The Scottish Government has announced it will be extending the Help to Buy (Scotland): Affordable New Build scheme for a further two years.

Help to Buy Scotland is set out to help first time buyers and home-movers purchase a new build home.The scheme helps people to buy new-build homes without the need for large deposits. The Scottish Government will put forward up to 15% deposit of the purchase price of a new build home.

April is Testicular Cancer Awareness month. It’s a cancer that’s most common in men ages 15-35 years, but men of all ages can be at risk [1].

Statistics from the Movember Foundation revealed that 1 in 10 men don’t know how to check for signs of the disease [2]. So as it’s Testicular Cancer Awareness month, we’ve put together three key points so that you are prepared.

With Mother’s Day approaching, we reflect on the importance of mothers in our lives, yet a high percentage of them maybe financially unprotected.

According to a Scottish Widows’ survey of 5,077 adults in the UK, 60% of women with a dependent child have no life insurance.

What would an increase in interest rate mean for your mortgage?

The Bank of England has announced that it is keeping interest rates at 0.5% but has also hinted at increasing the base rate soon [1].

They did say rates would need to rise “earlier” and by a “somewhat greater extend” than they thought at their last review in November.

4 Myths of Critical Illness Cover… Dispelled

Critical Illness Cover is designed to pay out a lump sum or regular payment to ease your recovery if the worst was to happen and you are diagnosed with a serious illness specified in your policy.

Life Insurance can be confusing especially with the different jargon that gets used. All you want to do is make sure you've setup the right cover for you and your family. Our blog sets out to answer some of those most asked questions about life insurance.

1. What types of cover can I get?

   • Level Cover
     • This means the amount of cover and the premium you pay is fixed when your plan starts, and doesn’t change.
   • Decreasing Cover
     • This type of cover is designed to cover the reducing amount on a capital and interest repayment mortgage. The amount of cover will go down each month, but the premium you pay is fixed when your plan starts and never changes.
   • Joint or Single Cover
     • You can choose to take out a plan that covers just yourself, or your spouse, civil partner or someone you share a financial commitment with.

2. What’s the difference between level cover and decreasing cover?

   Level life cover provides the same amount of cover throughout the term of the policy. For example, if you chose £150,000 over the next 30 years and died in the last year, you’d get the full £150,000.

   ...

This year, we at Lifetime Planning have taken part in the Salvation Army’s Christmas Toy Appeal. Over 25 gifts have been donated by our staff, with toys and gifts ranging for all ages.

So, the season is upon us. Your office Christmas party is nearing. A chance for you and your colleagues to go out and enjoy the festive spirit(s). Do the following 10 stages sound familiar to you?

1. Attempt to arrive late, so you’re not first one there – end up being the first one. Stand at the bar alone for a good 15 minutes wondering if you’re in the right meeting place.
   
   
2. Somehow end up last to the table at the restaurant, with the only seat left being next to Nigel from Accounts. Exhaust all small talk with him. Scroll through your phone until your starter arrives.
   
   
3. Enjoying a few glasses of the free wine at the table. Slur your words slightly, try to laugh it off – plead you’re not drunk.
   
   
4. Awkwardly pose for photos that you’re not quite ready to be in. Pray that you don’t get tagged on Facebook.
   
   
5. The shy admin assistant gets smashed on Apple Sourz, loses their bank card, starts crying and gets sent home in a taxi at 11.
   
   
6. You all drunkenly agree you should be doing more outside of work with each other, and agree to do something every Friday in January. You all quietly forget/don’t bother mentioning it in January.
   
   
7. Jump around with Nigel from Accounts to Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody, fall into a table, spill drinks EVERYWHERE. Get a disappointed shake of the head from your HR manager.
   
   
8. Get yourself into a dance off. Attempt the “worm”. Struggle to get back on your feet.
   
   
9. Lose your jacket ticket for the cloakroom. Wrap yourself in tinsel “this’ll keep me warm”. Be stripped of it on the way out by the bouncers.
   
   
10. Grab a taxi with a couple colleagues that live in the same area. Have a good snoop of the outside of their house from the taxi. Question yourself whether you actually DO live in the same area. End up paying £100 to get home.

Let us know your office Christmas party mishaps. Tweet us @lifetimep or comment below.

Is Now the Time to Switch Mortgage?

This week, the Bank of England voted to increase the base rate from 0.25% to 0.5%. The first increase in the base rate since 2007. [1]

With this increase, it looks that mortgage rates are set to increase from the record-low rates that many borrowers have been enjoying.

This month men all over the country will be growing out their facial hair for Movember as a fun way to raise awareness of men’s cancer and mental health risks.

We all think “it won’t happen to me”. Well as much as men might like to bury their head in the sand and pretend that’s the case, the facts are somewhat different.

With the summer months long gone and the festive month(s) nearing, now is a good time to look at your mortgage.

3 Times When to Switch Your Mortgage

Remortgaging is all about switching your mortgage without the hassle of moving to a new house. There are key times to do this. You don’t have to stay with the same lender for the duration of your mortgage, but don’t just switch mortgage to free up extra cash for holidays. Instead make an informed decision where the advantage is in your corner. Such as the following…

1. When rates are low

Life Without Insurance – Would You Run the Risk?

Could you and your family cope financially if the worst was to happen and you could not earn a living? Read on for our infographic on Critical Illness and Income Protection – Would You Run the Risk?

Could our Mortgage Jedi's help you with remortgaging? Freephone 0800 43 53 49 or fill in our online enquiry form.

Lifetime Planning takes part in Wear a Hat Day for Brain Tumour Research

Today, we took part in Wear a Hat Day for Brain Tumour Research!  Wear a Hat Day takes place all over the UK. Our taking part is to help raise awareness and vital funds for this pioneering charity.

Scott Kennedy, CEO at Lifetime Planning, said: “The diagnosis of a brain tumour is devastating news to receive. Not only for the individual, but their family and friends as well. We are proud to help fund the fight against this disease which takes children from their parents and parents from their children before their time."

[definition] Critical Illness Cover pays out when the worst happens and you’re diagnosed with a serious illness such as cancer or stroke.

At the age of 37, one of our clients received the worst news. She had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The worst diagnosis you could ever receive. Sadly, there are 980 cases of cancer diagnosed every day*.

Critical Illness Cover - Do you need it?

Could you and your family cope financially if the worst was to happen and you were to become seriously ill and could not earn a living?

Click on the image for a larger version

Income Protection Cover - Do you need it?

If you are unable to work because of illness, injury or disability - could you still pay your mortgage, bills or other living expenses?

Our 5 Step Guide To Reviewing Your Mortgage

With mortgage rates at an all time low - we've put together a handy 5 Step Guide to Remortgaging.