10 ideas to manage your finances

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Learn how to invest in art, sell your property at a better price or secure a trusted partner for your overseas payments and make 2023 your most prosperous year yet.

Transfer money internationally at great exchange rates

Make global currency payments effortlessly with the help of Foreign Exchange and International Payments specialist NewbridgeFX. Available for both business and personal use, the proactive service provides tailored currency solutions to suit your needs, whatever they may be. Currency fluctuations can have an impact on cashflow, company profit and property valuations, which is why NewbridgeFX offers a focused, personalised service that includes competitive pricing and tailored solutions. You also get access to a bespoke online platform that lets you manage all your foreign exchange and international payments via a multi-currency account in your name. NewbridgeFX is fast and secure, it can convert funds to more than 100 currencies, and there are no transaction fees. Payments can be made to over 200 countries, with real-time reporting and tracking available. Visit newbridgefx.com

Access private equity and venture capital funds usually reserved for institutional investors

Until recently, only institutions could invest in the most desirable private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) funds. The typical €10m (£8.81m) minimum prohibited smaller investors from entering the game — until Moonfare levelled the playing field. This premier digital investment platform¹ offers access to exclusive PE and VC funds, but at lower minimums (starting from €50,000 [£44,035]). Now, individual investors, family offices and financial service providers can invest alongside global institutional investors. With operations in 24 countries, Moonfare has provided access to over 70 exclusive PE and VC funds to thousands of investors to date. Products include portfolio funds, direct funds and an award-winning secondary market, enabling investors looking for early liquidity² to sell their investments in Moonfare funds to other members. Create your free account at moonfare.com 

 Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong. Investment subject to eligibility.

 ¹Largest private equity digital platform for B2C in terms of assets under management. Source: Moonfare.

²Liquidity on the secondary market is not guaranteed.

Purchase valuable artworks

Thinking of adding to your art collection? Founded by Luke Sparkes, S&P Gallery in South Kensington specialises in original artworks and limited-edition prints, while offering exclusive access to art pieces from emerging and established artists as well as a range of blue-chip (high-value) artworks. When operating as an online gallery, S&P has a team of expert art advisors who carefully observe new artworks and keep an eye on emerging artists in order to find the best pieces for their clients. The gallery will guide you to those artworks that are in line with your personal preferences, helping you get access to unique pieces. Contact the team at [email protected] or visit smithandpartner.co.uk

Get help securing planning approval for your home extension

If you’re contemplating an extension for your home, an XTND report is a fast and affordable way to make an informed decision. Don’t risk wasting money on architectural drawings and planning applications that may not get approved. For £99, you’ll discover the most likely extension you could get approval for, with examples of other similar projects approved by the local authority, along with estimated construction costs and an estimation of the property’s value post build — all available within three days. Order your XTND house extension report at xtnd.uk

Learn all about the new system regulating the European patent rights’ enforcement

Judgement on the validity or infringement of a patent (which protects inventions), is set to become easier thanks to the new Unified Patent Court system, available from 1 June 2023 — this will allow a single, centralised enforcement of European patent rights for all participating states. European patents (granted by the European Patent Office) will be enforced cost-effectively in a single court, with judgements for compensation or otherwise being enforceable in all participating countries at once. But what does this mean for your business? The new system should help British companies to secure investments easily. The simplification of innovation protection is also expected to strengthen the European market and improve legal certainty. As the new strategic possibilities arise, a proactive evaluation of the new system and an adaptation of IP strategies are essential. Contact European Intellectual Property law firm Mathys & Squire at mathys-squire.com to find out more.

Say goodbye to running out of power with a reliable solar generator

Investing in alternative energy sources can be a great way to reduce living costs while helping the environment. Believing that where there’s sunlight, there’s unlimited power supply, BLUETTI is on a mission to help create a sustainable future through budget-saving green energy storage solutions. Built with a next-gen MPPT solar inverter, the company’s AC500 allows a 3,000W maximum solar input. The solar generator serves as a reliable source of back-up power for emergencies or unexpected blackouts. It can be charged by AC, solar, generator, lead-acid battery, dual or triple charging methods, and welcomes up to six B300s battery packs for a total capacity of 18,432Wh. Creating a solar system with compatible solar panels can bring power independence, as unlimited energy supply will be available for the entire house. Users can control and monitor the power consumption through the BLUETTI app. Visit bluettipower.co.uk to find out more.

Get all your banking needs covered by one expert

Looking for a flexible private bank to help you make the most of your financial assets? EFG Private Bank Ltd, the UK-based private banking arm of EFG International, could help. With offices in London, Birmingham and 40 locations around the world, EFG focuses on banking and credit, investment management, wealth planning and fiduciary services for private and institutional clients. The bank provides individuals, entrepreneurs and multi-generational families personal financial advice to create hands-on solutions and build long-term client relationships founded on trust. EFG offers institutional quality investment management to private clients through its EFG Asset Management offering, while giving clients access to wealth planning, banking, lending, cash management and treasury services under one roof, through its client relationship officer (CRO). Find out more at efginternational.com/uk

Help your children become financially responsible

Leap is one of the first services in the Middle East that provides parents with convenience, control and transparency to help raise financially responsible children. Available exclusively in the UAE (with expansion into Saudi Arabia and Egypt on the horizon), this intuitive app links to a parent-issued, prepaid Visa card, which children can use to earn, save and spend, getting a sense of independence and ownership over their pocket money. With Leap, parents can send money instantly, turn the card on or off via the app, and automate their children’s pocket money. The app also allows parents to monitor their spending via real-time alerts and notifications, and set tasks for them to complete and earn rewards. Meanwhile, children can pay for everyday items, track spending and savings, set a savings goal and earn badges (such as an AED10 bonus reward) by saving a proportion of their weekly allowance each week. Download Leap — available on both iOS and Android — for a free three-month trial until 31 May 2023.

Leap is a financial technology company and not a bank. Its services do not offer or provide any banking or financial services either through itself or affiliated entities. Leap provides certain facilities for utilisation of payment services through Nymcard Payment Services LLC. The Leap card is issued by Mashreq Bank PSC, pursuant to license by Visa. Nymcard Payment Services LLC is authorised by the Central Bank of The UAE, holding the Retail Payment Services and Card Schemes license in accordance with the Decretal Federal Law No. (14) of 2018 regarding the Central Bank & Organization of Financial Institutions and Activities, and Regulatory Framework.

Discover how Gibraltar’s fund industry has re-positioned itself post-Brexit

Gibraltar’s geographic location makes it strategically and financially important. This British Overseas Territory has left the EU and is now the only jurisdiction in the world that continues to have a common market with the UK. Post-Brexit, there needed to be some recognition that Gibraltar had ceased to form part of the European Union — its competitor jurisdictions were no longer its former fellow Member States and were now those non-EU jurisdictions with whom it had previously not been able to compete. The new dual funds regime recognises Gibraltar’s new position and permits a fund domiciled in Gibraltar to safely opt out of EU Directives and continue operating under Gibraltar’s robust and tested domestic regime, a very attractive proposition when compared to the offshore jurisdictions. Find out how to establish a fund in Gibraltar by contacting independent Gibraltar law firm Triay at triay.com

Seek ‘Later Life’ mortgage advice

Aged 55 and over? Independent mortgage brokerage Henry Dannell can offer you open, transparent advice on ‘Later Life finance’, helping you to raise capital secured on your home, and make informed decisions around mortgage matters. Specialist advisers offer bespoke solutions for Later Life, Residential and Commercial mortgages, along with Protection Insurance. The mortgage broker’s £1,295 ‘fee-for-life’ also guarantees that if there’s a life change and a client wishes to release additional funds or remortgage, the Later Life advice will be available at any time with no additional fee. Enjoy an initial, no-obligation, complimentary 30-minute consultation at henrydannell.co.uk

Henry Dannell is directly authorised and regulated by the financial conduct authority (FCA registration number 943626) and is a proud member of the Equity Release Council, offering products from the whole of the market.

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