What Great Financial Planning Feels Like — And How to Know if You’re Getting It

Research suggests that only a third of people with significant wealth say they’re completely satisfied with the financial advice they receive. That’s a striking statistic. But for anyone who’s ever sat in a meeting feeling like their adviser is talking at them rather than with them, it probably rings true.

So what’s going wrong? And more importantly, what should good financial planning actually feel like?

The gap between advice and understanding

For many people, financial advice has traditionally meant a review of their pension, a look at their investments, and a recommendation or two. Technically competent, perhaps. But not always particularly personal.

The problem with this approach is that it treats financial planning as a series of products to be managed, rather than a plan to be lived. It focuses on the numbers without ever really exploring what those numbers are supposed to achieve, or what kind of life they’re meant to support.

Over time, this can leave people feeling like their adviser knows their portfolio but doesn’t really know them. And that’s a significant gap.

What good financial planning actually looks like

Good financial planning starts with a different question. Not “what do you have?” but “what matters to you?”

It takes time to understand your story: your priorities, your concerns, your hopes for the future. It explores not just what you want to achieve, but why those things matter and how they connect to the life you want to lead.

From there, a good plan brings everything together. Pensions, investments, tax, estate planning, and protection – not as separate products, but as interconnected parts of a whole. The goal is to get your entire financial house in order so that every element is working together in the same direction.

And crucially, it doesn’t stop there. Life changes. Priorities shift. Legislation moves. A good financial planning relationship evolves with you, through regular reviews that keep your plan relevant, meaningful, and aligned with where you are now — not where you were five years ago.

How Values Based Financial Planning is different

Values Based Financial Planning goes a step further than most. Rather than starting with goals — retire at 60, buy a second property, leave something for the children — it starts with values. What does a great life look like to you? What gives you a sense of purpose and fulfilment? What do you want your wealth to make possible?

These aren’t abstract questions. The answers have very practical implications for how a financial plan is built and the decisions made along the way. When your finances are genuinely aligned with what matters most to you, every decision feels clearer and more purposeful. You’re not just hitting milestones — you’re building something meaningful.

This approach also tends to surface things that a more transactional conversation would miss. Sometimes what a client says they want and what they actually need turn out to be quite different. A skilled planner creates the space to explore that, and the result is a plan that genuinely fits, rather than one that simply ticks boxes.

What to look for when choosing a Financial Planner

If you’re wondering whether your current financial planning relationship is really working for you — or if you’re looking for one for the first time — here are a few things to consider.

Do they take time to understand what matters to you, not just what you own? A good planner is genuinely curious about your life, not just your balance sheet.

Do they look at the whole picture? Tax, pensions, investments, estate planning, protection – these should all be part of a joined-up conversation, not handled in isolation.

Do they follow through? Good planning is built on trust, and trust is built on consistency. Your planner should do what they say they will, keep you informed, and be proactive when things change.

Do you actually enjoy working with them? This might sound like a small thing, but it matters. A long-term financial planning relationship works best when there’s genuine rapport — when you look forward to your meetings rather than dreading them.

And finally, do you leave conversations feeling clearer and more confident, or more confused than when you arrived? The best financial planning simplifies complexity. It gives you clarity, not more to worry about.

A conversation worth having

If any of this resonates – whether you’re reassessing your current arrangement or simply wondering what better could look like – we’d love to talk.

We offer a free initial conversation with one of our qualified financial planners. No obligation, no jargon — just a relaxed chat about where you are, what matters to you, and whether we might be a good fit. Click here to book your call now, or give us a call on 01509 610472.

 

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FAQs

Why am I not happy with my financial adviser?

Often it comes down to feeling like advice is transactional rather than personal. When a planner focuses primarily on products and portfolios rather than taking time to understand your life and goals, it can feel like something important is missing — even if the technical advice is sound.

What is the difference between financial advice and financial planning?

Financial advice typically focuses on specific recommendations — which pension to choose, how to invest a lump sum. Financial planning is broader and more ongoing. It looks at your whole financial picture, connects it to your life goals, and evolves with you over time.

What is Values Based Financial Planning?

It’s an approach that starts with what truly matters to you — your priorities, your purpose, and the life you want to live — and builds a Financial Plan around that. Rather than starting with products or targets, it starts with you.

How do I know if my Financial Planner is any good?

A good test is how you feel after a meeting. Do you leave feeling clearer and more confident? Does your Planner understand your life, not just your finances? Do they follow through on what they say they will? If the answer to any of these is no, it may be worth exploring your options.

What should I look for when choosing a Financial Planner?

Look for someone who takes time to understand what matters to you, takes a joined-up view of your finances, communicates clearly, and builds a genuine long-term relationship. Qualifications and experience matter, but so does finding someone you actually enjoy working with.

Is it worth changing your financial adviser?

If your current arrangement feels impersonal, your plan doesn’t reflect your life, or you simply don’t feel valued, then yes — it’s worth a conversation. A free initial call with a new planner costs nothing and could make a meaningful difference.