Wise Monkey Financial Coaching

You may be missing out on thousands of pounds of unclaimed pension tax relief

Are you missing out on unclaimed money?

While celebrating the success with a client of her new job and impressive payrise, I suggested she ask some questions of her existing pension provider, and the pension provider at her new job, to explore her options.

During our discussion, I asked whether she was claiming higher rate tax relief on her pension contributions. She wasn’t aware that this was something she needed to do. She didn’t know she could claim, or that it was up to her to claim. Nor that by not claiming she could have been missing out on thousands of pounds.

Women and money

I'm just back from another incredible WOW event, this time for the first Women of the World Festival in Exeter.

It's such a privilege to be asked to run a workshop on my favourite topic at such a prestigious event and to have such an engaging audience to talk to. There is something quite magical about WOW - being part of a movement that both celebrates the incredible achievements of women and girls, as well as talking through some of the tough subjects that get in the way of our success or of achieving our full potential. My workshop was called 'Getting personal with finances' ...

Training as a Financial Coach – what’s it like?

It’s all well and good for me to tell you what my Financial Coaching Training course is like from my point of view, but the best person to give you a real insight is someone that has done it. I asked one of my trainees (who has just begun practicing as a Financial Coach) to tell her story.

Also, check out some photos from past training courses and have a read through our FAQs.

What made you want to become a Financial Coach?

I wanted to help others with their financial journey. Training opportunities were limited but through my research I found Simonne’s website and did a bit of reading around her philosophy and her work. The turning point for me was when I listened to her podcast and I felt like I was listening to a kindred spirit and it was then that I decided to train with Wise Monkey Financial Coaching.

How did you feel when you arrived?

I was nervous when I turned up on that first day, I wasn’t really sure what to expect! Would it be all chalk and talk? Would I be able to keep up? Well, I needn’t have worried at all! Simonne was so warm and welcoming that all my fears and nerves just disappeared.

What was involved in the training days?

We covered so much in the few days. I learned ...

Could a money coach solve your money problems?

Flic Everett, 46, is in debt, has no pension and does not own her own property, so she put her trust in me to help her get a grip on her finances, and to improve her relationship to money.

This article in the FeMail gives you Flic’s account of what she got out of our sessions and from the work she prepared in advance of us meeting. It also gives you insight into what goes on in a coaching session and some of the exercises I use.

Read the article here

The gift of giving

I want to share with you the most profound and inspirational story about one of my clients. She first came to see me just over 3 years ago, having inherited money and wanting to experience self-empowerment. Her wish was to do something with the money which was meaningful to her. To extract purpose and meaning from the money that was not entangled in emotional connections to money in her family. She was aware that over time her relationship with the money had become tense and uncomfortable, sometimes tainted by shame and guilt - she wanted to heal this along the way.

I'm thrilled by the progress she's made. The way that her relationship with money has changed. How she has carefully and methodically selected the right investment approach, and advice, to have confidence that her money is working well for her and aligned to her goals and integrity. How she is gaining confidence in her understanding of the complex financial landscape. And is standing in her power in so many different ways.

But, I'm especially proud of ...

What the ELLE is Financial Coaching?

Having worked with clients in a coaching capacity for over 15 years now, I know that Financial Coaching changes people’s lives for the better. Often the reason for someone’s money problems is rooted in their relationship with, and attitudes towards, money rather than their knowledge and understanding of finance.

What I also know is that unfortunately the vast majority of people still don’t know that financial support outside of traditional advice exists.

That’s why I was delighted when ELLE, the world’s best-selling fashion magazine, asked to come and experience a Financial Coaching session.

You can read Alex Holder’s full write-up here: Meet the money doctor who will change your life.

My journey from financial adviser to coach - NextGen Planners Podcast Interview

I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed for one of the NextGen Planners Podcasts.

If you haven’t heard of NextGen Planners, check it out. It’s a community founded by young financial planners, focused on creating an informal way for young advisers to share ideas, best practice and develop skills outside of the profession. Adam Carolan, one of the founders, asked me about:

•   My journey from financial advice to financial coaching
•   How financial coaching differs from financial advice
•   The way I work and types of clients I work with
•   The training courses I offer
•   My advice to younger financial planners

You can listen to the full podcast, or just the part where I talk about my training. But, to save you time (it's a long one!), click below to read some of the key points of the interview...

WOW - Women of the World - Festival

Happy International Women's Day!

I'm getting really excited about taking part in the WOW Festival this weekend. I'll be there 3-4pm on Friday as part of a panel discussing risk, exposure and resilience. And also delivering a worksop 'Getting Personal with Finance' 3-4pm on Saturday, where I'll be taking women through the 7 Laws of Sheconomics and answering audience questions.

Passes for the festival are now sold out, but come and see me if you're there! @WOWtweetUK #WOWLDN

Does auto-enrolment apply to me?

If you're the only director of your own company, you don't have what the regulators call 'auto-enrolment duties'. That means that you're not obligated to pay into a pension contribution for yourself. But this doesn't mean that you can ignore the letters that come through the post.

All you need to do is...

sowing the seeds for financial success

This month our inboxes are overloaded with motivational messages, pinging at you like a hyperactive personal trainer: Lose weight! Get fit! Stop smoking! Start training! Write that book! Sort out your money! I'm advocating a calmer, gentler approach to achieving your financial goals; scaling down intentions to a manageable level. If you set yourself up to succeed, you'll be rewarded with an upward spiral of belief and trust in yourself.

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