Well, this is a new and interesting experience, the worldwide interweb as Terry Wogan calls it!! Working as an Independent Financial Adviser or IFA as we get called, the world is currently not an easy place for many. Many people having experienced losses to their capital are at a loss to know what to do for the best.  In talking to them, I sense genuine unease, bordering in some cases, on fear. The world has changed out of all recognition over the past 12 months and the path ahead looks dangerous. So, where does one turn? My own view is that it is preferable to be pro-active rather than adopting the ostrich approach! It is understandable that people do not want to hear that the value of their investments and pensions have fallen, but by facing the reality of the situation at least some dialogue can open up about the next course of action, even if that is to take no action!

Is it just me, or does anybody else avoid watching the evening TV news for fear of what is next to be thrown at us!? Over recent months we have been exposed to Swine Flu, mounting tension surrounding Iran, threat of terrorism, financial collapse, mass unemployment and the list just goes on and on. It is almost as if there is a concerted effort to instill fear into the population and we perhaps need to ask ourselves, why should this be? I recall as a school boy that if the local bully instilled sufficient fear into his victims he could pretty much get his victim to do, as requested! Another observation on the same matter is the seeming total lack of independent editorial control concerning the release of news stories. Regardless of which channel you might watch, the news is churned out as if scripted by a central controller and yet at the same time we are allegedly still living in a democracy!!

Going forward I believe that economic circumstances will continue to worsen and I would urge people to review their investments and seek professional help. Personally I would avoid the banks, in my view they do not deserve your business. They have failed in their core business and I would question the sanity of anyone crossing their doorstep to seek financial advice!  The problem for investors at the moment is that whilst fear and uncertainty exist, returns on bank deposits are at the lowest levels recorded in recent history. I would make the point that by seeking the right advice, you do not have to accept low rates of return for fear of accepting high risk. There is always a half-way house and whilst investors need to spread investment risk ,they may well need help in selecting investments that are best suited to them. Why not click through to our website for more information or let me know your feelings on the matters raised here. I will always attempt to respond to ‘buddy bloggers’,  as Terry will be quick to call us!

Link – Financial-Futures.co.uk

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