Financial indecision is surprisingly costly
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What to read right now…
Apparently 61% of higher-rate and 48% of additional-rate self-employed taxpayers are not contributing to a pension – and as the rest of the guide rightly explains, they’re missing out on a lot of tax benefits.
Incidentally it’s a good time to resurface this guide to picking your self employed pension.
On a different note, those using Buy Now Pay Later schemes will soon have better financial protection as the schemes are brought under the Financial Conduct Authority’s remit.
Meanwhile, financial indecision and delays in making money decisions is costing Brits thousands a year.
Finally, an interesting read on people switching jobs because of AI.
The deal that’s a steal…
Mountain Warehouse* is having a sale at the moment, with up to 70% off everything from clothes to equipment.
It’s been my go-to retailer for outdoor gear in recent years because it’s super affordable compared to its competitors and the quality is decent enough for what I need.
That is, it’s good for non-technical everyday-wear type stuff.
I wouldn’t, for example, try to scale Everest with their stuff but a jaunt to the Arctic Circle on a cruise is certainly doable.
Case in point, I got some Ohio snowboots* that a friend recommended and they kept my toes toasty in snowy Norway.
And yes, they too are on sale now for £29.99 instead of £79.99.
If you only do one thing…
If you’re a first time buyer – or know someone who is – it’s worth checking out Skipton Building Society’s range of mortgages for first time buyers.
The new launch is the Delayed Start mortgage, where you can choose to pay nothing for the first three months so you’ve got a bit of breathing room after moving into your new home.
It’s worth bearing in mind that interest rates are stacking up from day one so you’ll end up paying more in the long run if you do take advantage of that break.
The second option is the Track Record mortgage, where you can use your rent payment record for the previous 12 months to show affordability.
The two products can also be combined to make buying a new home even more manageable.
I think they’re pretty innovative but of course do double check your suitability and eligibility.
