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Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth explores some key steps to take when starting out as a barrister in order to secure your financial future
Financial planning is a series of small but important decisions made throughout your life. There are a wide range of financial products that, as your circumstances evolve, may become relevant but if you don’t put in place the appropriate foundations at the start of your career – which help to create the future you want – you risk not realising your vision.
‘In the past two years, 13% of workers had 2 months or more off work.’(1) Self-employed barristers have no access to statutory or employment sick pay, so it’s worth considering a ‘plan B’ to replace your income should something unexpected occur. Income protection provides a regular monthly income of up to 60% of your gross earnings, if you cannot work due to long-term illness or an accident, and continues to pay until you return to work or the policy ends, with the ability to be claimed unlimited times.
To optimise your financial position, make sure you are using your savings and investments effectively. When you begin practice, the most important step is establishing a method for managing income. Your situation is complex, with factors such as aged debt and fluctuating earnings, so consider implementing a model to meet short-term commitments and maximise long-term growth:
If not now, when? The sooner you start pension planning, the easier it is to create the retirement lifestyle you want. Research suggests that a couple needs £59,000 per annum to achieve a comfortable retirement lifestyle.(2) Aside from generally being prudent, there are other benefits to establishing a pension early:
The start of your financial journey can feel daunting, but you will be surprised by how much you are already doing right. Working with an adviser can help guide you through the complexities. So, no matter how small the step, be active and take control of your financial future – rather than leaving it to chance.
To request a copy of our free Financial Planning Guide for Pupils and New Tenants, or to book a no-obligation financial health check with Westgate, contact us on:
The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. The value of any tax relief generally depends on individual circumstances.
The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.
Louise Crush is a Chartered Financial Adviser at Westgate Wealth Management, Senior Partner Practice of St. James’s Place. Called to the Bar in 2015, Louise has built a specialist practice advising members of the Bar nationally and provides financial education services for chambers.
Westgate Wealth Management Limited is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The St. James’s Place Partnership and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.
Financial planning is a series of small but important decisions made throughout your life. There are a wide range of financial products that, as your circumstances evolve, may become relevant but if you don’t put in place the appropriate foundations at the start of your career – which help to create the future you want – you risk not realising your vision.
‘In the past two years, 13% of workers had 2 months or more off work.’(1) Self-employed barristers have no access to statutory or employment sick pay, so it’s worth considering a ‘plan B’ to replace your income should something unexpected occur. Income protection provides a regular monthly income of up to 60% of your gross earnings, if you cannot work due to long-term illness or an accident, and continues to pay until you return to work or the policy ends, with the ability to be claimed unlimited times.
To optimise your financial position, make sure you are using your savings and investments effectively. When you begin practice, the most important step is establishing a method for managing income. Your situation is complex, with factors such as aged debt and fluctuating earnings, so consider implementing a model to meet short-term commitments and maximise long-term growth:
If not now, when? The sooner you start pension planning, the easier it is to create the retirement lifestyle you want. Research suggests that a couple needs £59,000 per annum to achieve a comfortable retirement lifestyle.(2) Aside from generally being prudent, there are other benefits to establishing a pension early:
The start of your financial journey can feel daunting, but you will be surprised by how much you are already doing right. Working with an adviser can help guide you through the complexities. So, no matter how small the step, be active and take control of your financial future – rather than leaving it to chance.
To request a copy of our free Financial Planning Guide for Pupils and New Tenants, or to book a no-obligation financial health check with Westgate, contact us on:
The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. The value of any tax relief generally depends on individual circumstances.
The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.
Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth explores some key steps to take when starting out as a barrister in order to secure your financial future
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By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
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