Financial planning

Map out exactly where things stand today

Set goals that fit your life, not a generic checklist

Build one plan that holds together as things change

Review and adjust it as your situation changes

Why do you need a financial plan

Roman philosopher Seneca said: «If a man does not know what port he’s steering for, no wind is favourable to him». So to start the journey to your prosperous financial future, you need to have a crystal clear picture what do you where you want to go.

Whilst evidence shows that increasing and maintaining your wealth is one of the most tangible benefits of financial planning, clients benefit in seven key ways:

Organisation — one place where your finances finally add up
Accountability — someone checking in, so good intentions turn into progress
Objectivity — a clear head on decisions that are hard to be objective about alone
Proactivity — flagging what is coming, before it becomes a problem
Education — straight, plain-language answers instead of jargon
Partnership — someone who listens, understands, and stays with you
Time — so you are spending it on what matters to you, not untangling your finances

A financial plan structures and prioritises your capital so that your income works harder.

It begins with a complete picture of your financial position: income, spending, obligations, cash flow and family needs. From there, we analyse your position, define the appropriate strategy and put it into action.

The right financial instruments follow from this analysis, whether that means investments, international life and health cover, retirement capital, cash or deposits.

As life does not stand still, neither does the plan, it evolves with your circumstances, priorities and goals.

Thank you for your request!

We will be in touch shortly at pochta@mail.com, to arrange a convenient time for your online meeting.

Face to face financial advice online

Arrange a complimentary, no-obligation conversation with one of our advisers — online, at a time that suits you

Frequently Asked Questions

What your financial plan should include

The key to creating a successful financial plan is ensuring that it covers your current and future financial needs. The best way to determine your particular needs is by spending time with your financial adviser considering your options, defining your goals and evaluating your resources. The following are some common areas to consider when planning your financial future:

Retirement planning

State pensions, employer schemes and personal savings — often built up in more than one country — typically combine to form your retirement income. Working out which pensions can be consolidated, transferred or left where they are, and how they will be taxed wherever you end up, is one of the most valuable things a plan can do.

Monthly budget

Addressing your monthly budget is an important first step in successfully managing your overall finances. Failing to have a clear picture of your regular recurring bills and expenses can dramatically reduce your ability to meet your financial objectives.

Savings

Fundamental to building a secure, manageable future is saving for the unexpected as well as the expected. Saving is easier if you “pay yourself first” and build in automatic savings into your budget.

Risk management

Risk can take many forms: illness, accident, liability and natural disasters, to name a few. Failing to manage risk properly can jeopardize your financial future. That’s why smart financial planning evaluates the various levels and types of insurance you carry to make sure they are aligned with your overall goals and needs. In many cases, insurance can also be used effectively as an alternative revenue stream and a hedge against inflation and riskier types of investments.

Education funding

University costs are a shock even in one country — and harder to plan for when your children might study somewhere other than where you live now. Starting early makes the difference.

Estate planning

Your legacy is in your hands. Only through diligent monitoring can you be assured that your assets will be transferred effectively and according to your wishes to the people and charities you care about most. Establishing trusts, regularly reviewing your legal documents and beneficiary designations, and examining the tax implications for survivors are vital to establishing a plan that provides you and your loved ones with greater confidence and security.

Get started

Let your adviser know that you want the benefits of financial planning for you and your loved ones and schedule an appointment to begin the process.

How do I begin a personal financial plan?

Start with your goals, then take an honest look at where you stand.

Six first steps:

1. Decide what you want to achieve.

2. Ask yourself: where am I now, and what is right for me?

3. Understand where your money goes. A simple guide is 50/30/20: needs, wants, savings.

4. Protect your family and your income against life’s main risks.

5. Reduce costly debt, such as credit card balances and short-term loans.

6. Choose an investment approach that suits you, and review it regularly.

How much do I need to begin?

There is no minimum. Once you have some financial stability to work with — broadly, if your income covers your expenses with room to spare, or you have some savings or assets already in place.

Why take advice?

A good adviser helps you make important decisions well. That may mean investing with purpose, preparing for retirement, planning your estate or long-term care, or deciding how much life cover you need. Often, it means seeing options you had not considered.

What does it cost?

Your first meeting is at our expense and without obligation — at our offices, online or wherever suits you. Afterwards, we confirm in writing the services we propose and their exact cost. The fee for a personal financial plan reflects the complexity of your goals and the time involved.

Is advice worth the cost?

The fee for building and monitoring a plan is usually modest set against the cost of managing money without one. As with running a business, a clear plan is a small investment with lasting value.

Will there be an agreement?

Yes. Before we begin, you receive a written agreement setting out our services, our fees and our obligations to you.

What happens in a consultation, and which format should I choose?

We begin by understanding your situation, your goals and the resources available to reach them. Using specialist planning software, we build your plan with you. It shows a clear picture of your financial life, how realistic your goals are and the steps needed to reach them. You then receive the finished plan with our recommendations; where needed, we draw on specialist expertise on your behalf. Meetings can take place online or in person.

Can I build a plan myself?

You can, and many good books will help. Most, however, take a one-size-fits-all approach: they cannot test a plan against real risks or adapt it to your circumstances. An adviser brings training, tools and an objective view — and stays with you to implement, review and adjust the plan over time.

Which books would you recommend?

If you would like to explore on your own, these are among our favourites:

1. The Richest Man in Babylon — George S. Clason
2. The Intelligent Investor — Benjamin Graham
3. The Essays of Warren Buffett — Warren Buffett
4. The Psychology of Money — Morgan Housel
5. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing — John C. Bogle
6. Thinking, Fast and Slow — Daniel Kahneman
7. The Black Swan — Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Is it ever too late to plan?

Rarely. Whether you are early in your career, building capital or already retired, a plan adds value. Approaching or in retirement, protecting what you have built matters most — and a clear plan brings real confidence when markets are uncertain.

Thank you!

Our First steps in investing guide is waiting for you at pochta@mail.com

First steps in investing

A short guide to the principles that matter