Story of the Week

Your Biggest Asset Isn’t in Your Savings 💡 Think your wealth lies in your ISA or pension? Spoiler: it doesn’t. Your greatest asset is you—your skills, knowledge, and potential. 📚💪 Human capital is a far bigger wealth creator than simply relying on compound interest. Yet, many forget to factor this into their lifetime financial plans. 🤔 Imagine boosting your earnings by 1% a month, or extending your career doing work you love for 10 more years—how much more fulfilling could that be? 💼💸 The real key to your future wealth isn’t just in savings, but in unlocking your potential. ✨ Ready to see the difference?

🌟 Read more. 😅

Editor, The Weekly Waffle

Meet Steve Conley: From Banker to Life Planner 🌟 Hi, I’m Steve Conley! After years in the high-pressure world of City banking, I chose a new path—one that’s all about you. 🙌 My focus isn’t just on growing your bank balance, but on helping you grow as a person. 💡 I cut through the noise and share truths that others might avoid. Ready to take control of your life and prioritise your well-being? Visit www.steveconley.co.uk and check out my book, Your Money or Your Life, for an honest, transformative journey! 📚⚠️ Fair warning: this fresh approach might challenge the status quo, but it’s perfect if you're seeking real change. Let's begin!

Hi, Waffle Aficionado!

Welcome to the Friday Lunch Bunch—Your Weekly Boost of Inspiration 🍽️✨ It’s that time again—welcome to the Weekly Waffle! 🧇🎉 Whether you're enjoying a well-earned break or simply need a little lift, we’ve got your back with a delightful mix of stories you didn’t know you needed. From thought-provoking insights to feel-good fun, we’re here to help you step away from the hustle and recharge. So, grab your seat, unwind, and let’s explore this week’s highlights together! 😏🚀

Your selected articles: The creating wealth bit.

Pension Not What You Hoped? Don’t Panic! 💼🙃 Worked hard all your life, only to find your pension isn’t quite what you imagined? It’s frustrating, but don’t worry—it’s not the end of the road. If retirement’s feeling a bit shaky, our latest article dives into what happens when pensions fall short and, more importantly, what you can do next. 💡 You’ve got options, and we’re here to help you explore them and take action. Your golden years can still shine—let’s find a way forward together! 🚀 🤑 Read more. 👍🌝😉.

Think Your Pension Alone Will See You Through Retirement? Think Again! 🧐

If you’re counting solely on your pension to carry you through retirement, it’s time to reconsider. While saving is crucial, there's another side to the story: your human capital—your skills, health, and connections. These could be more valuable than any pension pot. 🤷‍♂️ The real magic lies in combining personal growth with financial planning. Want to stay healthy, productive, and truly comfortable in retirement? It’s time to invest in both yourself and your savings. 💡 Curious? You’ll want to check this out! 🙏 Read more. 👍🌝😉.

Decolonizing Wealth: A New Approach to Resources 🌍💸 Turns out, wealth isn’t something we should just hoard like dragons in their caves anymore. 🐉 Shocking, right? 🙄 Enter the concept of Decolonizing Wealth—a fresh way of thinking that encourages sharing resources for the good of the whole community. ✨ It’s about healing from centuries of colonization, redistributing wealth, and becoming stewards of the Earth’s gifts, not owners. Imagine using money for things like schools, healthcare, and—dare we say it—helping people thrive. 😲 It’s time to rethink how we use wealth and create a better world for everyone. 🌳💡 📰 Read more. 📈😅

Affordable Financial Help Without the Price Tag 💰 So, it seems like the only way to get financial advice is to shell out £2,000+ to an adviser who’s more focused on selling you products than actually helping you. 🤔 But what if I told you there’s a better way? Enter financial coaches and planners—affordable, accessible, and genuinely interested in helping you get your finances in order, without the hefty price tag. 💸 Practical, real-world help is within reach, and you don’t need to break the bank to get it! 🤯 🌟 Read more. 📈😅 

Scammers Are Everywhere—Stay Safe! 🚨💸 It’s official—scams are hitting record highs in 2024. 😩 From dodgy investment deals sliding into your DMs to suspicious emails, fraudsters are more creative than ever. Think that “too good to be true” offer was legit? Spoiler: it probably wasn’t. 😬 But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Check out our latest article on how to avoid getting caught by these smooth-talking scammers. 💡 Pro tip: if they’re promising sky-high returns with zero risk, run—don’t sign! 🏃‍♂️ Stay informed, stay sceptical, and keep your personal info safe! 🙃💳 🌟 Read more. 📈😅

Worried About Pension Scams? Stay Safe and Informed! 🚨💼 Your pension is one of your most valuable assets, so keeping it safe is essential! 💪 With all the hype about transferring pensions for "better returns" or "cost savings," it’s easy to get swayed. But here’s the truth: there’s rarely a good reason to transfer, and doing so could put your life savings at serious risk. 😬 In our latest article, we break down the common scam tactics—unsolicited calls 📞, pressure to act fast ⏳, and promises of high returns 📈—so you can stay protected. Sometimes, the smartest move is no move at all! 🙌 Stay cautious, keep your paperwork secure, and think twice before making any decisions about your pension. 🛡️🌟 Read more. 📈😅

Delays at St. James’s Place: What You Need to Know 💼 St. James’s Place (SJP) has been reviewing advice cases, but the process is proving more extensive and slower than expected. While they’ve set aside £426 million for compensation, many customers are facing long waits for responses. This situation raises questions about how efficiently claims are being handled and whether a broader, more systemic review could bring better outcomes for everyone involved. If you’re affected, it’s important to stay informed, patient, and proactive. Transparency and resolution are key, and we’re here to help guide you through it. 💡🌟 Read more. 😅

Take Control of Your Finances with Planning My Life 💰 Ah, finances—everyone’s favourite thing to avoid, right? 😅 But here’s the good news: 90% of us can manage our own money with just a bit of guidance. Sounds too good to be true? Well, it’s not! 😎 Enter Planning My Life—your new go-to for financial empowerment. For less than the cost of a fancy takeaway, you can take control of your money and say goodbye to stress. So, why keep ignoring those bank statements? Get empowered, get sorted, and give this a read! 🎯💡👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Read more. 😅

The GAME Plan: Align Your Finances with Your Life Goals 🌳💡 Who says managing your money can’t be exciting? 🌳 We’ve cracked the code with the GAME Plan—a no-fluff, practical way to align your finances with your life goals. Think of it as a self-help guide for your wallet, but way more useful. If you’re all about living a meaningful life and having a solid financial plan (because who isn’t?), this is for you. Ready to live your best life with a plan that actually works? Give this a read—you won’t regret it. 😏✨✨ Read more. 😅

Ready to Take Back Control of Your Money? 💼💰 Tired of the financial industry’s highway robbers? You’re not alone. 🙄 Trusting financial advisers these days can feel like letting a fox guard the henhouse. But I’m here to offer something different. And after retiring (twice!) from high-stakes finance, I’m committed to giving you honest, no-nonsense life planning that puts YOU in control. 💪 Why should you care? Because it’s your money and your life, not theirs. If you’re ready to stop being taken for a ride and start making decisions that truly benefit you, check out Financial Life Coach. 🎯💸✨ Read more. 😅

Exciting News: Join Us for a Potential Upcoming Conference! 🤝💬 We’re thrilled to share that, due to popular demand, we’re planning an exciting conference to bring our community together! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this event will be a fantastic opportunity to connect, share knowledge, and grow. To make this vision a reality, we’ve launched our new Academy Sponsorship Programme, and we’re inviting partners to join us in creating something truly special. 🚀 Want to learn more? Check out our latest article for all the details and discover how you can be part of this exciting journey!✨ Read more. 😅

Meet HapNav: Your Playful Financial Planning Tool 😊 HapNav is a playful, £6.99/month tool that lets you take control of your financial planning by answering your own big questions in an engaging way. 🎉 While it’s not perfect yet, it’s ideal for those who enjoy a ‘done by you’ or ‘with you’ approach. For those needing more precision and hands-on help, I use Voyant to provide that extra layer of support. 💼 The goal is simple: empower you to manage your wealth with confidence, and when things get tricky, I’m here to step in. As HapNav grows, it’ll only get better—and eventually, it might even replace Voyant! 🚀✨ Read more. 😅

Feeling Overlooked by Your Financial Adviser? Here’s Your Chance! 🌟 If you’ve been told your investments are "too small" to matter, consider it a blessing in disguise. This is your opportunity to become your own financial adviser and take control of your future! 💪 At Planning My Life, we provide the tools, resources, and support to guide you every step of the way. For just £19 a month, you can confidently manage your finances with the help of our community and easy-to-use resources. 🌱 Ready to take charge and invest in yourself? We've got you covered! 💼✨ Read more. 😅

Exciting Milestone: The Academy of Life Planning is Google Verified! 🎉 I’m thrilled to announce that, after 5 years at our current address, the Academy of Life Planning is officially verified by Google as a real business! This is a huge milestone for us, and I couldn’t have reached it without your amazing support. 🙌 Now, I need your help to take the next step. If we’ve worked together on your financial journey, I’d be so grateful if you could share your experience by leaving a review on our NEW Google Profile. 🌟 Your feedback helps us grow and guides others seeking transparent, accessible, and empowering financial planning services. It only takes a moment, and your words could make a real difference to someone else’s journey. Thank you! ✨ Review Here. 😅

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

PFS Is Missing the Mark—We’re Here for the 90%! 🛑 Matthew Connell from PFS is back at it, trying to scare off finfluencers like they’re the bogeyman 👻, but we're not falling for it. 🎯 Instead of tackling the real issues, he’s busy protecting his commission-driven pals. Meanwhile, we’re focusing on what really matters—helping the 90% who’ve been left behind. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑💪 At the Academy of Life Planning, we’re committed to making financial planning accessible and empowering for everyone, not just a select few. Let’s keep moving forward together! 🌟 Read more. 📈😅

Ever Wondered What Financial Advisers Do for Their Fees? 💼 If your investment strategy feels more like a fast-food combo meal than a tailored plan, you’re not alone. 🤔 Got less than £100k? Here’s your off-the-shelf retail multi-asset fund. 🍟 Over £500k? You’re treated to the deluxe DFM experience. 🍾 And if you’re somewhere in between? It’s just outsourced! 🎯 Funny how fees can quietly disappear from your assets without much active management, right? 💸 At Planning My Life, we believe in transparent, personalised planning that puts you in control of your finances. Isn’t it time you got real value for your money?  🌟 Read more. 📈😅

Lost a Pension? You’re Not Alone—Here’s How to Find It! 💼💸 If you’ve lost track of a pension or two, don’t worry—you’re in good company. 79% of Brits are in the same boat! 🚢 Before you hand over your hard-earned cash to those “helpful” advisers eager to consolidate your pensions for a hefty fee 🚨, there’s a completely FREE government service that helps you track down your pension pots. 🎯💡 That’s right—no fees, no hidden catches, and no financial “experts” with their vacuums ready to hoover up your savings. 🧹 Ready to find your lost pensions and keep your money safe? Here’s how to do it—for free! 💻👀 🌟 Read more. 📈😅

The LIBF Strikes Again: More Money for Pension Companies? 🤔💸 Oh look, the brilliant minds at the LIBF are back—this time encouraging you to pump more money into pension companies. 💸 Because, of course, making financial advisers and the government richer is a top priority, right? 😏 They’ve reminded us all that we need more product sellers 🤑, as if helping people earn more and work longer isn’t nearly as exciting as boosting pension funds and winning votes! 🎉 Meanwhile, Gen Z 👩‍🎓👨‍🎓 are left wondering how this benefits their future careers... Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. 🙄 It’s time for a more meaningful conversation about real financial solutions.🌟 Read more. 📈😅

Breaking News: Banker Bonuses Are Out, Purpose Is In! 💸💼 It’s official—banker bonuses just aren’t sexy anymore! 😱 Gen Z has spoken, and they’d rather enjoy life than spend 80 hours a week in a suit, chasing bonuses they never have time to spend. 🏖️😎 The future of finance is shifting, and it’s all about putting purpose before profit. Gen Z wants work-life balance, social justice, and, oh yeah, a planet to live on! 🌍✨ The world of finance is evolving, and it’s exciting to see priorities changing for the better. 🌟 Read more. 📈😅

Finally, Public Before Profits: The PSR Stands Up for Fraud Victims! 🧐💰 It looks like someone’s finally putting the public first! The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has stepped up where the Treasury and FCA haven’t—standing up for fraud victims and pushing for quicker refunds. Meanwhile, our beloved regulators are more concerned with protecting “competition” (aka bank profits) than safeguarding consumers. 🙄💸 The PSR is making waves, and it’s about time! Check out how they’re fighting for real change while others scramble to protect their banking buddies. 🌟 Read more. 📈😅

Not All “Dog Funds” Are Equal! 🐶💼 We’ve all heard the howls about St. James’s Place and their so-called “mangy mutts” in the investment world, but are they really as scruffy as they seem? 🤔🐕 Before you grab your pitchfork, let’s take a closer look. Sure, SJP’s returns might seem like they’ve been chasing their tails 🐾, but when you factor in all the fees (yes, ALL of them!), the picture isn’t so black and white. 🎨 Comparing apples to apples 🍏🍎 (and not overpriced oranges), those SJP “dogs” might not be so dogged after all. Maybe it’s time to take a closer sniff before jumping to conclusions. 🐾🔍🌟 Read more. 📈😅

Retirement: The Golden Years... or Overspending Years? 💼💰 A third of UK retirees are blowing through their pensions faster than expected. But before you panic, it’s not entirely their fault—it’s the cost of living! 🙄 While pension companies might push you to consolidate your savings, the real solution could be simpler than you think: stay healthy, keep working, and keep earning! 💪👴👵 By staying active and engaged, you can maintain financial stability and enjoy your golden years without the stress. Let’s focus on what really matters—your well-being and financial freedom! 🌟 Read more. 📈😅

Regulated to Ruin: Who’s Paying the Price? 🚨 When the watchdog falls asleep at the wheel, guess who suffers? Thousands of pensioners, as life savings disappear. 💸 Meanwhile, the lawyers never miss their payday. 💼👀 Read how the FCA turned a blind eye while pensions vanished, leaving many to pick up the pieces. It’s a sobering reminder of why staying informed and vigilant with your financial decisions is more important than ever. Let’s keep pushing for accountability and protection where it’s needed most! 🌟 Read more. 📈😅

Is "Free" Justice Just a Myth? 🚨 The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) was supposed to be a consumer champion, but it’s becoming a maze of fees and frustration. While PIMFA and the FOS seem more focused on protecting firms, consumers are left paying the price—literally. 😤💸 In our latest article, we dive into the absurdity of how these so-called protectors of the public are falling short, leaving people stranded. It’s time to shine a light on this broken system and push for real change.🌟 Read more. 📈😅

Share the Knowledge and Empower Yourself! 🌟 My work is "open source," so feel free to plagiarise, copy, and share as much as you like—because knowledge should be accessible to all.

Thanks for being an Academy subscriber! Stepping up to your Academy Membership, at just £19 per month, gives you access to a full suite of tools, training, and resources, ensuring newsletters like this one keep coming. We’re committed to making sure you get every bit of value from your membership while supporting the empowerment movement for the underserved. Your journey towards financial independence and meaningful impact starts here, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it with you. 💪

August 2024 testimonials:

"Steve, I realise we're in two different industries, but life planning, especially at the level you operate, goes beyond just financial planning. Yesterday's session was the best experience of my life. For the first time, I truly saw myself—who John H is—thanks to the exercises we did together. It's not about the money; it's about discovering who you are and why you're here on this planet. What you offer goes far beyond financial advice. You provide the tools to uncover your true self, helping people connect with their authentic purpose. The money is just a part of it, but the real value is in finding out who you are and just being that person. I'm excited about the journey ahead and the new perspective I’ve gained. There’s so much more to come, and I can’t wait to explore it further." - John H - Pro planner, VA, USA.

"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Excellent! Steve helped enormously and is a breath of fresh air explaining finances without using difficult to understand terminology." David B, Personal planner. Northampton, GB-ENG.

Member Live Events:

1. VOD 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. 📊💡

🚀 Step Out of Your Comfort Zone with HapNav! 📈 I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and embrace HapNav, the neurodiversity-friendly planning app for done by you or with you clients. 🌟 It’s time to take your empowerment mission seriously and explore new ways to achieve your goals. HapNav is designed to support your journey, offering tools that are as inclusive as they are effective. Let’s move forward together, breaking boundaries and unlocking your full potential. 💪✨

In our HapNav Mastery sessions, I introduce HapNav, the groundbreaking financial planning tool that's here to revolutionise your world—or at least try. 🌟 Unlike those dusty old complex "planner 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? 😏📈

🏆 Visit HapNav. 👉 Last VOD session available to view now Video-On-Demand.

2. 🎓 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 September 13th, 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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