Investments
January 18, 2024

Choosing an ISA: short guide 3>

An ISA is still one of the most powerful tools for tax-free savings and investments in 2023-24. Yet choosing the right option is not always straightforward. Which type of ISA(s) should you choose and how…
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Pensions
January 11, 2024

Rising State Pension age – how to protect your retirement 3>

Average life expectancy in the UK continues to grow in 2023, albeit at a slower rate compared to other G7 countries. In 2020, a 65-year-old male could expect to live another 19.7 years; or 22…
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Financial Planning
January 4, 2024

Should you take shares or higher pay? 3>

You have just sat down with your boss for a performance meeting. He is pleased with you and makes a surprise offer. Would you be interested in becoming a shareholder in the business? This way,…
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In the Community
December 21, 2023

Christmas Tree Festival at St Wulfram’s Church 3>

For a second year running, the team at Castlegate purchased and decorated a tree as part of the annual Christmas Tree Festival at St Wulfram’s Church in Grantham. Since 2018, local businesses, schools and residents…
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Investments
December 12, 2023

2023 in review for investors 3>

2023 has been an eventful year for investors. To some extent, it has been an easier year than 2022, with equities and fixed-income assets delivering better short-term returns (overall). Most central banks, including the Federal…
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Retirement
December 8, 2023

5 proven retirement strategies for business owners 3>

As a business owner, it might be hard to imagine your future without your business. After all, you have spent many years building it up and making it a success. Yet a sustainable business eventually…
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Protection
December 5, 2023

Critical illness cover – your FAQs, answered 3>

Critical illness cover can be a powerful addition to an individual’s wider plan for financial protection. Increasingly, people are recognising the potential impact that illness and injury can have on someone’s wealth (e.g. average UK…
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Investments
December 2, 2023

Lump sum vs regular contributions 3>

As an investor, one of the biggest questions you may face is how to invest a pot of money (e.g. from an inheritance windfall). Should you invest it all at once, as a lump sum,…
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Financial Planning
November 23, 2023

The Autumn Statement 2023 3>

Jeremy Hunt delivered the Autumn Statement on 22 November following weeks of speculation about potential tax cuts. The headline measure, a reduction to National Insurance Contributions was something of a surprise. Beyond this, economic measures…
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Financial Planning
November 17, 2023

The benefits of family financial planning 3>

HMRC is continuing its trend of taking more in inheritance tax (IHT) each year. In the period April-September 2023, it collected £3.9bn from households across the UK; £400m higher than the same period in the…
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