A little departure from the norm this issue. A subject that has become increasingly popular of late, and will continue to do so, especially as the provision of first-rate occupational pensions is becoming less commonplace, and contributions into personal arrangements are generally somewhat inadequate. This is the thorny subject of ‘Equity Release’ or ‘Lifetime Mortgages’. Much has been said about such arrangements over the years, a fair amount of which was ill-informed, and some, pure sensationalism. I hope to shine a little light on these products, so that you may have a better idea of the realities (and fallacies) of the arrangements that are available these days. Continue reading Lifetime Mortgages
Category Archives: Money Matters
Money matters
Time in the Market
Hello All, and Happy New Year.
This issue, I shall start with some questions: hands up, all those who have heard of bitcoins. Ok, keep those hands up, if you know what one is. Right, finally, hands still up, if you know how the bitcoin actually works. I thought as much, not many. It is what is described as a ‘crypto-currency’, a digital alternative to money, and the biggest booming investment in recent memory. Continue reading Time in the Market
Make Britain Great Again
With the exception of the small (and much expected) rise in UK interest rates, almost nothing has changed since my last article, and that was written as a result of there not being a great deal to talk about! In the last two months since that article, there have been the usual spats between the President of the United States and Kim Jong Un. The Brexit negotiations are still grinding on, with little or no visible progress, and no signs of any joined-up thinking on the matter. Continue reading Make Britain Great Again
It all started in a Coffee House
For my piece, or the greater part of it this month, I will be taking you back to the 1680’s. Why, you may ask, and with good reason. Basically, because there is only so much one can say regarding the current economic climate; and I thought it might be interesting to have a look at something rather different. Continue reading It all started in a Coffee House
If We Knew Then . . .
Greetings, Noble Readers of Whistler-shire. Firstly, an update on my column from the last issue. My friend’s Macmillan Cancer nurse (wonderful people) contacted his mortgage lender, on his behalf, and advised them of his circumstances. His mortgage was approaching the end of its term, and he had been forced to spend his savings – with which he intended to redeem the loan – on other essential expenses. They have agreed to extend his mortgage, on an interest-only basis, allowing time for his treatment, and in the fullness of time, a change to Equity Release. Should things not go as well as hoped, the value of his property is significantly higher than the outstanding debt. A great weight off his mind, he can concentrate now on getting well. Continue reading If We Knew Then . . .
The Whistler 