And guess whose pensions they’re vacuuming up? Yours. It’s official. The people running the country have been taking notes from the investment sales industry. Step one? Consolidate as many pension pots as you can. Step two? Treat them like your own personal piggy bank. Step three? Dip into them to fund big-ticket infrastructure dreams—with zero … Continue reading Ministers Are the Biggest Asset Hooverers in Britain
Author: Steve Conley
Steve Conley brings over four decades of innovation and expertise to the forefront of financial planning. As the founder and driving force behind the Academy of Life Planning and HapNav Ltd, Steve has been a pivotal figure in transforming financial services to be more democratic and decentralised. His role as a Game Plan Practitioner, Coach, Mentor, Speaker, and Author of "Your Money or Your Life: Unmask the Highway Robbers - Enjoy Wealth in Every Area of Your Life" underlines his comprehensive approach to financial education.
The Academy of Life Planning, hailed as the "Most Pioneering Financial Planner Network," reflects Steve's commitment to fostering transparency, integrity, and accessibility. This institution serves as a testament to his dedication to enhancing the financial planning landscape.
Under Steve's innovative leadership, HapNav Ltd has launched groundbreaking advancements, including the first end-user financial planning app integrated with open banking. This app guides users towards achieving 'Kokoro'—a life rich in financial, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual abundance.
Recently, Steve introduced "Planning My Life" and "Financial Life Coach"—services that extend his ethos into practical, impactful tools for financial autonomy. "Planning My Life" offers an affordable subscription model, giving members access to an AI Life Planner, comprehensive resources, and expert insights. These initiatives epitomise Steve’s commitment to empowering individuals, nurturing community growth, and contributing significantly to global efforts to eradicate poverty.
Steve's journey is more than a career; it's a steadfast crusade to revolutionise financial education and planning, creating a world where financial wellbeing is not just attainable, but enriches every aspect of our lives. Contact steve.conley@aolp.co.uk.
Thinning the Herd: How Institutions Quietly Crush Financial Crime Victims
What do you do when you’re the victim of a life-altering financial crime—only to find the very institutions meant to protect you are working against you? You’re not alone. And you're not imagining it. We saw it in the Post Office scandal, one of the most shameful episodes in modern British justice. But this tactic—the … Continue reading Thinning the Herd: How Institutions Quietly Crush Financial Crime Victims
Revealed: How the FCA’s Slow Response Leaves You Exposed to Financial Predators
Would you feel safe knowing the financial watchdog responsible for protecting you might wait three to five years before alerting you to potential financial predators? Alarmingly, this is the reality facing thousands in the UK today. Recently, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) confirmed it would scale back plans to publicly name companies under investigation for … Continue reading Revealed: How the FCA’s Slow Response Leaves You Exposed to Financial Predators
Selling Without Advice: Who Really Wins?
Is "targeted support" genuinely the answer to financial exclusion—or is it just another clever way to sell products without proper safeguards? St James's Place (SJP) recently argued that the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) proposed "targeted support" model is beneficial. Beneficial, yes—but for whom exactly? Let's cut through the noise. The Myth of the Advice Sector … Continue reading Selling Without Advice: Who Really Wins?
Why Deregulation Isn’t Growth—It’s a Gift to Financial Criminals
Imagine checking your bank balance only to discover it's wiped clean overnight—your savings gone, your financial security shattered, and your emotional stability thrown into chaos. For millions of people worldwide, this nightmare is a reality. Financial crime isn't merely a statistic; it's a devastating personal crisis. Incredibly, almost half of the global population encounters a … Continue reading Why Deregulation Isn’t Growth—It’s a Gift to Financial Criminals
Revealed: How to Turn Financial Fraud into a Windfall – Without Lifting a Finger
Ever felt powerless after being scammed? You're not alone. Fraud victims often face empty pockets, bankruptcy, and exhaustion from fighting battles against criminals who always seem to have deeper resources. But what if you could flip the script and let someone else take up the fight—while you cash the reward cheque? Here's the game-changing idea: … Continue reading Revealed: How to Turn Financial Fraud into a Windfall – Without Lifting a Finger
Outside the Perimeter: What the FCA Isn’t Telling You About Financial Advice
Think the Advice-Guidance debate is just about FCA rules? Think again.There’s another line—less talked about, but just as important—the advice-guidance boundary outside the regulator’s reach. And it affects thousands of planners, coaches, and consumers every day. Let’s unpack what’s really going on. Inside vs Outside the Perimeter: What’s the Difference? In December 2024, the FCA … Continue reading Outside the Perimeter: What the FCA Isn’t Telling You About Financial Advice
Bonuses Before Basics: The SJP Scandal That’s Hiding in Plain Sight
If you ever needed proof that financial performance doesn’t always mean good value for clients, look no further than St. James’s Place (SJP). While their customers face eye-watering charges, poor-performing funds, and a mountain of adviser debt, those at the top are cashing in—big time. A Bonus Bonanza at the Top In 2024, SJP’s new … Continue reading Bonuses Before Basics: The SJP Scandal That’s Hiding in Plain Sight
Is SJP the New Bitcoin? How Adviser Debt Became the Next Bubble
What do SJP advisers and Bitcoin investors have in common? More than you’d think. In the world of crypto, every four years the market goes wild. Bitcoin’s supply is halved, prices spike, and whales (big investors) offload their holdings to unsuspecting krill (small investors) caught up in the hype. The result? Those in the know … Continue reading Is SJP the New Bitcoin? How Adviser Debt Became the Next Bubble
Annuities Are Back—And They Might Just Break the Advice Industry
Big changes are coming to retirement planning—and fast. If you’ve been paying ongoing fees to a financial adviser to manage your pension pot, you might want to take a closer look. Why? Because soaring annuity rates and the Chancellor’s raid on inherited pensions could combine to blow a hole in the traditional "assets under management" … Continue reading Annuities Are Back—And They Might Just Break the Advice Industry
Academy of Life Planning 