Financial Planning is about taking the opportunity to improve both your existing circumstances and your future financial well being. A good pension scheme aimed at guaranteeing an income during your retirement is just one example. Savings schemes or investments designed to meet future financial commitments and insurance to protect against loss of income, health or life are similarly important.

Financial planning sounds scary and looks complicated, which is probably why so many of us are tempted to give it a miss or put it on hold. Too many of our new clients wish they'd spoken to Archer Bramley sooner, especially when they discover just how straightforward their financial planning can be.

Whatever your situation, we've got a solution to fit. Don't stress about jargonese and legalish either, we'll explain all your options in as much or as little detail as you want. Once you've settled on a plan, we can sort it all out for you with none of the hassle or hard work. Feel free to contact Archer Bramley for more information or to arrange a meeting to discuss your Financial Planning requirements.

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For further information on this subject please contact us and we will be happy to help you.

As most people know, a mortgage is probably the most popular way of borrowing money for the purposes of buying property. But apart from the various ways of actually repaying the debt, there can be other significant differences in the agreement, depending on the lender and the products offered. The way that interest is calculated and applied, the degree of flexibility permitted and the terms and conditions imposed, make it especially difficult to compare like with like. Archer Bramley's financial advisors are adept at making sense of the mortgage maze and helping you to find the best deal available to suit your current circumstances and future aspirations.

Getting the right mortgage deal can mean making some pretty difficult choices. It makes sense then to seek the best professional advice. Archer Bramley can help to interpret the variety of repayment methods, interest rate deals and other factors that influence decision-making. Our mortgage advisers offer professional advice without being tied to any single mortgage lender.

Choosing the best way to repay your mortgage.

When you have decided which mortgage is suitable for you, the next step is to choose how you want to repay it. There are two options available: 'Repayment' (also known as 'Capital and Interest') and 'Interest only'.

Repayment Mortgages

This is the safest way to pay back your mortgage. It means that you repay both the capital and the interest over the term of your mortgage. In the early years, the bulk of your monthly payments go towards paying off the interest but as the mortgage matures, a greater percentage is used to repay the actual capital back.

Interest Only Mortgages

With Interest Only Mortgages, the lender receives only the interest on the amount you have borrowed during the course of the mortgage. This means that at the end of the mortgage term, the capital amount borrowed will still be owed and the borrower must therefore have the means to repay it. This is usually achieved by investing in a separate policy that yields the necessary amount on maturity, for example, an endowment ISA or a Pension scheme.

Variable Rate Mortgages

As the name suggests, this type of mortgage is subject to variable rates of interest, which means that your repayments can fluctuate from month to month. When the lenders standard rate of interest rises, so does your mortgage premium, but if their interest rates fall, then you end up better off. This type of mortgage can make accurate budgeting a bit difficult.

Fixed Rate Mortgages

Fixed Rate mortgages remove the uncertainty of what your monthly mortgage payments will be because they are fixed at a set rate for a set period of time. This is great if interest rates rise, but if they fall below the rate you are paying, then you may end up losing out. This kind of mortgage often imposes a penalty charge if your repay your mortgage early.

Discounted Rate Mortgages

This type of mortgage is designed to help borrowers to meet their repayments at the start of the mortgage term by offering a lower variable rate of interest for a limited period of time. It has the benefits and risks associated with a variable mortgage.

There are many other options available and other considerations that require your attention. Our advisers have access to the very latest mortgage information and they will always keep you informed and in touch.

YOUR HOME IS AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT.

Suitable security and adequate life cover may be required by the lender. As licensed credit brokers, written quotations are available on request.

There are lots of products and services that can help you invest capital for future benefit and there are a variety of sources too, from banks and building societies to long-term personal savings policies. Archer Bramley can assist you in planning your financial future by identifying your objectives and advising you on the options that are available.

When it comes to thinking about the future, we all have a vague idea about what's in store for us. Inevitably, we have the need throughout our life to plan for both the expected and unexpected, things like a new car, budgeting for school or university fees.

Most people try and fund these costs using their income alone and the financial strain is often all too evident. Planning for these costs early, on the other hand, gives you the opportunity to spread the financial burden, budget successfully and meet your objectives when the time comes.

Stakeholder pensions were introduced during 2001 to give everyone the opportunity to provide for their retirement. They are intended to provide a low cost, privately funded, supplement to the basic state pension. The Government has laid down minimum standards to ensure that all Stakeholder pensions meet the same basic criteria.

We cannot rely on the state pension to provide much when we retire. Chances are relying on the state for your pension may mean a significantly reduced standard of living, so the onus is on each of us to take responsibility for our own pension.

The good news is that along with Stakeholder Pensions, there are several other pension products that can boost your retirement income. For peace of mind, let Archer Bramley advise you on the best way to plan for a happier future.