As households across Britain tighten their belts, the financial services industry has a bold suggestion to boost resilience: give them more of your money! The logic, apparently, is simple—set aside more cash for the future, even if that means sacrificing some of today's financial comfort. But while that sounds responsible on the surface, it ignores … Continue reading Is Saving More the Solution to Middle Britain’s Financial Woes?
Author: Steve Conley
Steve Conley is the founder of the Academy of Life Planning, a movement dedicated to restoring human agency in financial planning and helping people navigate life's decisions with greater confidence, capability and independence.
With over 40 years' experience in financial services, Steve has held senior leadership roles with HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander and Royal London. A Chartered Financial Planner and Chartered Insurer, he combines deep industry expertise with a passion for challenging systems that leave people unnecessarily dependent on experts.
Steve believes the future of financial planning is not about replacing advisers with artificial intelligence, but using AI to strengthen people's ability to understand, question and make informed decisions for themselves. This philosophy underpins Academy OS, a growing ecosystem of AI-powered tools designed to help individuals, families and planners build capability rather than dependency.
Through the Academy of Life Planning, Steve works with financial planners, organisations and individuals who share a vision of a more transparent, ethical and human-centred approach to planning. His work spans education, research, technology, speaking and professional development, with a focus on creating practical solutions that improve financial capability and restore confidence in decision-making.
Steve is also the creator of the Total Wealth Planner approach, which recognises that a fulfilling life depends on far more than money alone. By integrating financial, personal, social and purpose-driven wellbeing, he helps people pursue what he calls "enough"—a life of balance, resilience and meaning.
As a speaker, mentor and author of *Your Money or Your Life: Unmask the Highway Robbers*, Steve continues to challenge conventional thinking about financial planning, arguing that the profession's greatest opportunity is to move beyond advice alone and become a catalyst for greater human agency.
To learn more or connect with Steve, visit the Academy of Life Planning or email steve@academyoflifeplanning.com.
Beyond the Pension Crisis: Reimagining Retirement as an Age of Opportunity
For years, the financial industry has sounded alarm bells about a looming pension crisis, declaring that people will fall short of funds by the time they hit their 60s. And they’re not wrong—if we look solely at financial capital, things do indeed look bleak. Research by Phoenix Insights suggests that more than half of future … Continue reading Beyond the Pension Crisis: Reimagining Retirement as an Age of Opportunity
Finding Purpose in Retirement: An Encore Career for Whole-Person Well-Being
Retirement can be a thrilling chapter, yet for many, it brings a sense of emptiness. After years of work that define purpose, rhythm, and even self-worth, moving into retirement isn’t just about budgeting or relocating; it’s about building a new identity. For some, that might mean finding an "encore career"—work that doesn’t feel like work, … Continue reading Finding Purpose in Retirement: An Encore Career for Whole-Person Well-Being
Could Tokenising Human Capital Be the Financial Boost Graduates Need?
Imagine stepping into your future without the usual weight of student debt or the pressures of scrimping for a house deposit. What if there was a way to transform your career’s earning potential into real, tangible value today? Enter the concept of human capital tokenisation—a new approach to funding that allows you to "tokenise" a … Continue reading Could Tokenising Human Capital Be the Financial Boost Graduates Need?
Mary Magdalene: The Original GAME Plan Practitioner
Mary Magdalene, the figure often shrouded in mystery, emerges from ancient texts not just as a disciple but as a visionary. The Gospel of Mary, a powerful work attributed to her, offers a revolutionary perspective on the path to spiritual and personal growth—one that aligns remarkably with the principles of the GAME Plan, guiding individuals … Continue reading Mary Magdalene: The Original GAME Plan Practitioner
Why Holistic Wealth Planning is the Future in an Ageing Society
As we face the realities of an ageing society, the role of financial planners must evolve. It’s no longer enough to focus solely on financial capital, the traditional bedrock of most financial plans. Instead, planners are now called to become holistic wealth planners, integrating strategies that go beyond managing money to embrace the wealth we … Continue reading Why Holistic Wealth Planning is the Future in an Ageing Society
Keep Your Retirement on Track: National Pension Tracing Day is Here!
This Sunday, 27 October, marks National Pension Tracing Day—a timely reminder to reconnect with any “lost” pensions you may have. According to the latest report by the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI), there are nearly 3.3 million pension pots—worth a staggering £31.1 billion—that have become “lost” or “disconnected” from their owners. With the average disconnected pot … Continue reading Keep Your Retirement on Track: National Pension Tracing Day is Here!
Are Financial Advisers Driven by More Than Just Emotional Intelligence?
Financial advisers often enjoy high levels of client trust, with many clients feeling well looked after and loyal. For those who’ve stayed with the same adviser for years, it’s clear that strong, personal relationships are at the heart of these bonds. But if we dig deeper, we can ask another question: beyond emotional intelligence and … Continue reading Are Financial Advisers Driven by More Than Just Emotional Intelligence?
Building a Career as a Financial Planner Without Selling Products: A New Professional Development Pathway
In financial planning, many aspiring planners feel pressured to follow the well-worn path of product sales. For those looking to help clients without ever selling a product, the journey can seem daunting. However, a robust and rewarding career as a financial planner doesn’t have to involve product placement or sales; instead, it can focus entirely … Continue reading Building a Career as a Financial Planner Without Selling Products: A New Professional Development Pathway
Join the Academy of Life Planning’s ELITE Programme: Your Path to Becoming a Self-Employed Holistic Wealth Planner
Are you ready to transform your career and step into a future where you’re in control of your own financial planning practice? The Academy of Life Planning’s ELITE Programme is designed for financial coaches, advisers, and planners who are looking to become self-employed Holistic Wealth Planners. With a focus on both financial and human capital, … Continue reading Join the Academy of Life Planning’s ELITE Programme: Your Path to Becoming a Self-Employed Holistic Wealth Planner
Academy of Life Planning 