Jake Manderfield - Financial Adviser - Kellyhill Financial Planning

18/02/2026

Put your hand up if you hold premium bonds ✋

I've had the "should I buy premium bonds?" conversation 3 times in the last 2 days so maybe you're thinking the same thing.

Should you buy premium bonds and are they worthwhile?

The simple, statistical answer, for most people, is no. Information about why from MSE here: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/premium-bonds/

Basically, it's very unlikely that you'll earn more from premium bonds than from a decent savings account.

The more complicated answer is, it depends.

If you like the chance that you might win £1m and are happy that your money might be going backwards in the meantime, great! ✅

If you have other savings and investments working harder and you're buying premium bonds with spare cash, also great! ✅

If you're putting all of your savings into premium bonds because they're tax free and you're hoping you're money will grow, maybe not so great.❌

How do you feel about premium bonds?
Do you have any?
Have you maxed them out?
How often do you win?

Let me know 👇

Premium Bonds are the UK's most popular savings vehicle, but MoneySavingExpert's detailed analysis shows returns don't add up for many compared with savings.

16/12/2025

A really good summary by Which? on how much the state pension is and whether it's enough.
Let me know your thoughts.

The state pension alone may not stretch far enough for the lifestyle you want

31/10/2025

Do you know when you want to retire? 🤔
Do you know when you could afford to retire?

People have a habit of drifting towards retirement at 67. Why? Because that's when you get your state pension, right?

The current full state pension is £997.75 a month. Could you retire on that? 🏖️
So what else do you have in place to make up the difference? And if you'll have enough to retire early, why are you waiting until 67?

The point I'm trying to make in a convoluted way is that there is no set retirement age. You get to decide what retirement means. It might be stopping work altogether, reducing your hours or taking on a less stressful job. Maybe a combination of all of these or something else altogether.

Now we've worked that out, you need to know when you could afford to do it, or put a plan in place to make sure it happens when you want it to. 💪

Let me know if you need some help 📞

24/10/2025

When looking for a new job (or just thinking about your current position), how much your employer might pay into your pension might not be top on your list of considerations.

But not all company schemes are the same – the amount your employer may contribute to your pension can vary due to a number of factors, such as whether contributions are only made on
‘qualifying earnings’ or whether they’ll match any contributions you choose to make.

It’s important to get all the facts so you can make informed decisions and maximise any contributions that might be available to you

17/10/2025

It seems like almost every other conversation I have with clients lately touches on the same idea: "Can I just put my house in my kids' names to avoid Inheritance Tax (IHT)?" 🤔

It’s a common strategy that people share over the garden fence, and it sounds like a simple fix, but it's probably not as easy as you think. Here’s why this can be a costly mistake:

The solution people often don't realize exists is called the "Gift with Reservation of Benefit" (GWROB) rule.

❓ What it is: If you give away your home (or any asset) but continue to benefit from it—for example, by living in it rent-free—HMRC (the taxman) still considers it part of your estate when calculating Inheritance Tax.

❗ The Reality: For this 'fix' to work, you'd have to pay your kids rent, at market rate. It's not just a case of putting it in their name.

Taking action based on what a friend or neighbour did can lead to unforeseen tax bills for your family down the line. If you're looking to plan your estate and pass on wealth efficiently, the first step is understanding the rules and using the legitimate exemptions available to you.

Have you heard any other "DIY" tips for IHT that you're curious about? Let me know! 👇

10/10/2025

Happy Friday! Wanna talk about the state pension? 💷

In the summer, the government launched a consultation on the future of the State Pension age, which will include the benefits of linking the State Pension age to life expectancy.

The State Pension age is currently 66 and is set to rise to 67 by 2028 and 68 between 2044 and 2046. The review is due to conclude in 2029. Whatever the outcome, what we do know at this stage is that the State Pension on its own is unlikely to provide a comfortable retirement, making it essential to consider personal pensions, savings and investments as part of a long-term financial strategy.

26/09/2025

It’s easy to think you won’t get taken in by financial scams. But with ‘finfluencers’ promoting illegal and non-compliant financial promotions online via social media, it’s important to seek advice from someone you can trust.

Seeking professional financial advice could help ensure you don’t fall under the influence of these unapproved ‘finfluencers’. We’re here for you, so if you think we can help you, get in touch

19/09/2025

💷 Inflation (the rate that the cost of living increases by each year) was 3.8% in August. The cost of food increased at 5.1%.

If your savings aren't earning at least 3.8%, you are losing money.
Even if the number in your account is going up each month. 📉

Think of it this way: If you have a savings account that pays 2.5%, your real interest rate is -1.3% after inflation.

12/09/2025

Hi everyone. It's been a couple of weeks since I last posted (I've been busy helping people with their money), so I wanted to keep this one simple - the short answer is a resounding YES. Here's the reason:

Imagine a couple, Sarah and Ben. They’ve been together for 10 years and have built a home and a life together. They assume that if something happened to one of them, the other would automatically inherit everything - they're a couple after all.

But legally, because they were never married, the situation is completely different. If Ben were to pass away without a will, Sarah would inherit nothing. Instead, it would go to his nearest relatives, likely his parents or siblings. Even without living relatives though, the Crown 👑 (yes that literally means King Charles) will get it before Sarah.

It’s a common misconception that being married solves everything but even that isn't as simple as you might think. Having children makes things more complicated, and children from previous relationships is another story altogether.

It’s easy to assume your money will go where you intend it to, but a will is the only way to be certain. It's the simplest step you can take to make sure your family is secure and your wishes are followed.

Do you have a will in place? When are you going to sort it?👇

15/08/2025

Pensions are really just a special way of wrapping up your money to save for retirement, but with some fantastic tax benefits to help it grow.

Here are 5 key points about pensions you might not know:

1️⃣ The Government Gives You a Bonus. You've probably heard a lot of praise for LISAs and their 25% government bonus, but pensions have been doing this for a lot longer! If you're a basic rate taxpayer, your pension contribution gets a 25% boost through tax relief. That means £100 from your bank account turns into £125 in your pension pot. For higher and additional rate taxpayers, that bonus is even more valuable. It's free money for your future!

2️⃣ Your Money Grows Tax-Free. Any growth within your pension pot is completely free of tax. 📈 That means no income tax and no capital gains tax on your investments. This allows your money to work much harder and grow faster, so you have a lot more in the pot when you come to access it down the line.

3️⃣ You Can Take 25% Tax-Free. Once you reach 55 (soon to rise to 57), you can access your pension and take up to 25% of the fund as a tax-free lump sum. 💰 A key point often missed is that this can be done regularly over time, rather than in one go, which can be a smart way to manage your income and make your money last longer in retirement.

4️⃣ You Don't Have to Retire to Access Your Pension. Once you hit 55 (or 57), your pension becomes accessible. You can use it to take a lump sum, start a regular income, or access it to pay for something you want or need. The list goes on. The key is that you don't have to stop working to do any of it. It offers flexibility to use your money as you see fit.

5️⃣ Your Pension Can Be Passed on Tax-Free to Loved Ones. If you pass away before age 75, your pension is free of income tax for whoever inherits it, for life. After age 75, the beneficiary will pay income tax at their own marginal rate (as if it was their own pension, but without having to wait to access it).
Under current rules, pensions are also free of Inheritance Tax (IHT), but this is set to change in April 2027.

Pensions aren't as complicated as they're made out to be, but they come with some fantastic benefits.
Which of these surprised you the most and what else would you like to know? Let me know in the comments! 👇