Claire Wilkinson Financial Planning

12/10/2026

From oil prices to US elections, uncertainty remains a key theme for markets.

In this week’s WeekWatch, we look at the factors keeping energy prices elevated, what the upcoming US mid-term elections could mean for investors, and why bond markets are paying closer attention to parts of the euro area.

Read more: https://ow.ly/jNRi50ZWMsO

24/09/2026

A great day out of the office along Hadrian’s Wall on our 8-mile hike! 🥾
It was a fantastic change to track our steps instead of finances for a few hours and spend time as a team in the great outdoors! 🏞️

24/09/2026

A great day out of the office counting our steps today on our 8 mile hike 🥾along Hadrians Wall! 🏞️

11/08/2026

Understanding today’s market volatility… 📈📉

Markets have been anything but predictable lately. We caught up with our Managing Director, James Richfield, to explore what’s behind the current volatility and what investors should be considering.

Watch James share his perspective 🎥

11/08/2026

Understanding Today’s Market Volatility… 📈📉

Markets have been anything but predictable lately. We caught up with our Managing Director, James Richfield, to explore what’s behind the current volatility and what investors should be considering.

06/07/2026

𝐓𝐌𝐏 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

Staff attendance: ✅ 100%
Staff energy levels: 📉 👀 ☕️

The office coffee machine is working over time today! ☕️

It was a late one, but some things are worth staying up for ⚽️🎉

03/06/2026

🗞️ An interesting read from the BBC this week highlighted that 3 out of 4 people are not on track for a moderate income in retirement.

⁉️ That raises an important question…
 Do you know what you are on track for❓Don’t be put off by the word pension❗️

💷 Think of it simply as a long-term savings pot — one that’s there to support your lifestyle when you stop working. Also think ISAs when you think of retirement as they are often used for retirement planning as they are very tax efficient.

The reality is:

⚪️ A minimum lifestyle in retirement is around £13,900 per year (single)
🔵 A moderate lifestyle rises to £32,700
⚪️ A comfortable retirement could require £45,400+
Only a small percentage of people are currently on track to reach those higher levels.

Without planning, many risk a “cliff-edge” drop in income when they retire.

The good news? It’s never too early — or too late — to take control.

Start by asking yourself:
✅ What age do I want to partially or fully retire?
✅ What kind of lifestyle do I want in retirement?
✅ Am I saving enough to support it?
✅ Do I understand what my current pensions / investments are worth?

If you’re unsure, now is the time to review and take action.

Your future self will thank you


taxplanning

30/04/2026

Investing can feel like a rollercoaster — and that’s because emotions play a bigger role than most people realise.

This “cycle of emotions” highlights the journey many investors go through.

With markets feeling uncertain and volatile right now, it’s a great reminder:
✅ Stay calm
✅ Stay focused on the long term
✅ Don’t make reactive decisions

🤔🤔🤔 Here’s something I often think about…

🏷️ If you walked into a shop and saw two identical pairs of jeans — one full price and one 50% off — which would you pick? 👖

Most people would say the one on sale.

🤔🤔🤔 But when it comes to investing, we often do the opposite.

When markets are “on sale”, people can feel nervous and invest less.

When prices are higher, confidence grows and people want to invest more.

⚖️ It’s also completely normal to experience both the highs and the lows — that’s part of investing.

📈 The challenge is… we don’t get a label telling us when it’s a “sale”

✨That’s why having a plan — and sticking to it — matters far more than trying to time it perfectly.

27/02/2026

Happy Friday! 🎉

📚 After lots of studying, I’m really pleased to have passed my CF8 Long Term Care Insurance Exam today.

🏡 It means I can now help clients plan for the potential cost of care later in life — and more importantly, the impact it could have on their finances and families. 💷

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Planning ahead can make a huge difference, and there are options that can help take some of the pressure off if care is ever needed.

Now… time to enjoy a weekend of no studying! ☕📚

17/02/2026

Pancake day and the sun is shining! 🥞☀️

🥞 Pancake Day ✔️
☀️ Sunshine ✔️
📊 End-of-tax-year planning ✔️

There’s still time to review your figures and see how much tax you could potentially save before the end of the tax year!

🥞 Pancake Day at TMP 🥞