more in financial assets and £27,657 more in pension wealth than those who didn’t receive advice. If we add...

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My Protection Portfolio – Office Manager Blog

If you read my earlier blog, you will know that 2019 is the year to complete my ‘to do list’. Last month was all about my Will and this month is all about my Protection Portfolio. So, what is Protection? Protection, otherwise known as ‘insurance’, is a way of...

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Look beyond the price of your protection policy

Most of us celebrate the start of life and pay tribute to the end of life, but are we placing enough importance on everything in between? If we’re lucky we’ll enjoy certain life events like finding a lifelong partner, marriage / civil partnership, having children,...

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All about ISAs

In the 2019/20 tax year, you can save up to £20,000 tax-free in an Individual Savings Account (ISA), and when it comes to your ISA investment, you have a number of options. Investors comfortable with the slightly higher risk Peer to Peer lending can also now invest in...

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Key dates for 2019

The new tax year is coming up. Your financial plan could be impacted by these key dates in your 2019 financial diary. 1 April National Living Wage (for age 25+) rises to £8.21. National Minimum Wage rises to £7.70 (21 - 24-year olds), £6.15 (18 -  20-year olds), £4.35...

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2019 To Do List – Office Manager Blog

One of my goals for 2019 is updating and completing my ‘To Do List’. This week was tackling my ‘What happens when I die’ list. Although death is not a topic we want to think about, it is imperative that we do. "This hour of my time now has potentially saved my family...

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Can your savings help your future needs?

If you don’t use your full 2018/19 ISA allowance of £20,000 by 5 April 2019, you’ll lose it. Make more of your money work for you and top up your ISA before the end of the tax year.   The maximum ISA allowance for the 2018/19 tax year is £20,000. The tax...

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Exam Achievement

            Our Office Manager, Francesca, passed her Financial Protection exam this week. Congratulations!

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Confused about pension planning?

With more UK employees saving for their retirement than ever you could argue that Automatic Enrolment has been a success since its launch six years ago. However, research from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that many people contributing to their...

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Become a superhero in the eyes of your family

When he was younger one of my son’s favourite questions was; “if you could have any super power, what would it be?” He loved the idea of being a Superhero. I think, deep down, we all like the idea of being a Superhero. Being able to do things others can’t; amazing...

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The value of protection advice

Protection should be considered as the foundation of all financial planning. After all, if things go awry and you suddenly find yourself in dire financial straits, who or what could you rely on to keep you and your family afloat? Yet many of us are still reluctant to...

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Christmas Opening Times

                  We will be closing for the Christmas period at 4:00pm 21st December 2018 and will reopen at 9:00am 2nd January 2019. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Savers in the dark about their pension

Are you among the 30.4 million working-age people who don’t know if their pension pot will be big enough to afford a comfortable lifestyle in retirement? According to a report by the Pension and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA), some of the blame for this worrying...

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What’s stopping you from saving?

Generally speaking, and subject to investment charges and performance, the more you save and the earlier you start saving the better shape your finances are going to be in when you need to draw on them. So why is it then that many of us are reluctant to put money...

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Self-employed lack protection

Just 4% of self-employed workers have income protection in place, leaving the majority vulnerable to financial difficulties if they are suddenly forced to stop working through illness or accident. In its survey of more than 9,000 adults, LV= identified the...

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Norman Ewing attends St Ivo School Study Event

On the 18th October, Norman was invited to attend an event at St Ivo, a local secondary school in St Ives, to talk to students about a career in the Financial Services. Education is very important to Ewing Associates, which is why Norman is very encouraging for staff...

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Insane Terrain for Blue Smile Charity

Francesca and Serena successfully completed the Insane Terrain Obstacle course for Blue Smile, a children's charity that provides counselling and therapy for pupils with mental health difficulties at school in Cambridgeshire. Blue Smile help children at school in...

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Apprentice Vacancy

An excellent opportunity for an A’ level graduate to take their first steps into a career in Financial Services and join our growing team. Full sponsorship to attain level 4 and level 6 qualifications in Financial Services Learn about delivering Financial Planning to...

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Protection in trust

Taking out a Life Insurance policy gives you valuable peace of mind; you know you’ve helped protect your family against financial hardship, should the worst happen. But how can you make sure your policy will pay out quickly, to those who’ll need it most, if you...

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Advice matters – whatever stage in life you’re at

The financial products and services we need to navigate through life will change with our circumstances. In the early years, our financial needs are likely to be more straightforward, getting increasingly complex as we grow older and experience more of life's rich...

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Securing your company’s future

Business Protection is a crucial element in a company’s financial future, but how many have cover in place? According to a study from Legal & General, 53% of the UK’s small businesses think they would cease trading in less than a year, should a key employee die or...

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The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)

This post tells you how we, and Openwork use the information you give us and how we protect your privacy. It also explains your rights under the General Data Protection Regulations. Collecting information and protecting  your privacy Our aim is to offer advice that...

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Is now the right time to fix?

November 2017 saw the Bank of England raise interest rates for the first time in a decade, from 0.25 per cent to 0.5 per cent, causing a number of lenders to increase their mortgage rates. The Bank of England has indicated there could be further rate rises, so if...

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Don’t fall for a pension scam

Frank Field, Labour MP and chair of an influential parliamentary committee, has called for legislative action to help keep pension savings safe. This comes after Police data shows that more than £43m of people’s retirement savings have been lost to fraud since the...

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With protection comes choice

How many times have you heard the phrase “It won’t happen to me” when it comes to the chances of suffering a serious illness? Unfortunately, given that 1 in 2 people born after 1960 in the UK will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime we should...

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Are your savings working hard enough?

If you've always been a saver but you've never considered an Individual Savings Account (ISA) now could be the time to find one that helps your future needs. ISAs are tax-efficient savings plans that allow you to shelter up to £20,000* in the 2017/18 tax year from...

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The value of protection

Buying a new home is possibly one of life’s biggest and most exciting events. It’s also a major financial commitment – one that could be with you for 25 years or more. Your ability to maintain your mortgage payments relies on a constant income, so how would you...

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Taking a global view

Keeping your investments close to home may have its advantages, but only by looking globally can you be sure you’re making the most of diversification. Imagine mealtimes without choice; your culinary options limited only to British food. No stir-fries, no fajitas, no...

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The ABC of Junior ISAs

The Junior Individual Savings Account (ISA) was introduced in 2011, 12 years after the launch of the original ISA in 1999, which recently celebrated its 18th birthday. In a nutshell, the Junior ISA is a long-term, tax-free savings account for children. It effectively...

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Creating a protection portfolio

Life is full of surprises, so it's important to be prepared if things don't go to plan. Whether it's an accident, hospitalisation or something more serious that knocks you off course, having the right protection in place can make all the difference. The facts In the...

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Christmas Jumper Day: Save The Children Charity

On Friday 15th December, the team participated in the annual Christmas Jumper Day to raise funds for the Save The Children charity. Alongside the mountain of sausage rolls, doughnuts, cheese & crackers and silly jumpers - the team raised  £72.50!  UPDATE 19/12/17...

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Autumn Budget Notes

We are pleased to present our summary of the 2017 Autumn Budget. Please click here to view the Budget Notes.    

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How to fund a university education

Before the introduction of student loans you may have left university with a bank overdraft. But the sum owed probably paled into insignificance compared to the five-figure debts faced by the coming generation of graduates. According to the Institute for Fiscal...

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The Lord’s Charity event

  2017 marks our 14th year in attendance of the Lord's charity event. Along with his guests, Norman thoroughly enjoyed the evening. During this year's event the Openwork Foundation raised £50,000! The Openwork foundation was launched in 1981. Since this...

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Pension death benefits

There's a range of options when it comes to deciding how to fund retirement, but few of us stop to think about what might happen to pension savings in the event of death. Alongside the more familiar changes to retirement choices that happened back in 2015, 'Pension...

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Plugging the protection gap

If you're one of the increasing number of people who've become self-employed in recent years, you may have found the switch has left you without the employee benefits you previously took for granted. Making the change from employed to self-employed is a big step and...

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The value of our advice

Good financial advice and planning helps people to protect and build their assets, make the most of their investments and help to achieve the goals and lifestyle they desire. Establishing priorities Every client we meet has a unique and varied range of financial...

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How to choose a good conveyancer

Conveyancing is an important part of the home buying process, and it’s important to note it’s required when both buying and selling a property. So what should you consider when choosing a property solicitor to carry out your conveyancing? It’s important to use a...

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Helping socially disadvantaged women

We need your help! We are collecting ties and belts for Purple Community Fund to use as part of their social enterprise programmes. The programmes work with socially disadvantaged women in the UK and overseas. The ties and belts are transformed as part of sewing...

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A sporting chance

Are you one of the one in three parents who worry about the risk of serious injury from school sports? Research from MetLife has found that one third of parents with school age children are concerned about serious injuries from sport – and there could be real reasons...

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The State Pension – all you need to know

Changes to the State Pension which took effect on 6 April 2016 were designed to simplify the system. With the earnings-related part applying to employed people removed, what you could qualify for depends on your National Insurance (NI) record. For the current tax year...

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The ninth largest lender

34% of first-time buyers relied on their parents for financial help, making the 'bank of mum and dad’, the equivalent of the UK’s ninth largest lender in 2017. If you're trying to get on the housing ladder, you'll know how hard it can be: The average price of a first...

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What’s the cost of a comfortable retirement?

Have you ever stopped to think about the monthly income you'd need to provide for a comfortable retirement? If you’re thinking it would be the equivalent of your current salary you've probably overestimated. Lifestyle in Retirement Remember, by the time you retire,...

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The matter of trusts

Taking out a life insurance policy gives you valuable peace of mind: you know you’ve protected your family against financial hardship, should the worst happen. But how can you make sure your policy will pay out quickly, to those who’ll need it most, if you died...

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What makes a good Buy to Let investment?

With property prices continuing to rise, Buy to Let can be an attractive way to invest. But whether you are buying your first Buy to Let property, or adding to your portfolio, it’s important to consider what’s involved. Being a landlord As well as the obvious duties...

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Surviving the loss of a key person

If something happened to you, your co-owners or employees, could your business survive? According to research by Legal and General, if a business suffered the loss of a key person: 40% of businesses would cease trading in less than a year of the death or serious...

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Financial scams target the over 45s

The rise in technology has caused more than 1 million over-45 year olds to fall victim to online scams and left one in five feeling vulnerable. Research by Aviva has shown that 70% of people aged 45-64 interviewed as part of this research are willing to embrace new...

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Achieving your financial goals

We lead complex lives in an increasingly complex world. As financial planning experts we can help you better understand your financial challenges, goals and needs, and help you find appropriate ways to meet them. Even a seemingly straightforward financial goal can...

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Do you run your own business?

If you do, you probably have one or more key employees that are integral to its success. They may even possess the skills, knowledge, experience or leadership that makes a vital difference to your bottom line. But have you considered what would happen if they suddenly...

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Ewing Associates Sponsor Saints Young Player of the Season

Ewing Associates sponsored Northampton Saints "Young Player of the Season" award for the sixth year running in 2017. We would like to congratulate Harry Mallinder (pictured with Norman Ewing), the Young Player of the Season winner for the second year running in 2017....

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The importance of protection

Millions of pet owners have purchased insurance in case of an expensive trip to the vet’s, but who will pick up the bill if something happens to you? Many pet owners will know the stress and financial burden caused by an expensive vet’s bill and have taken out pet...

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The new £1m Inheritance Tax allowance

In the wake of the 2015 General Election, the Conservative Party confirmed it would deliver on its Manifesto promise that parents could pass their property up to the value of £1m to their children free of Inheritance Tax, thanks to a new ‘family home allowance’. The...

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Inflation: this time it’s personal

Much is made about the impact of inflation on the ‘real’ value of your income and investments. That is, the impact inflation has on your ability to continue affording your lifestyle. The magic number The Bank of England Monetary Policy Framework has an inflation...

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Are your contents underinsured?

When it comes to insuring your home and contents, many people take out far less cover than they need, risking potential upset if it comes to making a claim. The average UK home contains around £55,000 worth of possessions, but an average insurance policy covers just...

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