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November 2007

Download financial advice with Worldwides podcast

14 November 2007 A Cornish businessman and financial guru is offering a fresh way to access advice about mortgages – by recording a podcast. Peter McGahan, managing director of Worldwide Financial Planning, worked with IFAP, the Independent Financial Advisers Promotional Body, to produce the podcast. A podcast is an audio file ...
14 November 2007

A Cornish businessman and financial guru is offering a fresh way to access advice about mortgages – by recording a podcast.

Peter McGahan, managing director of Worldwide Financial Planning, worked with IFAP, the Independent Financial Advisers Promotional Body, to produce the podcast.

A podcast is an audio file that can be downloaded to a computer or MP3 players. It will be available through IFAP’s website www.unbiased.co.uk. The postcast can also be downloaded here.

Mr McGahan, who heads up teams of IFAs and mortgage specialists in Truro and Wadebridge, believes the podcast will be a practical and innovative way for people to receive accurate information.

“We want to make it as accessible as possible for customers to receive sound advice about mortgages,” he said.

“People like to receive information in an infinite number of ways, and by producing this podcast we can reach a contemporary market.

“We are in the digital age now and new media is an important vehicle when getting the message across. People can download the advice and use it at a time that suits them.”

Future podcasts in the Unbiased.co.uk series will examine savings, tax planning and investment, with further topics to be revealed in the New Year.

Consumers can listen to one of Unbiased.co.uk’s podcasts by going to www.unbiased.co.uk/find-an-ifa/guides and clicking on their chosen podcast.

There is also an option to subscribe to the whole series by clicking on the subscribe link.

David Elms, Chief Executive of Unbiased.co.uk, commented: “Podcasts are a simple and easy way to download the information you are after and listen to it whenever is convenient to you.

“We already have a great list of podcasts on our site and we are looking forward to adding more and more podcasts on other topics to our series.

“Research shows that more and more people are searching the web for information and podcasts are just another way of making advice and tips on personal finance topics available to consumers online.”

Download the podcast here.

To find out more about the podcast or to receive independent financial advice, call               0845 230 9876       

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Worldwide Help Macmillan Event go Green

14 November 2007 Green was the theme at the 17th Cornwall Macmillan Day held at Hotel Bristol in Newquay recently. The charity, which holds the annual day to raise funds for its cause, was boosted by the generosity of local business, Worldwide Financial Planning. The firm of independent financial advisers ...
14 November 2007

Green was the theme at the 17th Cornwall Macmillan Day held at Hotel Bristol in Newquay recently.

The charity, which holds the annual day to raise funds for its cause, was boosted by the generosity of local business, Worldwide Financial Planning.

The firm of independent financial advisers handed over 700 specially designed eco-bags, which were given out free to visitors in a bid to reduce the number of plastic bags being used.

The first recipient of one the bags was Macmillan’s President for Cornwall, Lady Mary Holborow.

Macmillan’s fundraising manager for Cornwall, Clare Patterson, who organised the event said: “We were thrilled when Worldwide said they would support the event.

“Managing director Peter McGahan has been a keen supporter over the last couple of years and its great to have a well known local business backing us.

“It goes along way in helping us achieve our aims.”

The fair raises over £20,000 every year and attracts people from across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset to buy their Christmas presents from the range of stalls.

On display were local foods, gifts and art, whilst author Jon Cleave was special guest.

“We’re keen supports of Macmillan,” said Peter.

“I know from first hand experience that work, commitment and effort their team put in, so if we can help in any way then that’s great.

“The event is a huge draw every year, so we decided to create these eco bags especially for Macmillan to hand out instead of hundreds of plastic bags.

“The great thing is that people will reuse these bags over and over and it will help get the name out there and promote such a good organisation.”

“We were asked to get involved in sponsoring the fair in some manner, so as ethical investment advisers of the year, as voted by the FT, we thought we’d produce these eco bags.”


For more information on Macmillan Cancer Support please contact Clare Patterson on 01209 211442 and for more information on Worldwide Financial Planning please contact Peter McGahan on 0845 230 9876

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Worldwide Advisers and CAB Joins Forces to Warn over Sale to Rent Schemes

12 November 2007 An award-winning firm of independent financial advisers has joined forces with the Citizens Advice Bureau to warn homeowners of a scheme that has left people homeless. Worldwide Financial Planning and Carrick CAB have come together to highlight the dangers of sale and rent back schemes. Sale and rent ...
12 November 2007

An award-winning firm of independent financial advisers has joined forces with the Citizens Advice Bureau to warn homeowners of a scheme that has left people homeless.

Worldwide Financial Planning and Carrick CAB have come together to highlight the dangers of sale and rent back schemes.

Sale and rent back companies, which tend to target people struggling to pay their mortgages, claim to offer homeowners around 80% of the value of the property, whilst allowing them stay in their home and rent it back.

“These schemes typically appeal to those who are struggling with payments, and need to realise some assets to pay off debt, but unfortunately cannot borrow, and also cannot sell their house,” said Worldwide’s managing director, Peter McGahan.

“Obviously this frees up cash and helps with any issues, but that’s as good as it gets.

“In desperate times, emotions can take over and unscrupulous organisations can take advantage of that.”

With reports showing that 35% of people are struggling with their day-to-day finances, Mr McGahan says it is easy to see why companies offering this scheme are becoming more prominent.

“I even understand that the subject has been picked up as a storyline in Eastenders.

“I know of one lady who was offered £50,000 for her £100,000 house, but she described the fair rent they were offering her as ‘extortionate’.

“There’s even no guarantee of staying in your property. The agreement given to tenants is either a six or twelve month shorthold tenancy, and at the end you can be asked to leave and you have no rights.”

Jim McKenzie, Carrick CAB manager, said: “My main concern is that the tenancies being offered are assured shorthold”.

“We are aware from information from our national organisation that people who become involved in these schemes can end up on the streets, it is a national scandal. The companies who offer these schemes prey on people when they are at their most vulnerable, and clients are unaware how weak there position is.

“I would always recommend that if people are having difficulties they should go to their mortgage lender, CAB or an independent financial adviser before even considering this type of scheme, which should only be seen as an option of very last resort.

“Anyone who feels that it is the only way for them to go should find out what rent they will be paying before signing any contracts, because in some instances after six months tenants have found their rent has risen to more than their original mortgage repayments.

“Also going on a scheme like this can cause problems when trying to claim housing benefit, so its important to find out whether you will be eligible for this before you sell.

For more information please contact Peter McGahan on 0845 230 9876 or Jim McKenzie on 01872 278960 .

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House Price Fall could Boost Cornish First Time Buyers

30 November 2007 A Cornish independent financial adviser believes news that house prices have fallen by the largest margin for 12 years can be seen as positive for many of the counties first time buyers. Peter McGahan, managing director of Worldwide Financial Planning, made the announcement after Nationwide Building Society published ...
30 November 2007

A Cornish independent financial adviser believes news that house prices have fallen by the largest margin for 12 years can be seen as positive for many of the counties first time buyers.

Peter McGahan, managing director of Worldwide Financial Planning, made the announcement after Nationwide Building Society published figures showing the average cost of a home dropped by 0.8% in November.

It’s the first drop in price since February 2006 and the largest from one month to another since June 1995.

The annual rate of house price inflation now stands at 6.9%, down from 9.7% in October.

“People who know me will know that I predicted a drop in house prices to happen,” said Mr McGahan, whose company has offices in Truro and Wadebridge.

“We’re in the midst of an economic cycle and with everything that has gone on over the last few months with interest rates, the credit crunch as a result of the US sub prime market, Northern Rock and changes to Capital Gains Tax, then it comes as no surprise.

“But, instead of focusing on the negative aspect I think that over the next few months, if this trend continues, it will present a fantastic opportunity to first time buyers in Cornwall.”

Mr McGahan believes that falling prices and changes to Capital Gains may encourage many of the county’s second and third-home owners to sell properties now, rather than lose out in April.

“I think people will be looking to maximise their investments so would make the move now instead of waiting,” said Mr McGahan.

“So I would think that over the next few months more properties will become available and more affordable.”

For more information please contact Peter McGahan on 0845 230 9876 or visit www.wwfp.net

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Worldwide Seminar gave Insight into 2008 Economy

21 November 2007 Over 50 Cornish businesses attended the latest in the Worldwide Financial Planning Business Seminar series. Taking place at the Alverton Manor Hotel, Truro, the event focused on what might happen to the UK market in 2008. With worries about a slow down in the economy due to housing, ...
21 November 2007

Over 50 Cornish businesses attended the latest in the Worldwide Financial Planning Business Seminar series.

Taking place at the Alverton Manor Hotel, Truro, the event focused on what might happen to the UK market in 2008.

With worries about a slow down in the economy due to housing, interest rates, inflation and the sub-prime problems, the seminar looked at ways in which Cornish businesses could take advantage of opportunities.

Guest speaker Julian Chillingworth, a regular contributor on BBC Radio 4 and chief investment officer at nationally recognised Rathbone Unit Trust Management Ltd, gave an overview of the current market, as well as ideas for potential growth.

And Worldwide’s head of commercial finance, Jeff Lenihan, offered advice on how to cut costs and continue to grow business.

Dave Beaumont, senior manager commercial at Lloyds TSB said: “It was an excellent event and very thought provoking.

“It made you think about how the bigger picture has an effect here in Cornwall, especially with what has happened in America and the sub prime market.”

Worldwide’s managing director, Peter McGahan, said: “I’m really pleased that the event went so well.

“It is interesting to think ahead to 2008 and despite concerns I think businesses in Cornwall are in a strong position.”

For more information about Worldwide Financial Planning and its series of business seminars please contact Peter McGahan on 01208 816667 or visit www.wwfp.net.

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