AppleTree FS

03/06/2026

Happy National Fish and Chip Day from all of us at Appletree Financial Services, where the sea air is free and the financial advice is anything but soggy.

Whether you are marking the occasion with a portion from your favourite local chippy or eating straight from the paper on the seafront, we hope you enjoy every last chip.

03/06/2026

UK home sales in April were 53% higher than the same month last year according to HMRC, though the headline figure needs context. April 2025 was unusually quiet after buyers rushed to complete ahead of stamp duty changes, which makes the comparison look more dramatic than the underlying picture suggests. Month on month, transactions were actually down 3% from March.

The mortgage market is gradually stabilising after a period of uncertainty, with lenders beginning to offer more competitive pricing again as conditions settle.

Despite the considerable annual spike, April's figure was 3% lower than the previous month

02/06/2026

etrol is approaching 160p a litre, energy bills are set to rise by around £209 from July, and the disruption to oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz shows little sign of resolving quickly. The BBC has put together a clear summary of what is happening to UK fuel and energy prices and what the outlook looks like for the rest of the year.

For anyone managing household finances or thinking about a mortgage, the direction of travel on living costs is worth keeping an eye on.

Motoring group RAC warns pump prices could keep rising if there is no resolution to the Iran war.

02/06/2026

A third of UK adults are currently not saving enough to avoid poverty in retirement, according to research from Scottish Widows, with 12.2 million people on track to fall short of even a basic standard of living once they stop working.

Which? Money has released a podcast episode covering both the policy changes that could help and the practical steps worth considering now.

The government could change workplace pension rules, but there’s things we can all do too

01/06/2026

Rightmove has identified the UK's fastest growing seaside property markets and while the national picture shows asking prices down 0.3% on last year, coastal hotspots are bucking that trend. Bootle and Crosby in Merseyside are among the strongest performers, with prices up 11% and 9% respectively, putting the Northwest coast firmly on the map alongside several Welsh coastal towns including Penarth, Llantwit Major and Llanelli.

Around 80% of the seaside areas analysed still sit below the national average asking price, so coastal living remains more accessible than many people assume.

Seaside locations are defying the dip and outpacing the nationwide market.

01/06/2026

From April 2027, the Cash ISA limit for savers under 65 is reducing from £20,000 to £12,000 per year. The current tax year is the last in which the existing allowances apply in their current form.

We have put together a straightforward summary of what is changing, what the wider tax picture looks like, and what questions it may be worth considering before the deadline passes. Individual circumstances vary significantly, so we would always recommend seeking personalised financial advice before making any decisions.

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The Autumn 2025 Budget announced a significant change to the Cash ISA subscription limit, and whilst the change does not take effect until April 2027, it is worth understanding now because the current tax year may represent the final opportunity for some savers to use the existing allowances in thei...

30/05/2026

This article on generational spending habits is far more relatable than most financial advice pieces.

From carrying cash “just in case”, to secretly hoping the bank balance improves if you ignore it long enough, to rewarding yourself with a “small treat” that somehow happens four times a week, there’s probably something in here most people will recognise.

The contactless spending point is especially accurate. A few taps here and there can suddenly turn into “how have I spent that much already?”

Sometimes humour is the best way to start more honest conversations about money habits.

In a quest to grow her money confidence, one intrepid journalist looks to her seniors and juniors for inspiration

29/05/2026

A very bittersweet post from us today. After seven and a half amazing years, yesterday was Christina's last day at Appletree, and we are still trying to come to terms with the fact that she will not be walking through the door on Monday.

Christina has been a huge part of life at Appletree, and these pictures only tell a small part of the story. From the Christmas jumpers to the summer parties, from the office antics to the proper heartfelt moments, she has been right at the centre of it all, always with a smile and usually with a glass of rum in hand at the end of a long week.

She is now off to join her daughter-in-law in the family business, which is a fantastic new adventure for her and one we are all rooting for her to absolutely smash.

Christina, thank you for the laughs, the loyalty, the hard work and the memories. The Appletree family will not be the same without you, and you had better keep in touch.

Wishing you all the very best in this exciting next chapter.

29/05/2026

Last week was , but here in our office we think you have to celebrate tea and biscuits together.

What is your favourite and are you a dunker?

29/05/2026

Some pensioners may have been surprised to find their State Pension increase this year was lower than the headline 4.8% rise.

This is because some additional parts of the pension increase with inflation rather than earnings, meaning not everyone receives exactly the same percentage uplift overall.

Pension income can vary depending on individual circumstances and historic pension arrangements.

Were you disappointed by the uplift?