What can I do to get ready for retirement?

MONEY MATTERS

What can I do to get ready for retirement?

In the UK, we are fortunate to have the state pension to help fund our retirement. However, not everyone is entitled to receive the full state pension – and this can be a nasty surprise for people approaching retirement age. The state pension generally isn’t enough to provide a comfortable lifestyle, at just £8,767 a year (rising to £9,110.40 from April 2020). It is therefore essential to have built up a pot of savings alongside the state pension. Here are some actions you can take right away to boost your chances of an enjoyable retirement. Check your national insurance history In order to receive the full state pension, you need to have built up 35 years’ worth of qualifying national insurance contributions. You can check your record and whether you have any gaps at the Government’s online portal (https://www.gov.uk/ check-state-pension). Gaps are when you didn’t pay enough national insurance in a particular year – perhaps because you were studying, living abroad or didn’t earn enough. Consider filling the gaps You could consider making voluntary contributions to boost your national insurance record. It currently costs £780 to “buy back” a full year of national insurance credits. If you are unsure whether it is worth paying, the Future Pension Centre can help on 0800 731 0175. You usually have to make up the shortfall within six years of the end of the tax year for which the contributions are being paid. However there are extended time limits for some tax years. Check your savings Take a close look at all your private savings and see whether you are getting the best from your money. If retirement is some way off, investing is worth considering. Cash will not keep pace with inflation long-term. This is particularly true with interest rates being as low as they have been in recent years so it’s important the buying power of your retirement fund isn’t eroded. However, make sure you invest through a legitimate company to avoid being the victim of a scam. A Financial Planner can guide you with investments and help you draw up a financial plan. Pay more into your pension Saving into a private pension is one of the best ways to boost your savings due to generous tax relief. For example, basic-rate taxpayers only need to pay £80 to get £100 paid into their pension. For higher-rate taxpayers (those earning between £50,001 and £150,000), a £100 contribution costs just £60. Get your FREE ‘retirement ready?’ checklist at our website at www.rosewoodfp.co.uk for easy, simple action points to get your planning on track. A pension is a long term investment. The fund value may fluctuate and can go down. Your eventual income may depend upon the size of the fund at retirement, future interest rates and tax legislation. Charlotte Wood trading as Rosewood Financial Planning is an appointed representative of The OnLine Partnership Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Charlotte Wood APFS Director, Chartered Financial Planner 07738 118 845 charlotte@rosewoodfp.co.uk www.rosewoodfp.co.uk

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Maximise your natural light with a beautiful skylight Advertorial

Free survey for roof and room design A wide range of lanterns and skylights available All roof lanterns have an aluminium finish All our skylights are compliant with Building Regulations Pilkington self-clean temperature glass as standard All structural works undertaken by High-Tech All internal works inclusive of new electrics and lighting A complete extension or conservatory thermally efficient transformation All waterproofing products will have our LIFETIME guarantee as standard

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Do you own a conservatory not fit for purpose? Advertisement Feature

There are literally many 1000’s of home owners throughout the UK who own a conservatory, it is without doubt that a high majority are totally inefficient during the summer and winter months.

Is this you, do you own a conservatory that is really not fit for purpose?

A high number of conservatories installed during the late 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s will have a polycarbonate roof. A roof with no insulation value and virtually zero protection from direct sunlight. This gives you a room which is far too hot during summer and has a fridge effect in winter. You also have a roof which is difficult to keep clean as well as being a haven for insects.

The frustrating thing for many owners is that the conservatories are in a satisfactory condition, all double glazed with many years of life to offer. More and more home owners are opting to have a more thermally efficient roof installed.

High-Tech have the perfect solution. A very popular option is to create a thermally efficient sky room by removing the existing roof. A timber frame roof will be constructed to building regulation standard. Timber joists are then reinforced to accept a glass lantern or flat roof light. Treated timber boarding and warm roof insulation is fitted along with new external UPVC roof line and guttering products. It is then made permanently water tight with our lifetime guaranteed flat roof system.

The glass roof light is installed. Followed by internal installation of a new conventional plaster board ceiling along with lighting etc. The ceiling is plastered ready for painting. Thus, giving you a beautiful sky room orangery, oozing natural light.

High-Tech will always remove the existing roof and comply with building regulations.

High-Tech will create a luxurious living space. There are tiled roof conversions creating a more closed in style of room with no or limited natural light. An orangery style sky room with a glass lantern or sky light will not only offer the WOW factor, it will also give all the natural light required.

Bring your conservatory back to life, add value to your home and enjoy the comforts. High-Tech offer very completive funding options along with interest free credit. Terms & Conditions available on request.

We will be delighted to welcome you at our showroom located in Leigh-on-sea. This gives us the opportunity to show you first hand our superb Lifetime Guaranteed flat roofing systems. We have a variety of displays showing the glass skylights and roof lanterns offering the opportunity to view everything before you buy. We welcome you come and visit us at 850 London road, Leighon-Sea, Essex SS9 3NQ. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 9:30am till 4:30pm and Saturday 10am till 2pm. However, we do offer a service whereby we will open upon request outside of opening hours.

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Always 100% committed to customer care and satisfaction There are limited late spring and early summer installation dates still available making it a great time to replace your conservatory roof with High-Tech. The Problem The Solution

Has Your Double Glazing Steamed Up? advertorial

Established for over a decade Cloudy2Clear windows have become a leading company for glass replacement. Issues with double glazing can often be gradual and may only be noticed during a clear sunny day or during the winter. A failed glass unit may no longer provide you with the protection you need or be energy efficient. Why not spend a few minutes checking your home to see if you have any failed double glazing? If you act now you can avoid these problems. Now, you may think you need to replace the whole window including the frames and all the hardware, however Cloudy2Clear have come up with a simple and cost saving solution… Just replace the glass!! If you see condensation in your windows just visit our website or give us a call on 0800 61 21 118. We will send out our highly experienced engineers for a free no obligation quote. A Cloudy2Clear quote takes on average no longer than 20 minutes. Once the quote is completed, we will sit down with you and explain the problem and tell you how we can fix it. With years of experience Cloudy2Clear have a wealth of knowledge and are recognised as a Which Trusted Trader, plus our work is backed by an industry leading 25 year guarantee. Cloudy2Clear also replace faulty locks handles and hinges on all windows and doors. Your friendly local Cloudy2Clear specialist is Chris Miller and he services the Thorpe Bay & Southend area. So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Chris a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118. Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!

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HAIR & BEAUTY

I can pretty much guarantee that any man with more than just a soupcon of vanity looks at himself in the mirror. Now, there’s nothing wrong with this as we all like to look our best, so a cheeky little check of your reflection doesn’t go amiss. However, for as many as 70% of the male population, one day you might see more than you had previously bargained for; the wall behind you.

Balding, or at least thinning hair, is a condition that will happen to the majority of chaps in their lifetime. Whilst this is simply down to your genes, when you do realise that hairline is receding the psychological blow can hit hard. In this instance, the best thing to do is to accept it, whilst understanding that there are also ways of addressing the issue. By that, I don’t mean adopting a classic, Seventies-style combover. A new hairstyle

Arguably the easiest and less costly solution is to adopt a new hairstyle that is better suited for thinning and balding hair. The general rule is simple: the more hair you lose, the shorter you should cut it. Ironically, if you have a receding hairline a side parting can look really good, especially with a higher hair line.

The Bald Truth

Another style that can work if you have a thinning crown is what some people in the trade call a disconnected fade. Essentially, you keep the hair longer at the front and taper it short towards the crown. You then push it back towards the back of your head and keep it there with a firm hold product. I like this style as it looks quite hipster-ish and gives you an air of working with what you have, rather than fighting what you don’t. A beard In another twist of irony, many men who are going bald, find it easy to still grow an impressive beard. This is a great way of drawing the gaze of someone looking at you down and below your receding hairline. A beard has a balancing effect and can give you a distinguished appearance.

by Craig Smith Director of Grateful Heads Hair Salon According to the NHS website, a hair transplant can cost between £1,000 to £30,000 depending on how advanced your hair loss is, what procedure you opt for and which clinic provides it. A local barbers or hair salon which charge you between just over a tenner to less than thirty quid, and who knows, you might just discover your inner Jason Statham, The Rock, Idris Elba or James McEvoy…

Providing expert hair care to Essex for 30 years. Isn’t it time you made your head grateful? 01702 340965 32 Alexandra Street, Southend SS1 1BU Providing expert hair care to Essex for 30 years. Isn’t it time you made your head grateful? 01702 340965 32 Alexandra Street, Southend SS1 1BU

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