Podcast Summary
Express love with a Blue Nile gift, improve sleep with Sleep Number Smart Bed, and go green with eco-friendly financial services: Celebrate Mother's Day with a Blue Nile gift, enhance sleep with a discounted Sleep Number Smart Bed, and explore eco-friendly financial services for a greener wallet
This Mother's Day, express your love and appreciation to the extraordinary women in your life with a heartfelt gift from Blue Nile. Blue Nile offers exquisite pearls and mesmerizing gemstones, ensuring fast shipping with free and returns. Meanwhile, for better sleep, consider the Sleep Number Smart Bed, which individualizes comfort for better sleep together. The bed is ranked number 1 in customer satisfaction by JD Power, and there's currently a 40% discount on the limited edition smart bed. Elsewhere in the financial world, the focus is on going green. Financial services are increasingly offering green mortgages, credit cards, insurance, and even bank accounts. Pensions and investment funds have been around for a while, but the industry is now rolling out more eco-friendly options. In the city, the price of property funds is a topic of interest. And if you have a financial question, feel free to email it to ask.ftyourmoney@ft.com. So, whether it's through a thoughtful Mother's Day gift, improving your sleep, or making your wallet greener, there are plenty of ways to make a positive impact this week.
Considering Green Financial Products: Balance Value and Impact: When choosing green financial products, prioritize getting a good deal while also making a positive environmental impact.
The term "green" in finance can encompass a wide range of offerings, from credit cards that donate profits to climate change projects to mortgages that plant trees for every loan taken out. While the specific offerings and associated costs can vary, it's important to remember that getting the best value should always be your top priority when considering any financial product. Even at the lighter shades of green, you'll be making a positive impact, so be sure to do your research and ensure you're not overpaying for the associated benefits. For instance, some green credit cards offer competitive rates, like Barclaycard's Breathe 1 with an APR of around 14.9%, while others, like Co-op's affinity card, have even lower rates at 11.9%. On the mortgage side, while rates may not be the most competitive, many green offerings are still worth considering for the environmental impact they make. For example, London and Country plants 50 trees a year for every mortgage taken out in a given year. Ultimately, when considering a green financial product, make sure you're getting a good deal first and foremost, but also take pride in knowing that you're making a positive impact on the environment with your financial choices.
Green health check for investments and pensions: Independent financial advisers offer a green health check to help investors align their values with their investments, contributing to a more sustainable future.
As people become more conscious of their environmental impact, independent financial advisers like Bakery Davis are offering a "green health check" for investments and pensions. This service aims to help individuals make a difference by investing in funds that promote sustainable practices, such as waste management and climate change initiatives. The rationale behind this is that people care about the environment but may not realize that their investments could be contributing to practices they don't support. By offering this service, Bakery Davis encourages investors to consider the impact of their money and invest in companies that align with their values. This can make a significant difference, as more and more people are taking responsibility for their retirements and investing their own money or inherited wealth. By making informed choices, investors can ensure their money is being used in a way that aligns with their values and contributes to a more sustainable future.
Ethical investments outperform: Despite common beliefs, ethical investments have shown strong performance and can even outperform traditional investments. Look beyond the label and examine engagement practices for meaningful impact.
Ethical investments, or ethical funds, do not underperform and can even outperform traditional investments. Contrary to popular belief, ethical funds have shown strong performance, with some ranking among the top performers in recent months and even outperforming the average ethical funds since the early 1990s. The misconception may stem from the view that ethical investments are similar to charitable donations, but ethical funds invest in future-focused industries such as alternative energy, making it rational for them to perform well. However, not all ethical funds are created equal, and it's essential to look beyond the label and examine the engagement practices of the fund managers to ensure they are making a meaningful impact. The first ethical fund was launched by Friends Provident in 1984, and their success is a testament to effective engagement strategies. While some new funds may be jumping on the bandwagon, it's crucial to scrutinize their engagement practices to ensure they are making a real difference. Ethical investments offer the opportunity to invest in companies that align with your values while still delivering solid returns.
Companies Offer 'Green Health Checks' to Improve Eco-Friendly Investments: Some commercial property funds shift to a bid basis due to investor concerns and market instability, potentially signaling a shift in investor sentiment towards eco-friendlier investments.
Companies vary in their approach to making investments more environmentally friendly, and Baker Davis offers a free or low-cost "green health check" to help individuals assess and improve the eco-friendliness of their investment portfolios. This week, commercial property funds faced significant price drops, leading some to shift to a bid basis to protect existing investors and potentially deter new ones. Major funds affected include those managed by Standard Life, PRU, M&G, and some retail unit trusts. This move came as a result of investor concerns and market instability, potentially signaling a shift in investor sentiment towards commercial property.
Commercial property market may face selling pressure from institutions: Institutions are pulling their money out of commercial property, potentially leading to a spiral effect where more investors follow suit, impacting the underlying property market. Retail investors should be cautious.
Commercial property prices have peaked, and returns over the next year are expected to be less attractive compared to the past decade. Some institutions have started pulling their money out, and if this trend continues, it could lead to a spiral effect where more investors follow suit, causing a potential problem for the underlying property market. Retail investors who have done well in commercial property over the last 10 years might consider taking profits. However, if the trend shows signs of a spiral downwards, retail investors should be concerned. It's crucial to remember that even though the asset class itself may not be doing badly, the selling pressure from investors can cause a significant impact on the market. This was the perspective shared by Mark Dampier of Hargreaves Lansdowne. If you're interested in more financial planning insights, visit ft.com/forward/money. Stay tuned for more financial lowdowns next week. Until then, goodbye from me and the Feet Money Show team, and our producers, Blue Barracuda.
Flexibility in Insurance and Gift-Giving: Flexible insurance plans offer peace of mind and budget-friendly options. 1800flowers.com delivers personalized gifts for life's special moments.
Flexibility is an essential aspect of both personal and financial life. Just as yoga provides flexibility for our bodies, flexible insurance coverage, like that offered by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Plans, can provide peace of mind and budget-friendly options for medical, vision, dental, and more. Whether you're between jobs, coming off a parent's plan, turning a side hustle into a full-time gig, or missed open enrollment, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Plans may have a solution for you. Similarly, when it comes to celebrating life's special occasions, flexibility and personal touch are key. 1800flowers.com goes above and beyond as a gift-giving destination. From their farmers and bakers to their florists and makers, every product is made with love and care to ensure a smile is delivered. Whether it's a birthday, anniversary, or just because, 1800flowers.com is dedicated to helping you celebrate life's moments with friends and family. So, whether it's through flexible insurance coverage or personalized gift-giving, remember that flexibility is an essential component of living a well-rounded and fulfilling life.
