It’s A Dog’s Life

Teddy has been contemplating the benefits of a change of scenery, and has been excited to discover how new surroundings can refresh and recharge all of us, as pawed by his human translator Helen Stockton

Having just returned from a short break, and with holiday season in full swing, it’s good to reflect on the benefits of a change of location. For various necessary reasons over the last few years, we’ve all been confined to our homes, with only our family and immediate neighbours to bark at or exchange pleasantries with, depending on the nature of those relationships, over the garden fence. And whilst many of us in Sussex live in some beautiful areas, even the most pleasing landscape can pall a bit after a while, so a change of scenery is refreshing and invigorating.

We dogs, of course, have taken this to a micro-level and I like to change location around the house on a regular basis. Not for me the boredom of a desk and a computer screen for large parts of the day. The apprentice, Bear, and I move around, usually following the sun and the positioning of a plethora of comfy beds in different spots. I like to think this adds to the quality of our napping and is something I can warmly recommend; very warmly on a sunny day as it happens!

Bear and I also occasionally reside at other houses. We have our friends Ann and Peter who look after us for the day if ‘Them

Indoors’ have the audacity to go out without us. We also have our holiday carers, Shirley and Paul, who welcome us into their own home if ‘Them Indoors’ selfishly decide to take a break that doesn’t involve us. Both of these arrangements offer a refreshing change of scenery with different gardens to explore, new scents to sniff and unfamiliar dogs to greet in a manner appropriate to their breed, demeanour and a whole set of other criteria that I like to keep close to my chest. It adds a certain frisson to our encounters. And recently, we’ve gone the whole dog and moved house. We have different premises, a new village and even better, a beach less than ten minutes drive away for some refreshing walks, although I’ve learnt that you need to keep an eye on the sea, it sneaks up behind you unannounced and is not to be trusted.

Then, of course, there are our holiday changes of location. We are lucky enough to have a motorhome which is a fine arrangement for dogs. Bear and I just curl up and when we awake we find we are in a different part of the country with new surroundings to explore. We take in the sights, eat the regional cuisine, bark in the local accent and generally arrive back home reinvigorated and refreshed. I hope the same is true of your holiday changes of location. l

I’ve learnt that you need to keep an eye on the sea, it sneaks up behind you unannounced and is not to be trusted

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COME SEE US IN BURGESS HILL

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We are a small team of UKs leading inshadow, my companion, my best friend. You gave us the chance to spend time with him in his own comfortable surroundings. His brother was there to sniff goodbye too. He had been ill for so shadow, my companion, my best friend. You gave us the chance to spend time with him in his own comfortable surroundings. His brother was there to sniff goodbye too. He had been ill for so “I cannot Express just how much our dog meant, he was my Dr Suzen, CEO & Cert. Palliative Care Vet home pet end-of-life specialists in Sussex. Say goodbye to your beloved pet in your arms at home with our gentle two-step long and Dr Jo came out to see him. All this was at the beginning of the pandemic so it was iffy times. But we couldn’t have asked for a better service. Peace, compassion, respect and time. Bless long and Dr Jo came out to see him. All this was at the beginning of the pandemic so it was iffy times. But we couldn’t have asked for a better service. Peace, compassion, respect and time. Bless shadow, my companion, my best friend. You gave us the chance to spend time with him in his own comfortable surroundings. His brother was there to sniff goodbye too. He had been ill for so long and Dr Jo came out to see him. All this was at the beginning shadow, my companion, my best friend. You gave us the chance to spend time with him in his own comfortable surroundings. His brother was there to sniff goodbye too. He had been ill for so long and Dr Jo came out to see him. All this was at the beginning “I cannot Express just how much our dog meant, he was my shadow, my companion, my best friend. You gave us the chance to spend time with him in his own comfortable surroundings. His brother was there to sniff goodbye too. He had been ill for so shadow, my companion, my best friend. You gave us the chance to spend time with him in his own comfortable surroundings. His brother was there to sniff goodbye too. He had been ill for so and Dr Jo, Senior Vet giving pets 5 Star

“I cannot Express just how much our dog meant, he was my shadow, my companion, my best friend. You gave us the chance to spend time with him in his own comfortable surroundings. His brother was there to sniff goodbye too. He had been ill for so long and Dr Jo came out to see him. All this was at the beginning of the pandemic so it was iffy times. But we couldn’t have asked shadow, my companion, my best friend. You gave us the chance to spend time with him in his own comfortable surroundings. His brother was there to sniff goodbye too. He had been ill for so long and Dr Jo came out to see him. All this was at the beginning of the pandemic so it was iffy times. But we couldn’t have asked euthanasia - safe & loving for everyone. you all for your compassion to animals and the people who love them xx”. JOANNA 5I you all for your compassion to animals and the people who love them xx”. of the pandemic so it was iffy times. But we couldn’t have asked for a better service. Peace, compassion, respect and time. Bless you all for your compassion to animals and the people who love them xx”. JOANNA 5I of the pandemic so it was iffy times. But we couldn’t have asked for a better service. Peace, compassion, respect and time. Bless you all for your compassion to animals and the people who love them xx”. long and Dr Jo came out to see him. All this was at the beginning of the pandemic so it was iffy times. But we couldn’t h for a better service. Peace, compassion, respect and time. Bless you all for your compassion to animals and the people who l them xx”. long and Dr Jo came out to see him. All this was at the beginning of the pandemic so it was iffy times. But we couldn’t h for a better service. Peace, compassion, respect and time. Bless you all for your compassion to animals and the people who l them xx”. “I cannot Express just how much our dog meant, he was my shadow, my companion, my best friend. You gave us the chance to spend time with him in his own comfortable surroundings. His brother was there to sniff goodbye too. He had been ill for so long and Dr Jo came out to see him. All this was at the beginning of the pandemic so it was iffy times. But we couldn’t have asked for a better service. Peace, compassion, respect and time. Bless shadow, my companion, my best friend. You gave us the chance to spend time with him in his own comfortable surroundings. His brother was there to sniff goodbye too. He had been ill for so long and Dr Jo came out to see him. All this was at the beginning of the pandemic so it was iffy times. But we couldn’t have asked for a better service. Peace, compassion, respect and time. Bless peaceful goodbyes at home in Sussex since 2005. for a better service. Peace, compassion, respect and time. Bless for a better service. Peace, compassion, respect and time. Bless you all for your compassion to animals and the people who love you all for your compassion to animals and the people who love

Dr Suzen, CEO & Cert. Palliative Care Vet and Dr Jo, Senior Vet giving pets 5 Star peaceful goodbyes at home in Sussex since 2005. Dr Suzen, CEO & Cert. Palliative Care Vet and Dr Jo, Senior Vet giving pets 5 Star peaceful goodbyes at home in Sussex since 2005. you all for your compassion to animals and the people who love them xx”. JOANNA 5I you all for your compassion to animals and the people who love them xx”. Dr Suzen, CEO & Cert. Palliative Care Vet and Dr Jo, Senior Vet giving pets 5 Star peaceful goodbyes at home in Sussex since 2005. Quality of life consultations and gentle dignified two-step pet euthanasia at home Call 07962 423 567 Quality of life consultations dignified two-step pet euthanasia at home Dr Suzen, CEO & Cert. Palliative Care Vet and Dr Jo, Senior Vet giving pets 5 Star peaceful goodbyes at home in Sussex since 2005. Quality of life consultations and gentle dignified two-step pet euthanasia at home them xx”. JOANNA 5I them xx”. Call 07962 423 567 Quality of life consultations and gentle dignified two-step pet euthanasia at home Quality of life consultations and gentle dignified two-step pet euthanasia at home Quality of life consultations and gentle dignified two-step pet euthanasia at home Call 07962 423 567 peacefulpetgoodbyes.co.uk in-home vet service Images above are actual Vets2Home Call 07962 423 567 peacefulpetgoodbyes.co.uk in-home vet service peacefulpetgoodbyes.co.uk in-home vet service “I cannot Express just how much our dog meant, he was my shadow, my companion, my best friend. You gave us the chance to spend time with him in his own comfortable surroundings. shadow, my companion, my best friend. You gave us the chance to spend time with him in his own comfortable surroundings. Call 07962 423 567Call 07962 423 567 peacefulpetgoodbyes.co.uk in-home vet service Images above are actual Vets2Home vets. Reviews from Vethelpdirect.com Images above are actual Vets2Home vets. Reviews from Vethelpdirect.com His brother was there to sniff goodbye too. He had been ill for so long and Dr Jo came out to see him. All this was at the beginning of the pandemic so it was iffy times. But we couldn’t have asked for a better service. Peace, compassion, respect and time. Bless His brother was there to sniff goodbye too. He had been ill for so long and Dr Jo came out to see him. All this was at the beginning of the pandemic so it was iffy times. But we couldn’t have asked for a better service. Peace, compassion, respect and time. Bless peacefulpetgoodbyes.co.uk in-home vet service

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INHERITANCE TAX

Dealing with Inheritance Tax can be a complicated process, but as Lisa de Silva explains, once some of the fundamentals are understood, there may be a clearer route forward into the future

Whether you agree or not with the concept of Inheritance Tax (IHT), it is a financial reality in UK law. Here we explore the rules around IHT, along with ways you can reduce the tax burden. WHAT IS INHERITANCE TAX (IHT)? Inheritance Tax is payable on the value of the estate of someone who has died. How much you pay is calculated according to the value of the deceased person’s assets, which includes any cash in the bank, investments, property, business interests, valuable goods, vehicles, and life insurance policies. Any debts are offset against these assets and the remaining money is known as the estate. HOW MUCH IS INHERITANCE TAX (IHT)? In certain circumstances, there is no IHT to pay. Specifically, if either:  The value of the estate is below £325,000.  When everything valued over £325,000 is left to a spouse, civil partner, charity, or community amateur sports club.  When those in ‘risky’ roles, such as armed forces personnel, police, firefighters, and paramedics die in active service. If none of the above apply, the estate is taxed at 40% on anything above the £325,000 threshold. IS IT POSSIBLE TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF INHERITANCE TAX? Estate and tax planning can be complicated, and it’s always advisable to seek specialist advice, particularly for large estates. Despite this, there are steps you can take to mitigate the amount of IHT you pay. These include the following: 1) Leaving a legacy to a charity – If you leave at least 10% of the value of your estate after all deductions to a charity in your will, it can reduce the rate of IHT from 40% to 36% on anything over the £325,000 threshold. 2) Making gifts – If you gift your money or your valuables there is no IHT due if you live for

7 years after gifting them. Each year you can give up to £3,000 worth of gifts to anyone you choose, and you can carry this annual exemption over for up to one tax year. If it is a wedding gift, you can gift an additional £1,000, or £2,500 to grandchildren and up to £5,000 to children without IHT. 3) Leaving your estate to your spouse – Regardless of the amount, a spouse will never pay IHT on assets left to them.

4) Using your property allowances – If you leave your home to your children or grandchildren in your will, your property allowances increase your tax-free threshold by £175,000 to £500,000. For a married couple combining their allowance, this means passing on an estate of up to £1m free from IHT. 5) Taking out a life insurance policy – Life insurance is a simple way to ensure you leave money to pay for any IHT due. If the policy is written into trust, the pay-out will not form part of your estate. 6) Giving away a home before you die – If you gift your home to someone and move out, if you live for a further 7 years, there is no IHT to pay. If you continue to live in the property, you must pay rent (at the market rate) to the new owner, pay your share of the bills and live there for at least 7 years. However, you don’t need to pay rent to the new owner if they live at the property with you, or if you only give away part of the property.

Financial fraudsters are increasingly sophisticated in how they operate

WHAT IS THE 7 YEAR RULE? There is no tax to pay on any gifts exceeding the annual exemption, including your home, if you live for 7 years after making the gift. If you die before the 7 years is up, gifts made in the three years before your death are taxed at 40%. Those made between 3 and 7 years before your death are subject to ‘taper relief,’ ranging from 8-32% depending on the number of years between the gift and death.

LIFE IS FULL OF IMPORTANT CHOICES…. AND THE SAME IS TRUE OF YOUR FINANCES

Have you considered: • how to leave a legacy to your family without paying unnecessary tax? • how to manage your money in these inflationary times? Here at NFU Mutual, we believe that everyone can benefit from taking financial advice and making a financial plan. That’s why we aim to make it easy to understand and accessible for everyone. For a real conversation about your plans, call the team at Chichester & Horsham Agency on 01273 031898 or email ChichesterandHorsham@nfumutual.co.uk NFU Mutual Financial Advisers advise on NFU Mutual products and selected products from specialist providers. When you get in touch, we’ll explain the advice services offered and the charges. Financial Advice is provided by NFU Mutual Select Investments Limited.

Chatan A Modi is an appointed representative of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No. 111982). And an introducer to NFU Mutual Select Investments Limited, a member of the NFU Mutual group of companies.