Is the Financial Ombudsman Service protecting consumers—or protecting the system? At Get SAFE (Support After Financial Exploitation), we are compiling a dossier of systemic issues in the way the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) handles complaints—particularly those involving fraud, maladministration, and regulatory failure. This is part of The Goliathon Project, a programme empowering Citizen Investigators to … Continue reading 🛡️ Goliathon: Exposing Systemic Failures at the Financial Ombudsman Service
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🕊️ From Extraction to Creation: Replacing the Piscean Cycle
✝️ The Piscean Age: One Lifetime. One Cycle. One System of Extraction. For over 2,000 years, under the Age of Pisces, society has operated under a singular, extractive lifetime model—mandated by institutions that benefit from your compliance and contribution. This is how it goes: Accumulate wealth through your working years, and hand it over to … Continue reading 🕊️ From Extraction to Creation: Replacing the Piscean Cycle
Unfit for Purpose: Why the UK’s Financial Intermediation Model Is Structurally Untrustworthy
By Steve ConleyFounder, Academy of Life PlanningMember, Transparency Task Force Advisory Board For decades, consumers have been assured that financial institutions act in their best interests. From glossy advertising to friendly face-to-face meetings with brokers and advisers, the public is encouraged to believe that customer-facing staff—whether in banks, insurers, or wealth firms—are working for them. … Continue reading Unfit for Purpose: Why the UK’s Financial Intermediation Model Is Structurally Untrustworthy
Exploring the Future-Ready Model for Financial Planning
“People don’t want more products—they want more power over their lives.” The financial planning profession is at a crossroads. For decades, it has operated under a delegated model—where clients outsource their financial lives to intermediaries. But times have changed. Today, empowered individuals are rejecting that dependency. They want clarity, control, and confidence—not just advice, but … Continue reading Exploring the Future-Ready Model for Financial Planning
When Will We Wake Up? Human Capital, Not Tax Hikes, Drives Growth
By Steve Conley, Founder, Academy of Life Planning Economic growth comes from one place: investment in people. Not balance-sheet trickery. Not tax rises. Not deregulation. But in human capital—the skills, health, knowledge, and potential of individuals. And yet, here we are again. According to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, Chancellor Rachel Reeves … Continue reading When Will We Wake Up? Human Capital, Not Tax Hikes, Drives Growth
When the Crown Falls Silent: A Stoic Reflection on Duty, Justice, and Power
“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength.”— Marcus Aurelius Recently, I wrote to His Majesty The King—not out of defiance, but from a place of deep loyalty and concern. My letter laid bare the suffering of thousands of His Majesty’s subjects who have been devastated by financial … Continue reading When the Crown Falls Silent: A Stoic Reflection on Duty, Justice, and Power
Why a Financial Life Coach Is Not What You Think — And Exactly What You Might Need
When people hear the term Financial Life Coach, they often picture someone poring over their bank statements, telling them to stop buying lattes, or helping them unpack childhood money trauma. That’s not what we do.Not at the Academy of Life Planning. Not even close. We’re not therapists.We’re not financial advisers.We’re not product pushers, budget cops, … Continue reading Why a Financial Life Coach Is Not What You Think — And Exactly What You Might Need
🌊 From Exhaustion to Empowerment: Why It’s Time to Flip the Financial Script
"This is an excellent tool! I am going to use it with my clients as part of my process. Thank you so much for making it available to us, you are very generous." Kaya Taylor, FCMA CGMA MCSI, Chartered Management Accountant and Holistic Financial Planner. And how you can get the Done-By-You GAME Plan template today … Continue reading 🌊 From Exhaustion to Empowerment: Why It’s Time to Flip the Financial Script
Overseas QROPS Promotions: The Illegal Advice Trap Harming UK Consumers
“If you were living in the UK and encouraged to transfer your pension into an overseas QROPS, the promotion may have broken UK law.” 🚨 A Warning Millions Never Heard Over the past two decades, thousands of UK consumers have been encouraged to transfer their pensions into Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS)—often with promises … Continue reading Overseas QROPS Promotions: The Illegal Advice Trap Harming UK Consumers
Cryptoassets and the FCA: What You Need to Know About Marketing Rules in the UK
“In the Age of Aquarius, truth and transparency aren’t optional—they’re essential.” As the financial services landscape rapidly evolves, one of the most significant regulatory developments in recent years is the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s approach to cryptoassets, particularly in the area of marketing and consumer protection. Whether you're a financial professional, a coach, or a … Continue reading Cryptoassets and the FCA: What You Need to Know About Marketing Rules in the UK
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