Inspired by the unexpected success of my Instagram reel, A Small Gift for Betty – One In A Million, I realised that people crave a different narrative around financial planning—one that’s less about chasing returns and more about crafting a life story that aligns with their true values. In this post, I’ll explore the idea that when we focus on what we can control, money truly does take care of itself.
My Journey: From Accountant to Heart-Centered Longevity Planner
My path to becoming a financial planner didn’t follow the traditional route. I began as an accountant, with a fascination for numbers and a clear path laid out before me. But as I advanced, two key moments altered the course of my journey and opened my eyes to a deeper, more holistic view of financial planning.
The first turning point came while studying financial planning part-time. The subject on estate planning captivated me because it crossed over into legal, accounting, and financial planning professions, getting to the heart of what truly matters in life. This experience led me to recognise the power of integrated advice that goes beyond mere transactions.
The second revelation occurred as I witnessed clients transition into retirement. I saw firsthand that even the best technical advice amounts to little if we aren’t mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared for life’s next chapter. This gap in conventional financial planning struck me as dangerous—like being told to jump off a cliff without knowing how far the drop is or what lies beneath.
These experiences shaped my current philosophy: financial advice should be about helping clients use their money to write the next chapter of their story—not making their story solely about chasing more money. This heart-centred approach measures success not just by wealth but by wellbeing, legacy, and life satisfaction.
Why Longevity and Legacy Planning Matter More Than Ever
In today’s world, traditional retirement planning no longer fully addresses the needs and aspirations of those looking to live fulfilling lives. The idea of “retiring at 65 and fading into the sunset” is outdated. Instead, people are embracing the idea of writing multiple chapters in their lives, with retirement being just one of them. This shift is why longevity planning, rather than retirement planning, is now the focal point of heart-centered financial advice.
I explored this concept in my reel, Longevity Planning – Financial Planning for a 100-year Life. Longevity planning is about ensuring that your financial decisions align with a longer, richer life—not just managing money for the final chapter. It’s about planning for the transitions, challenges, and opportunities that arise as you continue your journey. This approach helps you stay adaptable, resilient, and focused on what truly matters.
Another crucial aspect of heart-centered financial planning is legacy planning. It’s not just about passing down wealth, but about leaving behind a meaningful story that reflects your values and life’s purpose. My reel, Preserving Wealth for Future Generations: More Than Just Money, delves into how we can all use our financial and other resources to create a lasting impact that aligns with who we are and the values we hold dear.
A Heart-Centered Approach to Financial Planning: Focus on What You Can Control
One of the biggest challenges in financial planning is the temptation to focus solely on returns—something that’s largely out of your control. The irony is that most financial advice zeroes in on chasing investment performance, leaving people stressed over things they can’t influence. My approach is different. Instead of obsessing over the unpredictable, I guide clients to focus on what they can control: setting balanced goals, aligning their finances with their values, and using their money to write the next chapters of their lives.
The heart-centered approach goes beyond numbers and transactions. It’s about integrating your financial decisions into the broader context of your life story. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful this can be, both in my own journey and through the transformations I’ve witnessed in clients. When you focus on living with purpose, taking care of your wellbeing, and building a legacy that reflects your true self, the money truly does take care of itself.
In conventional financial planning, goal-setting is often approached in a transactional way—focused on hitting targets without considering whether those goals are even meaningful. This is where traditional advice falls short. Balanced goals aren’t just about financial benchmarks; they’re about ensuring your financial plan supports the life you want to live. That’s the difference a longevity planner brings: helping you write a life story that’s not dictated by the pursuit of money, but by how you choose to use your resources to live well and create lasting impact.
Bringing It All Together: Your Money, Your Life, Your Legacy
Throughout my journey, I’ve come to realise that financial planning is about much more than returns or transactions—it’s about helping people use their money to write the next chapters of their lives with purpose, fulfilment, and legacy in mind. This heart-centered approach is rooted in the principles I’ve shared across my reels:
- A Small Gift for Betty – One In A Million: This reel sparked a conversation about how the small, meaningful gestures in life can hold immense value, far beyond financial metrics.
- Longevity Planning – Financial planning for a 100-year life: Here, I emphasised how focusing on a longer, richer life journey better serves our true goals compared to traditional retirement planning.
- Preserving Wealth for Future Generations: This reel explores how creating a lasting impact isn’t just about passing down wealth, but about leaving behind a story that reflects your values and purpose.
These concepts form the foundation of my approach as a longevity planner, guiding clients to focus on what they can control and helping them build a life that aligns with their heart-centred goals.
Listen to My Podcast and Join the Journey
If these ideas resonate with you, I invite you to dive deeper by tuning into my upcoming podcast, where I’ll explore these themes further. Just like life, this podcast will be a journey—one that takes us through the highs, lows, and transitions that define our stories. We’ll discuss everything from redefining retirement to crafting a meaningful legacy and living with purpose, all while focusing on what truly matters.
Stay connected for updates, and let’s continue this journey together. Your life story is waiting to be written—let’s make sure it’s one you’re proud of.
General Advice Disclaimer Please note, the information provided herein is general in nature and does not consider your personal circumstances. It is not intended as legal, tax, or personal advice. Always seek personalised financial advice to ensure your estate planning aligns with your unique situation and goals