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Financial advice insights

Whether you’re just starting out, approaching retirement, or already retired, these articles will help you make the most of your finances. They aren’t personal advice, but they will give you helpful information. If you’re not sure what’s right for your circumstances ask us about financial advice. Tax rules can change and benefits depend on individual circumstances.

Essential reading about financial advice


Client case study: Financial advice at a crucial turning point

Financial advice can benefit a wide range of people at different points in their life. Whether that’s younger clients accumulating wealth or those in later life planning for things like long-term care or passing on their wealth tax efficiently.

Clive Thomas

6m read

What is financial planning?

Financial planning is the process of mapping out how to accumulate wealth and how to use it sustainably. And, in some cases, how to pass it on to the next generation. Find out how it could help you.

Nick Colman

4m read

Is a financial planner the same as a financial adviser?

What’s the difference between a financial adviser and a financial planner? It sounds like the set up for a bad joke. But it’s a question which gets googled and is sometimes asked of our helpdesks.

Nick Colman

5m read

5 things you need to know about financial advice

We answer key questions, including: do I need a financial adviser, how much does advice cost, and can I get free financial advice?

Nick Colman

6m read

Get an investment ‘coach’ by taking advice

All the best athletes employ coaches to make sure they’re at the top of their game – the same principles could work for your investments too.

Nick Colman

3m read

Five times financial advice could really help

The five times in life you should seriously consider taking financial advice.

Nick Colman

5m read

Why get financial advice at divorce?

How an adviser can support you during divorce proceedings and help you rebuild your finances.

Nick Colman

3m read

What to expect from your first meeting with an HL adviser

When embarking on a new venture, the first step is often the most important. And taking financial advice is no different.

Didi Ager

6m read

Pay for financial advice without using your day-to-day cash

With the cost of living high and potentially still rising, you may be cutting back on non-essential spending. If you’ve put financial advice under that category, it’s worth thinking again about just how essential it is and how affordable it can be.

Nick Colman

6m read

The importance of financial planning

Planning 101: DIY is great. Sometimes it’s better left to the pros.

Nick Colman

4m read

Financial advice costs explained

Ever booked a cheap flight then found out your luggage costs more than your seat? It’s frustrating when costs aren’t clear and upfront. And when it comes to financial advice, it’s important to know how much you’ll pay and what the benefits will be.

Nick Colman

6m read

Client case study: How one of our advisers helped their client gain clarity and control

When Mr Walker found himself in a complex and frustrating situation with his pension, we were able to help him where his previous pension provider had fallen short.

Adam Kemp

4m read

Retirement essentials


Three rules of thumb for retirement

When it comes to your retirement, the stakes are high. There are plenty of tips out there, but some should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Nick Colman

5m read

3 steps to making your retirement income last longer

Find out about maximising your income in retirement to give you the lifestyle you want, and three steps you can take to help make it happen.

Nick Colman

6m read

Plan for a better future

Create a financial plan you can be confident in. Our advisers can help you plan your finances for all of life's milestones.

Find out more

4 questions to ask yourself in the run up to retirement

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Start getting answers to your retirement questions sooner rather than later.

Ryan Kenny

5m read

Expecting an inheritance to fund your retirement? Don't bet on it

We take a look at the risks of relying on a big inheritance and what you could do to make sure you don’t need one to live comfortably in retirement.

Nick Colman

4m read

Saving tax


Estate planning explained

Estate planning revolves around how you’ll pass on your wealth before and after you die. It involves creating a Will and mapping out who gets what and when.

Nick Colman

5m read

The essential guide to Inheritance Tax

How much do you know about inheritance tax and gifting? Here are our top tips.

Nick Colman

7m read

Gifting to save inheritance tax – level up your plans

Financial Adviser, James Atkinson gives his top tips for navigating inheritance tax and gifting rules.

James Atkinson

7m read

What happens if you die without a Will?

We explain intestacy laws and how dying without a Will could create a financial burden for your loved ones when you die.

Alana Fairfax

4m read

How one of our advisers saved a client £14,000 in tax

Financial Adviser, Hugh Breach, describes how he advised a client and how they paid less tax as a result.

Hugh Breach

4m read

HL financial adviser's top 5 tax saving tips

Avoid overpaying tax and explore 5 top tax saving tips that could help you make the most of your money, by keeping more of it in your pocket.

Didi Ager & Bradley Clark

5m read

Want to save tax? 3 reasons to consider financial advice

It’s not just an accountant that could help with tax planning. A financial adviser could save you time, hassle, and tax.

Nick Colman

4m read

How to reduce your inheritance tax bill

We look at five ways to reduce inheritance tax, and how a financial adviser could help.

Nick Colman

5m read

3 ways you and your partner can help save tax

When it comes to saving tax, you’ll sometimes need the support of your loved ones. Now could be the time to show your tax allowances some love too. Here’s how to work with your partner to help save tax together.

Nick Colman

4m read

Managing your finances


Financial resilience and emotional wellbeing

It's said that 'money doesn't buy happiness' - and in many ways this is true. Focusing on other parts of life are, for most of us, the most rewarding and where we find our 'happiness' – and that doesn’t necessarily improve by having more money.

Ian Jones

5m read

Financial Adviser's 4 tips to improve your financial decision making

We all like to think we act purely on logic and balance, but money is an emotive topic. We share a Financial Adviser’s tips on how to look past our emotions and make smart choices.

Hugh Breach

4m read

How much does long-term care cost?

It’s not an easy subject to talk about, but long-term care is something which will affect most people at some point in their lives and the better prepared they are, the better placed they’ll be to pay for it.

Nick Colman

10m read

Financial adviser’s top tips for spring cleaning your finances

Financial Adviser Hugh Breach gives his top tips for revisiting, reviewing and reorganising your finances.

Hugh Breach

8m read

A financial adviser’s guide to common cash myths

Bradley Clark, Financial Adviser, dissects three of the most common cash myths he hears from clients and looks at how to make your money work harder.

Bradley Clark

8m read

The Three Pots Rule – how to use it to help reach your financial goals

Financial Adviser, Bradley Clark, looks at how investors and savers can reach their financial goals using the three pots rule.

Bradley Clark

6m read

The four most dangerous words for your finances: I'll do it tomorrow

When it comes to planning your finances, the last minute could be too late. Find out how financial advice can help you tick off one of the most important tasks on your list.

Nick Colman

6m read

Take more control of your finances with our Asset Register

We've created an Asset Register to help make managing your family's finances as easy as possible.

Nick Colman

2m read

How small changes can mean big gains for your investments

Find out how we can help you make marginal gains with your finances.

Nick Colman

3m read