Indexed Funds

Interest rates are dropping, with indications that the trend is still downwards. This has meant that many investors are looking for ways to get their portfolios back on track. Index funds are often talked about, but I often hear comments like “aren’t they risky – what will happen the next time the market falls?” There …

Keeping Your Credit Card

I have written before about the problems faced by retirees, who don’t have a credit card, and who are trying to get one. Often it may be a widow who is declined, because the family credit card was held in the name of the husband, often the breadwinner, with the wife having a supplementary card …

Share Market Turbulence

It’s a turbulent time for investors, with share markets jumping all over the place in response to factors which include a trade war with China and civil disobedience in Hong Kong. Volatility is nothing new, but it does have the potential to worry inexperienced investors. One morning they wake up and the markets are showing …

The Rule of 72

Recently I wrote about the Rule of 72 and pointed out that it was wonderfully simple tool which can be used in many circumstances. Just to refresh your memory it is an easy way to do compound interest calculations in your head. The best part is that you don’t have to be a mathematician to …

Transferring Assets on Death and CGT

CGT and death is a somewhat complex topic, but the main thing to remember is that death itself does not trigger CGT — it merely transfers any CGT liability to the beneficiaries who receive the asset. If the asset is disposed of, they may be liable for CGT, but if the asset is kept for …