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Berry & Oak Multi-Award winning Chartered Financial Planners providing bespoke financial planning advice

🎵 Don’t Stop Me Now… But when is the right time to retire? Retirement doesn’t need to mean finishing work one day and co...
22/10/2026

🎵 Don’t Stop Me Now… But when is the right time to retire?

Retirement doesn’t need to mean finishing work one day and completely changing your life the next.

For some people, a phased retirement gradually reducing working hours can provide the best of both worlds. Others may want to continue working for longer because they enjoy what they do.

The important thing is having a plan built around your life, your goals and what you want your retirement to look like.

Financial planning can help you explore your options and understand whether the future you’re imagining is financially achievable.

Want to start thinking differently about retirement? Take a look at our latest guide, 5 financial lessons to learn from Queen lyrics - https://berryandoak.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Berry_and_Oak_360_sept_2026_Guide.pdf

Scams are becoming harder to spot, and some of the most common ones rely on something very simple: getting you to trust ...
21/10/2026

Scams are becoming harder to spot, and some of the most common ones rely on something very simple: getting you to trust what you are seeing or hearing.

Phishing emails, fake investment opportunities, pension scams, romance fraud and convincing phone calls from people pretending to represent a bank or other organisation can all put your finances at risk. Technology is also making some scams increasingly difficult to distinguish from genuine communications.

The scale of the problem is significant. £1.28 billion was lost to fraud in the UK during 2025, across more than 4 million confirmed cases.

Our latest blog looks at five common types of scam, the warning signs to look out for and some of the simple checks that could help you protect yourself. And if something does not feel quite right, a second pair of eyes can often make all the difference.

The blog can be found in the first comment.

Thought for the Month - “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” Anne Lamo...
19/10/2026

Thought for the Month - “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” Anne Lamott

A timely reminder that sometimes stepping away, slowing down and giving ourselves a little space can be just as important as getting through the next thing on the list. Take advantage of the autumnal colours and the last warmer days of the year to take time to unplug...

AI can help with a growing number of everyday tasks, but writing your will is one area where convenience could come at a...
15/10/2026

AI can help with a growing number of everyday tasks, but writing your will is one area where convenience could come at a significant cost.

A will is a legal document, and even a small error, ambiguous phrase or overlooked requirement could create problems for the people you intended to protect. An AI-generated will may also fail to take account of your individual circumstances, wider estate planning or how your wishes interact with trusts, tax planning and other legal arrangements.

There is also the potential for disputes. More than 1,200 disputed will cases reached the High Court in 2025, an increase of 13% on the previous year.

Our latest blog looks at some of the risks of using AI to write your will, and why professional legal advice can be so important when making decisions that will ultimately affect the people you care about.

The blog can be found in the first comment.

Helping your children doesn’t always stop when they become adults.From contributing towards a house deposit or helping w...
14/10/2026

Helping your children doesn’t always stop when they become adults.

From contributing towards a house deposit or helping with monthly bills, to providing regular financial support, many parents and grandparents want to give their family a helping hand.

But an important question is often overlooked - What impact could that support have on your own financial future?

Including family support within your financial plan can help you explore questions such as:
• How much can I comfortably afford to give?
• Would a lump sum or regular support work better?
• Could gifting affect my long-term financial security?
• Are there tax considerations I should be aware of?
• Does providing support now mean I should review my will?

Helping the people you love can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s important to understand how those decisions fit into the bigger picture.

Our latest article explores why supporting adult children should form part of your wider financial plan.
Read the full article to find out more. https://berryandoak.com/are-you-supporting-adult-children-heres-why-it-should-be-part-of-your-financial-plan/

🍰 The 2026 Berry & Oak Bake Off is underway! Things have taken a sweeter turn in the Berry & Oak office as our 2026 Bak...
12/10/2026

🍰 The 2026 Berry & Oak Bake Off is underway! Things have taken a sweeter turn in the Berry & Oak office as our 2026 Bake Off officially gets started.

Sameea was first to step up to the challenge, setting the bar impressively high with a classic Victoria sponge and there were certainly no complaints from the judging panel!

There’s plenty more friendly competition to come over the next few weeks and, fortunately, no shortage of willing volunteers when it comes to the all-important tasting.

We’re looking forward to seeing what our next bakers bring to the table! 🍰

Budget speculation has a habit of generating dramatic headlines but speculation is not the same as policy.With the Autum...
08/10/2026

Budget speculation has a habit of generating dramatic headlines but speculation is not the same as policy.

With the Autumn Budget due on 28 October, there is likely to be plenty of commentary about possible changes to tax, pensions, allowances and investments. Reacting too quickly to those headlines could mean making financial decisions based on changes that never actually happen.

Your own circumstances matter too. Even when a change is eventually announced, it may not affect you in the way a headline suggests, and there is often time to understand the detail before deciding whether your financial plan needs to change.

Our latest blog shares six practical ways to avoid headline-driven decisions in the run-up to the Budget and keep your focus on your longer-term financial plans.

The blog can be found in the first comment.

08/10/2026

Today’s the day! 🏆 We’re incredibly proud that Berry & Oak is a finalist for the CISI Accredited Financial Planning Firm™ of the Year Award 2026.

The winner will be announced this evening at the Financial Planning Awards during the CISI Financial Planning Conference 2026.

We’d also like to wish the very best of luck to everyone who has been shortlisted across this year’s awards. These are prestigious awards for the financial planning profession, and we know just how much hard work, dedication and commitment goes into reaching this stage.

Whatever the result, it’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the individuals and firms who are working hard to make a positive difference within financial planning.

Good luck to all the finalists, and best wishes for a brilliant evening! 🥂

🌍💰 World Financial Planning Day - Your financial plan should start with your life. Not your money.What do you want the n...
07/10/2026

🌍💰 World Financial Planning Day - Your financial plan should start with your life. Not your money.

What do you want the next 5, 10, or 20 years to look like? Financial planning isn’t simply about pensions, investments, and spreadsheets. It’s about understanding what you truly desire from life and creating a roadmap to help you achieve those dreams.

✨ Live your today. Plan your tomorrow. ✨

Make choices that reflect your values and aspirations. Whether it's traveling the world, buying a home, or starting a business, your financial decisions should align with your personal goals.

Remember, financial success is not just about accumulating wealth; it’s about building a life you love.

🎵 Are your finances feeling a little Under Pressure? As your income increases, it’s worth understanding how this could a...
05/10/2026

🎵 Are your finances feeling a little Under Pressure? As your income increases, it’s worth understanding how this could affect the amount of tax you pay.

And remember it isn’t necessarily just your salary that matters. Savings interest outside an ISA, dividends, certain pension withdrawals and rental income could all form part of the wider picture.

This is why tax planning shouldn’t be considered in isolation. Looking across your income, pensions, savings and investments can help you understand where you stand and make informed financial decisions.

Our latest guide takes inspiration from Queen to explore five surprisingly useful financial planning lessons.

Read the full guide to discover more - link in the first comment.

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Boston House 214 High Street
Boston Spa
LS236AD

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+441937223055

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