Background Sarah, a 56-year-old widow, approached us in June 2023 following the loss of her husband 18 months prior. In addition to grieving her husband, Sarah had also been a primary caregiver for her father, whom she also lost recently. These life-altering events left her emotionally drained and facing significant financial anxiety.
Sarah’s late husband had always managed their finances, and he had distrusted financial salespeople. He had preferred to manage investments independently, and Sarah wanted to continue this approach but lacked the confidence to do so. She was clear that she sought empowerment, not delegation—she wanted to manage her own finances effectively, as her husband had, without handing control to a third party.
I have sadly not done nearly as much research as I’d hoped to as I have had continued internet access issues and also haven’t been feeling well – I think the tragic events of the past 18 months have caught up with me and it’s resulted in headaches and brain fog and an inability to concentrate or understand complex issues. For example, I’ll send you what the IFA said I could spend on a monthly/annual basis without eating into my capital – I’ve read it several times and I still can’t understand it.
Challenges
- Severe distress and financial anxiety following bereavement.
- Lack of confidence in managing her finances independently.
- Concerns about investment platforms, fund choices, and fees.
- Fear of making poor financial decisions that could impact her long-term security.
- Hesitancy about sales-driven financial advisers and their fees.
Our Approach Recognising Sarah’s desire for empowerment, we worked together to create a structured financial plan that prioritised security, ease of management, and long-term sustainability. Over the past year, we:
- Portfolio Structuring:
- Split her assets into 40% savings and 60% investments to provide both stability and growth.
- Ensured that 100% of her savings were protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), giving her peace of mind.
- Secured a overall leading interest rate of 4.35% on her £700,000 savings balance, maximising returns while keeping her funds secure.
- Investment Management:
- After researching the Consumer Association surveys on Which? Money, she retained investments on the platforms her late husband had carefully chosen: Fidelity and Vanguard.
- She opted for low-cost, globally diversified, buy-and-forget funds with auto-rebalancing features to ensure they remained aligned with her risk tolerance and financial goals.
- Maintained a minimal maintenance structure, allowing Sarah to remain in control without the burden of daily management.
- Cash Flow Forecasting:
- Utilised Voyant’s lifetime cash flow forecasting to model her financial future.
- Demonstrated that she could comfortably afford an extra £130,000 per annum for luxury spending while ensuring long-term financial security.
- Provided reassurance that, after years of cautious spending, she could now enjoy life without anxiety.
- Transitioning to Low-Touch Support:
- Having gained confidence in managing her finances, Sarah transitioned from an intensive fixed-fee initial service to a low-touch, pay-as-you-go advisory arrangement.
- This allows her to seek guidance when needed while maintaining independence in managing her money.
Outcome
Eighteen months after her loss, Sarah has transformed from an anxious and overwhelmed widow to a confident and self-sufficient financial manager. She now enjoys peace of mind knowing her finances are secure and well-structured, allowing her to focus on living a fulfilling life.
As part of our work together, we co-created a comprehensive life plan—including legacy planning—grounded in her deepest values and aspirations. Today, she is living that very vision: financially unburdened, thriving in her hypnotherapy business, and celebrating the publication of her first book—a true embodiment of her favourite future.
She recently shared this feedback:
“Many thanks for everything. I found your approach very friendly and helpful. I will be recommending your services to friends who need support in taking charge of their own financial future.”
Sarah’s journey highlights the power of financial empowerment over dependency. By focusing on education, structured decision-making, and strategic planning, she has achieved financial security on her own terms.
Key Takeaways:
- Bereavement often brings financial anxiety, particularly for those who were not previously involved in managing finances.
- The right approach is to empower, not delegate, giving clients confidence in their ability to manage their own wealth.
- A combination of structured savings, globally diversified investments, and robust cash flow forecasting provides financial security and freedom.
- Transitioning from high-touch to low-touch advisory models ensures ongoing support without unnecessary fees or control.
This case study exemplifies the core values of financial empowerment, self-agency, and ethical guidance that we strive to provide. If you or someone you know is navigating a similar transition, we are here to help.
About the Academy of Life Planning
At the Academy of Life Planning, we believe that financial planning should begin with life planning. We empower individuals to take control of their finances by aligning money with meaning—helping them design lives of purpose, security, and fulfilment. Whether you’re navigating change, seeking clarity, or planning your legacy, we’re here to support you every step of the way—with tools, mentoring, and a global community of like-minded planners.
👉 If you’re ready to create your own life plan and live your favourite future, visit www.academyoflifeplanning.com or message me to book a discovery session.
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