Headsup On Money

This episode, Benjamin discusses the SpaceX IPO, arguably one of the bigger financial news stories of the year, explaining why, as a diversified global investor, you will always own the beasts and don't need to be concerned about FOMO.  Join Benjamin Mitchell (themoneyscot), serial hater of financial jargon, as he helps make your finances clearer and ensures you never make another financial m...

In this episode, Benjamin explains why you shouldn't automatically transfer and consolidate your pensions. There can be benefits in doing so, but you need to first understand what you may potentially be losing out on or giving up. Understanding that will give you the confidence that you're making the right financial decision and avoiding any financial mistakes in consolidation.  By the e...

The Never Ending Worry Service is rife at the moment with conjecture that 'the market has peaked' and 'a downturn is around the corner'. It might be. It mightn't be. We cannot know for certain. But looking at the data it tells us that just because we're currently at a market high that is not to say the market cannot get any higher.  Benjamin brings this to life with s...

In this episode, Benjamin explains why passive investing is actually an active investment decision based on sound evidence rather than conjecture. The active versus passive debate is all around us, and often, passive is framed as the second-best option. The reality, however, is that it couldn't be further from the truth. Evidence and history do not lie.  Here's a link to the SPIVA analys...

Small company business owners often believe that their business is their pension and that pensions are inefficient and subject to too much change to even start with in the first place.  Benjamin climbs on his soapbox in this episode to encourage you to re-evaluate this false economy.  And:  Your personalised business owner blueprint  Here's a link to the tool Benjamin mentioned in the episode...

In this episode of Headsup on Money, Benjamin explains the pros and cons of investment bonds. They can appear very confusing, and you are probably unsure whether or not your financial plan needs one. But by the end of this episode, you'll have mastered the pros, the cons and be more confident about whether they could help you save tax.  Jargon-free as always.  Join Benjamin Mitchell (themoney...

So many of us have heard of life insurance as a way to protect our family and our financial plans, but too few of us have heard of another product that, instead of providing a lump sum, can provide us with a regular monthly income in the event that we're no longer here.  The benefits of these plans can provide you, and your loved ones, with significant  peace of mind, often at minimal ongoing...

In April 2027, the amount you can subscribe to Cash ISAs is likely to change.  In this episode, Benjamin summarises the key points you need to be aware of and ultimately why these changes are unlikely to have any material impact on your long-term financial plan.  Join Benjamin Mitchell (themoneyscot), serial hater of financial jargon, as he helps make your finances clearer and ensures you never ma...

In this episode, Benjamin outlines why record-keeping when it comes to your inheritance tax planning, is as important as the planning itself. Yet, so few of us are keeping necessary detailed records, accounting for the information that your executors will need on your passing.  Nailing this stuff down now will give you the peace of mind to know your IHT planning is effective and will provide your...

In this episode Benjamin is joined by guest host Fabrizio Zumbo, MBA who joins us from Vanguard.  Fabrizio is an expert in behavioural biases and investment management and shares the main behavioural mistakes that nearly all investors make.  He explains why many investors don't receive the returns they are entitled to and your behaviour is to blame.  Resources mentioned in the episode:  SPIVA...

Benjamin shares the wisdom from Morgan Housel's new book, "The Art of Spending Money".  There are eight laws to live by when it comes to looking after your wealth and  yourself.  See how many resonate with you; how many you are living by and how many you are you failing to practise?  Join Benjamin Mitchell (themoneyscot), serial hater of financial jargon, as he helps make your finan...

In this, the follow-up episode to last week's episode on Wills, Benjamin reinforces the importance of having a Power of Attorney (POA) and why this matters for your financial plan.  Nailing this stuff down now will offer spades of peace of mind.  Yes, it's not fun to think about.  But nailing this stuff down now will free you to enjoy the really important stuff. The costs of not having t...

In this episode, Benjamin shares the importance of having a Will when it comes to your financial plan.  You've spent years carefully building your wealth and creating a solid financial plan, but without a Will, it can all be undone extremely quickly on your passing. Wills can help avoid costly tax mistakes and legal costs in the future. In next week's episode, Benjamin will cover off the...

Benjamin explains the key differences between defined contribution and defined benefit pension schemes and how they use up the annual allowance.  By the end of this episode, you'll understand the intricacies of each scheme and be able to estimate how much of your annual allowance you are using and help to avoid nasty tax charges that many people are sleepwalking into.  Knowledge is power, mon...

In this episode Benjamin covers everything you need to know and do when it comes to saving and investing for your child or grandchild. There can be a lot of contradictory noise out there, but in this episode you'll understand that whilst the rules of the game differ slightly for minors, the important aspects of sound financial planning still apply.  Join Benjamin Mitchell (themoneyscot), seri...

Turning 75 plays a significant role in your financial plan, and more specifically the tax efficiency (or tax inefficiency) of your affairs.  Whether this applies to you or someone close to you, following this episode you'll understand and appreciate the nuances of why turning 75 matters and impacts:  Pension tax relief on your contributions, Death income tax benefits pre and post age 75 and, ...

When seeking financial advice, it can appear very overwhelming to understand the various qualifications that financial advisers have.  How do they compare?  What's 'good' and what's 'bad?' In this episode Benjamin tries to debunk some of the stress and confusion so that you can go into this with your eyes and ears open.  Join Benjamin Mitchell (themoneyscot), serial h...

In this episode Benjamin explains why these funds, despite often sounding very sophisticated and bespoke, are in fact a dead-end to financial independence.  Knowledge is power, money nerds.  Join Benjamin Mitchell (themoneyscot), serial hater of financial jargon, as he helps make your finances clearer and ensures you never make another financial mistake. Getting on top of your personal finances do...

With the end of the 2025/26 tax year now only a few weeks away, now is the time to make use of your freebies and allowances and focus on paying as little tax as possible.  Knowledge is power money nerds and by strategically timing income, making thoughtful and considered gifts, and viewing your financial picture in its entirety, the tax savings can be huge.  As with many things in financial planni...

It was in the news last month.  Women Against State Pension Inequality.  Women who argue they were not fairly notified about a rise in the State Pension age will not be paid compensation.  But what can we learn from this when it comes to our own financial plans and our own retirement planning?  Nobody else has your back, and so the onus to create a dignified and comfortable retirement is very much...

Income protection insurance is often thought of as too expensive and surplus to requirements, but this couldn't be further from the truth.  It's not as complicated as it may seem and is absolutely vital for most people's financial plans. Without it, your financial plan carries an insurmountable amount of added risk, far greater than any stock market risk you're worried about. ...

Benjamin reflects this week on the subject of when wealth stops being just about you. In early life we focus on saving, investing and insuring primarily for our own benefit.  But there comes a time in most people's lives when they have enough and the focus suddenly shifts to the needs of others.  Embracing this change of planning need can help you to remain engaged and invested in your financ...

The word 'Trust' brings many things to mind, and often the truth of what a Trust is, and what they can be used for , is lost in translation.  In this episode Benjamin explains the role of Trusts in financial planning so that you can understand some of the scenarios in which they may/may not be required.  Jargon free and straight to the point as always.  Join Benjamin Mitchell (themoneysc...

Benjamin takes a step back from the heavy finances this week and focuses instead on the heavier questions that we all need to ask ourselves from time to time.  We're all aware of the finitude of time, but continue to 'plod on' with our financial plans, often with no clear end in sight. It's time to ask yourself these questions and re-focus on what really matters. Your finances...

We've all been there... You tick a certain option on a pension form because you don't really understand it and surely it can't make that big an impact, can it? ... Fear not, in this episode Benjamin shares the £M pension tick-box mistakes so you can avoid them and go into these seemingly unimportant tick box opportunities with your eyes open.  Join Benjamin Mitchell (themoneyscot),...