Today’s blog is not about specific investments or investment products; it is just to get you thinking about your financial future and retirement.

I know it’s a subject that I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about and trying to plan for.  Up until recently I had an idea about how our retirement would be, but I had not really filled in all the small details such as where we would live, what will we do, and would we still want to travel extensively?   I guess the only thing I knew was that we would be in a warm climate near the sea.  I find it very hard to imagine what our everyday retired life is going to be like.  What I don’t want to be though is stressed out about money.

Now don’t get me wrong. I understand that money is not everything.  I understand that health, family and friends are much more important than money ever will be, however financial security is a priority for me and my family.  I am sure it is a priority for most as well.  You need money to enjoy your family, friends, and to do the things you want to do to enjoy your retirement years.

The great news is that you can still achieve this kind on return from your savings AND the returns are guaranteed and insured!

I love Sundays. The office is shut, I get my one lie in for the week. My family rises and I take a stroll to pick up the Sunday papers (Yes, I have resisted the pull of reading the news on an I-pad.... I still like to feel paper between my fingers!).

When my young son settles down for a nap in the morning, my partner (both business and personal) and I sit and read the news and financial/business pages, it is our few hours of peaceful bliss!

I am finding the headlines irritating lately – It is quite rare that any good financial news is reported; even Apple’s shares are down.

We all know how fragile and volatile the markets are right now – the smallest of incidents sends the markets reeling globally.  When will the constant volatility end? Well that is anyone’s guess.

Dear All

The Chateau suites in Chateau de la Cazine are now SIPP APPROVED!! They has been approved by London & Colonial, who are a master SIPP trustee.

The SIPP opportunity is the same as the current deal - the only difference is that we require a 67% deposit* for SIPPs (for which we pay 5% per annum interest on) *as opposed to the usual 50% deposit for cash buyers. The 33% balance due on completion will be differed for 10 years under the 0% finance, at which point the 150% buyback is offered.