Prosperis:Leeds independent financial adviser: Newsroom

Slash debt to 0% for 2 years

If you have a New Year debt hangover, it is time to take a long, hard look at your finances, starting with the debts themselves. Try not to worry about telling your partner/family about debts. If the issues are severe, why not go first to a free debt counselling agency instead of telling them just the problem, you maybe able to bring a solution too.

Diversification and why is it important?

Diversification is the process of investing money across different asset types and, usually in different proportions. The main asset types are equities, bonds, cash, property and commodities (e.g. gold, oil, coffee). The aim of diversification is to help an investor avoid being overly exposed to the fluctuations in value of one particular asset type, i.e. to spread the risk.

FinaMetrica Risk Profiling

Prosperis Ltd has invested in a new, state of the art risk profiling tool. The FinaMetrica facility is an on line scientific assessment of an individual’s tolerance of risk. So far, some 65 clients have completed the process and it is our intention to get as many clients as possible to update their profile throughout the year.

No more Contracting Out

Those saving for their pension maybe aware that from 6th April 2012, contracting out of the state second pension scheme (formerly known as SERPS) will cease. In addition, it will no longer be necessary for money purchase pension schemes (group personal pension plans are included in this) to recognise Protected Rights funds (the contracted out benefits element) as separate benefits. In future, all funds will be consolidated and treated in the same way.

New ISA Limits for Savers & Junior ISA

Making sure that your investments are as tax-efficient as possible is one of the simplest ways of maximising your returns. With no tax to pay on gains made within an Individual Savings Account (ISA), this can be a very efficient way of investing. Don’t forget that the new higher ISA limit applies from 6th April 2012.

The Draghi Artist

This time of the year is when many a fund manager comes knocking on the door with tales of how they are going to perform in the next 12 months. Yes folks, it’s the investment roadshow time of year. However, there is a happier feel to the start of this year than many of the last 5 or 6. Central to the cheerier disposition of many fund management groups is a remarkable turnaround in the European Central Bank (ECB).

Can you afford sick pay?

Living on statutory sick pay (SSP) for just three months would result in significant financial hardship for the majority of UK workers and could even force some to move home, according to new research. It found that many people greatly overestimate the level of support available while the majority still believe they will not suffer a long term injury or illness.

Too many parents have not written a Will

Banking giants HSBC has surveyed some 17,000 people worldwide, including 1,000 in the UK, to find out whether or not they had written a Will. The results revealed that two thirds of parents in the UK had not yet written a Will. However, theUK was not alone in these startlingly high figures, as only Canada came above the UK with parents most likely to have written Wills.

Are you approaching retirement?

If so, you need to start looking at annuity rates so that you can make an informed choice. An annuity will provide taxable regular income for the rest of your life. Taking out an annuity is, therefore, one of the most important retirement choices you will have to make and it is vital that you shop around and see which will be the best type of annuity for you.

Save early, it can make a huge difference!

If you are thinking about saving for your retirement, you have, at least started in the right direction. However, thinking about it is not really good enough. Putting off taking action, even for just a few years, could make a huge difference to your final fund when you eventually get to retirement age. Let's take a look and see what the difference could be.