Story of the Week

🎯 A Fresh Path for Financial Planners Tired of the financial advice sales machine? You’re not alone! The industry often pushes products over people, but there’s a better way. We’re paving the path for those who want to be true financial planners – focusing on real goals and aspirations, not just investments. If you’re ready to move from sales to genuinely helping people, discover more about this exciting new career direction! 💼💡✨👉 Read more. 😅

Steve Conley: Editor, The Weekly Waffle

🌅 Good Morning, Financial Pioneers!
Today, we continue to explore how we’re elevating our members into a professional, registered financial planning community. 💼💡 We're not just reshaping an industry; we’re transforming it into a profession by recognising holistic financial planning advice. Ready to dive in and set yourself up for success? 🚀

[Steve is the author of 👉 Your Money or Your Life]

Top Stories

🚨 Britain’s Looming Retirement Crisis: Are You Prepared?

Nearly three million Britons are facing a retirement crisis, with three in five pensioners predicted to have insufficient income to maintain a basic standard of living by 2040. Many defined contribution pension savers could soon find themselves falling short of their retirement needs. But there’s still time to take action! By planning ahead and exploring options beyond traditional pensions, you can safeguard your future. Let’s work together to ensure you’re ready for a secure and fulfilling retirement. 🛡️✨ 📅  Read More.

🌱 The Overlooked Power of Spiritual Health

When we talk about mental health, we often forget the crucial role of spiritual health. According to McKinsey Health Institute, a strong sense of purpose and connection to something greater significantly impacts our overall wellbeing. In fact, those with poor spiritual health are up to four times less likely to report good mental health. Taking care of your spiritual wellbeing isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s essential for a balanced, fulfilling life. Let’s explore how aligning your purpose can positively transform your mental and emotional health. 🌟✨Read More.

💼 Is It Time to Reimagine Financial Planning as a True Profession?

Do you ever wish financial planning was seen more as a profession and less as a product sales machine? Whether you’ve built years of assets under management or find yourself questioning the relevance of ongoing advice fees, change is in the air. With the FCA raising concerns, exit strategies in jeopardy, and sales pressure mounting, it’s clear the industry needs a shift. If you’re new to financial planning, perhaps you joined with hopes of becoming a true professional, only to find the reality is often about sales. But there’s a better way—one focused on values, purpose, and helping people live their best lives. Let’s explore that together. 🌟 Read More.

🌟 Retiring from Financial Advice? Why Rush When You Can Transition Gracefully?

Ready to retire from financial advice, but don’t want to rush out the door? At the Academy of Life Planning, we offer a phased retirement option that lets you step away from the daily grind and smoothly transition into a fulfilling encore career as a financial planner. Leave the adviser headaches behind and enjoy another 5-10 years doing what you love—helping people reach their goals, without the stress. Why race when you can waltz into your next chapter? 💃🕺✨

👉 Read more. 📈😅

💡 Selling Your Business? Keep Your Passion Alive!

Thinking of selling your business and tempted by those offers from consolidators? 💸 It may seem like a great deal, but do you really want to see the personal service you’ve built reduced to numbers on a spreadsheet? 😬 Here’s a better idea: sell the business, but not your passion. Step into a new role as a holistic financial planner—no FCA, no product sales, and no compliance headaches. Just you, your clients, and real financial planning. Keep doing what you love, on your terms. 🌿✨👉 Read more. 📈😅

⚠️ Consolidators: Saving or Sinking Financial Planning?

Consolidators might promise to "streamline" the industry, but what’s really happening? These private equity-backed firms are more focused on scooping up assets 💸 than delivering personalised financial advice. The result? Fewer planners focused on you and more cookie-cutter solutions packaged as "advice." Your tailored, bespoke planning could be lost in the shuffle, and that’s not good for anyone. Let's ensure financial planning stays personal, purposeful, and about you. 🌟👉 Read more. 📈😅

🌟 Is Your Financial Plan Missing Purpose?

Ever feel like your financial plan is missing something important—like, maybe... purpose? 🤔 You’re not alone! Chasing short-term wins and ticking boxes might look good on a spreadsheet, but it often falls short in real life. Why not try something different? In my latest article, I explore the real heart of life planning through a Character Statement, Personal SWOT analysis, and my Hero’s Journey. 🌱💡 Because financial planning isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about understanding who you are and why you’re here. Let’s go deeper. 🎭✨

👉 Read more. 📈😅

🌿🚧 Why We Need a Wall Between Advice and Product Sales

What could possibly go wrong when the same person advising you is also trying to sell you something? 😏 Well, quite a lot—starting with the risk of scams. 💼💸 At the Academy of Life Planning, we believe in keeping a clear, sturdy wall between financial planning and product sales. This way, you can trust the advice you receive, knowing it’s free from hidden agendas or the dangers of fraud. Your peace of mind is our priority. 🕵️‍♂️✨👉 Read more. 📈😅

💡 Financial Advice vs. Financial Planning: What’s the Difference?

Think financial advice and financial planning are the same? 🤔 Think again! Spoiler alert: they’re not. While financial advice often focuses on selling you products you don’t need, financial planning is about helping you build a meaningful, sustainable future. Shocking, right? 🙄 If you’re curious why this matters for you and how the industry has been missing the mark for decades, let’s dive in and set the record straight. 🎯✨👉 Read more. 📈😅

💼💸 Confused About Pensions? You’re Not Alone!

If pensions have you scratching your head, you’re in good company—56% of Brits are completely baffled! 🎉 And nearly half are so anxious, they’re pretending retirement doesn’t exist. 🙈 But don’t worry, we’ve got a simple, affordable solution that costs less than your weekly coffee. ☕ Meet HapNav—the app that guides you through financial planning without the stress. For just £6.99 a month (and a 30-day free trial), you can finally take control of your pension and plan like a pro. 🎯👏👉 Read more. 📈😅

🌊 Red Ocean or Blue Ocean: Where’s Your Business Heading?

Are you competing in a crowded, saturated market (Red Ocean) or exploring new, untapped opportunities (Blue Ocean)? 💡 In my article, I dive into the power of holistic financial planning as a path to fresh growth and greater impact. By breaking free from the traditional approach, you can unlock exciting new possibilities and empower more people along the way. Ready to chart your course towards a Blue Ocean? 🌟🚀👉 Read more. 📈😅

🚀 Ready to Embrace a Holistic Approach to Financial Planning?

If you’re a traditional financial planner feeling bogged down by regulations, compliance, and product sales, it’s time for a change! In my latest article, I introduce the Game Plan Practitioner Training Programme—a 12-week journey designed to help you transition to holistic financial and life planning. This programme empowers you to focus on your clients’ values, goals, and human capital, freeing you from the pressure of selling products. Ready to make a difference in your clients' lives? 🌱✨👉 Read more. 📈😅

🚨 Feeling Trapped by Regulatory Overload? You’re Not Alone!

Ever feel like you’re stuck in the Hotel California of financial advice? 🏨 You can check out, but never leave! With endless compliance and yet another FCA consolidation review, the paperwork, audits, and hoops just keep coming. 😩 If you’re ready to hang up the adviser hat 🎩 and embrace a career with more freedom, we’re here to help. Let’s escape the regulatory hamster wheel 🐹 together and step into a life as a planning professional—without the compliance chains. ✌️⛓️👉 Read more. 📈😅

🌍💰 Gen X: Time to Fund the Financial Industry... Again?

Another day, another report telling us we’re not giving enough to—surprise—the financial services industry! 📊 With £2.2 trillion in UK investments apparently falling short, the call to action is clear: Gen X needs to stop dreaming about holidays 🌴, hobbies 🎨, and moving house 🏠, and instead funnel more of their hard-earned cash into pension pots. Because who needs a retirement when you can prop up the economy? 🙄 Spoiler: the bankers and government will put it to good use—long after you’re gone. 💼💸👉 Read more. 📈😅

🚨💸 More Profit, Less Protection: Is This the Future of Finance?

Big news from the FCA! It seems financial product distributors are getting a free pass to prioritise profits over advice. 🎉 Now, even if you’re just scraping by, there's a long-term investment product waiting for you! 💰🙃 Forget about increasing earnings, cutting expenses, or paying off debt—investments are being pushed as the one-size-fits-all solution. But is that really what people need? Let’s rethink the approach and focus on what truly helps—building a strong financial foundation. 🌱👉 Read more. 📈😅

🌟 Share the Knowledge and Empower Yourself! 🌟 My work is completely "open source," so feel free to copy, share, and spread the word as much as you like—because everyone deserves access to valuable knowledge. Let’s build a community where learning and growth are open to all. 

Thanks for being an Academy subscriber! 🌟 By stepping up to full Academy Membership at just £19 per month, you'll unlock a whole suite of tools, training, and resources—making sure newsletters like this one keep delivering value. We're here to ensure you get the most from your membership while being part of a movement that empowers the underserved. Your journey to financial independence and making a meaningful impact starts here, and we’re excited to walk alongside you. 💪 Ready to take the next step?👉 Join us today!

📥 New Downloads to Empower Your Financial Journey 💼✨

We’re excited to share three new resources to support your financial planning journey! First, explore Stand & Deliver! Discovering Your Money and Your Life, our all-in-one guide to the GAME Plan. Next, dive into The Human Capital Development Framework, a workbook designed to help you create sustainable revenue streams for your financial future. Finally, check out The Competition and Markets Authority Rule Book, which explains the regulation of financial planners who aren’t financial advisers. Download these tools today and take your next step towards a secure and fulfilling future! 📚🌟

Member Live Events:

1. 🚀 Exclusive Invite: AI Power Hour – Transform Your Financial Planning Business! 💼✨

As a valued member of the Academy of Life Planning community, we’re excited to invite you to our upcoming event: AI Power Hour – Grow and Streamline Your Financial Planning Business with AI. This session is designed to help you harness the latest AI tools and strategies to revolutionise your business, making it more efficient and impactful. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore how AI can take your practice to the next level. Join us and unlock new potential! 🌐💡

Hi there, 

You are invited to a Zoom meeting. 
When: Oct 15, 2024 04:00 PM London 
Register in advance for this meeting.

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

2. 🎓 The Game Plan Evolution: CPD Masterclass Series S1: E11: The Contingency Planner 🛠️

💸 Secure your place now! Free to Members!! Rescheduled from 7th Oct!!🤑

🕒 When & Where: 🗓️ Mon 21 Oct, 2024
⏰ 03:00 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 details on how to join the meeting. Because we know you like to be prepared. 📩

About the Session:

💼 The Contingency Planner: On October 21 at 3:00 PM, join us for 'The Contingency Planner' session, where we dive into the critical task of helping clients prepare for the unexpected. Game Plan practitioners will learn how to model a variety of 'what-if' scenarios—because life doesn’t always go according to plan! 😅

We’ll explore the impact of different longevity and health assumptions on your client’s financial future and examine how to create adaptable plans that evolve with life’s twists and turns. From best-case to worst-case, you’ll gain the tools to help your clients stay resilient and ready for whatever comes their way. 🌍📊

3. 🎉 Welcome to the Partner Parade with CISI! 🌐

We’re thrilled to welcome the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) to our Partner Parade! CISI will be presenting an exciting pathway for financial planners who are not financial advisers, guiding them towards recognition, accreditation, and professional registration. This is an incredible opportunity to gain the credibility and titles you deserve as a professional in the field. Join us as we explore how CISI can support your journey to becoming a fully accredited financial planner. 💼🌟

You are invited to a Zoom meeting. 
When: Oct 24, 2024 04:00 PM London.

Register in advance for this meeting.

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

🍷🚪 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 👉 October 18th, 2024, at 12 PM London time. 🎟️🕛 🌟 Quick note: Next week, I’m on my honeymoon! 👰🤵 But don’t worry, everything’s still on track. If you need anything in the meantime, feel free to reach out to the team, and we’ll make sure you’re taken care of. Looking forward to continuing our journey together when I’m back! 🌱😊

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. 🌟📚 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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