Fingerprint Financial Planning

Fingerprint Financial Planning FingerprintFinancialPlanning are Truly Independent Financial Advisers based at the Historic Dockyard

Reading a good book is one of life’s simple pleasures. But you might struggle to find time in your busy life to sit and ...
03/06/2026

Reading a good book is one of life’s simple pleasures. But you might struggle to find time in your busy life to sit and read.

Smart technology also means that more and more people are spending their free time scrolling, with short, bite-sized content diminishing attention spans and making it harder to concentrate on the more focused task of reading.

The Department for Education (DfE) and the National Literacy Trust have launched a campaign, the National Year of Reading 2026, with the aim of getting people to enjoy reading for pleasure.

If you’d like to reduce your screen time and get back into a love of books, read on to find out how.

Reading has been replaced by screen time, but you can reverse this trend

In our age of distraction, it’s all too easy to pick up a phone or tablet and spend a few minutes here and there online. But when those few minutes start to stretch into hours, you might find yourself wondering if there is a more productive way to spend your time.

Research from SQ Magazine found that people aged 55 – 64 spend just over five hours online a day, while those over 65 reported just over three hours of screen time daily. While these figures were lower than those of the younger age groups, they still represent a significant portion of free time spent scrolling.

And it seems that time spent reading is being neglected in favour of this screen time. The Reading Agency reports that 55% of UK adults read less than they plan to, and 61% of lapsed readers struggle to read because there are too many distractions.

While some screen time might be useful and productive, if you find yourself “doomscrolling”, it could mean your attention span needs some work. Retraining your brain to enjoy longer, more focused periods could restore a love of reading. To be continued....

The pros and cons of cash savingsAs we’ve already outlined, it can be a good idea to have some cash reserves as an emerg...
01/06/2026

The pros and cons of cash savings

As we’ve already outlined, it can be a good idea to have some cash reserves as an emergency fund, and other benefits include:

Tax efficiencies: If you choose to save into a Cash ISA, you can put in up to £20,000 for the 2026/27 tax year. Any interest you receive is free from Income Tax and CGT.
Protection: Cash savings are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which automatically guarantees up to £120,000 per person if your bank or building society goes out of business.

However, it’s a good idea to be aware of some of the limitations of cash savings.

New threshold for Cash ISAs: If you’re under 65, from April 2027, you’ll be limited to an annual £12,000 allowance for a Cash ISA, with the remainder of your £20,000 allowance needing to be spread across other ISA products. If you’re over 65, however, your £20,000 allowance can be allocated however you wish.
Limited growth: Although your cash savings will receive some interest, this is unlikely to match the potential returns you could make by investing in the markets.

Cash is often considered a “safe” option, but it’s always a good idea to take financial advice to make sure you’re choosing it for the right reasons.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other loans secured on it.

Talk to your financial planner about the pros and cons of investing versus cash savingsIf investing or making cash savin...
29/05/2026

Talk to your financial planner about the pros and cons of investing versus cash savings

If investing or making cash savings is more appealing to you, again, there are some pros and cons to bear in mind before making your decision.

It's always a good idea to talk to us at Fingerprint before you make any firm decisions, as we can talk you through your options based on your personal circumstances.

The pros and cons of investing

Investing can bring its own set of potential advantages, such as:

Long-term growth: If stock market returns are higher than your mortgage interest rate, then you could be better off investing.
Tax efficiencies: You can invest up to £20,000 a year into a Stocks and Shares ISA without paying Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on any returns.
Pension tax relief from the government on private pensions: This is automatically applied at 20%, but if you’re a higher-rate or additional-rate taxpayer, you can claim further tax relief back through your Self Assessment form.

There are also some possible disadvantages associated with investing, including:

Potential losses: Past performance isn’t an indicator of future gains, and you always need to understand the potential risks involved with investments. Some investments carry a higher risk than others.
Lack of accessibility: Investments generally work best when left alone, so plan for long-term investments of at least five years. Market volatility is common, and leaving your funds invested can often allow them to ride through these periods of unrest and navigate drops in the market.

Always remember, there are never any guarantees where investments are concerned.

If you find yourself in the fortunate position of having some surplus cash, you might be wondering how best to use it.Fo...
27/05/2026

If you find yourself in the fortunate position of having some surplus cash, you might be wondering how best to use it.

For example, if you’re still paying a mortgage, this could be an opportunity to overpay and clear some of the debt.

On the other hand, you might be considering putting the money into cash savings or investing in the markets

While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, there might be certain options which work better with your personal circumstances. Read on to discover the pros and cons of paying into your mortgage versus growing your cash savings or investments.

Clearing credit card debt and loans is a key consideration before paying off your mortgage

A mortgage can often feel like a financial trap, and the idea of paying it off or reducing it can be very appealing if the option presents itself.

If you have some extra cash, either as a lump sum or an increased monthly income, this could well be one of your considerations. Of course, there may be something on your bucket list you’d like to spend the money on, such as a longed-for trip or a particular luxury.

But if paying off debt is your priority, before you think about paying extra on your mortgage, it’s a good idea to clear any other outstanding payments, such as credit cards or loans, as these tend to be high-interest debts.

The pros and cons of overpaying your mortgage
Making extra payments on your mortgage could lead to you:
Repaying your loan more quickly, as reducing your balance will lower the number of repayments you’ll need to make
Reducing the total amount you pay, as a smaller balance will incur less in the way of interest
Improving your remortgage options, as having a lower loan-to-value (LTV) can make you a more likely candidate for lower interest rates when it’s time to renew. The LTV is the ratio of your current remaining mortgage balance to the market value of your property.

However, there are some drawbacks to be aware of:
Penalties and charges sometimes apply, so check what these are before overpaying.
You can’t easily access your wealth, as your money will be tied up in your property. To release cash, you’ll usually need to either sell your house or take out another mortgage.

Its a good idea to keep some cash reserves for emergencies, such as boiler repairs or other maintenance work.

Some of the Fingerprint Financial Planning team have been nominated for Professional Adviser Awards this year...Cassie M...
24/05/2026

Some of the Fingerprint Financial Planning team have been nominated for Professional Adviser Awards this year...

Cassie Millington - Financial Adviser of the year - South East
Evelyn Woodard - Woman of the Year - Paraplanning
Sia Etheridge, Lauren Harvey, Rebecca Munkton and Clare Tapsell Women of the year - In house Adviser Support

We would like to wish them all good luck

3 simple ways to navigate the common hurdles and take a more active role when investingEven though the barriers to women...
22/05/2026

3 simple ways to navigate the common hurdles and take a more active role when investing

Even though the barriers to women investing are real, there are practical ways you could build confidence and take greater control of your finances. Read on to learn about three.

1. Take small, consistent steps to build your knowledge

Building the confidence needed to invest often doesn’t happen overnight, but rather gradually as you become more familiar with the concepts involved.

2. Stay actively involved in financial decisions

If you share financial responsibilities with a partner, it can be easy to take a step back over time.

In some cases, one person might naturally take the lead, especially when it comes to investments. However, this can mean you have less knowledge of what you hold, how your portfolio is performing, or the decisions being made on your behalf.

3. Consider taking professional advice

Perhaps one of the more effective ways to overcome investing hurdles as a woman is to seek professional advice.

Indeed, working with an adviser can help you better understand the options available to you and feel more confident about any decisions you make.

Moreover, we could help you:
Build a plan that aligns with your long-term goals
Demystify complex concepts in an accessible way
Provide reassurance during periods of uncertainty.

Importantly, professional advice can help ensure your voice is heard. Rather than feeling as though decisions are being made around you, you could take an active role in building towards your financial future, with expert support along the way.

Women often bring strengths that can support long-term investingInterestingly, many of the traits that contribute to the...
20/05/2026

Women often bring strengths that can support long-term investing

Interestingly, many of the traits that contribute to the gap can also make women effective investors, so much so that the Independent reveals that portfolios owned by women typically outperform those held by men by 1.8% each year.

This could be because women tend to take a more measured and disciplined approach to investing.

Indeed, they’re often less likely to trade frequently or react to short-term market movements. According to the source above, women, on average, make 25% fewer trades than men each year.

Frequently checking your portfolio or attempting to time the market can reduce long-term returns, especially if your decisions are driven by emotion.

Data from Fidelity, reported by the Motley Fool, actually found that some of the best-performing client portfolios between 2003 and 2013 belonged to people who hadn’t touched their investments at all. Some had already passed away.

Women are also more cautious about risk, and while this can sometimes lead to hesitation, it could also help you avoid unnecessary exposure to volatile investments.

Investing can be a highly effective way to grow your wealth over time and support long-term goals such as retirement.How...
18/05/2026

Investing can be a highly effective way to grow your wealth over time and support long-term goals such as retirement.

However, it’s important to note that not everyone engages with investing in the same way.

Research from Professional Adviser shows that women are still less likely to invest in ISAs than men, with a noticeable gap in engagement.

This doesn’t mean women are less capable investors, but it indicates that barriers may prevent many from getting started or taking a more active role.

Continue reading to learn about some of the barriers contributing to this gap and how you could navigate potential hurdles.

The gender investment gap is shaped by more than just choices

The “gender investment gap” simply refers to the difference in how men and women engage with investing.

A 2025 Boring Money survey found that 6.7 million women in the UK invest versus 10 million men – a 3.3 million-person difference.

Over time, this disparity can be incredibly impactful, given how beneficial investing can be for long-term wealth creation.

Several behaviours and life circumstances can cause the gap. For instance, the gender pay gap can mean women have less surplus income available to invest in the first place.

Moreover, career breaks for life events, such as raising children or caring for other loved ones, can further interrupt earnings.

Even when women have similar levels of knowledge, they may be more likely to question their understanding or delay making decisions until they feel more certain.

In fact, the survey above found that just 20% of women investors feel comfortable taking on risk when investing, compared with 44% of male investors.

This hesitation can lead to holding more cash or avoiding investing altogether, making it challenging to achieve your long-term goals.

You may have also overlooked the benefits of tax reliefEven if you understand that saving into a pension is important, y...
15/05/2026

You may have also overlooked the benefits of tax relief

Even if you understand that saving into a pension is important, you might not have fully realised how tax-efficient it can be.

This is because pension contributions can benefit from tax relief, which is essentially when the government “tops up” your pot.

As of 2026/27, the Annual Allowance means you can benefit from tax relief on contributions up to £60,000, or 100% of your earnings, whichever is lower.

Tax relief means that a £100 contribution would only “cost” a basic-rate taxpayer £80. Meanwhile, it would only cost higher- or additional-rate taxpayers £60 or £55, respectively.

This additional boost to your contributions can significantly bolster the long-term value of your retirement fund, potentially helping you sustain your desired lifestyle for longer in retirement.

Despite this, research from FTAdviser found that 74% of self-employed workers were unaware that their pension contributions received tax relief.

This shows just how many self-employed workers could be missing out on the opportunity to grow their retirement savings more efficiently.

Failing to build pension savings could significantly affect your long-term plansIf you’re not regularly contributing to ...
13/05/2026

Failing to build pension savings could significantly affect your long-term plans

If you’re not regularly contributing to a pension, there’s a chance you may need to rely on other sources of income later in life.

This might include the State Pension. Yet, the full new State Pension currently provides just over £11,000 a year, which might not be enough to support your desired lifestyle when you eventually stop working.

You might also plan to rely on your business, either by continuing to generate an income or eventually selling it.

While this can certainly form part of your retirement strategy, nothing is guaranteed.

Demand, market conditions, or personal circumstances could all affect the value of your business or your ability to rely on it for income.

As such, without a dedicated pension, you could find yourself needing to:
Work for longer than you initially planned
Adjust your lifestyle in retirement
Rely more heavily on other assets or savings.

This could lead to uncertainty about your financial security later in life.

Next time the benefits of tax relief....

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