Article: Why Gen Z Needs 'Planning My Life' More Than TikTok for Financial Wellness Introduction Ever wondered why Gen Z, the digital natives, are more inclined to seek financial advice from TikTok influencers rather than professionals? The answer lies not just in the appeal of social media but also in the gaps left by traditional … Continue reading Why Gen Z Needs ‘Planning My Life’ More Than TikTok for Financial Wellness →

Steve Conley | Updated: September 5, 2023 | 12 Minutes Introduction The 'rainy day' that people often talk about saving for is here for many. With a large number of households having little to no savings, it's crucial to find alternative ways to boost your finances. Remember, financial products don't create wealth; people do. So, … Continue reading No Cash, No Problem: 100 Ways to Boost Your Finances When Savings Are Low →

Introduction The financial literacy crisis in the UK is reaching a tipping point, exacerbated by the cost of living crisis. Amidst this, the government is pushing for extended maths education up to the age of 18. However, with high failure rates in maths resits, the question arises: is traditional education enough? "Planning My Life" offers … Continue reading Planning My Life: Navigating the Maze of Financial Literacy Amidst Educational Reforms →

Proper Financial Planning: Threshold Hypothesis and Lifetime Liability Forecast When financial planning, plan the client before you plan the money. Once you have identified the client’s life goals (their favourite future), attach a cost to it. We call this the lifetime liability forecast. It can be expressed in three parts: A. Basic Expenditure (Region 1 … Continue reading Holistic Financial Planning: Balancing Lifetime Liabilities and Wellbeing →

The Crossroads: Where Life Meets Legacy Just as M. Scott Peck's seminal book "The Road Less Travelled" begins with the profound statement, "Life is difficult," so too does the journey of every financial planner. We often find ourselves at a metaphorical crossroads, much like the one Peck describes—a place where we must choose between the … Continue reading The Road Less Travelled: An Invitation to Financial Planners Seeking More Than Just Profit →

Twenty years ago, I founded the UK’s award-winning and market-leading workplace marketing operation, Abbey @ Work, was the keynote speaker at the Institute of Pension and Payroll Managers AGM, wrote columns in the EBC trade press, and chaired Employee Benefits Magazine sessions at their annual events. I more recently founded an efficient and market-leading auto-enrollment … Continue reading Transforming Workplaces into Hubs of Significance: The “Planning My Life” Approach →

Do you see your favourite future as a cliff edge ending to the industrial treadmill or an opportunity for greater significance? The Misunderstanding of Economic Activity The concept of "economic activity" is often overlooked in the realm of financial planning, despite being its cornerstone. Economic activity refers to the actions of providing, making, buying, or … Continue reading The Importance of Economic Activity in Genuine Financial Planning →

Introduction Welcome to another edition of our blog. Today, we're diving deep into some groundbreaking concepts that promise to revolutionise the way we think about money, well-being, and life planning. We'll explore the Japanese concept of "Kokoro," the threshold hypothesis for consumption and well-being, and wisdom from the Stoic philosopher Seneca. All of these tie … Continue reading Living Your Kokoro: The New Frontier in Financial Planning and Personal Growth →

A Product Distributor is not a Financial Coach! The recent response from HM Treasury to the concerns raised by financial advisers in the UK has sparked a debate that goes beyond mere regulation. The Treasury's acknowledgment of the need to improve access to financial advice across Britain is commendable, but the confusion between regulations on … Continue reading Misguided Efforts: The Confusion Between Financial Literacy and Regulation →

Gather 'round, folks, and let me tell you a story of an adviser who thought he had it all figured out. A sensible guy, mind you, not one of those Wall Street hotshots. He was the kind of adviser who'd sell you on "financial planning services" and a passive asset allocation approach that promised the … Continue reading The Great Investment Blunder: A Tale of Misguided Strategy and the Road to Redemption →