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
Tag: finance
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
💥 From Tinkerbell to Timebomb: Why Belief Alone Can’t Save Crypto from Collapse
By Steve Conley, Founder – Academy of Life Planning “Crypto isn’t a revolution. It’s an echo—amplifying the very flaws it claimed to fix.” As crypto adoption surges, so too does the sense of unease among critical thinkers and financial reformers. A recent commentary by Simon Ellis, supported by insights from JB Beckett, articulates what many … Continue reading 💥 From Tinkerbell to Timebomb: Why Belief Alone Can’t Save Crypto from Collapse
Empowered for What, Exactly? Why We Do What We Do
“The aim of life is self-development. To realise one’s nature perfectly—that is what each of us is here for.” — Oscar Wilde At the Academy of Life Planning, empowerment isn’t a buzzword. It’s a mission. A movement. A model. But empowered for what, exactly? The answer is simple, yet profound:To live your life plan. Fully. … Continue reading Empowered for What, Exactly? Why We Do What We Do
💻 The Death of Intermediation Software Apps in the Age of Empowerment
By Steve Conley, Academy of Life Planning There’s a quiet revolution underway in financial planning—and some legacy tech players are pretending it isn’t happening. As the Age of Aquarius rises, empowerment replaces extraction. People are waking up. And the old guard—the intermediation platforms built for sales agents masquerading as planners—are fading into obsolescence. 🚧 “You’re … Continue reading 💻 The Death of Intermediation Software Apps in the Age of Empowerment
🦠 Is Bitcoin a Financial Virus?
Why Responsible Advisers Must Speak Up Bitcoin is lighting up red flags as it seeks entry into core investment portfolios. Let’s be clear: if an individual wants to speculate with a small satellite allocation, that’s their prerogative. But if I were a reputable product distributor, I wouldn’t want the liability of recommending Bitcoin as a … Continue reading 🦠 Is Bitcoin a Financial Virus?
💼 VAT and Financial Advice: Let’s Get Honest
“Advice is not exempt because it feels valuable. Exemption applies because the law says it does.” In the world of financial services, there’s a persistent (and often convenient) misunderstanding: that all financial advice is VAT-exempt. It isn’t. And it’s time we stopped pretending otherwise. As someone working to empower consumers and advisers alike through transparency … Continue reading 💼 VAT and Financial Advice: Let’s Get Honest
Beyond the Growth Agenda: 86% Wealthy Brits Are Already Choosing Empowerment Over Extraction
A recent study reveals a telling statistic: 86% of UK adults with over £100,000 in investable assets are not using a financial adviser. That’s more than 16 million people, rejecting delegation and choosing empowerment. And yet, the financial establishment continues to frame this as a “missed opportunity” — not for the people, but for the … Continue reading Beyond the Growth Agenda: 86% Wealthy Brits Are Already Choosing Empowerment Over Extraction
Pisces or Aquarius? The PFS Spends £1 Million—But Whose Future Are They Funding?
“We’re building a profession,” they say. But are we still just dressing up distribution in a new robe?” This week, the Personal Finance Society (PFS), under the influence of its parent body the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), announced a £1 million initiative to recruit “new blood” into financial planning. They’ve called it Pathway to the … Continue reading Pisces or Aquarius? The PFS Spends £1 Million—But Whose Future Are They Funding?
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