Help to Buy: What the 2013 Scheme Means for Home Buyers One of the most notable surprises in the 2013 Budget was the introduction of the Help to Buy scheme. Designed to assist home buyers who struggle to save a large deposit, the scheme introduces government-backed support that mimics the informal assistance many receive from … Read more

The yen has been weakening against the UK pound (click to enlarge) (Source: Google Finance) When I wrote earlier about currency risk and the opportunities that investing overseas can bring, I decided at the time to leave my Japanese holdings untouched rather than converting my Nikkei tracker back into UK pounds to take advantage of … Read more

The question “How much should I put in my pension?” has a straightforward answer: enough to generate a comfortable, sustainable retirement income that will last your lifetime. This article shows a simple method to estimate the size of the pension pot you need to deliver that income. Once you reach your target, you can change … Read more

Curated investing reads from around the web. I want to share two recent pieces of good news that felt worth celebrating. First, Monevator has been nominated for a Plutus Award in the Best International Personal Finance category. The shortlist is competitive, and it’s flattering to be included. If you read this site regularly and feel … Read more

Good reads from around the web. I don’t believe active investing will inevitably swallow most of our savings like some great whale scooping up krill. Still, trends matter: the movement toward passive investing is clear. The reasons are familiar: Low-cost index funds and trackers offer undeniable advantages in fees and simplicity. Active investing is effectively … Read more

What caught my eye this week. Bosses are increasingly insisting employees return to the office, while many workers are replying from their laptops with a polite but firm: “Yeah, maybe not…” Evidence is easy to find. My local gym, set in a business park, is deserted on Fridays. Season ticket sales for UK rail travel … Read more

Good reads from around the web. Whether you call it Smart Beta, factor investing, or return premia, trying to gain an edge with tailored passive funds has become increasingly popular. Some investors — including contributors to this site — tilt portfolios toward recognised factors such as value and size. Others remain sceptical, arguing that a … Read more