Blog

Lightbulb Moment: The True Value of Financial Advice

When we buy a car, we have something tangible—something we can touch, see, and feel. For many of us, our work isn’t about producing physical objects. Instead, it’s about delivering solutions to problems—an inherently intangible offering that can be difficult to articulate.

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Haynes Car Manual vs Investment Research: The Case for Understanding What Lies Beneath

Confirmation bias is everywhere—especially on platforms like LinkedIn. Scrolling through posts might lead you to believe that passive investing is the only approach worth considering and that all index funds are the same. However, whether you prefer index funds, active funds, or a blend of both, one truth remains: you can’t ignore the importance of thorough investment research.

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Value vs Cost in Financial Planning: Avoiding the Race to the Bottom

Over the last twelve months, I’ve noticed a growing divide within the financial services industry. Some businesses interpret the FCA’s reviews as an attack on costs, making cost-cutting their primary focus. Others, however, place greater emphasis on value over cost. In this final blog, I explore the dangers of the “race to the bottom” and why prioritising value is critical to sustainable success.

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Passive vs. Active – The Great Debate

Over recent weeks, I’ve explored confirmation bias and cost vs. value in investing. In this blog, I’m diving into one of the most debated topics in investment management: passive vs. active strategies.

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Understanding the Difference Between Cost and Value

In the financial services industry, discussions around cost often dominate headlines. Phrases like “3% annual charges,” St. James’s Place critiques, or the debate between passive and active investing frequently grab attention. However, these conversations can miss a critical factor: value.

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Understanding and Combating Confirmation Bias in Financial Planning

In today’s information-saturated world, confirmation bias has become more than just a cognitive quirk—it’s a potentially dangerous force that limits creativity, stifles independent thinking, and distorts our decision-making processes. Confirmation bias happens when we actively seek information that aligns with our existing beliefs while ignoring or discounting anything that challenges them. In financial planning, this bias can cloud judgment, reducing the quality of advice and strategies offered to clients.

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Gold Rush

Our perception of success has always shaped the world around us. For many, success is equated with status and, more often than not, the money we accumulate. In investing, this mindset can become dangerous, tempting us to chase what's perceived as "successful" without understanding the risks involved.

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Labour and Taxes: The Balancing Act

Most of us dislike paying taxes, yet we all desire the best public services. The reality is that society is evolving—people are living longer, and medical advancements continue to improve our quality of life. However, these benefits come with a price. If our expectations remain high, maintaining the same tax levels is unrealistic.

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