The Century Plan | September 2024

Welcome to the September edition of The Century Plan newsletter, your monthly destination for all things financial planning. As our life expectancy increases this is a resource to help you achieve and maintain financial independence during a lifetime which may see people, born today, living to age 100.

What Happens in our Discovery Meetings?

Before you embark on your financial planning journey, you want to be sure the process is right for you. Equally important is finding a financial planner who truly understands your situation—someone you feel comfortable partnering with for the long haul, potentially all the way through retirement and beyond.

The right financial planner will offer a complimentary initial consultation, whether via video, in person, or over the phone. This first meeting isn't just a formality; it's an opportunity to gain clarity, build confidence, and begin crafting a personalised roadmap that guides you toward your financial dreams.

Read the article here.

The Joys and Benefits of Lifetime Philanthropy.

I was recently asked to write an article for The Family Law Company by Hartnell Chanot on philanthropy and lifetime gifting. Focusing on the positive change we can make to lives and communities.

We tend to think of making charitable bequests in our wills, but there is a real joy in seeing your money make a difference. By giving during your lifetime, you not only witness the impact of your generosity, but also inspire others to do the same.

Read the article here.

The Century Plan Podcast | “Sleepwalking into Retirement Regret”

In this episode we address some kickback my colleague Sarah Steele received on a social media, by highlighting the issues we all face as a society when it comes to funding our retirement. And why we’re trying to help people avoid sleepwalking into retirement regret.

We discuss why it’s so important to be aware of the pitfalls and how we can take some simple steps to improve our financial future.

We cover:

• Why retirement planning is harder now than it was 30 years ago.
• The Office for National Statistics’ life expectancy calculator
• The recent significant increase in the amount of income required for a moderate retirement
• The pension gender gap and why it exists
• Retirement anxiety

Listen to the podcast.

Book of the month.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

James Clear’s Atomic Habits is a transformative read that challenges the notion that big changes require big actions. Instead, Clear reveals how tiny, consistent adjustments—what he calls “atomic habits”—can lead to profound and lasting improvements in all areas of life.

The core idea of the book is simple yet powerful: small actions, when repeated consistently, compound over time to produce remarkable results. Clear uses real-life examples from Olympic athletes, CEOs, and scientists to illustrate how minor tweaks in daily routines can create massive shifts in outcomes.

One of the standout concepts is "Habit Stacking," a strategy for linking new habits with existing ones to ensure they stick. This idea can be a game-changer for anyone trying to build better routines, whether it’s incorporating a brief meditation into your morning routine or adding a few minutes of exercise to your day.

Clear also introduces the “Two-Minute Rule,” which suggests starting any new habit by doing it for just two minutes. This lowers the barrier to entry and makes it easier to build momentum over time.

As a financial planner, I found the book's emphasis on consistency and the long-term impact of small actions particularly relevant. Atomic Habits is not just a book about habit formation; it’s a guide to creating a life of purpose and achievement, one small step at a time. Whether you’re looking to improve your health, career, or personal finances, the insights in this book offer a roadmap to success.

?Get book on Amazon

ABOUT YELLOWTAIL

Founded by Dennis Hall, Yellowtail are the trusted financial planners who advise individuals & families across the UK. Yellowtail’s experts provide the clarity, control and confidence to guide you through financial planning, estate planning, pension transfers and investment management directing your journey towards a prosperous retirement and financial peace of mind.

Visit yellowtail.co.uk