Starting a family
Starting a family is a hugely exciting time. But, as you may already be aware, it can certainly put a squeeze on your finances. With the cost of childcare to consider and parental leave meaning a reduced household income, bringing up baby can also mean some big decisions when it comes to your lifestyle, career and goals.
There are things that may suddenly feel more pressing than they ever have before, such as making a will, getting life insurance or income protection cover sorted, or setting up an ISA so you have some savings for your children’s future or the adventures you want to go on as a family.
Clients often report that starting a family is the life transition that acts more like a financial wake-up call than any other. Financial planning as your family grows will help you understand how your income and expenditure will change, allow you to take decisions with confidence, and give you the security of knowing that your loved ones are protected from the financial impacts of life’s twists and turns.
How we help
Lifestyle financial planning
Maybe you want to know whether the work-life balance you crave is financially attainable? Perhaps you’d like to give your child the best start in life with a private education. Or maybe you want to know whether you can afford the move, the new SUV or a wardrobe of Boden baby clothes. Lifestyle financial planning takes as its starting point, what you want your life to look and feel like. Our work together then focuses on positioning your finances to enable you to achieve it. It will bring you clarity, answers to your questions and a roadmap to the future you want for yourself and your loved ones.
Making a will
If you haven’t yet made a will, this is the ideal time to do it. Making a will is the only way to gain peace of mind that if anything happened to you, those you leave behind will be provided for in line with your wishes. When you have young children, there is added importance in making a will as it allows you to choose the guardian who would care for them should they be left without a parent before they reach adulthood. There are some big decisions to be made when making a will. We will ensure what can otherwise be overwhelming is manageable and done correctly in line with your wishes.
School fee planning
For many parents, providing the best start in life means funding a private education. However, the benefits of a private education can come with a significant price tag. It’s therefore advisable to start the financial planning process as early as possible, in order to ensure you benefit from the tax efficiencies and investment opportunities that are available.
Insurance and protection
Worrying and parenthood seem to go hand in hand, however there are some worries that can be eased. We will help you explore which type of insurance will allow you to sleep soundly at night knowing that those most precious to you will not be adversely affected by the financial consequences of the loss of your assets, health or life.
Buying a home
Whether it’s your first step on the housing ladder, or a step up to accommodate your growing family, moving home is an exciting time. While we do not advise on mortgages ourselves, we are able to recommend an experienced mortgage adviser to help you make sense of your options, explore which ones fit with your wider life plans and navigate the opportunities and pitfalls of the mortgage market to fund that dream home.
Savings
Children may start small but their expenses, like their washing loads, soon mount up. We can help you understand and manage any financial trade-offs you find yourselves needing to make. We'll help you understand the implications of different decisions and, with a savings plan tailored to your income and objectives, help you make lightwork of school fees or the house deposit you may one day like to gift them.
Please note, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested.
Life Assurance plans typically have no cash in value at any time and cover will cease at the end of term. If premiums stop, then cover will lapse.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate will writing.
More life transitions
Divorce or separation
A divorce can be a psychological and financial hammer blow. But with our help, you can start to plan, look forward and rebuild.
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Selling a business
Whether you're mid-process or still weighing up your options, we start by establishing your vision for your future.
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Midlife check-in
You lead a busy life and retirement is still a way off, but with unfulfilled ambitions to tick off the bucket list, you could do with a check-in on your finances.
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Receiving an inheritance or lump sum
A life-changing sum of money can do life-changing things. Deciding on the best way to use it, therefore, can feel like a big responsibility.
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Retirement
There is no longer just one way to do retirement with greater freedoms and more choices than ever before. Finding the right way for you is key.
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Death of a loved one
Receiving help to deal with the financial as well as the emotional implications of loss can make all the difference when have been bereaved.
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Entering later life
As you approach later life, you will be looking for security. With our help you can gain peace of mind knowing every scenario is planned for.
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