Library.
Case Study: Estate planning – BPR/Trusts/Wills
Glenda was recommended to Foresight by a friend following the death of her husband. Her husband had recently died and she knew that, on her subsequent death, the children would be left with a significant Inheritance Tax liability. Glenda also had concerns about protecting the wealth she would be passing on, due in part to…
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Transform Your Financial Destiny: Empowerment Through Education
In a world full of opportunities, mastering your finances goes beyond the numbers; it’s about empowering you to make wise, informed decisions. With Foresight Wealth Strategists, it’s not just about planning; it’s about tailoring a strategy that aligns with your aspirations, leveraging our bespoke Quantum Programme for a personalised journey. Here’s how to take the…
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Investing with Purpose
The choices we make today define the world we live in tomorrow. The concept of sustainable and ethical investing has emerged not just as an option but as a critical consideration for forward-thinking individuals. Here’s why: Impactful Investing: The power to foster change lies within our portfolios. Aligning investments with our core values, we contribute…
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Financial Planning Across Life’s Stages: Wealth Strategy Tips for the UK
Effective financial planning is crucial throughout life’s various stages, from starting a career to planning for retirement and beyond. This guide explores the unique financial needs at each life milestone for you, providing tailored advice to ensure financial stability and growth. Starting a Career: Building a Financial Base: Begin with solid budgeting practices, save diligently,…
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Mastering Financial Planning Techniques with Foresight: Your Path to Empowerment
Navigating the complexities of personal finance requires more than just saving for a rainy day; it demands a comprehensive understanding and application of financial planning techniques. At Foresight Wealth Strategists, we’re dedicated to empowering individuals through education and strategic planning, ensuring your financial goals aren’t just dreams but achievable realities. This article explores essential financial…
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Tax doesn’t need to be Taxing
The UK Government is forecast to take a total of £950bn in tax this year, approximately 36.9% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which makes this the highest tax burden the UK has faced since just after the Second World War. Tax is important as it helps pay for services such as schools, the NHS, and…
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Can I stop my spouse sharing my inheritance on divorce?
A party to a marriage or civil partnership may understandably want to know whether their spouse would be awarded a share of assets they have inherited if they ever divorce, and what they could do to reduce the chance of this happening. Firstly, there is a general principle even where short marriage or civil partnerships…
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ISA deadlines for 2023
Using Individual Savings Accounts (ISA) has always been a very tax-efficient way of investing, with no liability to either income tax, or Capital Gains Tax on the invested funds. These days ISAs offer the opportunity for every individual to invest up to £20,000 per annum. Unlike pension allowances, ISA allowances cannot be reclaimed from previous…
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How can a book or a small habit change transform your life?
Ever thought about how a book or a simple change in your habits can spark massive growth in your life? In the journey of life, the pursuit of personal development and growth stands as a beacon, guiding us towards our fullest potential. It’s a commitment to continuous learning, embracing change, and cultivating a growth mindset…
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Feel overwhelmed by investment options?
Do you understand the investment options that are on offer? Do you feel overwhelmed and uncertain of their meaning? Let’s make it simple: Strategic Asset Allocation – diversifying your investments across different asset classes such as stocks, bonds, property, and even cash to spread your risk – accounts for about 80% of investment performance – meaning…
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Yorkshire 3 peak Challenge Completed
On Saturday, October 5th, the following members of the Foresight team – Daniel Willoughby, Damienne Mitchell, Ben Dyson, Thomas Filby, Alex Youngs. Greg Blease and Callum Kingsley-Rivans, completed the Yorkshire 3-Peak challenge. Living in another County meant an early start of 4:45 am. Arriving at 6:20 am, at Horton-in-Ribbleside designated car park to the sight…
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The Three Peaks Challenge
Mark Hughes – Foresight’s Head of Operations – was recently diagnosed with tongue cancer. The cancer appeared one week and was so aggressive that it resulted in Mark being fast-tracked through our wonderful NHS system which enabled him to be treated within 4 weeks. A 10-hour operation followed, and he is now going through…
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Mastering Change with The Quantum Programme
Bespoke Wealth Management for Every Stage of Your Life In an era where financial landscapes are perpetually shifting, The Quantum Programme from Foresight Wealth Strategists offers a pioneering approach to wealth management. This bespoke process is designed to adapt and evolve, perfectly aligning with your personal and financial aspirations at every stage of life. The…
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Learn To Enjoy Your Money
As a Wealth Strategist, one of the things that you learn at a very early point is that it is not theamount of money you have that makes you happy, it’s what you do with it that gives the enjoyment.And, although the richest clients are not necessarily the happiest, it is also true to say…
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Are Get Rich Schemes Worth It?
With many of the major indices fluctuating and some disposable income to spare, people have beenlooking at alternative ways to make money. Many have gravitated towards cryptocurrencies, mostparticularly Bitcoin, although a plethora of these currencies have been created over the past fewyears. With the rise of social media in recent years, it is impossible to…
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Avoid Pitfalls When Making Financial Gifts
Making a gift to your family and friends while you are alive can be a good way to reduce the value ofyour estate for Inheritance Tax purposes, ensuring those closest to you benefit from a lifetime ofyour hard work. Estate and tax planning is a complex area and professional financial advice can helpyou avoid several…
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Welcome to Damiene
Join us in welcoming Damiene Mitchell to the Client Manager Team. Damiene has a background in financial services administration and is delighted to have a new role where his technical knowledge will be expanded under the guidance of Foresight. Outside of work, Damiene loves sports but being originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, his passion…
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Welcome to Dan!
We’re thrilled to announce that Dan Willoughby has joined the Foresight Wealth Strategists team as our new Client Manager. With his extensive background in financial services and a particular passion for estate planning, Dan is perfectly positioned to support our clients in navigating their financial journeys. Outside the office, Dan is an avid basketball…
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Foresight Wealth Strategists Bank Holiday.
Foresight Wealth Strategists Bank Holiday. We’re pleased to announce our very own Foresight Bank Holiday on July 12th. This unique day is dedicated to celebrating our team’s hard work and commitment. It’s a time for us to unwind, recharge, and enjoy some well-deserved rest. As we take this day to reflect on our achievements, we…
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Mark Hughes helps to raise over £8,000 for local charity
On the 13th July 2016 tragically Dave Holman lost his life in a road traffic accident he was only 38 he was a loving son, brother, Uncle and great friend to many and is missed beyond measure. Every year since Dave passed away his friends have organised what has become “The Dave Holman Challenge” raising much…
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How Safe Is Your Final Salary Pension?
Services provider Carillion has found itself joining the likes of Toys ‘R’ Us and BHS, in becoming the latest company to self-destruct. Leaving a devastating effect on defined benefit (DB) pension savers. The Carillion disaster happened just as the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) reported that roughly two-thirds of the DB pension schemes in operation in…
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Spring Budget 2024
The Chancellor delivered the last Spring budget of this on 6th March. In his speech, Jeremy Hunt said he was setting out to reward hardworking families with National Insurance tax cuts – leaving the average worker over £900 better off. However, it remains to be seen as to whether the tax cuts have moved Tory sentiment in…
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Key Dates in March
Pension Credit, which averages over £3,900 a year, is there to lend a hand with day-to-day expenses for those who have reached state pension age and are on a low income. About 1.4m people are already receiving Pension Credit, but an estimated 880,000 eligible households are yet to claim it. In the Spring Budget,…
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Vacancy – Receptionist/Admin person
Up to £25K pa, depending on experience. Foresight Wealth Strategists has an exciting opportunity for a Receptionist/Admin person to join our growing team. As one of the leading financial planning practices in the North-West, we are looking for someone who will be able to provide our clients with an unrivalled front of house customer experience. Our clients are…
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Children Should Be Saving For Themselves
Children are expensive! The cost of raising a child from birth to their 18th birthday currently stands at nearly £250,000. Their wants and needs are satisfied more inexpensively when young – although childcare is becoming an ever-increasing burden. But when they get to their late teens and early twenties those ‘must-haves’ – the first car,…
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Recommended Internet Provider
Foresight has been using Zen Internet for our internet connection for over 20 years. I have always been a fan of Zen, based in Rochdale, which are the only internet provider that has remained in business since 1995. They offer an amazing product, excellent and knowledgeable service, and at a competitive price. Not the cheapest,…
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Get to know: Josh Lenihan, Senior Wealth Strategist
We believe that our team members are what sets us apart from other businesses. Join us as we sit down with Josh, to talk about his day-to-day life at Foresight, and what he gets up to when he’s not in the office. Tell us a bit about yourself Throughout my time in education, I was…
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Considering Animals and Pets in your Will
We all want the best for our pets and animals during our lifetime, but consideration also needs to be given to what happens beyond this. This is important from an animal welfare point of view, but also from an estate planning perspective as well. Pets are considered ‘personal chattel’, meaning that the changing ‘ownership’ of…
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Solidus Achievement of Excellence for Estate Planning 2023
We are delighted to announce that we have once again been awarded the Solidus Achievement of Excellence for our Estate Planning and Trust based solutions. Solidus is a leading Estate Practitioner and has now been the preferred provider of Trusts and estate planning solutions for Foresight clients for over 10 years. At Foresight, our aim…
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Get to know Mike Barnes
Our team members are one of the main factors that sets us apart from other businesses. Join us as we sit down with Mike to talk about his day-to-day life at Foresight, and what he gets up to when he’s not in the office. Tell us a bit about yourself All through school and…
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Vacancy – IFA Administrator
Location – Richmond House, Hale, UK Salary – £22,000 -£30,000 (DOE) Due to continued expansion, we are delighted to announce that we are looking to recruit an IFA Administrator to join our dynamic and forward-thinking team. Our ambitious plans can only be achieved by recruiting the right people. We provide an excellent on the job…
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A week in the life of…Work Experience
After arriving at the office, I was warmly greeted by Clair Davis, Receptionist, before being taken on a quick tour, followed by a briefing on how to use the various facilities and a health and safety induction. Later that day, I met with one of the Client Managers, Ben Holland, who told me about his…
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A week in the life of…Work Experience
In August 2023 we welcomed Theo into the offices to do a week of work experience with us. He spent the week shadowing various people around the business and learning how day-to-day life is in a busy office. Let’s see what he got up to while he was with us… Embarking on my week of…
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Foresight Shortlisted for Money Marketing Awards 2023
We are thrilled to announce that we have been shortlisted for two awards in the 2023 Money Marketing Awards. Josh Lenihan has been shortlisted for Financial Adviser 2B – for future generation advisers, and we have also been shortlisted for our Quantum Academy as the Best Adviser Academy. This is great confirmation of the importance…
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2023 Budget Announcement
The aims of the Chancellor in this year’s Spring Budget were to get people into work and keep them there, with key changes to childcare and pensions. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) stated that the UK will not enter a technical recession and inflation will more than halve and reduce to 2.9% by the…
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Professional Advisor Nominations
We are delighted to announce that this year we have been shortlisted by Professional Adviser again, this time not for one but three awards! At Foresight, we pride ourselves on excellence and are committed to providing the best advice and a great experience for our clients, whilst also supporting our team members through their careers. …
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Webinar: When is the best time to sell my business?
Hosted by Simon Booth, CEO of Foresight, and Paul Dodgshon, Managing Director of Uscita. This webinar is specifically aimed at business owners who might be looking to sell their companies at some point in the future. You may not be looking to sell right now, however, this webinar will highlight just how much work needs to be…
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Vacancy – Client Manager
Location – Richmond House, Hale, UK Salary – £22,000-£45,000 (dependant on experience and qualifications) Who are we… Foresight Wealth Strategists are an award-winning financial planning practice, based in the centre of Hale, near Altrincham. Since 1998, we have been specialising in providing high-quality financial planning advice to business owners, professionals, and high net worth individuals.…
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Premium Bonds: A Safe Bet or Just a Bit of Fun?
If you’re looking for a low-risk way to save money – with a bit of excitement thrown in – Premium Bonds might sound like a winner. They’ve been around since 1956 and are still one of the UK’s most popular savings products. But are they really a good investment, or just a government-endorsed lottery in…
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When should you start thinking about a financial legacy?
The short answer? Sooner than you think. Legacy isn’t just something you consider later in life, it’s the result of years of planning, intention, and consistent action. Whether it’s protecting family wealth, supporting causes close to your heart, or setting the next generation up for success, the decisions you make today shape what you leave…
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What Do Virtual Reality Headsets, Pulled Pork, and Slider Sandals Tell Us About the Economy?
Each year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) updates its “basket of goods and services”—the list of items used to calculate the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which helps measure UK inflation. It’s more than just a list of prices; it’s a snapshot of how our spending habits are evolving and what matters to us as…
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Planning Your Business Exit Strategy: What’s Right for You?
Every business owner will eventually face the question: How will I exit my business, and what will I walk away with? Whether you run a small, owner-managed enterprise or a growing company, having an exit strategy in place ensures a smoother transition and helps you maximise your financial return. Why Plan Your Exit Early? An…
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Protecting Your Inheritance in the Event of Divorce
When you inherit wealth, it’s natural to want to keep it within your family, especially if your marriage or civil partnership comes to an end. But can you prevent your spouse from claiming a share of your inheritance in a divorce settlement? The answer depends on various factors, including how the inheritance is used, the…
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Are You on Track for a Comfortable Retirement?
When it comes to retirement planning, how do you compare to the national average? According to the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA), a couple needs a net income of £30,600 per year (£36,200 in London) to enjoy a moderate standard of living in retirement. Yet, research suggests that only 42% of UK households are…
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When Wills Go Wrong: How to Avoid Family Disputes
The days of straightforward inheritance planning are long gone. With more people experiencing multiple marriages, blended families, and step-relatives, estate planning has become significantly more complex. What once seemed simple, leaving everything to your children, now requires careful thought to avoid unintended disputes and legal battles. The Risk of an Outdated Will Many assume that…
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Maximise Your ISA Allowance Before the Tax Year Ends
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) have been a staple of tax-efficient investing for over two decades. Offering tax-free growth and withdrawals, ISAs allow individuals to invest up to £20,000 per tax year, making them an essential part of a well-rounded financial plan. Use It or Lose It Unlike pension allowances, ISA allowances do not roll over.…
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Why your children should save for themselves!
Children are expensive, with research showing that the average child now costs nearly £250,000 from birth to their 18th birthday. Their wants and needs are satisfied more inexpensively when young. But when they get to their late teens and early twenties those ‘must-haves’ – the first car, the University education and even a deposit on…
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Enhancing Wellbeing with the Oura Ring
In today’s fast-paced world, prioritising health and wellbeing has never been more important. For those seeking a comprehensive yet convenient way to monitor and improve their wellness, the Oura Ring offers a cutting-edge solution. Combining sleek design with advanced technology, this smart ring has become a trusted tool for health-conscious individuals worldwide. What is the…
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How Technology is Revolutionising Wealth Management: The Role of AI and Blockchain
The integration of technology into finance is transforming the way we manage wealth. These days, we use our phones to run our finances – everything from purchases to signing off accounts using digital signatures. AI – Artificial Intelligence – is only going to enhance these capabilities, providing data-driven personalised strategies and real-time analytics which will…
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Pass Go This Christmas: Family Fun with Monopoly and More
Christmas is a time for family, laughter, and a little healthy competition. For many households, no holiday season is complete without a good old-fashioned game of Monopoly. Whether you’re building your property empire, dodging bankruptcy, or charging rent to unsuspecting relatives, Monopoly brings the thrill of strategy and the occasional festive rivalry. But let’s be…
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Simple change in your habits can spark massive growth in your life?
Ever thought about how a book or a simple change in your habits can spark massive growth in your life? In the journey of life, the pursuit of personal development and growth stands as a beacon, guiding us towards our fullest potential. It’s a commitment to continuous learning, embracing change, and cultivating a growth mindset…
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Use those Tesco Clubcard Points!
More than two million Tesco customers could potentially lose out on a total of £13 million worth of Clubcard vouchers if they do not use them. The vouchers, first issued in December 2020, expire automatically after 2 years if not claimed, meaning that customers would lose out on the savings. The benefit of the vouchers…
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Interest Rates on the Up!
The Bank of England has raised interest rates again – the 7th time this year and only 6 weeks after the previous rise – this time by 0.75 percentage points to 3%. Not so good for those with large mortgages, but the first time in well over a decade that interest rates for savers have…
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How does the weakness in Sterling affect me?
The pound slid to an all-time low against the dollar amid worries about the direction of the Government’s economic policy, following the much-derided mini-budget from the now ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng. Although the political situation has swiftly moved, the longer-term effects of a government prepared to unveil deep unfunded tax cuts with no…
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The End of an Era
For most people, the period of financial excitement that came to a messy end in 2008 will always be the point of comparison for future recessions. For reference, I was still in education at this time, so largely sheltered from the worst of things. However, the ripple effects were still felt. Prior to ’08, university…
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How to avoid a pension scam
Pension scams are on the rise, with at least £2,241,774 reportedly lost to pension scammers in the 5 months between January and May 2021, the problem is getting bigger. Scammers try to persuade you to transfer your pension savings, or to release funds from it, by making attractive-sounding false promises that whilst sounding appealing have…
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Search behind the sofa
People now have only 100 days left to use the paper £20 and £50 banknotes before they are no longer in circulation. The last day of legal tender status is 30th September 2022. People who still have them need to use them or deposit them at their bank or a Post Office before that date.…
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Is HMRC the major beneficiary of your estate?
The latest HMRC data reveals that Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts for the period April 2021 to February 2022 stood at a whopping £5.5 billion, £700 million higher than the corresponding period in 2021. The average amount paid per estate was around £209,000 and this amount can often be mitigated by various well-accepted financial planning techniques,…
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Saving Less Than You Think
One of the biggest worries for new retirees is that they will run out of money. However, there is now evidence that the opposite seems to be happening, retirees are not actually spending enough. Researchers at Texas Tech University stated, “Rather than spending down savings during retirement many studies have found the value of retirees’…
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The 4% Rule
In 1994, William Bengen published research that revolutionised the financial planning world. He was trying to figure out how much money retirees could withdraw from their portfolio each year without running out of money. Bengen found that retirees throughout history could have withdrawn 4% from an investment portfolio that held 50% in bonds and 50%…
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The Tax Claw is coming
Within this new tax year, which started on 6th April, there are a couple of new ways in which you could potentially pay more tax. National Insurance (NI) is rising, but the threshold at which it starts to be paid will also be raised. NI is set to rise by 1.25% from April and…
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Leave a legacy not a fight
Leaving money to a charity of your choice within your Will is a great way to ensure a positive legacy for the future. It makes the money you worked so hard for during your lifetime continue to do good when you are no longer here. Additionally, if you give at least 10% of your…
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Cashflow Forecasting – Better than a Crystal Ball
A client once remarked that it would be good if we had a crystal ball for their finances. A good point well made, so we went and bought one from Amazon, which still sits on a windowsill in the office. It looks good but has never proved to be entirely reliable. Cashflow forecasting, on the…
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Business Exit Strategy – What’s Your’s?
An exit strategy is something that every owner of a small business looks for. Even a one-person business still needs an exit strategy. The main questions that need to be answered are; how are you going to get your money out of the business and how much money are you going to get? Having an…
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