Technology Tip: Red Laser for I-Phone


Whilst I was on holiday I came across an application for the i-phone that you may find of use. It is currently free of charge and enables you to scan a bar code. This results in an internet search for the same item, which is listed on your phone. The main point being that you can assess where you might make your purchase for less money. Sometimes, there’s not a lot in it, but on occassion you may benefit from a substantial saving.

There’s a write up on a blog I found that may also be of use.

We are a boutique firm of financial planners. We create financial plans designed to achieve a desired lifestyle. We will craft and implement your plan that will provide you with the greatest chance of accomplishing your unique goals based upon the values that you hold. Financial products are little more than the tools to achieve your required results
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Technology Tip: Red Laser for I-Phone2023-12-01T15:32:15+00:00

Funds: Charges: AVIVA Investors


AVIVA Investors have announced that they will be charging an additional 0.10% per annum across a number of their funds. This includes the Sustainable Future funds and their UK Ethical Fund. Many investors may be familiar with the old Monthly Income Plus fund, which is also effected.

We are a boutique firm of financial planners. We create financial plans designed to achieve a desired lifestyle. We will craft and implement your plan that will provide you with the greatest chance of accomplishing your unique goals based upon the values that you hold. Financial products are little more than the tools to achieve your required results
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Funds: Charges: AVIVA Investors2023-12-01T15:32:16+00:00

Funds: Objective Change: Blackrock


The Blackrock North American Equity Tracker fund has changed its objective from tracking the FTSE World Americas Index which includes all American markets (including Brazil and Mexico) as well as “developed markets”. The new benchmark, the FTSE World North America Index will provide exposure only to developed markets in North America. This is likely to reduce the investment volatility of the fund.

Link to the 31 July 2010 Fund Sheet.

It is my opinion that this change is for the better, likely to result in reduced volatility. Exposure to emerging markets is met within other funds within portfolios. Note that the Blackrock fund has an annual management charge of just 0.20%

We are a boutique firm of financial planners. We create financial plans designed to achieve a desired lifestyle. We will craft and implement your plan that will provide you with the greatest chance of accomplishing your unique goals based upon the values that you hold. Financial products are little more than the tools to achieve your required results
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Funds: Objective Change: Blackrock2023-12-01T15:32:16+00:00

Too Fast too Furious?


I hadn’t appreciated that Swiss speeding fines are linked to the drivers personal wealth until I came across a story on the BBC website. The Swiss currently hold the world record for the biggest speeding fine issued to a driver – a choking $290,000 – enough to buy many top sports cars. However this record may be shattered shortly with the possibility of a $1m fine that is being considered for the 37 year old driver of a Merecedes SLS AMG. He was clocked at 180mph.

The fine is effectively applied at a daily rate of SFr3600 (Swiss Francs) with the car being impounded. In this instance the car may be impounded for 300 days making a total of SFr 1,080,000 or about £656,000. I guess that he should be grateful that this sum is not compounded.

If you are interested here’s the Mercedes link to the SLS AMG. Prices start at £157,500.

We are a boutique firm of financial planners. We create financial plans designed to achieve a desired lifestyle. We will craft and implement your plan that will provide you with the greatest chance of accomplishing your unique goals based upon the values that you hold. Financial products are little more than the tools to achieve your required results
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Too Fast too Furious?2023-12-01T15:32:17+00:00

Update

I’m sorry that I have not been posting as regularly as normal. I was at a friends funeral on Tuesday and it has left me doing a fair amount of pondering. Gary was only 56 and died of a sudden massive stroke. He was fit too. So I’ve been a little subdued as a result.

There has been some economic news, some of which is good, some bad, but frankly its all a bit of “tinkering at the margins”. The chatter about the chances of a double dip is increasing, but then we all knew this would be a difficult and long recession.

I’m taking a break from the end of tomorrow, so probably will not post anything over my holidays. The team here will operate as normal.

We are a boutique firm of financial planners. We create financial plans designed to achieve a desired lifestyle. We will craft and implement your plan that will provide you with the greatest chance of accomplishing your unique goals based upon the values that you hold. Financial products are little more than the tools to achieve your required results
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Update2023-12-01T15:32:18+00:00

NEST…about to fly the nest?


Well, much as I have suggested, NEST has been in the news again. The papers report that the Government could save £575m by not running with NEST. Heaven only knows who and how these sums are calculated, but I reckon that quite a few people would be prepared to have a go at implementing and running the system for rather less, which is precisely what the Government seem to be thinking as well. There is an ongoing review of the proposals and thought is being given to letting the private sector run whatever results, saving UKplc considerable sums… in theory.

We are a boutique firm of financial planners. We create financial plans designed to achieve a desired lifestyle. We will craft and implement your plan that will provide you with the greatest chance of accomplishing your unique goals based upon the values that you hold. Financial products are little more than the tools to achieve your required results
Call us today or visit our website for more information and to arrange a meeting
NEST…about to fly the nest?2023-12-01T15:32:18+00:00

Child Trust Funds


The Coalition Government have altered the rules about the Child Trust Fund scheme (CTF). You may recall that parents were given a £250 voucher to invest for their new baby. This has been reduced to £50 for children born from 1st August 2010 and will not apply at all to any child born after 31 December 2010 as a part of the ongoing cost cutting to help our ailing economy. So £200 less to all those of you expecting a baby before the end of the year, which unfortunately includes a member of the Solomon’s team – Becky, who has today started her maternity leave.

If you are expecting a baby or know someone that is, get in touch to find out who we currently recommend for any CTF voucher that you have between now and Christmas… did I really just say Christmas?..

We are a boutique firm of financial planners. We create financial plans designed to achieve a desired lifestyle. We will craft and implement your plan that will provide you with the greatest chance of accomplishing your unique goals based upon the values that you hold. Financial products are little more than the tools to achieve your required results
Call us today or visit our website for more information and to arrange a meeting
Child Trust Funds2023-12-01T15:32:19+00:00

The Price of a Stamp


Stamps have been regarded as a form of investment for some time, albeit alternative investment. There have been a number of articles of late in the weekend press about the merits of investing in stamps. As with any form of investment, please exercise due caution and I would suggest that any investor only ever makes investments that s/he understands well.

Stamp collecting is a hobby and relies on collectors. The price of stamps can vary considerably from the “list price” published in one of the many Stanley Gibbons guides. As with many forms of investment the value of some stamps has risen, but for many it has fallen.

A note of caution too – I learned of one avid collector that died and his beneficiaries neither cared about nor understood his passion for stamp collecting. The entire collection ended up in the “to the dump” pile. It was a collection worth many thousands of pounds.

Out of interest, the worlds most expensive stamp is currently the three-skilling yellow, printed in Sweden in 1855 and was the result of a printing error. Instead of printing the stamp on green stock, it was printed on yellow paper. In 1970, the authenticity of this misprinted stamp was questioned by the Swedish Postal Museum, but it was found to be genuine.

The stamp has not actually appreciated in its considerable value of $2.3m in 1996 when it was reauctioned this year for what is believed to be the same price. So when you allow for inflation, that’s a loss. I hope that the owner has this very small piece of paper insured.

So if you have been a stamp collector in the past, it may be in your interests to review your collection. Here’s the authority on stamps.

We are a boutique firm of financial planners. We create financial plans designed to achieve a desired lifestyle. We will craft and implement your plan that will provide you with the greatest chance of accomplishing your unique goals based upon the values that you hold. Financial products are little more than the tools to achieve your required results
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The Price of a Stamp2023-12-01T15:32:20+00:00

Peston On Banks – BBC

Here’s Robert Peston’s take on the news over the last few days about some of our major Banks making plenty of profit. This is a clip from the BBC Breakfast news today. I’m afraid that this story will run for some time to come. If you want more information, here is a link to his blog as well.

We are a boutique firm of financial planners. We create financial plans designed to achieve a desired lifestyle. We will craft and implement your plan that will provide you with the greatest chance of accomplishing your unique goals based upon the values that you hold. Financial products are little more than the tools to achieve your required results
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Peston On Banks – BBC2023-12-01T15:32:20+00:00

Telecoms Down


It has been drawn to my attention that some phone calls to our office have not been reaching us. We now understand that the problem has been rectified. I am very sorry for any inconvenience caused.

We are a boutique firm of financial planners. We create financial plans designed to achieve a desired lifestyle. We will craft and implement your plan that will provide you with the greatest chance of accomplishing your unique goals based upon the values that you hold. Financial products are little more than the tools to achieve your required results
Call us today or visit our website for more information and to arrange a meeting
Telecoms Down2023-12-01T15:32:21+00:00
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