Articles by James Mackreides

James Mackreides

James Mackreides

'Mac' is a short tempered former helicopter pilot, now a writer based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Loves dogs, the outdoors and staying far away from the ocean.

Under triple lock, the state pension will increase by 4 points in April
Personal Finance

Under triple lock, the state pension will increase by 4 points in April

Fairness and sustainability issues will be brought up by the massive boost, and more pensioners may receive tax bills. The triple...

Unless I get married, my estate will have to pay a tax bill of £214,000 This is one of the dangers of the inheritance tax pension reforms
Investment Advice

Unless I get married, my estate will have to pay a tax bill of £214,000 This is one of the dangers of the inheritance tax pension reforms

If financial planner Scott Gallacher doesn't marry his long-term partner after April 2027, he may leave his loved ones with a 214,000 inh...

Do I require insurance for my rental property?
Investment Advice

Do I require insurance for my rental property?

How much does landlord insurance cost, and what is it? Once they have made an investment in a property and rented out the house o...

Due to budget uncertainty, UK home price growth is slowing
Investments

Due to budget uncertainty, UK home price growth is slowing

The annual growth of UK home prices has slowed due to concerns about a property tax hike in the upcoming Autumn Budget. According...

Reforms to the inheritance tax pension will cause the tax collector and bereaved families to receive their money later
Personal Finance

Reforms to the inheritance tax pension will cause the tax collector and bereaved families to receive their money later

Experts have cautioned that the government's pension inheritance tax (IHT) reforms will discourage professionals from assisting in estate...

Rightmove: Although the increase is less than usual for October, asking prices do increase by 03 percent
Investments

Rightmove: Although the increase is less than usual for October, asking prices do increase by 03 percent

According to the most recent house price index, the average asking price for a UK property going up for sale in October is 371,422, which...

Would investors be wise to invest in Klarna's financial revolution?
Investment Advice

Would investors be wise to invest in Klarna's financial revolution?

Something intriguing is taking place in the fintech space that has never been observed in the financial industry before. In their largest...

Money and divorce: all the information you need if you're divorcing
Personal Finance

Money and divorce: all the information you need if you're divorcing

We examine how divorce affects your finances. Very seldom is divorce a happy event. Having friends, memories, and pets split up c...

When Reeves considers a "10,000 limit," Cash ISA reform comes up once more
Personal Finance

When Reeves considers a "10,000 limit," Cash ISA reform comes up once more

What do you think would happen if it were announced? The yearly cash ISA allowance for British citizens may be cut in half, accor...

One of the twelve proposed budgetary reforms for pensions would be an alternative to the imposition of IHT
Personal Finance

One of the twelve proposed budgetary reforms for pensions would be an alternative to the imposition of IHT

Prior to presenting her budget, former pensions minister Ros Altmann advised chancellor Rachel Reeves to think about reducing tax-free ca...

On AI and investing in the future of technology, Alok Sama shares his thoughts
Investment Advice

On AI and investing in the future of technology, Alok Sama shares his thoughts

James Mackreides: Could you tell me more about your book, The Money Trap? This is a memoir by Alok Sama, who worked for SoftBank ...

How Next overcame the challenges and established itself as a mainstay of the British high street
Investment Advice

How Next overcame the challenges and established itself as a mainstay of the British high street

What is causing it to succeed now, and is it wise to invest in the retailer? There aren't many businesses that better capture the...