Click here to get regular weekly factsheets on financial planning http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk This leaflet explains some of the main sources of sudden wealth, such as the sale of a business, an inheritance, divorce, legal claim, critical illness, lottery win etc. We then explain some of the pitfalls associated with sudden wealth, and how we can help you to manage your money to achieve your goals. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/46_sudden_wealth.pdf This case study shows how the Portfolio Management service works in practice, and shows an example of a client who we worked with to help generate better returns for his money over time, as well as greater understanding and control for the client. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/47_case_study_portfolio_management.pdf This case study shows how the Financial Navigation service worked in practice for a business owner looking to develop a financial strategy for his personal finances. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/46_case_study_financial_navigation.pdf This leaflet explains how you can release up to 25% of your pension fund if you are over age 50, without needing to take any income. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/45_releasing_cash_from_your_pension.pdf Most people at some point decide to save their excess cash, whether this is for an emergency fund, or for a specific purpose such as a special event in the future. This leaflet aims to give you a brief introduction into why you should save, plus the various options on the market, so that you can start to work out which would be best for you. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/44_regular_savings.pdf This leaflet aims to explain what are self-invested personal pensions, or SIPPs. These are pension plans which allow an extremely wide investment choice for sophisticated investors such as those wanting flexibility of income in retirement, or company owners wishing to buy their business premises. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/43_sipps.pdf This leaflet aims to explain the process behind calculating how much life cover you should have. Many people vastly underestimate the life assurance that they should have. Ultimately, this could lead to your dependants having a reduced standard of living should you die and not be around to provide for them. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/42_how_much_life_cover.pdf Most people realise that pensions and ISAs are both tax-efficient wrappers into which you can save your money. However, there is often debate over which is the best vehicle for your savings. This leaflet examines some of the pros and cons of these wrappers and the benefits of using one versus another. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/40_investing_for_the_long_term.pdf The general principle of investing is that over time, especially the medium to long-term, the stock market should outperform other assets such as bank or building society accounts. However, many people also realise that investing in shares can be risky, and this is often demonstrated by attention grabbing journalists shouting about drops in share values. This leaflet aims to explain how investing in the stock market for the long-term should generate superior returns. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/39_investments_for_children.pdf This leaflet explains the main issues which surround investing for children. It lists reasons why you would save for your children(such as university, weddings or school fees), and also investigates the main tax-free schemes for children's savings, such as Child Trust Funds. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/39_investments_for_children.pdf This leaflet explains the complicated rules surrounding ISAs, and includes how the accounts will change after April 2008. From this date, the cash and shares elements will be simplified, and it will be easier to mix and match your allowances. PEPs will change to become ISAs, and you will be able to transfer from cash ISAs to share ISAs. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/30_isa.pdf How we follow a defined process in our dealings with clients. It gives an overview of the way we work, the different services we offer, and how we manage research and investments for you. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/38_our_philosophy.pdf Our financial navigation service is a comprehensive financial plan designed to give you the truth about your financial situation. This leaflet explains how the plan is made up and what this means to you. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/37_components_of_a_financial_plan.pdf This leaflet explains the how lifetime cashflow forecasts enable us to predict your financial future based on assumptions about your finances. We can then tell you the truth about where your finances are headed, and more importantly solve any problems with this. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/36_lifetime_cashflows.pdf This leaflet explains the process that we go through in our financial planning service. The service is designed to allow you to take control of your finances so that you know what to expect in future years. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/35_principles_of_financial_planning.pdf This service aims to tell you the truth about how your money works for you. It is a comprehensive plan which shows where you are now with your finances, and more importantly when you will run out of money. The ultimate aim is for financial independence, so you can choose not to work if you want to, and do the things you really want to do. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/34_financial_health_check.pdf Fund supermarkets enable you to invest all your money under one platform, saving on cost and administration. You can then choose from virtually any investment fund manager, thus giving you the best chance to get decent returns on your money. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/33_fund_supermarkets.pdf This factsheet explains why you should consider reviewing existing pension schemes with a view to transferring them to a new provider, a little like a remortgage. This can save you charges, allowing you to boost your retirement income, and also give you more flexibility and fund choice. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/32_pension_transfers.pdf This factsheet explains how our client log in service allows you access to all your plans and policies via a secure log in and password. This service allows you to view all your records in one place, check on policy valuations and let us know about changes to your financial circumstances. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/31_client_log_in.pdf This factsheet explains the main benefits of using ISAs, or individual savings accounts as a tax shelter for your savings or investments. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/30_isa.pdf This factsheet takes into account the changes to inheritance tax announced by the Government in the statement issued 9th October 2007. This is of interest to married people and those in civil partnerships as this effectively doubles their inheritance tax threshold. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/2_inheritance_tax.pdf We explain the process that we go through when advising on investment portfolios. We take broadly the same approach with each client so that we can ensure quality and consistency of returns. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/29_our_investment_process.pdf We explain how the Trustee Act imposes a duty of care on trustees to ensure that they properly review and diversify investments which are held within trusts. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/28_the_trustee_act_2000.pdf We explain how we take into account the ability of companies to meet their liabilities, so we reduce the risks to you. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/27_financial_strength.pdf How making overpayments on your loans and credit cards can save you thousands of pounds in interest, even with relatively small amounts paid. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/26_paying_debts_early.pdf How the state pension scheme works in practice, and what you should expect to receive when you retire. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/25_the_state_pension.pdf How pensions are treated when divorce occurs. A pension can be a major asset in a marriage, and needs special attention when a couple splits up. You should also consider the financial implications of any decisions. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/24_pensions_and_divorce.pdf We have developed a fun interactive quiz to help you take a snapshot of your finances. Simply click on the link below, answer the questionnaire and we'll instantly give your finances a rating. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/financial_health_check_quiz2.htm All companies with 5 or more employees should have a stakeholder pension scheme for their staff, unless they meet certain exemptions. This leaflet explains which companies need to set up schemes, and how to comply with the regulations. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/23_company_stakeholder_pensions.pdf Information on some of the risks of buy to let investment. Care should be taken in this area, as you can expose yourself to too much risk without first examining the pitfalls. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/22_risks_of_buy_to_let.pdf Information on how businesses can protect against the loss of a shareholder or partner. Often this area is overlooked, but can have severe consequences for the business and the family of the person affected. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/21_shareholder_partnership_protection.pdf Information on how insurance can help a business protect against the loss of profits caused by the loss of a key employee such as a director, owner, or technician. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/20_key_person_insurance.pdf Information on different options you can choose when taking out a mortgage. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/19_types_of_mortgage.pdf How you can keep your money invested when you retire so that you can have more flexibility than a traditional annuity. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/18_unsecured_pension.pdf How you can protect your income should the worst happen, and you are unable to work due to illness. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/17_income_protection.pdf Why a fee-based financial adviser works in your interests, compared to a commission-based adviser, who tries to sell you policies. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/16_why_use_a_fee_based_adviser.pdf How we help you to establish what level of risks to take with your pensions, investments and savings. It also explains how to diversify your portfolio. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/15_investment_risk.pdf Information on what it means to contract out of the second State pension, and whether it is advisable to contract back into the State scheme. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/14_contracting_out.pdf How taking out an inheritance tax insurance policy can help to pay for your liability to inheritance tax. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/13_inheritance_tax_insurance.pdf Information on what it means to contract out of the second State pension, and whether it is advisable to contract back into the State scheme. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/14_contracting_out.pdf How lenders have been forced to stop increasing their exit fees for clients paying off their loans early. Lenders have agreed to stick to their original fees, and this leaflet shows how to reclaim back excess fees. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/12_mortgage_exit_fees.pdf How the process works when obtaining a mortgage and buying a home. This is especially useful for first time buyers. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/11_the_mortgage_process.pdf Why you should consider insuring your life, income of other areas so that your family is protected should the worst happen. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/10_protecting_your_family.pdf How ethical funds work to enable you to invest according to your beliefs. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/9_ethical_investment.pdf How we use research tools to provide you with all the facts and to justify our advice to you. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/8_research_tools.pdf The basic options open to you at retirement and why this is important. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/7_retirement_decisions.pdf How commission offset can greatly benefit clients. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/5_commission_offset.pdf Why you should save for retirement, and how personal pensions can help with this http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/4_personal_pensions.pdf Some ideas on how to avoid paying inheritance tax http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/3_avoiding_inheritance_tax.pdf The general rules on long term care for nursing homes. http://www.woodruff-fp.co.uk/docs/1_long_term_care.pdf