Retirement Decumulation: What to Consider When You’re Managing Your Own Finances

Understanding your options before you start drawing down your wealth Retirement isn’t just the end of work — it’s the beginning of a new financial rhythm.For those managing their own finances, the decumulation stage can be both liberating and daunting. You’ve built up your savings over decades — now the challenge is to turn that … Continue reading Retirement Decumulation: What to Consider When You’re Managing Your Own Finances

Standard Life launches affordable pension advice business: “Flat-Fee Advice or Flat-Out Missed the Point?”

Standard Life’s new flat-fee pension advice service is being framed as a breakthrough in accessibility — £1,000 for advice, £500 for an annual review, available to customers with £50,000+ DC pots. On the surface, this looks like progress. But beneath the headlines lies a deeper problem in how “advice” continues to be defined and delivered … Continue reading Standard Life launches affordable pension advice business: “Flat-Fee Advice or Flat-Out Missed the Point?”

10 Lessons in Human Capital: Making Education, Mentorship, and Self-Development Part of the Family Balance Sheet

By Steve Conley, Founder of the Academy of Life Planning 💡 Introduction: The Wealth We Overlook When most people think of a balance sheet, they see assets and liabilities — property, pensions, savings, and debt. Yet, according to global studies, over 80% of a nation’s true wealth lies not in its financial capital, but in … Continue reading 10 Lessons in Human Capital: Making Education, Mentorship, and Self-Development Part of the Family Balance Sheet

💡 The Best Investment I Ever Made Was in Myself

Why I walked away from millions — so others wouldn’t have to Fourteen years ago, I walked away from a six-figure banking career.At that point, I had led retail investment strategy for three of the UK’s five largest banks.On paper, I had everything: title, income, prestige, and comfort. But inside, I knew the truth — … Continue reading 💡 The Best Investment I Ever Made Was in Myself

🌍 The End of Extraction: Why Empowerment Is the Future of Financial Planning

The financial planning profession stands at a historic turning point. Recent research reveals that four in five wealth owners over 65 believe their children will not stay with their current adviser. The message couldn’t be clearer: the next generation doesn’t want intermediation — they want empowerment. They are digital natives who value transparency, control, and … Continue reading 🌍 The End of Extraction: Why Empowerment Is the Future of Financial Planning

Why become a Holistic Wealth Planner professional?

The Holistic Wealth Planner (HWP) pathway is designed for professionals who want to redefine financial planning for the 21st century. Unlike product-driven advice, Holistic Wealth Planning is client-centred, transparent, and empowerment-focused, equipping you to help people align their money with their values, purpose, and well-being. As a Holistic Wealth Planner, you’ll gain the skills, tools, … Continue reading Why become a Holistic Wealth Planner professional?

Why the Next Generation of Wealth Owners Prefer Empowerment Over Extraction

The numbers are stark: according to new research from Boring Money, four in five advised clients over the age of 65 believe their children will not stay with their current financial adviser once wealth transfers across generations. That’s over 1.2 million families expecting a break in the advice relationship. Why? Because the next generation isn’t … Continue reading Why the Next Generation of Wealth Owners Prefer Empowerment Over Extraction

From Exploitation to Empowerment: Why Life Planning Needs a Revolution

Most people enter financial planning with the best intentions. They want to help clients live better lives, not just manage their money. But somewhere along the way, the system twists the purpose. You’re taught that the “business model” of planning depends on assets under management. You measure success by the size of your client’s pot … Continue reading From Exploitation to Empowerment: Why Life Planning Needs a Revolution

The 16 Essentials of a Life Plan: Building Your GAME Plan for Sovereign Living

At the Academy of Life Planning, we believe that true wealth begins not with money, but with meaning. Before you plan your finances, you must plan your life. That’s why we created the GAME Plan — a holistic framework designed to align your values, purpose, and resources with the life you were meant to live. … Continue reading The 16 Essentials of a Life Plan: Building Your GAME Plan for Sovereign Living

🌍 A Vision of Global Empowerment through Life Planning

Imagine a world where every community, no matter how wealthy or resource-constrained, has access to the tools of life planning. Children in schools learn from an early age how to define their goals, recognise their talents, and align their education with purpose. Young adults no longer drift into jobs or debt without direction, but enter … Continue reading 🌍 A Vision of Global Empowerment through Life Planning