If you’re considering a career in financial planning but only know the traditional route—the one that’s been around since the 1980s, where it was all about commission, sales targets, and high startup costs—it can feel daunting. The big academies still operate on that old model, tying new advisers into restrictive agreements and product sales to … Continue reading A New Route into Financial Planning – No Sales Targets, No Barriers, Just Impact
Tag: personal-finance
Unlocking Economic Potential Despite Health Impediments
We live in a world where traditional employment structures assume that if health challenges prevent someone from working in a conventional way, their economic contribution must cease, leaving them dependent on state benefits. But in the age of information and remote work, this outdated view no longer holds true. It’s surprising what can be achieved, … Continue reading Unlocking Economic Potential Despite Health Impediments
The Advent of AI in Lifetime Cashflow Forecasting: A Paradigm Shift
The Advent of AI in Lifetime Cashflow Forecasting: A Paradigm ShiftBy Steve Conley The Public’s New Power: AI-Driven Lifetime Cashflow Forecasting Recent advancements in artificial intelligence have heralded a transformative shift in financial planning. No longer must individuals rely solely on traditional financial advisers to obtain an initial assessment of their long-term financial standing. With … Continue reading The Advent of AI in Lifetime Cashflow Forecasting: A Paradigm Shift
How to Protect Your Pension from Inheritance Tax
How to Protect Your Pension from Inheritance Tax, by Steve Conley The rules around pensions and inheritance tax are changing, and it’s important to be prepared. From April 2027, pensions will no longer be exempt from inheritance tax (IHT), meaning that without careful planning, a significant portion of your hard-earned savings could end up with … Continue reading How to Protect Your Pension from Inheritance Tax
Breaking Free from the Product Sales Trap in Financial Services
The financial services industry has long been fixated on one thing—selling products. Providers, advisers, regulators, the financial press, and even emerging AI agents all seem to be caught in the same endless cycle: product, product, product. No matter how much they talk about helping people, it always comes back to selling something. Providers can’t just … Continue reading Breaking Free from the Product Sales Trap in Financial Services
The Power of Taking Control: Why Self-Directed Investing Beats Wealth Management Firms
Imagine working hard your entire life, diligently saving for retirement, only to realise that a significant portion of your investment returns is quietly being absorbed by wealth management fees. It’s a reality for many investors who entrust their financial future to traditional wealth managers, often without fully understanding the long-term impact of fees on their … Continue reading The Power of Taking Control: Why Self-Directed Investing Beats Wealth Management Firms
How Do I Invest for My Retirement? SIPP, ISA, or GIA?
The landscape of retirement planning has shifted dramatically over the years. Since Pension Freedom was introduced in 2015, many financial advisers have encouraged clients to use pensions both as an income source and an inheritance planning tool. However, with the recent changes announced in the 2024 Autumn Budget, retirement planning strategies require a serious rethink. … Continue reading How Do I Invest for My Retirement? SIPP, ISA, or GIA?
Why Retirement Planners Must Consider Human Capital Alongside Financial Capital
Retirement is no longer the full stop it once was. Increasingly, retirees are returning to work—not just for financial reasons, but also for social fulfilment and purpose. New research from Standard Life reveals that one in seven retirees has ‘unretired’ or is considering doing so. This trend highlights the crucial role that financial planners must … Continue reading Why Retirement Planners Must Consider Human Capital Alongside Financial Capital
The Truth About Financial Psychology: Are You Investing in Your True Self?
In the world of financial advice, there’s a fundamental flaw—one that’s been hidden behind tick-box compliance and industry-approved psychometric tests. The issue? Most financial advice isn’t based on what’s truly in your best interest. Instead, it reflects a version of you that has been shaped by years of parental conditioning, cultural beliefs, and psychological misconceptions—your … Continue reading The Truth About Financial Psychology: Are You Investing in Your True Self?
Financial Coaching vs. Financial Planning: Which Path Will You Take?
When it comes to financial well-being, there are two distinct but equally important approaches: financial coaching and financial planning. Both serve different needs, focus on different aspects of life, and require different mindsets from professionals who choose to offer them. Financial Coaching: Building Stability and Security Financial coaching is about helping people meet their basic … Continue reading Financial Coaching vs. Financial Planning: Which Path Will You Take?
Academy of Life Planning 