Louise Fitzgerald - Independent Financial Adviser

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Louise Fitzgerald - Independent Financial Adviser All your questions about money and finance answered, making it accessible to all, whatever your age or financial position.

DISCLAIMERS:

My content is for information only and does not in any way constitute advice or a recommendation to act.

Thrilled to share some exciting news! 🎉Earlier this week, I was honoured to be shortlisted for two Kent Women in Busines...
27/01/2026

Thrilled to share some exciting news! 🎉

Earlier this week, I was honoured to be shortlisted for two Kent Women in Business Awards:

🏆 Professional Services Award
🏆 Growth Award

Being recognised alongside so many inspiring women in business is incredibly motivating. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of my amazing clients, colleagues, and network.

Here’s to continuing to grow, serve our clients with care, and make a positive impact! 💛

Protect Yourself From the Latest Financial Scams!I’ve just been reviewing the latest Financial Crime update, and there a...
12/12/2025

Protect Yourself From the Latest Financial Scams!

I’ve just been reviewing the latest Financial Crime update, and there are some important things every client should be aware of. Scams are becoming more sophisticated, but with the right knowledge you can stay one step ahead.

One recent case involved a 76-year-old man who was almost persuaded to take out an equity-release mortgage to “help” someone he met in a bereavement group. The person claimed they needed money to access a £12m inheritance abroad. Thankfully, the adviser spotted the warning signs and stopped him from losing his savings.

These scams aren’t always obvious. They’re designed to manipulate emotions, create urgency and gain trust quickly.

Here are a few things worth keeping on your radar:

🛑 Romance and friendship scams - Anyone asking you for money, especially early on or linked to inheritance or “fees”, is a red flag. Please speak to your adviser first.

🛑 Fake documents - Fraudsters are now producing very believable payslips, P60s and bank letters. If anything looks unusual, get your adviser to check it.

🛑 Impersonation of banks, the FCA or other authorities - Criminals are calling individuals and businesses pretending to be official bodies, even using convincing paperwork. Genuine organisations will never pressure you or ask for one-time passcodes.

🛑 Remote-access scams - If someone asks you to click a link, download software, or “share your screen” to fix a banking issue, stop immediately. Call your bank using the number on the back of your card.

🛑 Professionals aren’t always immune - There have been recent cases involving solicitors and accountants being used by criminals. Don’t assume someone is legitimate because of their job title.

In the first half of this year alone, more than ÂŁ629 million was stolen by fraudsters. Many of these scams could have been stopped early with a quick conversation.

If anything feels suspicious, rushed or emotionally charged, trust your instincts and reach out. I’m always here to sense-check documents, calls, emails or unusual requests.

Your financial security matters, and small checks can prevent big losses.

04/12/2025

UK households are now holding over £2 TRILLION in cash savings — with a staggering £360 billion sitting in Cash ISAs alone.

And here’s the part that really grates…53% of cash-focused savers are nearing retirement.

They’re not avoiding investing out of fear — they’re choosing stability, certainty and control.

For many people approaching retirement, cash isn’t passive. It’s strategic. It’s about protecting what they’ve worked hard for.

But there’s a challenge that’s too often overlooked:

âť— A huge portion of that ISA cash is still sitting in low-yield accounts
❗ Some of it isn’t fully protected
❗ And much of it isn’t keeping pace with inflation

In other words, people are doing the right thing by prioritising security… but their money isn’t always working as hard as it could be.

As an adviser, this is where I’m spending more and more of my time — helping people balance security with smarter cash management, especially as they approach retirement.

If you’re sitting on a sizeable amount of cash or Cash ISA savings and want a clear, calm conversation about whether it’s in the best place, I’m here when you need me.

Feel free to message me privately if you’d like to review your cash strategy.

26/11/2025

Budget 2025: The Headlines (and the Hiccups)

Well… that was eventful.

Before Rachel Reeves even opened the famous red box, the OBR accidentally pressed “publish” early and dropped half the Budget online like a teenager leaking their own revision notes. 🤦‍♀️📉

Possibly the most British way to release a Budget: “Oops… well, you might as well read it now.”

Anyway—here are the big takeaways from the official (and unofficial) 2025 Budget:

đź’¸ Personal Taxation
Income tax & NI thresholds frozen to 2031, so more people drift into higher bands whether they like it or not.
Cash ISA allowance cut to ÂŁ12,000 (full ÂŁ20k only if you invest).
Dividend, savings & property income tax rates up by 2 percentage points.

đź’· Wages, Benefits & Pensions
Two-child benefit cap scrapped from April 2026.
National Living Wage jumps to ÂŁ12.71 for over-21s.
18–20-year-olds get a big rise too, on the path to one flat adult rate.
State pension rise of 4.8% under the triple lock.
Salary sacrifice NI benefits capped at ÂŁ2,000 from 2029.
Help to Save extended beyond 2027.

🏡 Housing & Property
Homes worth £2m+ hit with a council tax surcharge (£2,500–£7,500) (Band F–H owners everywhere: “We knew this day would come.”)

đźš— Transport
5p fuel duty cut extended to Sept 2026.
Mileage-based tax for EV drivers starts 2028 – enjoy those free miles while you can!
Regulated rail fares frozen for the first time since 1996 (Britpop was still a thing!).

🏢 Business & Other Taxes
Scrapping the under-ÂŁ135 import tax exemption from 2029.
Online gambling taxes jump from 21% → 40%.
Sugar tax extended to milkshakes and lattes from 2028 (sorry, frappé lovers).

đź“Š Economy
OBR now expects 1.5% growth this year.
Inflation forecast to fall to 2.5% next year and hit 2% target by 2027.

🏨 And Finally…
Mayors in England to get powers to introduce a tourist tax.
NHS prescriptions frozen at ÂŁ9.90.

Whether you loved it, hated it, or just laughed at the OBR’s early release, one thing’s clear: it’s going to be an interesting few years for our wallets! 💷

🎉 The nominations keep on coming… 🎉I’m absolutely thrilled to share that I’ve been shortlisted for THREE Tunbridge Wells...
28/10/2025

🎉 The nominations keep on coming… 🎉

I’m absolutely thrilled to share that I’ve been shortlisted for THREE Tunbridge Wells Business Awards 2025 🏆✨

🥇 New Business of the Year

🥇 Businessperson of the Year

🥇 Changemaker Award

The awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday 19th December at Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells — a formal black-tie evening celebrating the incredible individuals and businesses making a difference in our community.

It’s such an honour to be recognised again this year — especially alongside so many talented, hardworking and inspiring local business owners.

Running a business isn’t always easy, so moments like this are extra special. Here’s to celebrating the wins (big and small) and to cheering on all the fantastic finalists. 🥂✨

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Sterling & Law/Tunbridge Wells, 16 Mount Pleasant Road
Tunbridge Wells
TN11QU

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