Ever Present Danger
I once asked a friend if the widow of his next door neighbour would receive a life assurance payment.
He, my friend Ernie, was a bit shocked at the question. It is not something you generally ask the recently bereaved.
It is however something the family care about.
Will we be able to pay the bills this month, this year, in the future?
I know it sounds a tad un-British to ask about money at such a time but here is what I know. Death or major illnesses intervene when not expected. Having a safety net can make a difference in how you recover from the loss of a loved one or the shock of sickness or injury.
If your busy life has contributed to a heart attack then money at the right time can pay the bills, stopping much of the stress. It can give time for recovery.
In my 35-years career, I have experienced late night calls from worried clients asking “will I be able to pay the mortgage this month. Will I need to sell my home?”
Sickness and death are not just for the elderly but they are an ever-present danger. Most of us, mercifully, will never be harmed at the hands of a terrorist but never the less life rarely treats us kindly.
ISA
I return to the subject of ISAs.
Why? Because I am still hearing people complain about the low interest they are getting on cash ISAs. Apart from it being frustrating to overhear this, it occurred to me that people have stopped listening to advice.
Cash ISAs lose money, as inflation is higher than the annual interest rate, FACT
As an independent adviser, each client is different and gets treated differently.
But if you want a simple, do it yourself solution, check out some of the on-line offerings, watching out for charges and historic volatility: Both Prudential and Royal London have funds that are designed to minimise risk.
If you want an opportunity to do good as well as making a better return then find an Ethical or Socially Responsible Solution: www.uksif.co.uk
And if you would prefer to accept and pay for valuable good professional advice . . .
Paid for Advice?
Why pay for advice when you can find insurance cover and/or ISAs on line? Whether you pay for the advice or pay for the product, you still pay.
The advice is there, as an option.
To discover the full range of available solutions, you will need independent advice.
Is price the only thing that matters? When it comes to your family probably not.
Climate Change
As the world fails to act water will become a weapon and a cause of war.
Regimes that control water will hold a powerful weapon. You can ensure that the world harvests, recovers and maintains its quality, by investing in commercial businesses whose products do just that.
The Women’s Institute is having a week of action on Climate Change in July.
Please support them.