Stacey MacLeod - Financial Adviser

07/03/2025

A wee blog written by me about why ups and downs in the stock market isn’t always a bad thing 🧐

Market volatility can create investment opportunities. Learn how to navigate downturns, manage risk, and stay focused on long-term financial goals.

03/03/2025

Albert Einstein called Compund Interest the “8th Wonder of the World” so how could you use it to benefit your future?

It’s really quite straight forward:

1️⃣ You invest money.
2️⃣ It earns interest.
3️⃣ That interest gets added to your investment.
4️⃣ Repeat = unbelievable growth!!

Even small investments can grow big over time. The key? Start early and stay consistent.

25/02/2025

Becoming a parent is one of life’s greatest joys, but it also brings a whole new set of financial challenges. From maternity leave to childcare costs, there’s a lot to consider as you plan for the future of your growing family. 🍼💸

Financial Adviser Stacey MacLeod shares tips on how to prepare financially for parenthood, including budgeting for baby essentials, saving for the unexpected, and reviewing your insurance and estate planning.

🔗 https://gilsongray.co.uk/blog/the-financial-implications-of-parenthood-planning-for-your-familys-future/

21/02/2025

If I told you we could take a time machine back to 2005 and start investing in stocks and shares (the blue line on the picture) would you do it?

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and we can't use past performance to predict future performance, but even with event such as Trump's Trade War with China, Coronavirus and the Russia/UK War which all brought about significant market declines in the short term, over the long term the markets improved and the overall market performance has gone upwards.

Investing can be scary, and there will be volatilty that may deter a lot of investors, but history has repeatedly proven that the best way to make your money work harder for you is by investing it.

I use this picture in all my client meetings to show how leaving your hard earned funds in cash means it is being depleted with inflation. I then explain how investing works to take some of the fear out of it. We then build a long term investment plan which helps ride the wave of market volatilty, diversifies across several different asset classes and stops them panicking about short term downturns.

14/02/2025

Most people with an NHS pension think that they can retire whenever they like after they hit 55 and they can start accessing their pension and this is CORRECT…although this is increasing to 57 from April 2028.

They also think that if they start accessing their NHS pension at this stage, it will pay out what is projected when they log into the SPPA website but this is INCORRECT!

The projections given on the SPPA website are based on you not accessing the pension until Normal Retirement Age (NRA) which is currently 66.

If you access your NHS pension before this age, significant penalties will be applied.

Usually your lump sum and your annual income from the pension will be reduced, typically by around 4% a year for each year taken before NRA, and the reduction is designed to reflect the pension paying out for a longer period of time.

This reduction could impact the standard of retirement you want to have.

The good news is that this doesn’t mean you can’t retire early, it just means you would be better having other provisions in place to live off and leave accessing your pension until NRA.

The earlier you speak with a financial adviser, the earlier they can help you put a plan in place and ensure you’re not working way into your 60’s. They could help you retire when you want and with the lifestyle you want.

11/02/2025

Parenthood is undoubtedly one of the most life changing and rewarding experiences anyone can have but how does it shift your financial journey.

Here’s how a financial adviser can help evolve your financial plan as your family grows 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒🏠

05/02/2025

The Value of Advice

Over the weekend I got a text from a client saying “I’ve done a thing and I think you’re going to be mad”! She subsequently told me that she’d bought a caravan that should could enjoy with her teenage daughter and foster kids.

The perception of financial advisers is that my response back should be “What have you gone and done that for?” when in actual fact my response was “Amazing - that was one of your goals. I’m so happy for you. What goal are we going after next?”.

That’s right….i was happy she’d spent money? Actually since the announcements in the Autumn budget regarding inheritance tax, I’ve spent a lot more of my time telling g people to spend their money.

The reason for this is that we have a plan in place to help the client achieve her goals and we will regularly review this. The client doesn’t care what products we use, how much knowledge I have or what investment strategy we are using, but she does care that I truly have her best interest at heart and love helping her get their and celebrate the wins.

There’s so much more to good financial advice that investment vehicles and strategies and I love showing people how.

31/01/2025

🙌 Life Goals 🙌

Life insurance isn’t just a financial product, it’s a way to protect your loved ones and give them peace of mind, no matter what the future holds. Whether you are just starting out or have a growing family, finding the right policy can help ensure that your family's needs are met if something happens to you.

When choosing life insurance, consider:

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Your needs: Think about what you want to cover i.e. mortgage, university fees for your kids, daily expenses and estimate how much coverage is right for you and for how long.

⚖️ Your budget: Life insurance is an investment in your future, but make sure the premiums fit comfortably into your financial plan.

📄Policy Extras: These add-ons, like critical illness or disability coverage, can give you extra peace of mind.

A financial adviser can help simplify this process for you and help you to understand the best options for you.

No-one knows what’s coming tomorrow, but with the right protection policy, you can make sure your family is always taken care of. It's a simple step to help secure their future. 🔮

24/01/2025

Want to Boost Your Credit Score? Here’s How! 📈💳

Improving your credit score doesn’t happen overnight, but with these simple steps, you’ll be on your way to better financial health:

1. Pay on Time: Timely payments are one of the biggest factors in your score . Set up reminders or automate payments to stay on track

2. Keep Credit Utilization Low: Try to use less than 30% of your available credit. Paying off balances regularly can show you’re in control of your spending

3. Check Your Credit Report: Mistake happen! Get a free report yearly and dispute any errors to keep your score accurate

4. Don’t Close Old Accounts: The longer your credit history, the better. Keep older accounts open, even if you’re not using them, to boost your score

5. Limit New Credit Applications: Every time you apply for credit, it can temporarily lower your score. Only apply when absolutely necessary

6. Diversify Your Credit Mix: A healthy mix of credit (credit cards, loans, etc.) shows you can handle different types of debt responsibly

Small, consistent steps can lead to big results over time. Start today and watch your score rise! 🌟

17/01/2025

You’re not alone here, and it’s possible to start saving even with a tight budget!

Here are a few simple tips to help you build that cushion:

1. Track your expenses 📊 - start by knowing where your money goes each month. Small purchases can add up

2. Cut back on non-essentials 💸 - it’s not forever, but can you skip that daily coffee run or subscription for a fe months?

3. Set a mini savings goal 💰 - Even £10 per week can make a difference over time

4. Automate Savings 🔄 - Set up automatic transfers to a separate savings account, even if its just a small amount

5. Look for extra income 💼 - side gigs, freelance work, or selling unused items can boost your income.

It’s all about the small wins that add up over time. Start now, and that financial safety net will grow before you know it! 🌱