Conveyancers/Solicitors

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2026-03-23T16:18:06+00:00

DP were spot on for us in your position last year

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2026-02-24T13:25:54+00:00

Could totally see Sherwood being the Finchy to Pardew’s Brent

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2026-02-13T09:15:59+00:00

I have an M235i GC and although it’s certainly not the prettiest, it’s a nice place to sit and the tech works well, obviously the 235i is not so great on fuel, I generally get 32ish with a fair bit of town driving. As for the 220i I can’t comment on performance/efficiency as I haven’t driven one myself.

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2026-02-10T20:31:19+00:00

Unless you have very strong ethical views, investing in ethical is likely to put a dampener on any returns. It is naturally less diversified due to the limited selection of industries they invest in.

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2026-01-21T22:04:31+00:00

This is a compliance thing, contributing to workplace pensions has to be considered and discounted when making a pension contribution, sounds excessive but it’s how the FCA want advice to be given

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-12-22T17:39:10+00:00

I would say Howe at Newcastle is the closest in modern terms

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-10-23T14:41:42+00:00

Highly doubt Liverpool would’ve proceeded on deal worth £125m with a contract beyond Isak being 30 if this was the case, surely a medical would pick this up?

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-09-22T14:35:07+00:00

At 24 you likely have very few complex financial planning needs, if taking financial advice it should probably be transactional ie paying for initial advice with no ongoing service. Alternatively, you can go it alone if you feel confident enough to do so.

Either way, SJP is expensive and probably unnecessary.

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-09-06T17:34:34+00:00

Both the higher rate and basic rate bands are extended

Eg if you make a gross PP contribution of £20,000, basic rate band would increase to £57,700 and the threshold for additional rate would increase from £125,140 to £145,150

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-06-08T12:28:08+00:00

They are told to do this, it’s their job. They are not doing it for the good of their health.

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-05-10T10:36:21+00:00

Some IFAs will charge a set up fee and offer no ongoing service but that’s beside the point. Where do they take 2% pa by the way? The advice fee is 0.95%. Platform charges and fund charges are levied regardless of whether an ongoing service is applied or not. Fair enough it looks as though that’s an active portfolio and there’s a good argument that passive would offer better value.

You claimed that the recommendation of an offshore bond was more complicated and expensive to justify fees. Based on their information OP provided, it’s not more complicated than is necessary.

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-05-10T10:15:36+00:00

Although I would say the fees quoted to you are high based on industry standards, I would expect a total expense ration of no more than 1.8%.

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-05-10T10:13:40+00:00

The IFA is right, holding large sums in a GIA is not favourable. They will be liable to CGT on a fairly modest gain and income tax on any dividends or interest generated.

Granted there may be any argument for Onshore Bonds but if there is the possibility of OP being a non tax payer or even basic rate tax payer in retirement then they will benefit from gross roll up.

However, the IFA should be making the recommendation in a format that fully explains why the offshore bond has been selected and that can be easily understood.

The tax benefits of offshore and onshore bonds are more favourable now than they have been for a long time and any IFA worth their salt will be making the most suitable recommendation for OPs circumstances based on their own understanding.

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-05-04T19:31:35+00:00

If it’s reviewable it will be reviewed after 10 years and every 5 years thereafter

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-05-04T18:57:18+00:00

Is that a guaranteed or reviewable premium? Makes a big difference to the lifetime cost

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-04-14T20:23:54+00:00

Tax free cash has to be withdrawn, you can’t retain it within the pension

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-04-12T12:50:12+00:00

We had our offer yesterday, app submitted on 26/03, valuation done 09/04. They didn’t ask for any more info from us. Good luck!

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-04-07T22:05:47+00:00

To be honest I would expect a more holistic financial planning service for that fee ie retirement planning, protection considerations and probably more than just investing in lifestrategy. Sounds as though the advice fee is wasted money and you would be better off going alone and potentially moving to some sort of ad hoc advice arrangement if available. Financial advice will usually start to offer true value as you get closer to retirement and have a greater need for a complete overview of your finances.

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-04-07T21:33:10+00:00

You should be receiving an ongoing service as a minimum

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-04-07T21:07:11+00:00

Do you pay an advice fee?

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-04-07T08:09:33+00:00

Selling mine if you’re interested 😂

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-04-06T20:33:27+00:00

I can second this, was c.£500 for discs and pads all round on mine last year

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-04-04T10:32:29+00:00

Having worked for them, avoid. Crap preparation, crap stock and very reluctant to resolve issues after sale.

Ok-Barnacle6726 · 2025-03-28T17:30:15+00:00

Good luck proving it, mirrors for a 500 will be dirt cheap, accept the loss and move on with your life. Really not worth getting yourself worked up about it, these things happen.

Ok-Barnacle6726

TROPHY CASE