Blog
Having a Blue Christmas?
Tips for the newly divorced or separated on how to survive the first Christmas. The first Christmas after divorce or separation can not only be tough, but for some, absolutely gruelling. The same may apply for the first Christmas that your children spend with your ex...
What does “fair” mean when you’re splitting finances?
Yesterday I was contacted by a previous client (let’s call her Anna) who I hadn’t spoken to for about 10 years. When we last worked together, she needed a mortgage for herself and her partner (let’s call him Jack) to buy a new property. I initially thought Anna was...
Women losing out on pensions on divorce
There were some rather shocking headlines last week regarding women losing out on pensions when they divorce. This was all sparked by an Age UK report. The report stated that is should be "the norm" for private pensions to be considered as part of the divorce process...
Do you have enough?
A recent report by Fidelity entitled “Financial Power of Women” highlighted the fact that although many women saved on a regular basis, they were more comfortable putting their money into cash rather than investing in the stock market. Cash savings are very important,...
PowerWomen Awards
2018 is the 6th year Citywealth will run the Power Women awards highlighting female leaders, and recognising individuals who maximise the potential of women in wealth. Last year I was delighted to win the Gold Award for Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year. I have also...
Would you turn away a cash sum of £300,000?
The annual Scottish Widows Women and Retirement Report, now in its 13th year was published in November. A copy of the report is available here. But be warned, it doesn’t make good reading. The survey highlights that on average, women have savings pots half the value...
Uncoupling your finances
If you and your partner have been together for some time, separating your finances is not necessarily going to be easy. However, it is absolutely vital that you can reach a financial settlement that is suitable for both parties. This is essential to the emotional...
Don’t ignore the pension
Data on UK divorces, released this week by the Office of National Statistics, announced that that the average age at divorce is continuing to rise; for 30 years, from 1985-2015, the average age at divorce has increased by over eight years. The average age at divorce...
Oh, another lovely award…
A few months ago I was delighted to attend a very swanky awards ceremony and be the winner of CityWealth’s Power Woman of The Year Award as Entrepreneurial Woman of The Year. Last week I attended the inaugural awards ceremony from Women in Finance, held at Grosvenor...
Divorce at over-60
Over 60 and facing separation? You’re not alone. Later life divorce is definitely on the increase – figures from the International Longevity Centre, a respected research organisation, show that between 1990 and 2012 the number of men and women over the age of 60 going...
Do you take responsibility for your finances?
As the founder of Wealth for Women, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to hear that most of my clients are female. Typically, they are going through, or have just been through, divorce. In almost every case, the husband has had full responsibility for looking after the joint...
Are we there yet?
We all remember those time as children when we were on a car journey and very excited to get to our final destination. Within a very short time of starting out we were frequently asking “Are we there yet?”. Despite being told “no” and despite the annoyance of our...
And the winner is …
At last week’s Citywealth Powerwomen awards I was delighted to receive the Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year award, having been shortlisted from over 100 other nominees. It was a total delight to be recognised for the difference I’m making in my client’s life by...
Ten top tips for divorce
Everyone wonders what life would be like without enough money. For people facing up to the reality of divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership, understanding how the finances will work when they are on their own can feel like one of the biggest worries of...
I now feel much more secure, and financially sound
I recently spoke to one of my clients , let's call her Grace, to ask what benefit she obtained from us working together. What prompted you to have a meeting with me? I was quite anxious about my financial future, and had no clear idea of where I stood. I didn’t know...
Improving your state pension entitlement
Prior to 6th April 2016 if a couple were going through divorce, or dissolution of a civil partnership it was possible to substitute the National Insurance (NI) record from a former spouse/civil partner if they had a better NI record. Therefore, potentially a...
I know nothing about the wine list!
Let me be totally honest with you, I am a total dunce when it comes to wine; and I laugh at the number of times I have bluffed my way through a business lunch or simply nodded in approval when I've been lunching with a wine buff. To me, a glass of "plonk" tastes...
Do I need to use a solicitor for my divorce?
For anyone thinking of agreeing a financial settlement with their spouse and feel it’s not necessary to get legal advice, please read on……….. The case of Vince v Wyatt highlights the importance of ensuring that financial arrangements are incorporated into a Court...
I’ve been shortlisted for CityWealth’s Power Women Awards 2017
The reason I decided to specialise in financial advice to women was because I didn’t think the financial services industry was particularly female friendly. Many of the ladies I work with are going through divorce. Often their husband has dealt with the finances...
How rich are you?
I had a meeting with a lovely client recently. Let’s call her Janet. Janet and her husband (let’s call him James) had received a large cash sum following the sale of their business. They needed advice as to how best to invest their money. However, what they needed...
Are you going to run out of money?
You probably have an idea of how much you have saved in your pension plans and investment accounts. But do you know whether this is enough money to last you for your lifetime and enable you to do all the things you’d love to do. "Fingers crossed it all works out OK"...
Do men and women need different financial advice?
I’m a female independent financial adviser specialising in financial advice to women, particularly women going through divorce. A number of people (mostly men it has to be said!) think this is sexist and suggest it’s unnecessary since women do not need different...
Is seeing your IFA like going to the dentist?
There’s not many things in life that really scare me. It’s not because I think I'm particularly rufty-tufty. I just tend to be up for trying most things, without necessarily realising just how scary they will be. (White water rafting was a particular example!). Then...
Finding the right expert: So much more than just looking after your money
If you read The Sunday Times on the weekend you would have received the supplement “Your Adviser- Finding the Right Expert” I was delighted to be listed as a Top Rated Adviser, in the section for the London based advisers. The supplement was produced in association...
Why I’m happy to be sexist!
Trading as Wealth for Women and being the author of “The Wealthy Woman: A Man is Not a Financial Plan”, tends to split reaction into two camps. Some women (and men) have found it sexist and patronising. One comment left on my Facebook post recently offering a free...
Don’t spend it all on shoes and handbags!
I've recently worked with a lovely lady to do her financial plan- let’s call her Gillian. What she told me in our first phone call absolutely astounded me. It’s not often I'm lost for words, but I was on this occasion. Gillian had savings in her bank account and in...
No, I don’t want to have a meeting with you!
As an independent financial adviser specialising in advice to women, I am often telephoned by a female who asks “Can we have a meeting?” “Can you help me with my finances?” The short answer that I give is “no”. But before you think I'm horribly rude…. there’s as a...
Number one IFA!
I’m delighted to have been advised by VouchedFor that I am currently the number one IFA in Esher on the reviews website VouchedFor.co.uk. To see the listings for yourself, take a look at VouchedFor's list of IFAs in Esher. When you search for an IFA on VouchedFor, the...
High earners lose out on pension contributions
Under the present tax rules anyone making a pension contribution can get tax relief at their marginal rate. Further details are in Pensions: a 20% off sale! In summary, if you are a basic rate tax payer and wanted to pay £100 into your pension plan your cash...
Relocating children to another country on divorce
What is meant by international leave to remove? An application for leave (ie the court's permission) to remove a child from the UK to live in another country arises when one parent wants to move abroad with the children following the breakdown of a...
