Financial New Year's resolutions

At the time of writing, the stock market is on an upward trend. Views differ on what it will do in the coming 12 months, but if you are thinking of buying shares, I'd recommend First Steps in Shares for beginners, and Analyzing Companies and Valuing Shares for those who have time to do their own research. If you are experienced, you might consider The Investors Toolbox, an excellent guide to options, warrants, CFDs and other trading tools, or The Beginner's Guide to Financial Spread Betting.

Pensions, who needs 'em? You do! Grasp the nettle, read the Which Guide To Planning Your Pension, and sort yourself out. When you are 70, you'll be glad you did. Talking of 70, there was a time not so long ago when higher rate taxpayers paid that percentage of their income to the Exchequer. Minimising your tax burden is plain common sense, yet few bother to do so. I recommend The Lloyds TSB Tax Guide 2003/2004 for its concise no-nonsense explanation of the subject, including tips on tax avoidance. If you run a small company, consider The Zurich Tax Handbook. For more inventive solutions, read the excellent Taxcafe guides.

One day, when the Grim Reaper comes calling, you won't have to worry about tax, but if you haven't made a will, your heirs may suffer. There is really no excuse for dying intestate. A quick, cheap solution for those with simple financial arrangements is the Last Will & testament Law Pack Kit. If your assets reach into the £500,000 + mark, consider How to Avoid Inheritance Tax.

To finish on a bright note, you may well be among that large group of Britons who have a yearning for a place in the sun - either a holiday house or permanent new home. Buying abroad is fraught with potential problems. Before you go down that route, for goodness sake read the guides. This link - will take you to a number of books on buying in France, Spain and Italy.

By Philip Jenks, Global Investor