In a world filled with financial advisers telling you what to do, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But here at the Academy of Life Planning, we believe that financial planning shouldn’t be about someone giving you answers. It’s about you discovering your own. We are not product sellers or advisers. We don’t push products or … Continue reading Why You Don’t Need Another Financial Adviser—You Need Self-Efficacy
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.
Solving the Taxpayer Deficit and Mental Health Crisis with a Holistic Approach
While the government debates scrapping Winter Fuel Payments to save taxpayers £1.4 billion, a far larger issue is being ignored—the rise of mental health issues among university graduates, which is costing taxpayers over ten times that amount. The conversation has centred too long on the financial burden pensioners place on taxpayers, when what we really … Continue reading Solving the Taxpayer Deficit and Mental Health Crisis with a Holistic Approach
The Missing Piece: Why Human Capital Deserves More Attention in Financial Planning
The recent survey from JP Morgan’s Nutmeg highlights a clear trend: UK adults are focused on living longer, healthier lives, with 51% prioritising physical longevity compared to just 9% focusing on financial longevity. People are actively boosting their wellness—44% are striving for 10,000 steps a day, 30% are investing in supplements, and 16% are following … Continue reading The Missing Piece: Why Human Capital Deserves More Attention in Financial Planning
The Looming Pension Crisis – A Call for Human Capital Investment
The UK state pension is increasingly under scrutiny as a growing financial burden on the government. With the new Labour government expected to introduce measures in the October budget to address this issue, the sustainability of the current system is more uncertain than ever. One option reportedly on the table is means-testing, a proposal that … Continue reading The Looming Pension Crisis – A Call for Human Capital Investment
The Eightfold Path and The GAME Plan: A Journey of Financial Self-Discovery
At the Academy of Life Planning, we have designed the GAME Plan to guide you through a holistic financial planning process. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about creating a life of balance, purpose, and fulfilment. This process aligns with the natural flow of life itself, mirroring the wisdom found in ancient traditions like Buddhism’s … Continue reading The Eightfold Path and The GAME Plan: A Journey of Financial Self-Discovery
Decolonizing Wealth: A Path to Healing and Collective Prosperity
Wealth is often thought of as something that belongs to individuals—a measure of success we acquire through hard work, investments, or inheritance. But what if our approach to wealth is built on outdated, harmful systems? What if wealth is meant to be shared for the benefit of the entire community, rather than hoarded by a … Continue reading Decolonizing Wealth: A Path to Healing and Collective Prosperity
What to Do When Your Pension Fails: A Path to Financial Well-being
For many of us, saving into a pension throughout our working life is a non-negotiable aspect of securing a comfortable future. Yet, thousands of retirees discover to their dismay that the financial safety net they’ve carefully constructed either collapses or delivers far less than expected. Whether through a company’s pension scheme failure, personal circumstances such … Continue reading What to Do When Your Pension Fails: A Path to Financial Well-being
Beyond Pension Pots: A Holistic Approach to Retirement Planning
Recent discussions on retirement planning, particularly the Resolution Foundation's "Living Pension" report, have focused heavily on the size of the pension pot required for a basic standard of living at the State Pension Age (SPA). The report highlights the significant increase in the savings required for retirement due to rising inflation and costs of living. … Continue reading Beyond Pension Pots: A Holistic Approach to Retirement Planning
How to Protect Yourself from Scams: Staying One Step Ahead of Fraudsters
The Financial Ombudsman Service has recently reported a record-breaking 8,734 fraud and scam complaints in just a three-month period this year, marking the highest quarterly level ever recorded. This sharp increase should serve as a serious wake-up call for all of us. Scams are becoming more complex, and even the most cautious among us can … Continue reading How to Protect Yourself from Scams: Staying One Step Ahead of Fraudsters
Human Capital Development in Financial Planning
When we talk about wealth, many immediately think of financial capital—savings, investments, and assets. But there’s another vital element in the wealth equation: human capital, which is often overlooked in traditional financial planning. The CFA Institute defines total wealth as: Total Wealth = Financial Capital + Human Capital – Lifetime Liabilities This formula is discussed … Continue reading Human Capital Development in Financial Planning
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