Top 10 Personal Finance Articles – September 2009

Here is our usual monthly list of the top 10 read articles on shrewdcookie.com in September – there are some surprising entries!

Investment Bonds – An Introduction

An investment bond is more than just another investment product – it can be an excellent tool for planning income in retirement as we all as being used inconjunction with a suitable trust as an estate and inheritance tax planning tool.

Personal Finance Questions – April 2009

In this new feature we will answer some of the many questions we have been receiving from visitors to shrewdcookie.com. It is often said that if you ask a question chances are that many other people also want to ask that very same question.

Although we receive a large number of personal questions we have to remind you that we do not give financial advice on this website – we encourage you to visit an independent financial adviser, solicitor or accountant if you wish to discuss any particular course of action which may be prompted by an article you read on our site.

10 Great Reasons to Write a Will

In our previous article we considered the basics of will writing, setting out the key people involved in the writing and execution of a Will.

In this article we will consider the REAL benefits to be enjoyed from ensuring you have a properly written Will.

10 Great Reasons Why You Should Write a Will

Will Writing – an introduction

Why you need a Will –

There are many reasons why it is prudent from a personal, as well family perspective, to ensure you have a suitably worded Will in place – and Will Planning is not just for old people either!

Trusts – Protecting Wealth and Financial Planning

This article is an introduction to Trusts and how they can be used in financial planning to achieve your money and wealth goals not only as a tax planning tool but also to protect your existing wealth.

Inheritance Tax – allowances and reliefs

In this second part of a three part series we will consider the main allowances and reliefs which can be used to reduce your liability to Inheritance Tax.

The Nil Rate Band currently stands at £312,000 – on the first £312,000 of your net taxable estate IHT is payable at 0% – hence the name “Nil Rate Band”.

Inheritance Tax – an introduction

In the first of a three part series we will consider Inheritance Tax – a tax previously deemed to be paid by “those who trust their heirs less than they trust the government”!

In part one we will consider what the tax is, how much is payable and the situation facing married couples.