Winter is coming
Just as it pays to check your home is ready for the cold and the elements, checking your money is FSCS protected could save you on a rainy day.
Your home is your sanctuary all year round, but there’s nothing like the arrival of autumn and winter to make you want to hunker down. And when that time comes, there’s value and comfort in knowing that you’ve checked your home is as prepared for the coming seasons as it can be.
And it’s just the same with your money. If you have pensions and investments, you want to know they’re sheltered from any unforeseen financial heavy weather. That’s where the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) can help. Read on to find out how.
Shut up shop
Nothing tests a home like a long, hard winter. Howling gales, lashing rain and punishing frosts can all take their toll, and you want your humble abode to be able to stand up to them. That means putting up thick curtains in front of windows that might be susceptible to draughts, and using draught excluders in front of doors. It’s also important to watch for any signs of compromised insulation, such as ice forming on windows or pipes, or interior walls being cold to the touch. There’s nothing worse than a boiler breaking down on a cold night, so it helps to check yours is operating at full capacity, for instance ensuring the pressure is within the correct parameters for the model and make.
And when you want to whip up a winterwarming dish like a hearty
shepherd’s pie, try putting an oven thermometer on the middle shelf when you heat it up to determine whether it’s reaching your desired temperature.
On the outside, you’ll want to make sure any wooden decking in your garden is properly sealed to guard against any rotting caused by damp conditions. For the sake of appearances, you might also touch up the paintwork so there are no loose chips that might be exacerbated by strong winds.
Look after your money
More checking means less stress, and it’s just the same for your money. That’s where FSCS comes in. FSCS is a completely free and independent service that protects you if your financial firms go out of business.
It protects lots of financial products like pensions, investments, bank, building society and credit union accounts. Of course, this isn’t about telling you what to do with your money or making you worry about potential financial trouble. It’s quite the opposite – FSCS can give you peace of mind with a crucial layer of protection. That’s why, as part of your yearly financial MOT, you should check your pensions and investments are FSCS protected.