Ashley's blog

Protection 19 February 2026

What does Martin Lewis say about over 50 life insurance in 2026?

The money saving expert Martin Lewis has reservations when it comes to over 50s life insurance. Although he believes an over 50 plan could be lucrative for some....

Retirement 5 January 2026

Martin Lewis' Advice on Pension Drawdown (2026)

Money saving expert Martin Lewis offers pension advice to all ages. We take a look at what he says about pension drawdown.

Later life borrowing 12 May 2025

My parents want to release equity, what do I need to know?

If you’re skeptical about your parents releasing equity, find answers to your most pressing questions and concerns including the inheritance implications.

Later life borrowing 22 February 2025

How much equity can I release from my home?

The amount of equity you can release from your home depends on several factors but typically ranges from 20% to 53%.

Community 27 January 2025

What is probate?

Read our step by step guide to probate to understand how it works and how to apply for probate yourself.

Funerals 21 January 2025

How much does a funeral cost in 2026?

Funeral costs have risen consistently over the years. Read our simple guide to funeral costs to understand your funeral options and the cost implications of each.

Community 23 November 2024

NHS Continuing Healthcare – are you missing out on help with care fees?

Later life borrowing 8 October 2024

Deprivation of assets and care home fees

Deprivation of assets is a term used to describe the process of reducing your assets to avoid them being included in a local authority means test.

Protection 15 July 2024

Over 70s life insurance

Read our guide for all you need to know about buying life insurance in your 70s and 80s. You can get a quick quote and compare costs from all the UK’s leading providers.

1 July 2024

Can I pay for my funeral?

Find out how you can pay for your own funeral and how a prepaid funeral plan could save you money and ease the load on your loved ones.

Funerals 20 June 2024

Funeral plans for the under 50s

Read our simple guide to funeral plans for the under 50s to understand exactly what your options are.

Protection 17 June 2024

Is over 50 life insurance worth it?

It may be worth considering over 50s life insurance if you want to help with funeral costs or provide a cash sum for your loved ones but prefer not to answer any medical questions.

Protection 13 June 2024

Is Over 60s life insurance worth it?

Over 60 life insurance could be a good idea if you want peace of mind knowing your family are protected. We look at your options and costs.

Retirement 4 June 2024

Writing a Will

Writing a will ensures your money, property & possessions go to those you care about, yet 60% of UK adults don’t have one. Take a look at your options.

Funerals 30 May 2024

Monthly funeral plans

If you're on a budget, monthly funeral plans could be an option. They offer an affordable way to prepay for your funeral. Find out more.

Retirement 26 May 2024

Consolidating your pensions

Discover how pension consolidation can help you gain control over your retirement savings and enjoy peace of mind knowing your future is secured.

Community 12 May 2024

Deed of variation

Read our simple guide to changing a will after someone has died with a Deed of Variation.

Community 8 May 2024

Inheritance tax guide

Read our Inheritance Tax guide to find all you need to know about IHT including how it might affect you and how you can you redeuce the impact of it.

Retirement 2 May 2024

Deferring your pension

Should you take your personal pension or leave it for now? Read our guide to understand your options, calculate your pension income and get expert guidance.

Community 1 May 2024

IHT on gifts explained

Read our simple guide to IHT on gifts to your family to help you understand what you are allowed to gift tax free.

Funerals 30 April 2024

Guide to arranging a funeral

Arranging a funeral can be a daunting prospect. Find out how to put your funeral arrangements in place, saving your family the stress and financial burden when the time comes.

Community 23 April 2024

Understand intestacy rules

We explain the UK's intestacy rules that dictate how someone's estate is divided in the absence of a will.

Retirement 20 April 2024

Pension rules and tax considerations

Read our simple guide to the current rules and tax considerations for pension drawdown and annuities.

Community 14 April 2024

How to avoid inheritance tax on property

In this guide we explain how to reduce the inheritance tax payable on your property and why leaving it too late could cost you and your family thousands.

Funerals 10 April 2024

Guide to personalising a funeral

Have you thought about what you'd like at your funeral? Read our simple guide to help you plan the funeral you want for yourself.

Community 10 April 2024

What is Power of Attorney?

Read our simple guide to Power of Attorney to understand how it works and the importance of choosing the right type for your needs.

Funerals 3 April 2024

How to write a eulogy

Read our simple guide to help you write and read a eulogy that truly reflects the person who's died.

Funerals 29 March 2024

Funeral hymns

Read our guide to funeral hymns to help you make the right choice.

Funerals 20 March 2024

Guide to funeral poems

Read our simple guide to funeral poems to help you find the right words to express your feelings.

Later life borrowing 11 March 2024

What does Martin Lewis think about equity release?

Martin Lewis’ view on equity release is that it could be a good option if you’re over 55, need to increase your income and are not concerned about leaving an inheritance.

Funerals 5 March 2024

Funeral music

Don't let your family stress over your funeral arrangements - choose your funeral songs and music today and let them know.

Funerals 28 February 2024

Types of funeral service

There are various types of funeral services and a growing trend for natural and humanist funerals. Read our simple guide to funeral services to help you choose.

Funerals 20 February 2024

Guide to woodland burials

Read our simple guide to environmentally friendly, and increasing popular, woodland burials to help you understand what's involved.

Community 7 February 2024

What to do when someone dies

Nobody tells you what to do when someone dies, but we have all the information you need right here. Read our guides.

Funerals 30 January 2024

Guide to choosing a coffin

Read our simple guide to choosing a coffin to help you decide what's most appropriate for the person.

Funerals 17 January 2024

Funeral flowers guide

Funeral flowers are personal to the family and friends of the deceased. Read our guide to funeral flowers for inspiration.

Funerals 4 January 2024

Guide to choosing a funeral director

Have you ever wondered what funeral directors and undertakers do? Whilst their services may not be cheap, they perform a job most of us wouldn't. Find out more.

Retirement 11 December 2023

How can I increase my retirement income?

What if your retirement income doesn’t support the things you want to do, or maybe you’re not ready to slow down and feel you want to create additional income by doing something new.

Later life borrowing 10 December 2023

Is equity release a good idea?

Is equity release a good idea? We look at the detail to help you make an informed decision as to whether its right for you.

Protection 13 October 2023

Car insurance costs soar as 61% pay more for their renewal

A recent survey by leading UK car insurance comparison specialist Quotezone has found that 61% of those surveyed said their car insurance renewal was more expensive in 2023.

Later life borrowing 9 June 2023

Equity release companies to avoid

This is a must-read if you're considering equity release. Knowing which companies to avoid could save you time & money.

Later life borrowing 20 March 2023

Switching equity release providers

Switching equity release provider and transferring to a better interest rate could save you money but there are other reasons people choose to change lender.

Later life borrowing 20 March 2023

How does equity release work when you die?

When you die, your equity release loan will need to be repaid. Although this is usually through the sale of your property, there are other options available for paying back the loan.

Later life borrowing 9 January 2023

What can you use equity release for?

See what our customers used their plan for in 2022. In most cases there was more than one reason.

Later life borrowing 22 November 2022

What are the 4 little known truths about equity release?

You would be forgiven for thinking that releasing equity from your home is a risky business, as there are numerous myths floating around that may scare some homeowners.

Later life borrowing 22 November 2022

Equity release horror stories

If you’re considering releasing equity from your home, to avoid any nightmares it helps to be aware of the equity release horror stories people have faced.

Later life borrowing 9 June 2022

Your equity release questions answered

We answer your equity release questions. Equity release is growing in popularity and if you're 55+ could help you release cash from your home. Start your research here.

Funerals 4 June 2022

Direct cremation frequently asked questions

We answer all of your direct cremation questions. The simple cremation that is growing in popularity. Start your research here.

Funerals 3 October 2021

Are Funeral Plans better than Over 50s Life Insurance?

Is a prepaid funeral plan or over 50 life insurance better for you? We compare the two, to help you decide. Read on and get a quote for both options.

Funerals 1 October 2021

Choosing a funeral plan for your parents

Are you helping your parent choose a prepaid funeral plan? Single of joint funeral plans are available. Find out mroe and get a quote today.

Funerals 14 July 2021

Joint Funeral Plans a Cheaper Way to Prepay

Are you aware of your options when it comes to joint funeral plans? They may save you money.

Funerals 12 July 2021

Will over 50 life insurance pay for my funeral?

With funeral costs rising, find out how over 50 life insurance could help towards the cost of your funeral and how a prepaid funeral plan could enable you to do more.

Protection 6 July 2021

How old is too old for life insurance?

In fact, you are never too old - or too young - to think about your life insurance needs.

Protection 6 July 2021

No medical life insurance - what are your choices?

Could no-medical life insurance be the answer to your worries about getting life cover later in life? Find out now and get a quote from the UK’s leading insurers.

Protection 22 June 2021

Choosing life insurance for your parent

We get more involved in our parents financial decisions as they get older amp; helping them to choose life insurance could be a wise decision

Community 15 May 2021

What is the nearest crematorium to me?

When arranging a funeral you have the flexibility to choose any UK crematorium, regardless of whether it’s privately owned or run by the council.

Community 9 November 2020

What to write on a sympathy card

Writing a sympathy card isn’t easy. Naturally, you worry about saying the wrong thing, and upsetting our friend or relation at an already difficult time. Feeling this way is perfectly normal, but even...

Community 22 October 2020

How does the cremation process work in the UK?

Little is known about the cremation process. Myths surrounding multiple cremations and recycled coffins are all common place, however the truth about cremation is somewhat different.

Later life borrowing 5 August 2020

How much is stamp duty on a house?

The amount of stamp duty you pay on property depends on the purchase price. Usually property valued up to £125,000 is tax free whereas property valued between £125,001 and £250,000 is taxed at 2%. How...

Protection 24 April 2020

What is Martin Lewis travel insurance advice?

Martin Lewis’ advice on travel insurance includes information on when and how to insure your holiday. In addition to providing general information on what to look out for when reviewing travel insuran...

Community 22 April 2020

How to stop nuisance calls with the Telephone Preference Service

The Telephone Preference Service, also known as the TPS, is the UK’s official ‘do not call’ register. It’s illegal for organisations to make unsolicited calls to Telephone Preference Service registere...

Community 16 March 2020

Coronavirus UK advice for the elderly

As coronavirus is new there is no treatment for it and antibiotics do not work against virus’. It is therefore extremely important to practice good hygiene and follow the government’s advice.

Later life borrowing 16 December 2019

What happens to my digital accounts when I die?

In this digital age of modern technology, much of our lives is spent online. Social media, online banking, gaming or music; the internet and electronic devices all play a crucial part.

Community 2 December 2019

Bereavement services in the UK

Find out more about bereavement services and the support available near you, including whether you're entitled to any cash allowances.

Later life borrowing 18 July 2018

Pensioners enjoy retirement ‘on the house’ as demand for lifetime mortgages hits an all time high

Pensioners enjoy retirement ‘on the house’ as demand for lifetime mortgages hits an all time high; could you be doing the same?

Community 6 June 2018

Another win in the fight against prostate cancer

It was with a happy heart that I read the latest BBC health news report about a new immunotherapy drug trial that appears to have had amazing results in one in 10 men with untreatable prostate cancer.

Retirement 16 May 2018

Planning for a long life

By simply entering your age, gender and the country you live in, the life expectancy calculator will work out in a flash how long on average you should expect to live and what percentage of your life ...

Community 22 April 2018

Expats in Spain living the good life

More than 120,000 (some 40%) of these British expatriates have chosen to retire there since they are aged 65 or over. What kind of life are they living? A very good one by all accounts. The Expat Insi...

Retirement 10 April 2018

Long term care pensions

Once you pass the age of 60 your worries are likely to be less about the inevitability of death, but the extent, length and cost of long-term care as you enter old age.

Protection 24 March 2018

Health insurance and your holidays

Beware, however, that all the benefits of your medical insurance plan are unlikely to provide any comfort or security at all once you travel abroad on business or on holiday.

Retirement 20 March 2018

Can I use my home as my pension pot?

Find out how you using your home could be one way to help fund your retirement, alongside other options.

Community 15 March 2018

How do I cope with grief?

The death of someone close to us typically releases very personal emotions. Coping with grief is likely to vary considerably from one person to another and from one time to another.

Retirement 28 February 2018

Later life planning

In the latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) - a man now aged 65 may expect to live a further 18.5 years and a woman 20.9 years. 20 years of life in retirement may prove ...

Community 27 February 2018

How to stay healthy as you get older

For all the myths and old wives tales, there is no elixir of life to keep you forever young. But bookshelves and the internet these days are awash with practical ways on how to stay healthy for longer...

Retirement 15 January 2018

Pension scam - take care of your pension pot

It's an unfortunate fact of life that there are plenty of people out there who will be only too keen to remove your money from you by whatever means possible. That includes your pension lump sums or '...

Protection 8 January 2018

Which is best single or multi-trip travel insurance?

This article will discuss what you need to know when buying cover, so you can make an informed decision as to which option is the most appropriate for you.

Community 4 December 2017

Getting a clean bill of health with the NHS Health Check

Although we may take it for granted, the state of our health is of the utmost importance and can have a serious impact on the way we live our lives. As we get older, the risks to our health become mor...

Protection 29 November 2017

Choosing Private Health Insurance over the NHS

One of the primary reasons people choose private health care is to speed up the treatment process; so I was interested to read a recent article on the BBC news website about NHS targets

Community 19 June 2017

Pet Cremation and Burial

It has been a while since I last wrote about Pet Cremation and funerals and a lot has changed in that time. My ginger (well, mainly grey) companion who laid at my feet whilst I tapped away at the keys...

Retirement 23 March 2017

Are you prepared for the long term residential care time bomb?

Shocking research from Royal London shows people who go in to residential care could face bills from £50,000 to £93,000 at the end of their life.

Community 25 November 2016

How do I go about donating my body to science?

For significant numbers of people, the idea of donating their body after death to medical science has many attractions.

Community 26 October 2016

Living with someone with dementia

When someone you live with and love is diagnosed with dementia, the effects can be devastating. Dr Jamie Wilson gives advice.

Community 21 September 2016

Dementia: planning ahead with your loved one

The Alzheimer's Society points out that although there is no cure for Alzheimer's or dementia generally, you can plan ahead with your loved ones.

Funerals 19 September 2016

My partner has just died; how do I know if they had a funeral plan in place?

Our advice is to talk about end of life planning with your relatives and tell them what type of funeral you want

Protection 18 August 2016

Which is better joint or single life policies?

The pros and cons of joint life insurance compared with separate life insurance policies mean that you may want to consider carefully your own personal needs

Community 11 August 2016

Living and dying in Spain

The short answer is that dying in Spain is, for official purposes, a rather different and more complicated process than in the UK.

Protection 26 May 2016

Worried about the NHS? Consider private health insurance

Against this background and very real fears, many are turning to private health insurance.

Funerals 1 January 2001

European funeral plans for Spain, Portugal and Cyprus

Have you considered what would happen if you die in Spain? Cremation or repatriation to the UK? Protect your loved ones with a prepaid funeral plan.

Deprivation of assets and care home fees

Deprivation of assets is a term used to describe the process of reducing your assets to avoid them being included in a local authority means test.