“Wealth is not what we have, but what we can do — and become — together.” For over half a century, economists have treated human capital as an input to productivity — a resource to be measured, managed, and monetised. But a groundbreaking reappraisal by Paula England and Nancy Folbre invites us to see something … Continue reading 🌍 How England & Folbre’s Four Capabilities Underpin the GAME Plan’s Whole-Person Paradigm
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.
🌍 Beyond Human Capital: What Holistic Wealth Planners Can Learn from the Fall of a Dangerous Idea
By Steve Conley | Academy of Life Planning For over half a century, human capital theory has shaped how we understand work, income, and worth. It tells us that people earn what they deserve — that the talented and hardworking rise, and the rest should “upskill” or fall behind. But as economist Blair Fix argues … Continue reading 🌍 Beyond Human Capital: What Holistic Wealth Planners Can Learn from the Fall of a Dangerous Idea
🌍 The Future of Financial Planning: From Isolation to Ecosystem
Top 3 Takeaways from the Academy of Life Planning’s Ask Us Anything (24 October 2025) When the Academy’s Inner Circle gathered last week for our latest Ask Us Anything, one theme rose above all others: “How do we turn values into a viable business model?” What unfolded was a masterclass in collective intelligence — a … Continue reading 🌍 The Future of Financial Planning: From Isolation to Ecosystem
The Gifts That Build the Whole: Why None of Us Is Meant to Do This Alone
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.” — 1 Corinthians 12:4 At the Academy of Life Planning, we often speak about purpose — that sacred thread running through our lives which, when followed, leads us home to wholeness. Yet purpose is never a solo pursuit. It is revealed in relationship. … Continue reading The Gifts That Build the Whole: Why None of Us Is Meant to Do This Alone
The Junk IRA Problem: How Hidden Systems Drain Your Future — and How Structural Trust Restores It
“They call them Safe Harbor IRAs — but for millions of savers, they are anything but safe.” A new report from PensionBee and the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) has lifted the lid on a quiet crisis.By 2030, an estimated $43 billion of American retirement savings will sit stranded in “Safe Harbor IRAs” — low-yield, … Continue reading The Junk IRA Problem: How Hidden Systems Drain Your Future — and How Structural Trust Restores It
The True Capital of a Nation: Lessons for Holistic Wealth Planners
The True Capital of a Nation: Lessons for Holistic Wealth Planners "The wealth of nations begins with the wealth of their people." A recent study, Human Capital and Its Influence on Economic Development (Miculescu & Boldea, 2015), offers profound insights for Holistic Wealth Planners. Though written about Romania’s economy, its findings speak directly to the … Continue reading The True Capital of a Nation: Lessons for Holistic Wealth Planners
The Battle for Trust: Why St. James’s Place Can’t Own What It Doesn’t Build
St. James’s Place has just declared itself “the clear home of trusted financial advice in the UK.”With record gross inflows of £5.7 billion and total funds under management surpassing £212 billion, few would dispute its financial strength. But we must ask a deeper question: does financial success equate to trust? At the Academy of Life … Continue reading The Battle for Trust: Why St. James’s Place Can’t Own What It Doesn’t Build
The Enabling Environment: Why Structural Trust Is the True Engine of Wealth
“The key for the future of any country lies in the talent, skills, and capabilities of its people.”— Dr. Mahesh U. Daru, Human Capital: The Tool for Economic Growth and Development When we talk about wealth, our culture still reaches first for money. But as Dr. Mahesh Daru’s paper reminds us, it is people—not capital—that … Continue reading The Enabling Environment: Why Structural Trust Is the True Engine of Wealth
🕊 Purpose Is Not Something We Invent — It’s Something We Remember
By Steve Conley | Academy of Life Planning “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” — Jeremiah 1:5“He has created us for a life of good deeds, which He prepared in advance for us to do.” — Ephesians 2:10 (TEV) For centuries we’ve been taught to chase purpose as though it were … Continue reading 🕊 Purpose Is Not Something We Invent — It’s Something We Remember
The End of the Industrial Adviser Model: What the Vanguard Study Really Shows
A new study from Vanguard has revealed a quiet revolution underway in financial advice — and most advisers don’t even see it coming. Almost half of clients surveyed said they would like to meet their financial adviser more than once a year. On the surface, this might look like a call for better service. In … Continue reading The End of the Industrial Adviser Model: What the Vanguard Study Really Shows
Academy of Life Planning 