Navigating the world of financial advice can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Whether you choose a financial planner or a coach depends largely on your unique financial goals and needs. Let me explain the key distinctions to make your decision easier.
Financial Planner
A financial planner will develop comprehensive financial strategies tailored to your long-term goals. This includes everything from managing investments and retirement planning to ensuring tax efficiency and securing your estate.
Planners care for your long term financial goals and devise plans in line with them. Here in the UK, Financial planners are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, so you can be assured that when you work with a trusted financial planner they are adhering to strict standards for your benefit and best interests.
Financial planners work hard on your behalf to set up assets, like pensions and investments, researching options, and reviewing your current financial situation.
This meticulous work will involve a fee, reflecting the value and expertise brought to your financial journey.
From the outset, the objectives are clear, allowing your financial planner to craft a plan that resonates with your aspirations and effectively makes recommendations and put plans in place.
Financial Coach
In contrast, a financial coach focuses on fostering healthy financial habits and behaviours. If you’re not looking for complex planning but need support with budgeting, reducing debt, or planning future savings, a financial coach might be right for you.
This role involves educating and empowering you in financial matters. They spend time on financial literacy, educating you in financial areas you want to understand more about which can be crucial for long-term financial health.
A coach tends to work more organically, taking the directional lead from the client. It’s worth noting, however, that the coaching field, unlike Financial Planners and Advisers, is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Coaching qualifications are very different to that of financial advisers/planners, meaning they cannot then offer investment advice or detailed financial planning.
Which one is for you?!
The good news for you is that I am both!
I'm qualified and experienced as a Financial Planner, and more recently as a Certified Financial Coach too.
Whilst I do not offer standalone coaching, having this qualification means I'm able to combine comprehensive financial planning and investment advice, alongside the coaching support of your financial habits, behaviours and education. This dual approach allows me to not only plan and manage your investments and retirement plans but also support your day-to-day financial habits and decisions.
Understanding money is more than crunching numbers. Everyone has a unique relationship with money, often more intricate than they realise. My job starts with understanding you deeply—not just your finances but your personal experiences and aspirations.
A Commitment to Your Financial Wellbeing
I'm dedicated to your financial wellbeing. By getting to know you and your financial personality, I can tailor a balanced and effective strategy that supports both your immediate needs and long-term goals.
I can bring the practical side, in the form of a strategic plan (i.e. for your investments, retirement etc), making sure your short, medium and long term goals are met, while also helping you to manage your day-to-day finances, allowing you to stay on budget and develop good financial habits. There’s no one-size-fits-all advice here, no complicated jargon or trend-chasing.
It’s about opening up the conversation, addressing any financial stigmas, and providing the education you need to build lasting financial resilience.
If you’re ready to explore how financial planning and coaching can enhance your financial wellbeing, I might just be the adviser you’re looking for.
Together, we can ensure that your financial plan is as unique as you are, designed to sustain and nourish your financial tree.
Get in touch with us today here or book directly onto my calendar here.
Willow Tree Financial Services are a Financial Adviser firm based in Polegate, East Sussex, UK.
We specialise in Financial Planning, Mortgages, Investments & Pension Planning, Protection & Insurance Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning.
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Plus, visit our YouTube channel where you can lots of helpful financial advice videos: www.youtube.com/@willowtreefinancialservices
Financial Coaching is not part of the Quilter Financial Planning offering and is offered in our own right. Quilter Financial Planning Accept no responsibility for this aspect of our business.
