Illness, Injury and Missed Mortgage Payments: How Exposed Is Your UK Mortgage in 2026?
Imagine waking up one morning, too ill to work, and realising that next month’s mortgage payment is no longer guaranteed. For more than a quarter of UK homeowners, that’s not a thought experiment – it’s already happened. Recent 2026 research shows that 28% of UK homeowners have missed at least one mortgage payment because illness […]
Pension power moves: how to raise your retirement savings rate
When people think about growing their pension, they often focus on investment performance. That matters, but there is another lever that is usually more within your control: your retirement savings rate. Your pension savings rate is the percentage of your income being paid into your pension. It can include your own contributions, your employer’s contributions, […]
Beat the Clock: Your 2026 Tax Year-End Checklist for Smarter Investing and Retirement
With the 2025/26 UK tax year ending on 5 April 2026, now’s the time to act on key allowances for ISAs, pensions, and more—especially if investments and retirement are your focus. At 1st Financial Foundations, we help you maximise these opportunities without the hype. Why Act Before 5 April? Allowances like ISAs and pensions […]
February 2026: BoE hold interest rates at 3.75%
The Bank of England has maintained its current stance, and now it is your turn to respond. The base rate remained at 3.75% on February 5, following a close 5–4 vote. This indicates that while cuts are expected in the future, they are not imminent. And now a week on, the initial headlines have faded, […]
Christmas 2025 on a Budget: Enjoy the Season, Stay in Control
Christmas should feel good, not stressful. Here’s a simple, UK-specific plan to enjoy the season, protect your cashflow, and start 2026 in control. Energy bills: the Ofgem cap rises slightly in Jan–Mar 2026 to £1,758 a year for a typical household — budget for that change now. Budget 2025 headline help: £150 off energy bills […]
The Autumn Reset: Simple Cashflow Tweaks That Make a Big Difference
The Autumn Reset: Simple Cashflow Tweaks That Make a Big Difference With the Autumn Budget set for Wednesday 26 November 2025, now’s a great time to tidy your money and make small changes that add up. Think of it as an autumn reset: quick wins today, less stress tomorrow and you’ll be in a stronger […]
