Three things your clients will call you about this week

Nationals round-up: Parents may need to save more for their children than they expected, while investors are being urged to look to Russia.

Tuition fees and gap years

A few stories over the weekend may have parents worrying about the need to save a bit more to support their children. Around two-thirds of universities surveyed by the BBC will charge the full £9000 tuition fees for some courses in 2012, with half charging the maximum for all courses. When the higher fees were originally announced, it was anticipated they would only be charged in "exceptional circumstances". Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports on a Post Office survey which finds 30% of people on gap-year trips have to be bailed out by the 'bank of mum and dad'.

Russia

It's a part of the world some experts say is best left avoided, but, writing in the Independent on Sunday, David Kuo expounds the benefits of Russia. He says a growing cash-rich middle class, benefiting from the trickling down of oil and gas revenues, is driving consumer spending. He highlights the JP Morgan Russian Securities Investment Trust, iShares Eastern Europe 10/40 ETF and Hexam Emerging Europe fund as ways for private investors to get into the market, as well as established stocks such as oil explorers Rosneft and Lukoil, gas producer Novatek and steelmakers NLMK.

ISA

The last-minute rush to use up the ISA allowance for last year may have just ended, but already there is plenty of talk about making the most of the new tax year. Anyone reading This Is Money will be wanting to check whether they need to transfer their cash ISA to get the best rates, with many providers dropping their 'introductory' bonus after a year. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail looks at the pros and cons of ETF investments within ISAs.