Expert on Best Christmas Money Gifts for Children - The People's Friend

Pensions v property – which is better? I ask in my 4 October Money Page for The People’s Friend out now.   “Shockingly, saving for your retirement can sometimes be more expensive than buying your home. Fortunately, if you start early, time is on your side. My number one rule: If you are not already in a firm’s pension scheme, join it – your employer by law has to usually contribute 3 percent of your earnings and some firms pay more. Not joining or opting out is saying “no” to free money or a pay rise. Pensions are tried and tested but the astonishing rise of house prices over the past few decades has made property a possible alternative for retirement savings from equity release to “buy to let”.” Which is better? To read more, buy the 4 October the People's available in superstores and TG Jones (formerly WH Smith) now. (My People Friend Money Pages are normally in the first weekly issue of every month). Thank you to Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown who prepared the Ask the Expert column and to Kate Smith, head of pensions at Aegon, who also provided valuable insight and comment. My next topic is  the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ including precautions to take if you lend or gift money to your adult children or grandchildren. (I welcome additional insight on this).   My thoughts now turn to Christmas! I am already looking for experts on the best Christmas  Money Gifts for children. Future ‘spreads’ also include; how to avoid scams and discounts and a beginners’ guide to pension. I welcome ideas for future money topics too.   Every month, I seek experts who can comment on or give advice on any of these issues or write an Ask the Expert column of 180 words; this week I am seeking experts on the best Christmas Money Gifts for Children.     The People’s Friend, is a weekly a magazine published by D C Thompson & Co with some 200,000 mainly women readers.   #laterlife #financialplanning #financialjournalism #publicrelations #financialadvice #pensions #ifa #wealthmanagment #pensions #scams #retaildiscounts #banks #moneygifts #money #personalfinance #insurance #generalinsurane #homeinsurance #buildingandcontents #Christmas #children #consumerlaw #consumerprotection