Wise Monkey Financial Coaching

You may be missing out on thousands of pounds of unclaimed pension tax relief

Are you missing out on unclaimed money?

While celebrating the success with a client of her new job and impressive payrise, I suggested she ask some questions of her existing pension provider, and the pension provider at her new job, to explore her options.

During our discussion, I asked whether she was claiming higher rate tax relief on her pension contributions. She wasn’t aware that this was something she needed to do. She didn’t know she could claim, or that it was up to her to claim. Nor that by not claiming she could have been missing out on thousands of pounds.

Don’t Fall For The Black Friday Hype

Who doesn't like a sale? But be cautious before geting sucked into the temptation of Black Friday.

Research shows that the vast majority of Black Friday deals aren't any cheaper than normal prices. Stores use psychological tricks like anchoring to make sale prices feel exciting compared to inflated original prices. The time pressure of limited deals can make shoppers feel compelled to buy.

Read on for insights and tips on resisting the urge to succumb to deals.

What are we giving our children at Christmas?

I was chatting to my hairdresser the other day, having the conversation we’re all having at this time of year: “You all set for Christmas? Done your shopping yet?” She said she was all ready, excited for her young children aged 7 and 10, and revealed that her budget was £600 per child.

I left the hairdresser contemplating this, and the wider implications of that kind of spend. It set me thinking about what we’re actually giving our children at Christmas. Every parcel under the Christmas tree is wrapped not just in sparkly paper and ribbons, but in many layers of belief and attitudes and values. While the actual presents may soon be forgotten, these extra layers often stay with people for their whole lives – affecting how they deal with money, love and giving in adulthood.

It's these beliefs and attitudes...

Spring clean your finances

With the weather warming up and days getting longer, now's a perfect time to get yourself motivated to make some changes. So, here’s a simple springtime challenge for you...

Pick one of these 10 suggestions and decide to take action on it. If it helps find a friend or partner, pick a task you both need to do and do it together. Sit down one evening, open a bottle of Malbec and browse price comparison websites together. Or take turns to help sort each other’s paper mountains over a packet of chocolate biscuits.

Do whatever you need to do to make the tasks more palatable and then decide on one action - one small sweet step at a time. Never underestimate the power of doing what you say you’ll do…I guarantee it will put a spring in your step.

So, are you ready...?

Don’t let your Chimp take charge of your money

Right now in the UK there’s a frenzy of drivers queuing for fuel. Whilst there’s no actual shortage of fuel – just a shortage of HGV drivers to transport it to petrol stations – people are responding emotionally to the Government telling us “don’t panic buy” and the contrasting media coverage of queues at forecourts. This has inflamed the situation and we’re seeing similar results to the lockdown stockpiling of March 2020.

The emotional reaction of many people to this situation makes me think of “The Chimp Paradox”, a concept created by Professor Steve Peters in his bestselling book of the same name. The concept aims to simplify complex neuroscience (the activity of different parts of the brain) into a framework that’s easy to grasp. I frequently use The Chimp Paradox when I coach people on their decisions around spending, saving and investing.

You may be missing out on thousands of pounds of unclaimed pension tax relief

Don’t Fall For The Black Friday Hype

What are we giving our children at Christmas?

Spring clean your finances

Don’t let your Chimp take charge of your money

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