Helen Merrall Financial Planning

16/02/2026

Here I am again…. my chair at Gym watching my daughter try the same move over and over again.

She falls.
She laughs.
She tries again.

And it hits me — financial planning is a lot like this.

You don’t build strength in one big leap.
You build it in small, consistent movements.

• Saving a little each month
• Reviewing your goals regularly
• Adjusting when life changes (because it always does when you’re a parent!)

From the sidelines, it looks like slow progress…
But one day you realise the wobble is gone and confidence has replaced it.

That’s what I help families do — create stability so they can focus on moments like these, instead of worrying about the future.

Because financial security isn’t about perfection.
It’s about practice, patience, and a plan.

25/01/2026

January Money Reset 💸✨
New year, same money — unless you change the plan.

Start January strong with these simple moves:

✔️ Review last year
Look at what worked, what didn’t, and where money leaked.

✔️ Set 1–3 clear goals
Emergency fund, debt payoff, investing — keep it focused.

✔️ Update your budget
Prices change. Your budget should too.

✔️ Automate savings & investing
Pay yourself first so you don’t “forget.”

✔️ Check subscriptions
Cancel what you didn’t miss in December (or all year).

✔️ Plan for annual expenses
Insurance, travel, gifts — future you will say thank you.

Small steps in January = big results by December.

Your money doesn’t need perfection — it needs a plan.

02/01/2026

03/12/2025

Our Hoylake Christmas special and our last class here for the year! Thank you all SO much for your support over the past few months. This room holds so much joy and I am so grateful to all of your lovely smiling faces!! ✨✨✨
See you in back at the Hoylake Community Centre on the 6th of January at 7:30pm OR our new class at 11am!

02/12/2025

Christmas isn’t meaningful because of what we buy, but because of what we cherish. Choose to invest in moments, not expenses. When you spend with purpose instead of pressure, you give yourself the gift of a calmer January and a stronger future.

26/11/2025

💼 Key Personal-Finance Impacts from the Budget

1. Income-Tax Thresholds Frozen
• The personal allowance (£12,570), higher-rate threshold (£50,270), and additional rate threshold (£125,140) will remain frozen through to 2031.

2. Pension Salary-Sacrifice Cap
• From April 2029, only the first £2,000/year contributed via salary-sacrifice into a pension will escape National Insurance (NI). 

3. Higher Tax on Investment Income (Dividends, Savings, Property)
• Dividend income tax rates go up by 2 percentage points from April 2026. 

4. ISA Allowance Cut
• The annual tax-free Cash ISA allowance for under-65s will drop from £20,000 to £12,000, starting in 2027. 

5. State Pension Increase (Triple Lock)
• The State Pension will rise in April 2026 by 4.8%, giving an additional ~£575 a year. 

6. Cost-of-Living Support
• A £150 cut on average energy bills is announced. 
• Rail fares frozen for a year. 
• Fuel duty cut extended to summer 2026. 

7. National Living Wage Increase
• From April 2026, the National Living Wage rises to £12.71/hour, benefiting low-paid workers. 

9. “Mansion Tax” via Council-Tax Surcharge
• People owning homes worth more than £2 million will face a new annual council-tax surcharge.

10. Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Road-Use Charge
• From April 2028, EVs and plug-in hybrids will be subject to a mileage-based charge roughly equivalent to half the fuel duty rate. 

26/11/2025

Popsy’s Licensed Coffee Shop and BistroHoylake Parade Community Centre

Do you have questions about today’s budget?

THIS MONDAY ….. I will be at Hoylake Parade at 2-3:30 ready to talk about the budget or any other money related questions 💷

If anyone fancies joining me for a provided cuppa ☕️?

Find me ’s Licensed Coffee Shop and Bistro or the conservatory

Please comment & share 😘

25/11/2025

The Budget is just days away. If you’re seeking guidance on the potential outcomes and how they may affect you and your finances, our Advisers are here to help.

Find an adviser today to discuss your options: https://ow.ly/E5fH50XvHPm

St. James’s Place Representatives represent only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

SJP Approved 21/11/2025

24/11/2025

Real or fake? Get it wrong and it could be costly.

Cyber criminals are getting smarter and scams like this one on WhatsApp are becoming increasingly common. A simple six-digit code might not seem like much, but in the wrong hands, it can give someone access to your accounts.

We want to make sure you know what to look out for when it comes to scams.

Stay informed. Stay secure.