Hampshire Hill Group Ltd

18/06/2026

Have you thought about how the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) accounts you have could affect your ability to get a mortgage? Have you recently opened a couple of new credit cards or store credit accounts?

In recent years there's been a significant rise in BNPL being offered, partly due to the ease of integration offered by providers such as Klarna. Giving your online customers the choice of paying in full in the checkout or paying over several instalments, at no additional cost to you, no longer requires sophisticated technical know-how to install. The market leading e-commerce platforms have made it so easy to add Klarna or PayPal instalment plans it could be seen as a no-brainer for retailers. I suppose it's highly dependent on the retail market they're operating in.

Anyway, I digress. It's not for me to question whether these payment options should be offered. Instead it's up to me, and in fact anybody who has conversations about mortgages, to make sure that people are aware of the impact they could have on an individual's ability to get a mortgage. The problem is that no real credit check is done at the point of purchase so this now sees some in the position of having signed up to monthly payments which they could end up defaulting on. This is when the higher costs come in to play and one of the ways these financial providers are financed.

So, what I'm saying is although paying in instalments may seem like a sensible choice, we need to be educating young adults, in particular, about the potential pitfalls and knock on impact on credit ratings. When a bank is considering the question of affordability and attitude to debt then these BNPL do come in to play.

If you, friends or family members are thinking of getting a mortgage then I would strongly suggest limiting, or even stopping entirely, the use of BNPL payment plans. Don't forget, we can work with you to find the best mortgage deal available for your personal circumstances. It's just one of the many services we provide.

Richard

11/06/2026

'How much do I need to have saved in my pension pot?' or a variation of, is probably one of the most asked questions my new clients. A one size fits all response isn't the right answer!

Why am I mentioning this now? It's simply because so many figures are thrown around that I want to set the record straight. For example, Legal and General stated in December 2025 that the happiest retirees had a monthly income of £1,700 (excluding housing costs). The research was done in conjunction with The Happiness Research Institute and involved 3,000 retirees.

The thing for me is that these annual figures don't really tell us anything. They're pie in the sky figures! The only way to get a really good understanding of how much of income you need / want in your retirement is to sit down with a financial advisor who will ask all the right questions. Would you like to travel? How frequently do you think you'd want to change your car?

We know pensions are a hot topic and will remain so. The Pensions Commission is considering whether changes to the auto enrolment minimum contributions need to be made and we know that the retirement age will continue to be reviewed.

My one piece of free advice - ignore all the generic figures and plan for a retirement that is truly yours! Myself and the team are best placed to help you determine what annual retirement income goal you're going to work towards and we can help you. Oh, and the sooner you start the better!

RIchard Hampshire

04/06/2026

When first time buyers think they only need to save for a deposit for their home they're sorely mistaken. It's amazing how many don't realise the additional costs they need to be able to accommodate. Sometimes it's down to the mortgage advisor to make them aware and it does mean they may have to reduce their deposit payment so these can be met.

What costs am I talking about? Well, there may be removal costs; if family and friends can't help with moving then renting a van may be a cheaper option to consider rather than a removal company. There are some costs associated with a house purchase which can't be reduced as easily!

Solicitor fees for the processing of the purchase are essential. Covering search costs, details of what exactly is included in the purchase and of course checking specifics regarding boundaries are just some of the elements managed by a solicitor. Many clients do however forget that solicitors work for them; ensure you're getting regular updates so you're always in the loop. Your back may require a survey be done before agreeing to a mortgage.

Our mortgage advisors can help you plan for these costs so you can be best prepared. Once in the new property there may be unexpected costs and they can be an unpleasant surprise. A good surveyor may help identify the areas which could do with being addressed, so they're not so unexpected!

One cost which in my opinion is essential but so often overlooked is mortgage protection. Whether this be critical illness cover, life cover or income protection, there are ways to give you peace of mind. Knowing that should the unexpected happen your mortgage will be paid gives peace of mind which is priceless. So many think that it's a 'nice to have' but really it isn't. Making sure your monthly budget can accommodate the necessary protection should really be considered as part of the home buying process.

Here at Hampshire Hill we have the skills and experience to accompany you and advise throughout your home purchase. We do this for many clients; our mortgage advisers are experienced and here to help you find the best deal for your financial situation. We work with our clients to fully understand the demands on budgets and help to ease their concerns and be there for the entire process. It's what sets us apart from other firms. It's also why we have so many of our clients who return to us for future house purchases. We believe in developing relationships with our clients which go above and beyond. It's what we do.

https://hampshirehill.co.uk/youve-got-a-mortgage-now-protect-it/

Richard Hampshire

Why mortgage protection is vital for long-term financial security

28/05/2026

I was in the car the other day and caught the end of an advert. I can't remember whether I was listening to a podcast or the live radio. All I do know is that I found myself thinking "really"?

The advert was selling savings and investments through an app; sounds simple yes? Well, I'm going to share why I raised my eyebrows...

"Your savings and investments are not FSCS protected". It was said very quickly, you know, as a quick addendum to the advert but it really needs due consideration. The advertiser hoping that most listeners won't realise what this means isn't acceptable in my opinion.

So, what is the FSCS and what does it mean? It's the Financial Services Compensation Scheme which was set up by the UK government back in 2001. It means that reputable financial institutions who are part of the scheme provide reassurance to their clients.

This reassurance is in the fact that if one of the financial firms within the scheme goes out of business and fails then clients' funds could be protected up to £120,000. It's something clients often only think about when a firm ceases trading, but this is really too late.

So, why am I mentioning this and why do I feel it's important? It's simple really; I think that any financial institution, whether it be app / web based or more of a traditional bricks and mortar offering, should be completely transparent with clients about the risk they could be taking. Just adding an after thought at the end of an advert, doesn't really cut it for me.

Richard Hampshire

20/05/2026

When I mention Inheritance Tax (IHT) in conversation with clients there is often a feeling that there is little that can be done to avoid it. The phrases ‘being taxed twice’ and ‘I might as well have just spent everything’ or the like are often said.

IHT is here to stay; it’s not going to disappear. Your estate may well be above the set threshold at the time of your passing so it becomes relevant. If that’s the case then there is really no way to avoid it at that time.

There are however steps which can be taken in advance to try to limit the impact on your loved ones at the time of your passing. It requires working with experts who understand the implication of the legislation and have an awareness of changes which are planned for the future. This is where we can help.

Yes, IHT is here to stay; the shape it takes will however change over time. The best thing you can do is have an open relationship with your independent financial advisor, preferably somebody from my firm!, and work with them to reduce your liabilities. It's all about planning and I know that's one area we really do excel in.

https://hampshirehill.co.uk/building-wealth-today-planning-for-tomorrow/

11/05/2026

At Hampshire Hill we feel strongly that the best advice can be given when our advisers have a good understanding of our clients’ lives. This is why our approach takes into account the individual’s circumstances.

Our lifestyle planning process is firmly rooted in the belief that one size does not fit all. Being able to ask relevant questions to ascertain clients’ dreams and aspirations as well as their current financial situation is a must. It’s also why we place so much emphasis on regular reviews so both parties can be happy that the goals are still relevant.

I know there are lots of apps which promise financial advice but an actual personal relationship, founded on good, honest conversation, still has an important place in the world of finance today. Don’t be tempted by the promise of great returns on your investments; if they look too good to be true then they usually are:
We pride ourselves on delivering our independent advice in an uncomplicated way and we’re of course monitored by the Financial Conduct Authority. It just starts by getting in touch; you may be surprised at how we can work with you so you’re better informed about your financial situation, for now and the future.

30/04/2026

Many people don't prioritise planning for retirement in their younger years. I get that other things can get in the way, seen more urgent a priority perhaps, but we really should change our way of thinking. Through better planning and thinking in advance we can be best prepared for the type of retirement we want!

When you first qualify for an auto enrolment scheme through work my advice is simple. Take it. Don't be tempted to opt out, no matter how big the attraction of having more cash in your pocket may be. Put as much as you can in to it and take advantage of the free money contributed by your employer, currently set at a minimum of 3%.

In addition to participating in the Auto Enrolment scheme through your work, consider whether you can afford saving some of your income in to a personal pension plan, a long term savings plan, an ISA or a Lifetime ISA. There are lots of options open to you and it's always worth having a conversation with me or my team to help you understand how they differ and which would be the best option for you. It just starts with a conversation.

24/04/2026

Changes to tax on dividends have come in to play this month with 2 percentage point increases for both the ordinary and upper rates. If you're a company director who regularly draws dividends from the business, it may be worth taking a look at how these changes could impact you. I'm not saying you should stop payments, instead I'm suggesting you look at how these changes impact you. Dividends can certainly still be a tax efficient way to add to your income; just make sure you're aware and informed.

How 2026 Dividend Tax changes may affect your income strategy

17/04/2026

We appreciate some clients may have concerns about their investments, especially with the uncertainty that war brings.

Investments are usually best viewed as a long term option and markets are likely to experiences rises and falls. Conflicts can have a big impact on the performance of some specific shares, which is to be expected.

As part of our approach, we ensure the investments we propose for our clients is a good fit with their attitude to risk. We are always happy to review performance and make changes if a client wishes; it's part of what we do.

https://hampshirehill.co.uk/dividend-outlook-growth-expectations-for-2026/

UK dividends forecast to grow in 2026 despite global uncertainty

09/04/2026

So, a new tax year has started and we're ready to help our clients maximise their financial opportunities over the next 12 months. I'm not wanting to talk clichés so won't mention birds or worms! What I will say is that preparation is key.

At the start of a new financial year it's a good idea to look at where you are financially speaking and determine what your financial priorities are for the year ahead. If you're a business owner then this may start as a discussion with your accountant as you set your business goals for the forthcoming year. We are often included in meetings with clients' accountants and find such a relationship can really be fruitful. Understanding both business and personal financial aims can help us offer a much more tailored level of advice.

Whether you're an employee or a business owner, now is the right time to have a conversation about how the next 12 months could look.

How to maximise ISA, pension and tax allowances from the start of the year