Why Life Planning Must Come Before Financial Planning There is a growing sense, across society and within financial services, that something deeper than “bad information” is at work. People are not simply confused.They are not simply misinformed.And they are not unintelligent. Many are demoralised. Demoralisation is not about ignorance. It is about loss of inner … Continue reading Rebuilding Agency in an Age of Demoralisation
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.
Confidential Settlements, Tomlin Orders, and What They Mean for Victims
For many people harmed by financial misconduct, a settlement can feel like the end of a long and exhausting journey. The letters stop. The court process pauses. There is, at last, some financial relief. But for many victims, settlement is not the end of the story.It is simply a quieter chapter—often one marked by confusion, … Continue reading Confidential Settlements, Tomlin Orders, and What They Mean for Victims
When “Financial Education” Isn’t Neutral
A guide for citizen investigators — and a preparedness note for Wealth Planners Financial education is having a moment. Advice firms are launching education arms.Coaching, guidance, and “lighter-touch” services are expanding fast.Social media is full of content promising clarity, confidence, and control. Much of this is well-intended. Some of it is genuinely helpful. But for … Continue reading When “Financial Education” Isn’t Neutral
AI Isn’t Eating Your Lunch — It’s Changing Who Brings It to the Table
Introducing the Total Wealth Plan™ licensing options A quiet shift in how clients prepare for advice More and more clients are arriving having already used AI to: explore scenarios compare options question fees and sense-check decisions Not because they want to bypass their adviser —but because AI now gives them agency before the meeting. For … Continue reading AI Isn’t Eating Your Lunch — It’s Changing Who Brings It to the Table
Audit Reform “Before the Next Scandal”: What Citizen Investigators Must Learn from the FRC’s Warning
In January 2026, the UK’s audit regulator issued an unusually candid warning. The Chief Executive of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), Richard Moriarty, urged government to pass audit reform legislation before the next corporate collapse—rather than waiting for a scandal to force action. For those involved in Get SAFE cases, this will sound uncomfortably familiar. … Continue reading Audit Reform “Before the Next Scandal”: What Citizen Investigators Must Learn from the FRC’s Warning
Human Capital Is Not a Soft Idea
Why Total Wealth Planners Are Closer to Economic Reality Than the Mainstream For over two centuries, economists have been telling us something the financial services industry still struggles to hear: Wealth is created by people, not products. A recent academic review of human capital theory traces this insight from Adam Smith through to modern growth … Continue reading Human Capital Is Not a Soft Idea
Why It’s Worth Challenging Initial FOS Decisions
How AI checks can help consumers reclaim fairness — not just faster closure By Get SAFE – Support After Financial Exploitation A new industry briefing reports that the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) intends to resolve 80% of cases within six months, processing up to 245,000 cases in 2026/27. On the surface, that sounds like progress. … Continue reading Why It’s Worth Challenging Initial FOS Decisions
Fairness Is Not Found in Rulebooks
Context: Why Fairness Is Becoming More Complicated (Synopsis of John Howard’s argument) In a recent reflection, John Howard explores why fairness—once the beating heart of the Financial Ombudsman Service—is becoming increasingly difficult to uphold. Using a simple but powerful thought experiment involving an elderly woman asked to leave a first-class train carriage, John shows how … Continue reading Fairness Is Not Found in Rulebooks
When the Debt Letters Arrive: Why Advisers Need a Bridge Before Legal Action
Over the past year, a quiet but troubling pattern has been emerging inside adviser networks. First, firms are deauthorised.Then advisers are moved, paused, or left in limbo.And only later do the debt letters arrive. A recent Citywire investigation has brought this pattern into sharp focus. The Morrinson Wealth case One of St James’s Place Wealth … Continue reading When the Debt Letters Arrive: Why Advisers Need a Bridge Before Legal Action
Beware the Open Gate: Why Stepping Outside the Regulatory Perimeter Puts You at Risk
A Get SAFE warning for citizens, savers, and investors There is a quiet but dangerous shift happening in UK financial regulation. The Financial Conduct Authority has proposed changes that would make it easier for individuals to be classified as “professional investors” — even without significant wealth — provided they pass a subjective assessment by a … Continue reading Beware the Open Gate: Why Stepping Outside the Regulatory Perimeter Puts You at Risk
Academy of Life Planning 