For all their talk of fairness, financial institutions and regulators have a habit of showing their true colours when it matters most. They say one thing, but their actions paint a very different picture. And if history has taught us anything, it’s this: when powerful institutions face accountability, they don’t just fight back—they try to … Continue reading 🚶♂️ Thinning the Herd: How the Banking Elite, Government, and Captured Regulators Are Rigging the System
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.
The Missing Pillar of Financial Wellbeing: Why Spiritual Wellness Matters
Why do so many people with financial success still feel unfulfilled? Is there more to “wellbeing” than stable income and a comfortable lifestyle? In the quest for a happy life, we often chase careers, relationships, and material comforts. Yet, even after checking all those boxes, something intangible can remain missing. Enter spiritual wellbeing – a … Continue reading The Missing Pillar of Financial Wellbeing: Why Spiritual Wellness Matters
Why the Future of Financial Planning is in Your Hands – Not Theirs
Let’s be honest: the financial system isn’t built for you. It’s built for institutions, advisers, and product providers who make money when you hand over control. But what if you didn’t need them? What if you could take charge of your own financial future—on your terms, without hidden fees, commissions, or conflicts of interest? That’s … Continue reading Why the Future of Financial Planning is in Your Hands – Not Theirs
Lessons Not Learned: The Financial Services Industry Repeats Past Mistakes
Introduction The UK financial services industry is making the same mistakes all over again. This time, it’s with the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) and its decision to introduce a £250 fee for claims management companies (CMCs) referring cases. While this move is supposed to deter frivolous complaints, it doesn’t go far enough—and risks shutting out … Continue reading Lessons Not Learned: The Financial Services Industry Repeats Past Mistakes
Think You Can Outsmart the Market? Why Timing Stocks – and Crypto – Rarely Works
Is timing the market a fool’s errand? Many investors dream of selling at the top and buying at the bottom. The reality: even professional fund managers with fancy models often can’t pull it off. For everyday investors, trying to time the stock market is like playing darts blindfolded – and when it comes to crypto, … Continue reading Think You Can Outsmart the Market? Why Timing Stocks – and Crypto – Rarely Works
£10,000 for a Coffee and Cake? The FCA’s Advice Review is a Farce
So, it turns out that grabbing a coffee and a slice of chocolate cake counts as an "advice review"—at least according to the FCA’s interim executive director of markets, Simon Walls. Yes, you read that right. That £10,000 ongoing adviser charge? As long as an adviser could show that some kind of review took place—no … Continue reading £10,000 for a Coffee and Cake? The FCA’s Advice Review is a Farce
The Financial Planning Crisis: Why We Need a Clear Wall Between Advice and Products
Trust in financial planning is at an all-time low. Scandals like the recent £2m fraud case involving Nexus IFA only deepen the public’s cynicism. But let’s be honest—this isn’t a one-off. It’s a symptom of a broken system that blurs the lines between advice and sales, leaving consumers vulnerable. The solution? A financial planning profession … Continue reading The Financial Planning Crisis: Why We Need a Clear Wall Between Advice and Products
Holistic Wealth Planning: The Future of Financial Advice Beyond Products
Imagine sitting down with a city banker—someone on a six-figure salary, comfortably supplemented by annual bonuses. The conversation starts predictably: pension contributions, stock and fund investments, perhaps a foray into Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) or Enterprise Investment Schemes (EISs). Conventional financial planning might recommend maximising these strategies for tax efficiency and long-term growth. But what … Continue reading Holistic Wealth Planning: The Future of Financial Advice Beyond Products
Becoming a Holistic Wealth Planner: Why Should You Care?
Do you dream of running your own business, living by your own rules, and being your own boss? Imagine a career where you leverage what you’re good at, what you love, what the world needs, and what people will pay you for. A career where you don’t just earn a living, but make a real … Continue reading Becoming a Holistic Wealth Planner: Why Should You Care?
The End of Free Financial Justice? How New Fees Could Undermine Consumer Protection at the Financial Ombudsman Service
Fairness Analysis: The Introduction of Fees for Complainants Seeking Legal Representation at the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) Introduction The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) was founded on the principle that consumers should have free and accessible redress when financial firms treat them unfairly. Historically, its funding model ensured that complainants bore no cost for lodging disputes, … Continue reading The End of Free Financial Justice? How New Fees Could Undermine Consumer Protection at the Financial Ombudsman Service
Academy of Life Planning 