Archive: July 2026

It’s that time of year again. The school run has an end date in sight, the diary is filling up with “what are we doing with the kids for six weeks” panic, and somewhere between the sun cream and the packed lunches, the pace of everything else in life quietly… drops. I call it the Read More +

Your portfolio matters. I’m Claire Markham, and it’s my job to care about it. As an independent financial planner, I work for you, with a local focus on Horncastle, and a global focus on your wealth. That doesn’t mean though that I don’t have carefully-chosen partners to help me do my job and help you grow your Read More +

Picture the scene. It’s a Tuesday morning in June. You’re sitting at a small wooden desk that’s somehow far too small for a grown adult, the clock is ticking ominously on the wall, and someone’s just handed you a paper that begins: “Answer ALL questions. Time allowed: two hours.” Your palms are sweaty. You haven’t Read More +

Though Mental Health Awareness Week of 2026 has just ended, the need to pay attention to mental health–and take steps to protect it–is just as critical as ever. Financial struggles and mental health are deeply connected. No matter your income level, if you have significant financial stress, you also have a greater likelihood of mental Read More +

Every year, around mid-March, something predictable happens in my inbox. A business owner emails and asks a question that usually goes something like this: “Claire, the tax year is nearly over – is there anything I can still do?” If you’re a company director or business owner, you might recognise that feeling. The UK tax Read More +

Are you thinking about your financial journey this year? The new year is a perfect time to reflect on your financial year and think about what you have achieved…and what your goals should be for the new year. Why Reflecting On Your Financial Year Matters Self-reflection supports financial wellness and financial wellness supports mental well-being. Read More +

Are you working a high-stress job just to make your mortgage payments? That was the situation this husband found himself in. It was starting to impact his health, and his wife came to us for help. The Situation We were approached by Mrs. X, who was strongly concerned about her husband’s mental and physical health. Read More +

If you are fortunate enough to be expecting an inheritance, then you may also be worried about the downside of any windfall. Specifically, inheritance tax. Inheritance tax means you have to hand part of the value of the estate over to the government, and it can be substantial. Where the inheritance is in the form Read More +

Selling your business is a big step. People sell for all kinds of reasons. Often, their goal is to retire, but they may also be burned out on the entrepreneurial lifestyle and want to return to full-time employment, or they may enjoy the start up part of a business more than running something more established Read More +

Whether you’re preparing years ahead or you’re planning to exit your involvement with a business in the near future, having the right exit strategy in place is essential. Your exit strategy is designed to accomplish a number of essential things, from providing you with a better idea of what your end goal looks like and Read More +