Welcome to the New Year! I hope everyone had a relaxing break, and this month, we are going to launch into 2026 with a soft landing. Some simple reminders on how to ensure the best health for you, your family, and your finances. January is a great time to review mortgages and insurance policies. And to make it a bit more fun, we’ve created a quiz to refresh your memory for finances, subscriptions, and credit cards so you can start the new year feeling organised, and hopefully save a bit of money!
We are here to support you, so reply or give us a call to find out how professional advice can help take the stress away.
anuary is often seen as the month for fresh starts. We declutter our homes, reset routines and take a closer look at our spending after the festive season. But one area that’s often overlooked is the mortgage, even though it’s likely to be your most significant monthly commitment.
If you haven’t reviewed your mortgage in the last couple of years, January is a great time to check whether it’s still working as hard as it could for you.
Many homeowners are now coming to the end of fixed-rate deals or sitting on variable rates without realising it. When that happens, monthly payments can creep up quietly, putting pressure on household budgets just as people are trying to regain control after Christmas. A mortgage review can help identify whether a better rate, a different term, or a more suitable product is available.
Remortgaging isn’t always about chasing the lowest rate. For some, it’s about certainty, fixing payments to help plan ahead. For others, it might mean consolidating other borrowing, releasing funds for home improvements. Or simply ensuring the mortgage aligns with changing life circumstances, such as a growing family, self-employment, or the future.
January is also a sensible time to get organised. Lenders usually ask for documents such as payslips, bank statements and ID, and having these ready early in the year can make the process smoother and less stressful. A review now also gives you time to prepare, if your current deal isn’t ending immediately.
It’s worth remembering that not everyone will benefit from switching. Early repayment charges, affordability checks and product fees all need to be considered carefully. That’s where advice comes in. A broker can assess whether staying put, switching lenders, or moving to a new deal with your existing lender is the most suitable option for your circumstances. As with any financial decision, your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with your mortgage repayments, so taking a balanced and informed approach is essential.
If one of your New Year goals is to feel more in control of your finances, a mortgage review can be a practical first step. Contact us today to hear how we can help.
Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debts secured on it.
January has a habit of making us take stock. New diaries, fresh plans, and a quiet promise to be a bit more organised this year. While many people focus on budgets and routines, there’s one important area that often gets left behind: health insurance.
If your policy has been quietly ticking along in the background, now is a sensible time to bring it back into focus.
A simple question to start with
Does your health insurance still reflect your life today?
Over time, things change. Sometimes, without us noticing. That’s why January works so well as a review point.
You may want to revisit your cover if:
- Your job or working pattern has changed
- You’re now self-employed or running a business
- Your family circumstances look different
- You’ve used your policy more (or less) than expected
- Your monthly outgoings need rebalancing
It’s not just about cost
Of course, premiums matter. Especially when people are trying to get finances back on track after Christmas. But a review isn’t always about finding the cheapest option. It’s about ensuring value.
A health insurance review can help:
- Check you’re not paying for benefits you no longer need
- Confirm what treatments and services are actually covered
- Review excess levels and optional extras
- Make sure limits and exclusions are clearly understood
Many people are surprised by what their policy does, or doesn’t, include. Taking time now to clarify this can help avoid confusion or disappointment later.
A reminder worth mentioning
Health insurance isn’t suitable for everyone, and policies can vary significantly between providers. Any changes should be made carefully, with a clear understanding of the benefits, costs and limitations involved.
Think of it as a financial health check
A review doesn’t mean you have to switch or make changes. Often, the outcome is simply reassurance that your cover still does what you expect it to do. For others, it may highlight small adjustments that make cover more appropriate for the year ahead.
If one of your January goals is to feel more organised and in control, a health insurance review can be a calm, practical step. One that supports both your wellbeing and your wider financial plans.
If you’d like to talk through your current cover and explore whether it still fits your needs, we can help you make sense of the details and decide what feels right for you. Give us a call today, and we’ll talk you through your options.
January is often when people take a step back and look at their finances with fresh eyes. Once the festive period has passed, it becomes easier to focus on what really matters. Keeping income flowing, protecting family finances and ensuring plans stay on track if the unexpected happens. This is where protection insurance plays an important role.
Protection is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and the right mix of cover can change as your circumstances evolve. A review at the start of the year can help ensure everything remains aligned with your current needs.
Income Protection
Income protection is designed to provide a regular income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury, helping to cover everyday living costs while you recover. It can be particularly important for those who are self-employed or whose employer’s sick pay is limited, as it helps maintain financial stability during uncertain times.
Critical Illness Cover
Critical illness cover pays out a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a specified serious illness, which can be used to reduce financial pressure at a difficult time. This type of cover can help with mortgage payments, household bills or adapting to lifestyle changes, allowing you to focus on recovery rather than finances.
Life Insurance
Life insurance provides financial support to loved ones if you were to pass away, helping to protect dependents, repay debts or maintain household stability. It is often closely linked to mortgages and family responsibilities, and reviewing cover ensures it continues to reflect current commitments.
Business Protection
Business protection is designed to safeguard a business if a key person, owner or partner becomes seriously ill or dies, helping the business continue to operate and protect its value. For business owners, this cover can be essential for maintaining continuity and providing reassurance to employees, partners, and family members.
Reviewing protection as part of your wider plan
Protection policies vary in scope, definitions and exclusions, and they are not suitable for everyone. A January review does not necessarily mean making changes, but it can provide reassurance or highlight areas that may need adjusting as part of your wider financial planning.
If one of your goals this year is to feel more organised and financially resilient, reviewing your protection cover with us can help you feel supported in the lifestyle and security you are working towards. Simply hit reply to this email, and we can get started.
January is often a time for reflection and forward planning. For homeowners in later life, it can also be an opportunity to review how their property fits into their overall financial picture. Equity release is one option that can form part of this broader conversation, particularly when looking to rebalance income, reduce financial pressure or plan more confidently for the years ahead.
Equity release allows eligible homeowners to access some of the value tied up in their home while continuing to live there. While it isn’t suitable for everyone, it can provide flexibility when used carefully and with proper advice.
When equity release is commonly considered
Many people explore equity release to supplement retirement income, manage rising living costs, repay existing borrowing, fund home improvements, or support family members. It’s important to understand that equity release will reduce the value of your estate and may affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits. For this reason, it should always be considered alongside alternative options such as downsizing, using savings, or remortgaging where appropriate.
A practical equity release checklist
Before deciding whether equity release could be right for you, it helps to step through some key considerations:
- Your age and property type meet typical lender criteria
- You have a clear idea of how the funds would be used
- You understand how interest is added over time
- You’ve considered how this may affect inheritance plans
- You’ve explored other ways of raising funds
- You’re comfortable discussing the decision with family
- Independent legal advice will be taken as part of the process
Taking time to review these points can help ensure any decision is made with clarity and confidence.
Equity release as part of a wider financial plan
Modern equity release products are more flexible than many people expect, with features such as voluntary repayments and inheritance protection available on some plans. However, product features, costs and long-term implications can vary significantly.
A review doesn’t mean committing to a plan. Often, it simply helps homeowners understand whether equity release could play a role now or in the future, or whether another option may be more suitable.
If one of your goals this year is to feel more organised and in control of your finances, a conversation about how your home fits into that plan can be a valuable step. Give us a call today to find out how we can help you understand the implications and decide what feels right for your circumstances.
This is a lifetime mortgage. To understand the features and risks, please ask for a personalised illustration. Check that this mortgage will meet your needs if you want to move or sell your home or you want your family to inherit it. If you are in any doubt, seek independent advice.
January is a natural time to get organised. Budgets are under review, paperwork is being sorted, and many people are looking for ways to rebalance monthly spending. One area that often benefits from a quick check at this time of year is general insurance. In particular, home, contents and car cover.
These policies are usually set to auto-renew, which makes them easy to overlook. Over time, this can mean paying more than necessary or holding cover that no longer reflects your circumstances.
Home and contents: has anything changed?
If you’ve renovated, upgraded furniture, bought jewellery or invested in new technology, your contents sum insured may need updating. Or you might find you’re paying for cover levels or add-ons you don’t need. A short review can offer a good moment to check excess levels and confirm that high-value items are correctly specified.
Car insurance: not just about price
With car insurance, the cheapest premium isn’t always the most suitable option. Details such as excess amounts, mileage limits, courtesy car cover and optional add-ons all matter at the claim stage. Changes like working from home, driving fewer miles or changing vehicles can affect whether your policy still fits.
Small tweaks, better balance
General insurance reviews don’t always lead to switching providers. Often, small adjustments can improve value and keep cover aligned with your current lifestyle and budget. It’s important to remember that policies vary in terms, conditions and exclusions, and they may not be suitable for everyone. Any changes should be made with a clear understanding of what is and isn’t covered.
Part of your January financial tidy-up
When reviewed alongside your mortgage and protection cover, general insurance becomes part of a wider financial reset. Let’s get 2026 off to a great start. We can help with a full policy update. Or just a small refresh. We are here to help.
Be honest, January arrives, the decorations come down… and suddenly the credit card statements arrive too. If you’re wondering where the money went (and how many mince pies you actually ate), this quick quiz is for you.
There are no wrong answers. Just real life.
Question 1: When you opened your January credit card statement, you…
- Took a deep breath, made a cup of tea, and faced it bravely
- Had a quick glance and decided future-you could deal with it
- Accidentally-on-purpose didn’t open it at all
Question 2: Your festive spending was mostly on…
- Planned gifts and a sensible food shop
- “Just one more present” moments and last-minute extras
- Cheese. So much cheese. And things you don’t remember buying
Question 3: Right now, your credit cards feel…
- Manageable and under control
- Fine… if nothing unexpected happens
- Like they enjoyed Christmas more than you did
Question 4: Your current budgeting system could be described as…
- Organised, intentional and up to date
- A rough idea in your head
- Hope, optimism and a vague promise to “be better next month”
Question 5: When was the last time you reviewed your credit cards?
- Recently, I know my rates and limits
- A while ago, but I probably should
- Long enough ago that the card feels like part of the family
So… what does your score mean?
If you answered mostly A, you’re doing well. January is about fine-tuning.
Mostly B? You’re not alone, and a small reset could make a big difference.
Mostly C? Congratulations, you had a great Christmas. Now let’s sort January.
There’s no judgment here. Reviewing credit cards, interest rates, and monthly spending is simply about making your money work harder for you. Not punishing yourself for enjoying the festive season.
If you’d like, send through your score, and we can chat about practical, pressure-free ways to rebalance your budget and tidy up your borrowing for the year ahead. Think of it as a financial spring clean, without giving up cheese.
