What prompted Jeff to seek financial advice?

Jeff realised that more than ever, he needed to start planning for the future in terms of savings, pensions and future cash flow. He also had concerns about his inheritance position with family.

He was keen to undertake risk assessments for his pension and investment planning and have a proper understanding of how his cash flow situation would look over the coming years. He also needed business advice in terms of Key Person Assurance and auto-enrolment.

Finally, Jeff needed advice for his parents regarding Powers of Attorney; they have now become clients of Advice Matters.

How did Chris help?

Using the cash flow modelling programme, Chris has produced an ongoing lifetime ‘map’ in terms of cash flow throughout the coming years, Inheritance Tax planning, business planning, pensions and investments.

Jeff finds that his regular face-to-face meetings with Chris, along with the follow up reports and actions, are really useful for keeping his financial plan on track.

How has Jeff benefited from our advice?

Jeff says: “I now have a greater sense of being more organised financially. The regular review of our ambitions, needs and future planning provides a lot of comfort and assurance to me and my wife.”

Jeff from London - Business Owner

Steve is a Director of an insurance business. He is married and together with his wife is a client of Advice Matters. Steve is keen on charity work and has recently completed a charity fundraising trek in Transylvania.

What prompted Steve to seek financial advice?

Whilst Steve had no financial concerns, he wanted to know if early retirement would be a possibility. As financial services was outside of his expertise, he knew that he needed to work with someone with experience and knowledge of the opportunities and possibilities in the market place.

How did Chris help?

With sensible step by step advice, Chris advised Steve and his wife as to what they should consider at various stages in their lives, and what they could afford to do at each stage. They started with building up their pensions, then looked at other options.

How has Steve benefited from our advice?

Steve and his wife have been able to carefully build a portfolio of investments which will enable them to be able to retire when they feel ready to do so. Steve says “this gives the option as to when or whether we want to do things. We won’t need to work for the next ten years if we don’t want to. The advice we’ve been given has enabled this to be possible and you can’t ask for more than that!”

Steve from Manchester - Approaching Retirement

Alan and Karen got married in 1986 in the Langdale Valley, Lake District. They met at work in the hotel where Alan was the hotelier and Karen worked in sales. After the birth of their two daughters, they bought their first house in the Lake District.

Being a hotelier, the family moved around a lot over the years, living in the Middle East, Ireland, Scotland and Europe. As a family, Alan and Karen needed to feel that wherever they were in the world, they always had a solid base to come home to.

What prompted Alan and Karen to seek financial advice?

Their goal was to make sure that their daughters had a good start in life, which included helping them onto the property ladder. At the same time, they wanted to secure their future and plan a retirement they could look forward to.

How did Chris help?

Chris initially advised them on their mortgage requirements, along with savings policies which remained through to maturity 25 years later. Gradually, their financial planning turned more towards options for retirement, with extensive pension planning, and also assistance with their tax returns in order to claim higher-rate relief.

How have they benefited from the advice?

Alan says “Chris has always been there from the start. You can ring him at any time, even when he’s in France, which I have done on a few occasions. He has pointed us in the right direction many times. Without Chris, our financial future would not be as strong as it is today. We know we can relax.

Chris is now advising our daughters, and we’re delighted to know that they’re in safe hands.”

Alan & Karen from Monmouthshire - Approaching Retirement