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 →

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 But what if our approach to wealth is built on outdated, harmful systems?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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

We, at the Academy of Life Planning, have developed a holistic financial planning process that we use to create lives of wellness, wellbeing, wealth, and significance. I want to share it with you. It’s called the GAME Plan, an acronym for Goals, Actions, Means, and Execution. We use it with self-directed people who want agency, … Continue reading The GAME Plan: A Simple Plan for a Life of Wealth, Well-being, and Meaning →

It can be frustrating when FCA-regulated financial advisers, perhaps unintentionally, look down on other financial service professionals, especially when they suggest that becoming one of them is somehow a step up. The reality is that FCA-regulated financial advice and the broader spectrum of financial services each serve distinct and important roles. Confusing the two doesn’t … Continue reading Setting the Record Straight: Understanding Financial Advice, Coaching, and Planning →

Hello, I’m Steve Conley. If you’re reading this, you’re likely seeking a better approach to managing your money and your life. I’m here to tell you that you’ve come to the right place. I’m not just a financial planner—I’m a life planner. My approach is different, and it’s precisely the difference you need. The Trust … Continue reading Discover the Difference: Life and Financial Planning with Integrity →

When it comes to your pension, there’s a lot of noise out there. You’ve probably heard advice about transferring your pension to get better returns, reduce admin headaches, or align with eco-friendly investments. It sounds tempting, right? But here’s the truth: there’s rarely a good reason to transfer your pension. In fact, shifting your pension … Continue reading How to Protect Yourself from Pension Scams: The Simple Truth →