Quick reads
Practical guides to personal finance and the impact of news events.
How much should I have in an emergency fund?
A guide to emergency funds, from how much to where to keep it
Blueprint Step 7: protecting the plan with insurance and a will
Why protection and a will are the final step in a complete financial plan
Blueprint Step 6: the tax wrapper strategy
How ISAs, LISAs, and risk appetite fit together once the foundations are in place
Blueprint Step 5: approaching the mortgage
Mortgage overpayment vs investing: how the maths and the trade-offs compare
Blueprint Step 4: salary optimisation around key thresholds
How pension contributions ease the 60% trap, child benefit charge, and childcare cliff
Blueprint Step 3: capturing free employer contributions
Why the full employer pension match is usually the best return in your plan
Blueprint Step 2: clearing high interest debt
Why clearing costly debt usually beats investing, and how to think about the trade-off
Blueprint Step 1: emergency fund and near-term spending
Why a cash buffer and money for short-term goals come first in your financial plan
The Illora Blueprint: how we build your 30-minute financial plan
The 7-step order for tackling your finances, from emergency fund to protecting the plan
Take charge of your money
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