ABOUT ME
Friendly Financial Advice
I'm Paul Chambers Cooper, an approachable financial adviser based in Kent, serving the entire South-East in person and the whole of the UK via video conferencing. I am delighted to assist clients with their mortgages, pensions and investments. Whether it's purchasing a new home, remortgaging, or looking to get the most out of pensions, I can help.
I'm proudly associated with Aitana Financial Services, a Kent-centric firm with over 25 years of industry experience. Our hallmark is the blend of quality advice and exemplary service we provide.
If you're seeking a review of your financial circumstances, please contact me. I'm flexible to arrange appointments at your convenience, be it at your home, office, or via video conference, at a time to suit you, including evenings.
GET IN TOUCH
Get in touch for a fee-free, no-obligation chat about how I might be able to help you.
Aitana Financial Services, 2 Jubilee Way, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8GD
01622 587 947
07452 903 034
MORTGAGES
Whether buying your first home, buying to let, or remortgaging, it’s a big decision. I aim to help you understand what you need to think about making you feel more confident about your financial decisions.
TYPES OF MORTGAGE
FIRST TIME BUYERS
If you're buying your first home, it may be confusing knowing which way to move forwards. There are Government backed schemes, such as shared-ownership, as well as products specifically designed for first-time buyers. I can guide you through the process and recommend a mortgage which will suit your circumstances.
REMORTGAGING
Remortgaging your home gives you the opportunity not only to change the rate, but also consider all of the factors, including any lifestyle changes which may have occurred. Whether you are looking to keep things as they are, or change the term or borrowing amount, we can devise a solution to suit your current and future circumstances.
BUY TO LET
If you are looking at purchasing, or remortgaging, an investment property, I can help. I have a wealth of experience in assisting buy-to-let landlords make the most of their property portfolios.
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE
WORKING WITH YOU
Getting to know you We will want to learn more about you, your circumstances, and your overall financial position. We’ll also want to hear your thoughts on what you believe is right for you, before we talk you through the pros and cons of each option.
RESEARCHING THE OPTIONS
Using our expert knowledge and database of multiple providers, we will find the options that are most suitable for your needs.
RECOMMENDING THE RIGHT SOLUTION
Once we have identified the options available, we’ll meet with you again to discuss our recommendations. We’ll also write to you so you can review what we have suggested, and why. Assuming you’re happy with our recommendation, we’ll work with you to complete the application forms and get all of your plans in place.
REGULAR REVIEWS
Once we have implemented a suitable solution for you we will meet regularly to ensure your investments are on track. We will discuss any changes in your circumstances, and make suitable recommendations to ensure that you remain on the right trajectory.
CONSIDERING TRANSFERRING YOUR PENSION PLANS?
In the constantly evolving landscape of financial markets, having a pension plan in place is undeniably crucial for ensuring a comfortable future. However, just setting up a pension isn't enough; it’s equally important to review and potentially transfer it to ensure it aligns with your ever-changing life circumstances and financial aspirations.
OPTIMISING PERFORMANCE
Different pension schemes offer different rates of return. Over time, your existing pension might not yield the best results as compared to newer or more suitable options.
CONSOLIDATION
If you have multiple pensions from various employments, combining them can simplify your financial management. It can also potentially reduce charges and fees.
BENEFIT FROM NEW FEATURES
Financial products evolve over time, with many newer pension plans offering features and flexibilities not present in older ones.
ALIGNING WITH PERSONAL NEEDS
Life changes – be it marriage, childbirth, career shifts, or retirement planning. Transferring your pension can allow you to align it better with your current and future requirements.
THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR REVIEWS WITH A FINANCIAL ADVISER
Just as you'd have a health check-up to ensure you're in good shape, think of a pension review as a financial health check. Here’s why regular reviews with a qualified financial adviser are indispensable:
STAY UPDATED
Financial markets, regulations, and your personal circumstances change. Regular reviews ensure that your pension strategy remains up-to-date.
MAXIMISE GROWTH
By evaluating the performance of your current pension plan against others, an adviser can help you select options with better growth potential.
TAILORED ADVICE
Generic online tools and calculations can't replace the personalised recommendations an adviser can provide. They understand your specific goals, risk appetite, and financial situation.
AVOIDING PITFALLS
Making uninformed decisions can lead to unnecessary tax implications or loss of certain benefits. A financial adviser can guide you through the maze, ensuring you avoid costly mistakes.
SELF EMPLOYED PENSIONS
Why is it important for self-employed people to set up a pension?
Like anybody setting up a pension, it means you won’t be relying on the state pension. As we know, it’s not a great deal. Setting up your own makes sure you have good funds for retirement, so that you can enjoy yourself, go on those cruises you’ve always talked about and so on.
It can be a very tax efficient thing for a self-employed person to do. For example, if you were teetering around the basic taxpayer limit and could hop into the high rate tax bracket, making pension contributions might push you back down to the lower rate.
It’s all about planning for the future, and self-employed people don’t have an employer contributing into a pension for them. It makes sure you are putting in place a good pension plan for the future.
What is the most suitable pension for the self-employed?
It will be based on your individual circumstances. We would look at an individual’s attitude to risk, their circumstances and how much they want to pay. It is very much tailored to you as an individual.
What's the process for setting up a pension?
Speak to me as a financial adviser and we’ll have a look at your situation. We’ll look at what you have in place already, the income you’ve got and what we can do. We can explore whether you need it to work tax efficiently for you, then we can get something set up.
Does it matter if you are a sole trader, a partner or a limited company director?
Generally, no, because what you get is tailored to you as an individual. However, a limited company director might make his or her monthly contributions as a deductible business expense, for tax efficiency.
You can discuss with your accountant and ourselves about how to make it work for you tax efficiently.
PROTECTION
Life and Protection Insurance policies can protect you and your family from the financial consequences of death, a serious accident or illness, or if you unable to work through illness or injury.
CRITICAL ILLNESS INSURANCE
Critical Illness Insurance pays out a tax-free lump sum on the diagnosis of certain life-threatening or debilitating (but not fatal) conditions including heart attack, stroke, cancer and major organ transplants.
LIFE INSURANCE
Life Insurance (sometimes known as Life Assurance) helps provide financial security for people who depend on you, should you die.
Although money can’t replace a loved one, it can help those left behind to weather the financial storm. For example, it could pay off the mortgage or provide an income to help cover regular household expenditure.
INCOME PROTECTION
Income Protection Insurance pays out a regular tax-free replacement income if you become unable to work because of illness or injury.
It could help you keep up with your mortgage repayments and other living costs until you’re able to return to work.