Many times, people will come to us and explain that they are able to do everything themselves well enough. Which is fine, a little self-confidence is an awesome thing! But, if you feel that way don't come in the first place, I would rather have a tea break!

I find financial planning incredibly easy. I know what to do and how to do it. I have tens of thousands of hours of real-world experience and academic reading behind me.

I know so much that I am going to tell you, beloved readers (all 2 of you!) all of it now for free. The following are these tens of thousands of hours of research condensed simply so you can go off and do it yourself.

Financial Planning on your fingers - quick and simple

• Invest 100% of money in a globally diversified portfolio of shares

• Save spare income into this.

• Only sell out when you need the money and for no other reason than you are going to spend it.

• Keep costs low as possible

• Keep taxes as low as possible

Losing weight is quick and simple too

• Calculate your required calorie intake

• Consume less than this in calories each day

• Do more exercise

• Eat foods high in fibre

• Cut out alcohol and sugar

Simple but not easy

As we can tell, the UK is full of people that are slim and in no way obese. They are also all incredibly wealthy.

Fin.

Er, no! I am a right little porker! It's really flipping hard to lose weight and keep it off. Shamefully so, for me at least. Do you know why? It's because the human mind, although capable of the most amazing things is also incapable of thinking too far into the future and shutting out its emotions. Hence, why on a Friday afternoon I am debating whether to have a kebab after the few tipples I am planning on having. It's no debate really, I am telling myself not to, but I know I will have one (no raw onions please, dear kebab-Sir, and extra chilli sauce & garlic mayo).

Investment Return v Investor Return

For the 20 years preceding 31/12/2019 the S&P 500 averaged 6.06% a year. The average equity fund investor earned a market return of only 4.25%. That’s 1.81% difference every year!

On £500k that is over £9k a year… and this compounds.

That is just one reason why you need an adviser. You will bottle it. You will think you are being clever when you are buying or not buying shares at a certain point. Let me tell you, you are not being clever. You don’t know the market movements of the future as you do not own a time machine or a working crystal ball (last available on rental from Rumbelows circa 1991). No one does! And so you will fret and not do what is most likely to bring you success.

A financial planner will work on this with you and highlight the mistakes you m are making to enable you to think more clearly. They will help you clear your mind of blocking thoughts.

That’s why I, a financial planner of 15+ years ask for help from others in our business. We all need an adviser.