Posts by Sam
Tax Year End 2026: The Definitive Financial Planning Checklist
By Samuel Mather-Holgate As 5 April approaches, the end of the tax year is one of the most important planning moments in the calendar. Every year, valuable tax allowances are lost.>Every year, investment portfolios drift.>Every year, families miss opportunities to reduce inheritance tax exposure. But 2026 is different. With pensions due to fall inside inheritance…
Read MoreRejected for a Mortgage? What to Do Next in Swindon, Cirencester or Bristol
By Samuel Mather-Holgate Few things feel worse than being told “your mortgage application has been declined.” You’ve found the house.You’ve run the numbers.You thought you were fine. Then the lender says no. If this has happened to you in Swindon, Cirencester or Bristol, you are not alone — and it doesn’t mean you can’t get…
Read MoreFirst-Time Buyers and Low-Deposit Mortgages in 2026: What’s Changed and How a Local Adviser Helps
By Samuel Mather-Holgate For many aspiring homeowners in Swindon, Bristol and Cirencester, the challenge hasn’t just been saving for a deposit — it’s understanding whether today’s mortgage market actually works for you. Recent shifts in lending patterns mean the market isn’t just about interest rates anymore. While mortgage rates have eased and competition is rising,…
Read MoreInheritance Tax and Farming: Making Sense of the Changes and What You Can Do Now
By Samuel Mather-Holgate Over the past year, few groups have faced as much uncertainty around inheritance tax (IHT) as farmers and landowners. Since Labour announced restrictions and reforms affecting Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) in the Budget — followed by consultation, clarification, and back-and-forth — many farming families are left asking…
Read MoreIs It Time to Review Your Company Pension? Why Many SMEs Are Moving Away from NEST
By Samuel Mather-Holgate If you’re an SME director, part of an HR team, or responsible for payroll, chances are your company pension scheme hasn’t had much attention since auto-enrolment first arrived. For many businesses, the decision was simple at the time: “We’ll just use NEST — it ticks the box.” Fast forward a few years,…
Read MoreWhy 2026 Is Becoming a Defining Year for Mortgages and Financial Planning in Swindon and Cirencester
By Samuel Mather-Holgate If you live in or around Swindon or Cirencester, chances are you’ve felt it already — the financial landscape is shifting again. Mortgage rates are no longer rising, lenders are quietly becoming more flexible, tax rules are tightening in the background, and households are asking the same question: “Should we be doing…
Read MoreAutumn Budget 2025: Underwhelming — and Exactly What Britain Needed
By Samuel Mather-Holgate What today’s announcements mean for your taxes, pensions, savings, and household finances. After months of noisy rumours, political kite-flying and leaks that sent markets on edge, Rachel Reeves has delivered her second Budget — and in many ways, it was underwhelming.But that’s precisely what the country needed today. With inflation proving sticky,…
Read MoreHow Expensive Is It to Have Children? A Financial Adviser’s Take on Raising Kids in the UK
By Samuel Mather-Holgate They say children don’t come with a manual — but maybe they should come with a financial statement.From the moment you buy that first babygrow to the day you wave them off to university, raising children in the UK can be one of life’s most rewarding (and most expensive) experiences. So, just…
Read MoreHow Couples Can Build Wealth Together (and Avoid Financial Tension)
By Samuel Mather-Holgate Money can be a powerful tool — but it can also be one of the biggest sources of stress in a relationship.According to the Money & Pensions Service, nearly one in three UK couples argue about money at least once a month, and almost half admit they don’t have a clear plan…
Read MoreWhy Your Mortgage and Financial Planning Should Work Together
By Samuel Mather-Holgate For most people in Swindon, Cirencester and Bristol, their mortgage is the single biggest financial commitment they’ll ever make. At the same time, many families rely on financial advice for pensions, savings, and investments. But too often these two areas are treated separately, when in reality your mortgage strategy and financial plan…
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