The emotional benefits of a financial adviser
This content is for information purposes only and should not be taken as financial advice. Every effort has been made to ensure the information is correct and up-to-date at the time of writing. For personalised and regulated advice regarding your situation, please consult an independent financial adviser here at Castlegate in Grantham, Lincolnshire or other local offices.
Recent polls suggest that 10% of UK adults feel “hopeless” about their financial circumstances and 34% feel “anxious”. Moreover, stigma is still a barrier to people opening up and getting expert help. Half of British adults are reluctant to talk to a credit union or bank about their financial difficulties. For others, questions about money can feel confusing or overwhelming, leading many to delay finding answers due to the stress involved.
In many of these cases, working with a financial adviser can be very helpful. A specialist not only brings tangible benefits to your financial plan (e.g. keeping more of your hard-earned money with a robust tax strategy). They can also bring many emotional benefits such as peace of mind and a greater feeling of control.
Below, our Grantham financial advisers explain some of these emotional benefits in more detail. We hope these insights are helpful to you. To discuss your own family financial plan with us, please get in touch to arrange a no-obligation financial consultation, at our expense:
01476 855 585
info@casfin.co.uk
Relief
For many people, part of the strain comes from a feeling of “being on their own” regarding money management. There are so many different topics to try and understand on the topic of personal finances including mortgages, banking, household bills, cards, loans and budgeting.
A lot of these subject areas also come with their own jargon. This is before we even get to the subject of financial planning which focuses more on areas like pensions, investments, protection, taxes and estate planning.
Working with an expert who understands these areas can bring a great feeling of relief. No longer are you left to navigate all of these areas on your own. You can work with an expert to examine the intricacies of each one, bringing greater clarity and insight.
Stability
Most of us acknowledge the benefits of talking to a trusted person about our “bigger” feelings. Trying to repress deep anxiety, anger or resentment is usually going to “boil over” eventually, causing problems later. Money worries are often a source of these kinds of emotions, yet they can be more difficult to work through.
Perhaps an individual feels ashamed about opening up to loved ones. Or, maybe they recognise that doing so would be unproductive (e.g. family members who lack knowledge about money or do not manage it well themselves).
A financial adviser can be very helpful here, acting as a “sounding board” for your financial concerns. For instance, if you are troubled by the financial implications of losing your job, a professional can help you set up a “protection plan” to act as a safety net. This might involve income protection, life insurance or critical illness cover.
Moreover, an investor might be concerned about recent volatility in the markets which have caused their portfolio to fluctuate significantly. A financial adviser can guide you back to your long-term goals and strategy, helping you to avoid making impulsive decisions which you may regret later, such as “panic selling”.
Empowerment
Most British people believe that they would achieve greater happiness if they felt “more in control” with their money. Part of the trouble is that so much of our financial situation is dictated by factors outside of our control – such as rises in the energy price cap.
One of the great benefits of a financial adviser is that they help to continually remind you of where you are in control of your money. Investors have more power than ever before over investment choices and fees. Savers can “shop around” for better rates and use tax-efficient “vehicles”, such as ISAs, to shield their returns from needless tax erosion.
Education is also tremendously empowering. When you learned how to perform complex mathematical equations in school, for instance, it felt good to know that you could apply these skills in real life for your benefit (e.g. working out dimensions for home decoration). Similarly, a financial planner is a great source of financial education – helping you to navigate the world of pensions, investments and tax planning more confidently.
Companionship & accountability
For many people, working with a financial adviser becomes a long-term relationship. A deep sense of trust – even friendship – is formed. Having a supportive partner in your financial journey helps you to stay focused on your goals. It improves your ability to spot risks which you may have missed on your own – making wise adjustments to side-step them.
Regular meetings with an adviser provide opportunities to celebrate achievements, troubleshoot challenges, and adjust strategies as needed. It can be very emotionally fulfilling to enjoy a strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
Invitation
We understand that opening up to a financial adviser is a big step for many people. This is why we encourage people to read different professionals’ websites, explore their client testimonies and grow their own financial education to find the right “fit” for them.
If you are interested in discussing your own financial plan or investment strategy with us, please get in touch to arrange a no-commitment financial consultation at our expense:
01476 855 585
info@casfin.co.uk
