Story of the Week

Another Day, Another "Life-Changing" Plan 🙄 Great news, folks! Yet another genius plan to unlock your "true potential" has arrived. But before you roll your eyes so hard they get stuck, hear this out: We’re skipping the usual fluff about chasing dreams and stacking cash. This time, it's about peeling back the layers of your socially acceptable façade to reveal the real you—the one you’ve likely forgotten even exists. So if you’re done with the endless parade of "follow your passion" nonsense and actually want to figure out what you’re doing here on this spinning rock, maybe give this a shot. Who knows? You might just leave a legacy that’s more than just hot air. 🌱✨ 🌟 Read more. 📈😅

Editor, The Weekly Waffle

Meet Steve Conley: Recovering Banker Turned Life Planner Extraordinaire. Hey there, I’m Steve Conley! I ditched the profit-hungry world of City banking to embrace life planning as a solopreneur. My mission? To help you sort out your life by focusing on what really matters—developing your human capital instead of just obsessing over financial assets. 💪💼 I’m here to shatter your illusions and expose the cozy lies you’ve been clinging to. Curious? Head over to steveconley.co.uk and grab my book, "Your Money or Your Life: Unmask the Highway Robbers - Create Wealth in Every Area of Your Life!"

⚠️ Fair warning: Former highway robbers may find this content mildly offensive. ⚠️

Hi, Waffle Aficionado!

Welcome to the Friday Lunch Bunch—Your Weekly Serving of Stuff You Didn't Ask For 😏. Grab a seat, folks, because it's that time again—time for the latest episode of the Friday Lunch Bunch! 🍽️ Settle in, kick back, and prepare yourself for a smorgasbord of news you never knew you needed. We’ve curated a delightful mix of topics to distract you from whatever it is you’re supposed to be doing. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the headlines. Enjoy the ride. 😏

Your selected articles: The creating wealth bit.

The Great Pension Heist: How the Government Plans to Squeeze Your Wallet 💸 While Pretending to Boost the Economy 📈 Brace yourselves—our lovely government is at it again, this time with a master plan to fatten up pension companies' pockets while pretending to give the economy a boost. 🤑 They promise growth, but all you'll really see is a thinner wallet and zero real economic benefit. 🎩✨ Want to know how they’re pulling off this daylight robbery? Check out the full exposé. 🤑 Read more. 👍🌝😉.

Neurodiversity in the Workplace: The Overlooked Superpower 🦸‍♂️🚀 Neurodiversity at work? More like a corporate afterthought! 🤦‍♂️ Financial companies love to brag about their "progress" 🏢, but they're missing a goldmine 💰 of entrepreneurial talent by trying to cram neurodivergent folks into the same old corporate box 📦. It’s high time we stopped ticking the neurodiversity checkbox ✅ and started recognising it as the superpower it truly is. 🦸‍♂️ Imagine the industry revolution if they just let these untapped talents shine! 🎨✨

🙏 Read more. 👍🌝😉.

Yvonne & Bente: Redefining "Retirement" with a Dash of Sass 🌟 Who says retirement means slippers and daytime TV? Not Yvonne and Bente! 📺👵 Yvonne, nearly 80, is swapping bingo nights for gardening at her local pub, proving that green thumbs 🌱 and geraniums are the real keys to happiness. 🍺🌺 Meanwhile, Bente, 71, is still running her company like a boss 👑💼 after losing her husband, showing the world that age is just a number. These two powerhouses are living proof that retirement is what you make of it—so why slow down? 💪🌟 #NeverRetire #VitalityGoals 📰 Read more. 📈😅

🚨 PSA: Beware the "Financial Guru" Cold Callers 🚨 Ever had some random "financial guru" hit you up about your life savings? 👀 Yeah, it’s not because they’re your new BFF. 😒 Let’s cut the nonsense—if someone’s suddenly asking about your pension or nest egg, don’t even entertain the thought. Just HANG UP, DELETE, or SLAM that door shut! 🚪📞🗑️ Your hard-earned money is nobody's business, especially not some cold-calling stranger. 🚫💸

Our latest article is your go-to guide for dodging these scam artists. 🎪 Protect yourself—because if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 🎯 ✨  Read more. 📈😅

🎉 The Real Investment Epiphany: Keep it Boring, Make Life Exciting 🎢 Had a lightbulb moment at last night’s house party: The real thrill isn’t in trying to "beat the market" with some high-risk, high-fee investment. 🤷‍♂️ Nope, the smart move is chilling with a low-cost global tracker fund while letting your human capital (you know, your actual skills and passions) take center stage. 💼💪 Forget the snake oil salesmen promising you the moon 🌙 and delivering zilch. 📉 Keep your financial strategies boring and steady, and let your career be the rollercoaster ride. 🎢 🌟 Read more. 📈😅

🚨 The FCA Strikes Again: Simplified Advice or Simplified Excuses? 🧐 Guess what? The FCA is back at it, pushing "simplified advice" like it's the next big thing! 🚶‍♂️💼 But let’s be real—they’re just trying to repackage product selling as advice, and even the industry couldn’t keep a straight face this time. 🤦‍♂️ Simplified advice? More like simplified excuses to skimp on consumer protection! 🛑❌ Instead of offering real help, they’re watering down the rules while the advice gap keeps growing. And who’s left holding the bag? YOU. 🎒💸 Ready for a reality check? 🧐 Dive into our latest article to see why the real solution is empowering YOU to take control of your financial future. 💪💡  🌟 Read more. 📈😅

🚨 Is Your Financial Adviser Too Good to Be True? 🚨 Ever get that warm, fuzzy feeling like your money’s in safe hands? 💰 Well, hate to break it to you, but that cozy vibe might just be top-tier manipulation. 😏 In my latest piece, "The Dark Side of Financial Trust: A Parallel Between St James’s Place Practices and Coercive Manipulation," I expose how some financial institutions (yeah, looking at you, SJP 👀) might be using tactics that would make a con artist blush. 😒 Paying sky-high fees without even realising it? Being told, “Everything’s fine, don’t worry about it”? Sound familiar? 🤔 You might be getting played. 🎯 Spoiler: Financial exploitation isn’t just bad service—it’s a crime. 🌟 Read more. 😅

🚨 Mark Your Calendars, Money Mavericks! 🚨 Ever dreamed of cutting out the middleman and seizing control of your financial destiny? 💸💪 Well, get ready, because the 2nd edition of Be Your Own Financial Adviser by the brilliant Jonquil Lowe is dropping on September 2nd! 📚✨ Why pay someone else to manage your money when you can do it better? 😏 This book is your go-to guide for navigating the financial jungle like a pro. Ready to unleash your inner financial wizard? 🧙‍♂️💵 Don’t miss out—mark your calendar! 📅🚀

 🌟 Read more. 📈😅

⚠️ Warning: This Content May Offend Former Highway Robbers. ⚠️

🚨 Big Brother is Watching… Especially in Financial Services 🚨 Heads up, folks—if you’re in financial services, tread carefully. The CII and PFS have made it crystal clear: criticise at your own peril, or you might find yourself out in the cold. Speaking out against poor practices? That’s so last century. In today's world, it seems only approved opinions are allowed. If you’re curious where the line between upholding ethics and stifling dissent is drawn—spoiler alert: it’s pretty blurry—you’ll want to dive into my latest article. 🌟 Read more. 📈😅

🐺💼 Wolves in Suits Telling the Sheepdogs to Play Nice? 🐕‍🦺😏 In the financial advice jungle, the lead wolf—dressed to impress—has declared that it’s time to quit the “bickering” and show a united front. 🙄 Apparently, nothing says integrity like sweeping debates under the rug and keeping it all neat for the young pups eyeing a future as wolves in sheep’s clothing. 🧹🐑 "Stop the one-upmanship!" they cry. Because if we all just smile and wave, no one will notice the cracks, right? 😬👍 Check out our latest article to see how the wolves and sheepdogs are putting on a show. 👀🎭 🌟 Read more. 📈😅

🚨 New Article Alert: The CII's Quest for Influence – Naïveté or Cunning Strategy? 🚨

Matthew Hill, the new Chief Executive of the CII, is eager to secure a seat at the regulators' table. But let’s cut to the chase: Is this a noble but clueless attempt to uplift the financial planning profession, or a shrewd strategy to ensure only product-pushers get a voice? My latest piece digs into the CII’s narrow definition of financial planning, which conveniently sidelines any adviser not selling a product. So, is Hill being naïve, or is there more to this plot? Read on and decide for yourself. 🌟 Read more. 📈😅

My work is "open source," so feel free to plagiarize, copy, and share as much as you like. Thanks for being an Academy subscriber. Your membership keeps newsletters like this one coming, and we want to ensure you’re getting every bit of value from your subscription.

Member Live Events:

1. LIVE HapNav Mastery: Training & Support for Financial Planners

Let's get real—you can't do a holistic financial plan without a lifetime cash flow forecaster. And you can't empower clients to run their own finances without giving them an end-user financial planning app. 📊💡

I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone. Embrace HapNav. Start taking your empowerment mission seriously. 🚀📈

In our HapNav Mastery session, I introduce HapNav, the groundbreaking financial planning tool that's here to revolutionise your world—or at least try. 🌟 Unlike those dusty old complex tools like Voyant and Truth, HapNav integrates open banking and offers a simple fresh take on financial planning. 

This session dives into HapNav's cash flow planning tool and its sophisticated probabilistic system, which sounds fancy but is surprisingly user-friendly. You even get a 30-day free trial to play around with it and seamless bank account integration, because who doesn't love an app that actually works? Participants are not only encouraged but practically begged to engage with the app, provide feedback, and enjoy these sessions for continued learning and improvement. Because hey, we're all in this together, right? 😏📈

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Weds, Sep 4, 2024, 04:00 PM London

Register in advance for this meeting:
Zoom Registration Link

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

It’s time for the era of financial empowerment to begin. 🏆 👉 Last session available to view now Video-On-Demand.

2. CPD Masterclass S1:E9:  🎓 Available to view on VOD.

The Longevity Coach 🕰️

In the latest installment of our masterclass series, we dive into the world of "The Longevity Coach"—because apparently, just living longer isn't enough. We need to make sure you're sticking around for the good stuff, too. 🧘‍♂️ The Game Plan Coach takes center stage, not just to help you tack on a few extra years, but to ensure those years aren’t spent wishing you’d checked out earlier. We're talking about investing in those elusive "vitality assets," because apparently, the choices we make—mind, body, heart, and spirit—are kind of a big deal when it comes to overall well-being. Who knew? 🤷‍♂️

We get into the nitty-gritty of how your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual assets play tag with your financial resources over a lifetime. And here's the kicker—these transactions can be pretty irreversible. So yeah, mindfulness? Kind of important. Remember, money is just the means to an end, not the whole point of the game. 🎯

We're championing a balanced approach to money and life, especially as you trudge through those later years. Inspired by Sir Muir Gray's "Living Longer Better" programme and Andrew J. Scott’s Longevity Imperative (check out his podcast), we even throw in a few jabs at the traditional "cliff edge" early retirement models. Spoiler alert: staying economically active in later life might actually be beneficial. Who would've thought? 💼

This session arms our Game Plan Coaches with the wisdom to steer their clients toward a life that's not just long, but fulfilling—because why not aim for both? 🌱

And because we care so much, here's a two-hour presentation on the Longevity Coach, packed with holistic financial planning tips to help you not just survive, but thrive, and maybe even leave the world a little better than you found it. 🌍💸

Check out our VOD Channel now, and don't forget to download the accompanying workbook.

Don't miss out—let's make those later years the best ones yet! 🌟💪

3. ACADEMY OF LIFE PLANNING PARTNER PARADE WITH KEYLU

🚀 Ready to totally revolutionise your life? Or at least make it slightly less chaotic? 😅 Join me, Steve Conley, and our brilliant guest, Ian Dibb from Keylu, for a must-attend virtual event—VOD. It’s all about making your financial planning less of a headache and more of a breeze. 🌬️

What’s in it for you? 🧐

✨ Introduction to Keylu: Because who doesn’t need yet another platform to manage their life? But seriously, this one’s worth it. 💻

💡 Key Features & Benefits: Learn how to keep your important stuff safe, capture those digital memories, and plan like a pro… or at least look like one. 📸🗂️

🎬 Live Demonstration: Watch Keylu do its thing. Spoiler: It’s pretty impressive. 💥

❓ Interactive Q&A: Got burning questions? We’ve got answers. Because guessing isn’t a financial strategy. 🔥

Why should you care? 🤔

🛠️ Discover tools that might just make life a little less overwhelming. 📅

🧠 Get expert advice that could change your financial game. 💼

🌟 Walk away with a plan that’s actually holistic (and not just a buzzword). 🧘‍♂️

So, if you’re ready to level up your life and maybe even impress yourself with your newfound organisation skills, hit that link and join us! 💪✨

Check out our VOD Channel now, it's on the FREE one!

Join us and take the first step towards a simplified, secure, and prosperous future. See you there!Learn More: Keylu

4. ACADEMY OF LIFE PLANNING PARTNER PARADE  WITH WISE MONKEY

🚀 Join the Academy of Life Planning Partner Parade! 🚀

🌟 Special Guest: Simonne Gnessen 🌟
📅 Date: Tuesday, 20th August
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM London Time
📍 Platform: Zoom

Are you an accredited Game Plan practitioner looking to expand your skill set? Want to offer more holistic services to your clients? This is your chance! Simonne Gnessen, the founder of Wise Monkey, will be presenting the renowned Financial Coach Practitioner Certificate Training Programme and the Community Membership Programme.

Learn how you can add financial coaching to your holistic financial planning services and join a supportive network of like-minded professionals. 💡 Why Attend?

Expand Your Expertise: Add financial coaching to your repertoire, enhancing the value you provide to your clients.

Community Support: Join a vibrant community of financial coaches for peer support, resources, and continuous learning.

Expert Insights: Gain knowledge from Simonne Gnessen's extensive experience in financial coaching.

🎓 Programme Highlights:

Financial Coach Practitioner Certificate Training: Comprehensive curriculum covering coaching techniques, financial planning principles, and client relationship management.

Community Membership: Access ongoing support with webinars, networking events, and exclusive resources to grow your practice.

👥 Who Should Attend?

Accredited Game Plan practitioners seeking to diversify their services.

Holistic financial planners looking to incorporate coaching into their practice.

Professionals committed to enhancing their clients' financial well-being.

📢 Hear from Previous Trainees:
"A life-changing course that helped me find my true calling and improve my practice." - Former Trainee
"The best investment I made in my career. Exceptional support and training." - Certified Coach

Check out the Wise Monkey website: Wise Monkey

Don’t miss this opportunity to advance your career and enhance your holistic financial planning services. Join us on 20th August at 4:00 PM for an insightful session that could transform your practice.

🔗 Register for the AoLP Partner Parade Zoom Meeting: [Registration Link]

Let's add financial coaching to your holistic financial planning practice. See you there!

5. 🎓 The Game Plan Evolution: CPD Masterclass Series S1: E10: The Impact Coach 💥

Ready to dive into September like a true financial mastermind? Or maybe just want to survive another month without losing your mind? Either way, we’ve got you covered with our latest Game Plan course schedule, meticulously curated (because we know you love that word) to infuse your practice with all the knowledge and strategies you didn’t know you needed. 📚💡

Each session, expertly presented by none other than Steve Conley—yes, he’s back again—offers you targeted insights into the practical implementation of the Game Plan. Because who doesn’t need more “practical implementation” in their life? 🎯

💸 Secure your place now! Free to Members!! 🤑

🕒 When & Where:
🗓️ Sep 26, 2024
⏰ 06:00 PM London Time
📍 Zoom (Because in-person is so 2019)

How to Join the Fun: Click that registration link before you forget: Register here 🖱️

Once you register, you’ll get a confirmation email with all the juicy details on how to join the meeting. Because we know you like to be prepared. 📩

About the Session: 💼 The Impact Coach:
On September 26 at 6:00 PM, get ready for 'The Impact Coach' session. It’s an immersive exploration into the psychology of human well-being and how clients’ needs evolve as they age—because who knew people change over time? 🤷‍♂️ We’ll discuss how to guide clients through this shift, from focusing on basic needs to chasing that elusive self-actualisation. All while making sure they don’t outlive their capital, of course. 🧘‍♂️💰

If you’re ready to level up your practice, impress your clients, and maybe even yourself, join us for this masterclass series. It’s more than just financial planning—it’s about creating a legacy (or at least pretending to). 🌱💼

See you there, or be square! 📅🎉

🍷🚪 Curtain Call, Town Hall Warriors!

You’ve just survived another round of the Academy’s infamous Friday Lunch Bunch. 🏆 Scatter freely, but oh—plot twist: there's homework. Because of course, there is. 📚 Check out the hyperlinks we’ve tossed around like a trail of digital breadcrumbs. 📎 Consider the gossip mill officially closed for the week.

If you’re craving a blast from the past, browse through our legendary pranks or book your seat for the next session of chaos on August 23rd, 2024, at 12 PM London time. 🎟️🕛

That’s it for today’s banter broadcast. Until next time,

Keep those waffles waving! 🧇

Steve 

Academy of Life Planning 🧀

Email: steve.conley@aolp.co.uk

P.S.Buckle up, financial adventurers, and dive into the latest blog from the Academy of Life Planning (AoLP) – your self-proclaimed partner in transformational financial life planning. 🌟📚 Here, they’re not just dishing out financial advice; they’re transforming lives with the finesse of a life coach wielding a spreadsheet. It’s not just about money; it’s about finding your inner financial peace in a world where peace comes with a price tag. So, check out their latest post and learn how to turn your financial dreams into reality—or at least a well-organized plan. Happy navigating! 🚀💼  Academy of Life Planning: Your Partner in Transformational Financial Life Planning

P.P.S. If you know anyone who would like to be added to our mailing list, please share this link.

Websites: Steve Conley, Academy of Life Planning, Planning My Life, Financial Life Coach, Steve's Blog.

Copyright the Academy of Life Planning Limited 2024. Contact us by email at info@aolp.co. The Academy of Life Planning Limited is a service sector trading company regulated by the Competition and Markets Authority and Registered in England and Wales number 8016568. Registered office address 9 Franklin Way, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, PE23 5GG, United Kingdom. Information Commissioner's Office reference number ZA502687.

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