Instagram story viewer> @advice2ufinancial> Posts

Advice2UFinancial

@advice2ufinancial

78

followers

425

following

Helping over 50s take control of their financial future.
Retirement | Investment | Estate Planning
FCA regulated Financial Planner
Kent | Sussex

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

We are pleased to launch The Financial Surgery.

Over the last few weeks, I've been talking about financial wellbeing in the workplace and why simply providing good employee benefits doesn't necessarily mean everyone understands them.

The Financial Surgery has been designed to give employees the opportunity to have individual financial conversations about their own circumstances.

It could be understanding their workplace pension, thinking about retirement, making sense of their employee benefits or simply having the opportunity to ask a question they've never known who to ask.

For business owners and directors, it's a practical way to add a more personal element to the financial wellbeing support you provide for your employees.

Everyone's circumstances are different, so sometimes a one-to-one conversation can be more useful than another general presentation.

Find out more about The Financial Surgery and how it can work for your business: taken in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent by @advice2ufinancial

9

0

6 days ago

Understanding the UK Saver
At the Parmenion "Let’s Grow 2026" conference, Karen Ward delivered a sobering and expert analysis of the UK’s financial landscape. Drawing on her experience as a former adviser to Chancellor Philip Hammond, she provided a unique macro-political lens on why the shift from cash to investments is no longer just "good advice"—it is a necessity for survival.

The Pension "Cliff Edge": A Warning to Under-40s
The Reality Check: Karen assured the room that anyone currently under the age of 40 should not expect to receive a State pension in its current form.

Key Insights: Cash vs. Investments
1. The "Cash Comfort" Trap. The research reveals that many UK savers feel a false sense of security in cash.
The Insight: Savers often view cash as "safe" and investing as "risky," when historically, the long-term risk of losing purchasing power in cash is actually higher.
Karen shared some statistics with us, the average return on cash over the last 25 years was 0.40% growth, compared to 6% in investments. So, what is stopping so many in the UK from making that leap out of cash?

2. The Barriers to Investing Karen explored why UK savers are hesitant to move from deposits to the market:
Complexity & Jargon: Savers find the landscape overwhelming.

3. The "Cost of Waiting" The cost of holding excess cash over a 10-year period. Karen demonstrated that even moderate market participation significantly outperforms cash in almost all historical UK cycles. For the under-40s, this "cost of waiting" is compounded by the potential loss of the State pension.

Loss Aversion: The psychological pain of a market dip outweighs the logical benefit of long-term growth.

Strategic Conclusion for Clients
Karen’s presentation reinforced that the role of the advisor has evolved into that of a "financial architect." By moving clients from a "savings" mentality to an "investing" framework, we are filling the void left by the receding State safety net. taken in Cutty Sark by @advice2ufinancial

0

0

8 months ago

As AI caricutures go, this one feels reasonably kind. What does yours look like? taken in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent by @advice2ufinancial

10

0

8 months ago

He's only gone and done it!

Much to the surprise of my wider social circle, I managed to abstain from alcohol for a whole month and as I write, have still not had one.

To those who very kindly supported me upfront, a massive thank you. The money has gone to a great cause, The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre.

For those who may have been waiting to see if I achieved it, the link will still be open for a few days for any last donations.

Once again, thank you, one and all. It will be welcomed by a great charity at a difficult time of the year.

https://lnkd.in/ezj-2Vpd taken in Royal Tunbridge Wells by @advice2ufinancial

20

5

9 months ago

Trading the pint for a purpose! Around 15 years since I last completed it, I’ve decided it’s finally time to take on Dry January again.
Anyone who knows me well, knows that I’m a very sociable person. Whether it’s catching up with family, collaborating with colleagues, or unwinding with friends, I’m usually one of the first to suggest a meeting down the pub.
This month, the pub trips haven't stopped, but the order certainly has—it’s strictly Guinness Zero for me!

While staying dry for a month might seem like a small personal challenge, the reason I’m doing it is much bigger. I am raising money for the The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre in Tunbridge Wells.

The Pickering Centre is a truly remarkable local charity to me. They provide a safe haven for anyone affected by cancer—patients, their families, and carers—offering emotional support and complementary therapies in a warm, non-clinical environment. They rely on the kindness of the community to keep their doors open, and the work they do is invaluable to families in our area.
I’m halfway through the month and feeling great, but I’d love your support to help me reach my fundraising goal for this fantastic cause.

If you’d like to sponsor my "dry" month and support the Pickering Centre, you can donate here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/ezj-2Vpd
Every pound makes a difference. Cheers (with a 0.0%) to your support!

#DryJanuary #PickeringCentre #TunbridgeWells #Charity #GuinnessZero #IFA #CommunitySupport

Alec's fundraiser for The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre
justgiving.com taken in Royal Tunbridge Wells by @advice2ufinancial

7

0

9 months ago

Will 2026 be your year to retire? Timing is everything.
As we step into 2026, the financial landscape for those approaching retirement has shifted significantly. This week, we witnessed a historic milestone: the FTSE 100 broke through the 10,000-point mark for the first time in its 42-year history.

To put that into perspective, consider the journey:
· 2023: We saw the index hovering around the 7,400–7,900 range.
· This Week: We are seeing record-breaking levels topping 10,000.
This represents a remarkable leap of over 25% since the start of 2023. While these "all-time highs" are excellent news for pension pot valuations, they also bring a critical question to the fore: Is now the right time to push the button on your retirement?

According to recent insights from Fidelity International, 2026 could indeed be a "Goldilocks" year for retirees, but only if the timing is managed with precision.

Why Timing & Ongoing Assessment Matter: The "Sequence of Returns" Risk: With markets at record highs, the strategy for withdrawing income becomes vital. You want to ensure you aren't forced to sell assets during a future dip, which could permanently deplete your fund. Suitability is Not Static: An investment strategy that worked while you were accumulating wealth in 2023 may no longer be suitable for an income-drawdown phase in 2026.

Sustaining Value: With life expectancies increasing, your "retirement" could last 30 years or more. Ongoing assessments are essential to ensure the value of your fund can be sustained throughout your entire life, not just the first decade. Annuity vs. Drawdown: With the Bank of England's shifting interest rate path, the "best" way to take your income is a moving target.

The FTSE 100 hitting 10,000 is a cause for celebration, but it’s also a prompt for a professional review. High valuations provide a window of opportunity to rebalance, de-risk, and ensure your plan is robust enough for the long haul.

Planning to retire in 2026? Let’s ensure your transition is as smooth as the markets have been this week.

Why not get in touch to tick off one of your New Year resolutions!

#RetirementPlanning #IFA #FTSE100 #WealthManagement taken in Royal Tunbridge Wells by @advice2ufinancial

1

0

9 months ago

Wishing all my clients and contacts a fabulous Christmas holiday. I look forward to reconnecting in 2026. taken in Royal Tunbridge Wells by @advice2ufinancial

2

0

10 months ago

Lest We Forget....... taken in Royal Tunbridge Wells by @advice2ufinancial

3

0

a year ago

We enjoyed wonderful North Indian cuisine with the usual warm welcome by the great team at @essence.pantiles on Wednesday with @chefatulkochhar in the kitchen as a bonus. Always a treat! by @advice2ufinancial

4

0

a year ago

Have you seen this man?
You might have if you watched BBC News in London at 1 pm on Monday.

No, not on Crime Watch, as one of my friends who saw it messaged me!
I was in London with my daughter, having a well-earned day off to spend time with her. I think we managed 17,000 steps by the end of the day. At this point we were in Portobello Market, when I was approached by a camera crew from the BBC. They asked if I would be attending the carnival this year. Those days are long gone, squashed amongst a million revellers on a Sunday afternoon. However, the point of the interview was my view on face recognition being used over the two days. I said in principle I wasn’t keen on Big Brother, but that at a large event like the carnival, it was probably essential, considering the serious disorder of previous years.

It got me thinking about face recognition in general and how often I am asked to look at a screen to identify myself. Even being able to log onto my laptop, I am required to match my face to a certain point on the screen. Many financial apps on my phone require facial recognition too. Any football fan will know there are often police with cameras outside the stations as you spill out and head for the grounds.

This is just a way of life in our modern world. I am sure I am captured far more times than I know on biometric systems. I checked out how many places had CCTV cameras on my walk into Tunbridge Wells. That is personal homes, businesses, car parks, restaurants and other venues, all have cameras. I lost count.
Passwords are starting to feel outdated as more devices want you to use biometrics as your chosen security feature.

Did you know there is now something called behavioural biometrics, which can tell it is you by the way you type and swipe, improving security and adding an invisible additional layer?

Finally, are you heading into the Notting Hill Carnival this bank holiday weekend. If you are, remember to smile. You are on camera! taken in Portobello Market, Portobello Road by @advice2ufinancial

10

0

a year ago

Seeing this in print gives me the chance to reflect on the past few months.
I think the older I get, the more I look back, which is probably quite normal, but it's also an acknowledgement of the significant changes over the last year or so.

The publication of VouchedFor’s top UK-rated advisers in the Telegraph again reminds me how amazing my clients are and how much they value the services I offer. This is a great opportunity to thank them for their ongoing trust in my approach.

I believe the industry has done a great deal to address the reputation of the financial services sector and this guide recognises the valuable work financial advisers do for their clients.

Only about a third of adults in the UK use the services of a financial adviser, so it's possible the others have a DIY approach or don't consider it important or urgent just now.

I would encourage everyone to seek financial planning advice and create realistic plans to secure their financial future but to find reputable advice. A publication like this provides a localised way to find advisers who are rated highly by their clients.
#TopRatedAdviser #GetAdvice #FinancialPlanning taken in Tunbridge Wells by @advice2ufinancial

11

1

a year ago

My Money Week, boosting financial education!
I don’t know if anyone has seen this, but from the 9th to the 13th of June, My Money Week ran. It’s a week in both primary and secondary schools to help children and young people gain a better understanding of financial matters.

To be honest, my heart sank! I think I have probably mentioned this before, but I still can't get my head around why ‘understanding money and how to survive financially’ isn’t core in the UK schools’ curriculum.

Surely understanding how money works, how to save and why, how the tax system runs, what a pension is, how to avoid getting into debt, even what debt is and how it happens, surely that’s some of the most important lessons we should be teaching young people as they journey through school.

Don’t misunderstand me, I am pleased this week is happening and something is better than nothing!

This week is being run by a fabulous charity, Young Enterprise. I haven’t been involved personally, but I do have colleagues who have donated time to supporting YE groups regionally and have loved the experience. Apparently, watching a group of teenagers launch and run a small business, work together as a team and then enter into a national event is inspirational and can change lives.

But I also have to ask why have this in June, I have teenagers at home and as we come to the end of the academic year they are either exhausted after GCSE or A ‘Level exams, focusing on school trips, sports days or just dragging themselves to the summer break, I know my wife and I are!

I think financial education is such an essential skill, we should be embedding it right the way through the year, not tagging it into the end of the school year when most kids are so over being in school, just getting them in can be an effort.
I am sure I am not alone. I wonder what your thoughts are?

#financialadviser #financialeducation by @advice2ufinancial

0

0

a year ago