5 behavioural biases that lead to investment mistakes Investments 27/10/2021 Investment decisions should be based on logic and fact. But it’s easy for emotions and biases to affect your decisions, and this can lead to investment mistakes. Behavioural bias can be useful in some circumstances. It’s a way of making mental shortcuts when you need to make complex decisions. When you consider how many decisions you need to make day-to-day, being able to make quick decisions is important. However, it’s just as important to recognise when biases can be harmful, and investing is one example. Biases may come from your past experiences, unconscious beliefs, or the way you use information. Being aware of how biases may influence you can help you reduce the risk of making a mistake. Here are five common cognitive biases that could have an impact on your investments. 1. Confirmation bias When you’re deciding which stocks, shares, or funds to invest in, you’ll seek out information to help you make a decision.
The complete guide for first-time buyers Guides/Mortgage 17/10/2021 Buying your first home can seem complicated. There’s a lot to think about and it’s a huge milestone. If you’re perplexed by the jargon or aren’t sure where to start, this guide will take you through the process and offer tips to help you become a homeowner. The guide covers: How much deposit you need and the best ways to save How the Help-to-Buy Equity Loan Scheme works Understanding how much you can borrow through a mortgage and what a “mortgage in principle” is The different types of mortgages and the impact of interest rates Tips for improving your chances of securing a mortgage The homebuying process. Download The complete guide for first-time buyers to learn more. If you have any questions about buying your first home and securing a mortgage, please contact us.
Inflation is set to reach 4% this year. What does it mean for your spending power? Lifestyle 13/10/2021 From the State Pension triple lock to the cost of living, Covid-19 is affecting economic figures. As the economy reopens, you may have noticed the price of things has risen. From your grocery shopping to days out, inflation means the cost of living is rising and could reach 4% this year. A small amount of inflation is often seen as a good thing. Prices gradually rising can encourage demand, but higher levels of inflation can suggest demand is outstripping supply and that the economy is running into difficulties. The Bank of England carefully monitors inflation and can take steps to keep it in check. It has a target of 2% inflation each year, but the inflation rate for 2021 could be double this. The pandemic impacts the cost of living According to the central bank’s latest Monetary Policy Report, inflation is expected to temporarily reach 4% in the near term.
The pros and cons of social media financial advice Lifestyle 29/09/2021 Financial advice is a complex topic and often requires a professional planner to get right. The very idea of seeking it can seem daunting, with many people unsure of where to start or who to go to. A recent trend has seen an increase in the viewership and production of content on social media that gives various forms of financial advice. CNBC report that nearly half of teenagers are learning about investing from some form of social media. The trend, which is especially prevalent on TikTok and Instagram, is thought to have been partly linked to the GameStop saga in January 2021. Since the events in January, the subreddit responsible (r/WallStreetBets) now has a userbase of more than 10 million, more than double what it was at the start of 2021. Investment News report that TikTok videos tagged with “#personalfinance” have accumulated a total of 3.5 billion views.
After 2 “once in a lifetime” economic events in 12 years, how can you protect your assets? Investments 15/09/2021 In the space of just 12 years, the global economy experienced two events that are considered “once in a lifetime” occurrences. As well as having an impact on economies, the 2008 financial crisis and 2020 Covid-19 pandemic are likely to have affected your finances too. Many people will remember the impact of the 2008 financial crisis that triggered a global recession and the uncertainty it caused. From job insecurity to large falls in the markets, it had a far-reaching impact. Then, just 12 years later, the Covid-19 pandemic created uncertainty again. While government support in the UK through the furlough scheme has helped to protect jobs and limit redundancies, it’s come at a cost. The latest fiscal report from the Office for Budget Responsibility show that over £1 trillion was added to the public debt, which is now above 100% of GDP for the first time since 1960.
