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Financial Education George Thomas Financial Education George Thomas

A New Chancellor's First Budget: Why the Rumours Matter Less Than Your Plan

On 28 October, Chancellor John Healey delivers his first Budget under PM Andy Burnham and the speculation is already flying: pensions, capital gains, property taxes, you name it.

Here's the thing: last time pension cash was rumoured to be under threat, withdrawals jumped 63% in a year as people rushed to act "just in case." Some of that was sensible. A lot of it, in hindsight, wasn't because you can't undo taking money out of a pension.

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George Thomas George Thomas

Why Every Financial Journey Needs a Plan

One of the most common questions we hear is:

“How much do I need for retirement?”

It’s tempting to look for a quick answer online, something like “You need £X to retire comfortably.” But here’s the truth: those numbers are averages, not your reality. They don’t know how you live, what you value, or what your future plans look like.

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Personal Finance George Thomas Personal Finance George Thomas

Why Choose an Independent Practice Over a Big National Firm?

If you’ve ever felt more like a policy number than a person you’re not alone.

Big financial firms are impressive. Glassy offices. Glossy brochures. A team of 72 handling "client experience". But beyond the branding and buzzwords, what you often get is process over people, volume over value, and advice that feels more generic than genuinely helpful.

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Financial Education, Business Owners George Thomas Financial Education, Business Owners George Thomas

Managing Money as a business owner

Being a business owner is rewarding, but it doesn't come without challenges, especially when income isn't consistent. Is your income seasonal? Does it come in lump sums once jobs are complete? These are common realities for many entrepreneurs across many different industries.

This inconsistency can make it incredibly difficult to manage your finances. How much should you be reinvesting in the business? When do you pay yourself? How do you prepare for expenses like taxes, insurance or stock?

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Personal Finance George Thomas Personal Finance George Thomas

The AUTUMN Budget 2024

The much-anticipated Autumn Budget was finally delivered on the 30th October, in reality it wasn't quite the fireworks show the nation was expecting.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves faced the task: filling the "black hole" in public finances while keeping her party's ambitious manifesto pledges. The solution? A plan to raise £41 billion in taxes over the next five years.

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