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Across the country, we are facing unprecedented times.

For many of us, as a community, country and a human race collectively, it may be our toughest challenge yet. Pulling together yet staying apart.

Now that you have exhausted all the online workouts, Zoom events and mid-morning yoga options… what do you do with all this time at home?

Our partners SRB Wealth Management offer six ways you can improve your financial health.

What if you spent time being financially forward thinking?

We have a rare opportunity to take time to get to grips with, re-evaluate and make improvements for our future finances. Doing those little jobs that we put aside, because other daily tasks get in the way, gives you a sense of achievement, control and the knowing that you’re making progress toward a better financial future.

The team at SRB put their heads together  – virtually, of course – and came up with some simple but effective things that you can do at home, to improve your financial health during this ‘stay at home’ period of time.

1. Dig out that paperwork

We all get annual statements about our ISAs, pensions, life assurance, savings and bonds and we are often guilty of sticking them in a drawer, either because they don’t make a lot of sense to us or we don’t have time to look at them. Now is that time. Dig out those statements and take a long hard look at them. Understand them and make sure you’re comfortable with what they’re telling you.

Don’t lose sight of key financial dates, such as tax year beginning or end. Longer term financial plans may not be a current priority. But opportunities to invest and take advantage of these dates shouldn’t be ignored.

2. Do your sums

If you have a retirement income goal in mind, think about how much you’d need to save each month, from now, to hit that target, taking into consideration the effects of inflation.

Are you saving the right amount? If not, think about what you can do to make that happen.

Find out how much you might have in your state pension, using the state pension forecasting service, and consider whether that’s enough for you to live the retirement life you’d like.

3. Track down those lost pension pots

If you’ve worked for more than one company during your career, then it’s likely that you’ve paid into different workplace pensions. Make use of the Pension Tracing Service to help track down what you’ve paid and to where. All you need is the names of companies who have employed you – even if the company no longer exists.

Please note: This service will only tell you the name of the provider, but you can then get in touch and request the detailed information. Once you know what you have and where, you can consider whether to leave as is or consolidate, depending on the type of pension and your personal circumstances.

4. Review your energy outgoings

This often creates a big ‘sigh’ in most households under normal circumstances, because it takes time to review and research. But if you haven’t reviewed your suppliers and rates either for your home, or your business, now is the time to do it. Energy prices are favourable at the moment, but wont be forever.

Compare rates across a number of suppliers using comparison sites, or check their offers directly to find the best deal for you. You could free up some money that could be better placed elsewhere.

If you’re unsure of the service or reputation of some suppliers, for impartial information and advice on household and business energy from Britain’s energy regulator, check out the Ofgem website.

5. Ensure your protection is adequate

It’s a given that we protect our material possessions – car, home, phone, even holidays. But many people overlook protecting their income, or their family’s ability to survive without it.

Protection is fundamental. It may not be the most exciting of subjects, but it addresses one of our most basic desires – to keep safe all that we hold dear.

Take the time to consider whether your existing protection is right for your current circumstances. Is it cover you no longer need? Are you under insuring yourself? If you don’t have cover, think about how that looks should the worst happen.

6. Look at your current mortgage arrangement

A mortgage is often your biggest financial commitment. Can you ease that burden in the short term, or make it work better for you in the longer term?

Consider whether the mortgage payment holiday on offer is suitable for you. Look at your current rate, when did you last review this?

Look ahead at your plans for the property. Do you want to make changes, or are you considering moving house in the future?

Take steps toward a better financial future

Using this time to take action and make small but important changes to your finances offers many benefits.

You might improve your financial position for the future. You’ll certainly get a few things off that ‘to do’ list and it’ll give you a great sense of achievement. It also puts you in control, when much around you is out of your hands.

There’s always time to speak to your Financial Adviser

If you have a Financial Adviser, you don’t have to wait to see them face to face to discuss any concerns or questions over your portfolio.

A good FA will be there to support you during this unsettling time, to go over any concerns and relay market information. Review your portfolio and see where you could make improvements by moving or changing things around.

Your adviser is likely to be working from home too, so will be available for a chat on the phone. Take this time to discuss your existing investments, bonds, ISAs and Personal Pensions or to simply get an update of where things are. They’re in a great position to keep you up to date with what’s happening with your investments.

Take this time to look after your future. If you’d like to speak to a member of the team about wealth management, retirement planning or Inheritance Tax planning, contact SRB Wealth Management on 01698 536064 or email srbwealth@sjpp.co.uk.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

SRB Wealth Management Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products.

Christopher Long has signed a new deal with Motherwell.

The 25-year-old striker, who netted 11 goals in 31 games last season, returns to the club on a one-year contract.

“I’m buzzing to be back,” said Long.

“Finishing third last season and qualifying for Europe was huge. I want to pick up from where I left off.”

A product of Everton’s youth academy, Long made one appearance for the Toffees in the UEFA Europa League.

Having spent time on loan with MK Dons and Brentford, he then moved to Burnley and was part of their team who won promotion to the English Premier League in 2015/16.

Spells with Fleetwood Town, Bolton Wanderers, Northampton Town and Blackpool followed, before he headed north of the border last year.

His last goal for Motherwell came in the final match of 2019/20, with his strike in a 1-1 draw with Hearts securing a third-place finish.

“It’s great to have Christopher back,” said manager Stephen Robinson,

“He made a big impression last season and, once we get him up to speed again, we want to get even more from him this campaign.”.

We want to set a new record by reaching a target of 4,500 season ticket sales for the 2020/21 campaign.

Having broken our previous best in 2018/19, we surpassed it again in 2019/20 as 4,488 of you committed to the club.

Now, against the odds in these difficult times, we want your help to try and beat it again.

Over 3,500 of you have now signed up for the 2020/21 season.

To get yours, there’s various ways you can buy.

If you can, please use our online purchasing service at tickets.motherwellfc.co.uk. If you’re renewing, just sign in using the customer number on your season card.

You can also call us between 10am and 3pm, Monday to Friday, on 01698 333333.

Our promise to you

We promise that everyone who buys a season ticket for 2020/21 will get the full value of their purchase.

Everyone who purchases, or has already purchased, a season ticket for 2020/21 will get the chance to attend 19 home league matches, whenever that is possible.

If that is not possible in 2020/21, we will offer you the chance to claim the credit value of the missing games back. This can either be used against the value of your season ticket for 2021/22, or if you don’t renew next year, you can claim the equivalent number of match tickets for games in 2021/22.

If matches are initially played behind closed doors, we pledge that you will not be adversely impacted.

What’s more, you will get free access to our live online streaming service to watch all of our home games played behind closed doors.

Kids go free

For every adult or concession season ticket bought, you can get up to two free season tickets for children aged 15 or under. And each child will get their own season card, giving them something of their own.

Two kids go for free if you buy a season ticket in our Davie Cooper stand, while you can get one free child season ticket for every adult or concession bought in our John Hunter and Phil O’Donnell stands.

If you want to take along even more kids, individual season tickets are priced at just £20 for the campaign, or on a match-by-match basis for £3.

Spread the cost or pay now

There are many ways to pay for your season ticket.

You can pay for your season ticket in two instalments in July and August by using our standing order facility. Forms are available here, or you can call 01698 333333 and we will get you set up. If you’re filling out a form, you can scan it and email it to tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk or post it to the club.

Finance is available to spread your cost over 12 months at an interest rate of 19.5%. To apply, please call us on 01698 333333.

Motherwell will open the 2020/21 Scottish Premiership season with an away trip to face Ross County.

The match with the Staggies will be played on Monday, 3 August with a 7.45pm kick-off. It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Stephen Robinson’s side will then face Dundee United in the first home game of the campaign on Saturday 8 August, before the midweek visit of Livingston on Wednesday 12 August.

A trip to face Hibernian on Saturday 15 August will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports with a 5.30pm kick off.

The first Lanarkshire derby against Hamilton Academical will be played at Fir Park on Saturday 22 August.

With no winter break in the 2020/21 campaign, we’ll then travel to take on Accies on Saturday 2 January 2021.

The season is due to finish on the weekend of Saturday 15 May 2021.

Our start date remains subject to Scottish Government approval.

It is expected that our first matches will be played behind closed doors.

The only way to guarantee seeing games at Fir Park during that period is to buy a season ticket.

You are guaranteed to be able to physically attend 19 matches with your ticket, as well as getting free access to watch a live online stream of home games behind closed doors. Information on away fixtures will follow.

Motherwell FC 2020/21 Scottish Premiership fixtures

Jake Hastie has returned to Motherwell on a season-long loan deal.

The youth academy product broke onto the scene at Fir Park in 2018/19, lighting up the second half of the campaign with eight goals in 15 appearances from the wing.

His explosive form saw him move to Rangers last summer. The 21-year-old now returns to the club looking to recapture the performances which lit up the Scottish Premiership and add to Stephen Robinson’s attacking options.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be back,” said Hastie, who returns subject to clearance.

“I’ve been with Motherwell since I was nine years old. A year away has helped me grow even more as a player, but it’s also made me appreciate what the club does for me to help me develop.

“I’m fit and ready to go. I want to pick up where we left off just over a year ago and make an impact on the team scoring goals.”

Hastie made his Motherwell debut at Celtic Park in October 2016 at the age of 17. Loan spells with Airdrieonians and Alloa Athletic followed, before his hot streak of form started in January 2019.

Now with added experience in the UEFA Europa League and England’s League One with Rotherham United last campaign, he returns to be reunited with fellow youth graduates David Turnbull, Allan Campbell and Barry Maguire.

“We need someone strong and direct in the wide areas,” said manager Stephen Robinson.

“Jake provides us with that. We know exactly what he’s capable of and we are looking forward to working with him again.”

It’s time to cast your vote for the 2019/20 Motherwell FC player of the year awards.

Fans can make their pick for the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year prizes now.

Just fill out our form to choose yours. We’ll announce the winners soon.

Charles Dunne has agreed a new short-term deal with the club.

The defender, who first joined in the summer of 2017, will return as he continues his recovery from a recent operation.

Charles’ contract will run until the end of December 2020. The club will help him with his comeback from injury, with a view to assessing the possibility for a new, longer deal at that point.

“Firstly, I’m really happy to have extended my deal,” said the player. “This is my home. I’ve been here for many years and I feel comfortable here.

“I appreciate the club offering me a deal. It’s been the hardest year of my life injury-wise but they’ve been great with me.

“It’s been frustrating trying to get back but finding myself in pain, and unable to overcome it. I’ve had my operation, I feel better now and I want to build on it.

“My main objective is to get back training, get fit, get back on the pitch and be pain free. It’s all about positive vibes from here.

“I’m hoping to be able to start stepping up my recovery soon. I want to show everyone again what I can do and get back to my best.”

Dunne, 27, has played 78 times for the club, scoring once.

The pacy and popular central defender missed the majority of the 2019/20 campaign through injury but remained an influential figure at Fir Park.

“The club have tried to put a contract together to help Charles through a difficult period of rehabilitation and injuries,” said manager Stephen Robinson.

“We are hoping to get Charles back to full fitness in the coming months. We know what an asset he can be to the squad.”

Mark O’Hara has returned to Motherwell Football Club on a permanent deal.

The midfielder, who made 20 appearances during a loan spell last campaign, has signed a two-year contract with the club.

We have paid Peterborough United a nominal sum to secure his services. He will move subject to international clearance when the summer transfer window opens.

“Mark showed last season what he can bring to the football club,” manager Stephen Robinson said. “I am delighted to bring him here permanently.

“He’s a talented, versatile player who all the coaching staff greatly admire given his ability, but also his attitude and willingness to learn and develop.

“I believe he will kick on and become a huge asset for Motherwell in the seasons ahead.”

O’Hara, 24, started his career at Kilmarnock, before a spell at Dundee led to a move to Peterborough. He also spent time with Lincoln City in early 2019.

He netted twice in claret and amber in 2019/20, impressing as a versatile member of the midfield.

“I always wanted to come back here,” said the player, who will wear the number seven jersey.

“I’m delighted the opportunity has came up and I was able to sign on permanently.

“I feel I kicked on as a player last season working with the manager and all the coaches at Motherwell. This is the right place to be to continue to develop my career.

“It’s an exciting time to be at the club. With the chance to play in Europe and try replicate what we achieved in the league last year, it’s the place to be.”