Meet Sarah, a successful professional with a thriving career and a busy life in London. On the surface, everything seemed perfect. She was earning well, had a lovely home, and was preparing for an exciting future. But deep down, Sarah felt a nagging uncertainty about her financial future. She wasn’t sure if her finances were aligned with her life goals or if she was making the most of her resources.
When Sarah contacted us at Custodia Financial Services, she wasn’t looking for just another financial adviser. She wanted someone who could understand her dreams, address her worries, and provide a comprehensive plan to achieve the future she envisioned. That’s when we introduced her to our unique Three-Hat Approach—a process that goes beyond traditional financial advice.
1. The Lifestyle Planner Hat: Understanding Sarah’s Vision and Concerns
Our journey with Sarah began with a complimentary discovery call, during which we got to know each other and discussed her immediate concerns. It became clear that Sarah had big dreams for her future—travelling the world, supporting her children’s education, and eventually retiring comfortably. But she was also worried about whether she would have enough to make these dreams a reality.
From there, we invited Sarah to a more detailed discovery meeting at our expense. Here, we wore our Lifestyle Planner hat. We took the time to explore Sarah’s life:
- Where was she now? We looked at what she had already achieved and the journey she had taken to get there.
- How did she get here? We discussed the decisions and actions that shaped her current situation.
- Where did she want to go? We delved into her dreams and aspirations for the next 5, 10, 15, and even 20 years.
But it wasn’t just about mapping out her future but also about understanding her worries. Sarah was anxious about unforeseen financial needs and economic downturns that could impact her plans. We helped her gain clarity and peace of mind by addressing these concerns upfront.
2. The Financial Planner Hat: Aligning Resources with Goals
Once we had a clear understanding of Sarah’s vision and concerns, we took off our Lifestyle Planner hat and put on our Financial Planner hat. It was time to analyse her financial landscape and develop a strategy to align her resources with her goals.
We evaluated:
- Her current financial resources: What assets, savings, and investments did she have?
- Future resources: What financial assets or income streams were expected to become available?
- Additional resources needed: What adjustments or additional resources might be necessary to achieve her life goals?
With this information, we crafted a comprehensive financial plan tailored specifically for Sarah. This plan wasn’t just a set of numbers—it was a roadmap showing her exactly what steps to take to achieve her desired lifestyle and addressing any risks or uncertainties that could arise.
3. The Independent Financial Adviser Hat: Implementing the Right Solutions
After agreeing on a financial plan, it was time to consider which financial products or investments, if any, would be needed to help Sarah reach her goals. This is when we took off our Financial Planner hat and wore our third hat—that of an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA).
As independent advisers, we have the freedom to search the entire market to find the best financial products that suit each client’s unique needs. For Sarah, this meant selecting investments that aligned perfectly with her long-term objectives and provided the security she was looking for. We made every recommendation with a complete understanding of her goals and concerns, ensuring each choice was made for the right reasons.
Why Our Three-Hat Approach Made All the Difference for Sarah
By wearing these three hats, we offered Sarah a level of service beyond what most traditional advisers provide. Here’s why our approach was unique:
- We started with her life goals and concerns: We aligned her financial plan with what truly mattered to her, including addressing her worries about the future.
- We developed a strategic, comprehensive financial plan: Our plan was customised to her situation, providing a clear path to achieving her goals and mitigating risks.
- We provided unbiased recommendations: As independent advisers, we recommended financial products only when necessary and always with her best interests at heart.
This holistic approach allowed us to become more than just Sarah’s financial advisers—we became her partners in building the life she had always dreamed of with the financial security and confidence she deserved.
Ready to Take Your First Step?
Sarah’s story isn’t unique. Many people feel uncertain about their financial future or wonder if they’re on the right path to achieving their goals. That’s why we begin every client relationship with a complimentary discovery call. It’s a chance to get to know each other, discuss your immediate needs and concerns, and see if our approach resonates with you.
From there, we invite you to a more in-depth discovery meeting at our expense, where we can dive deeper into your goals, address your concerns, and decide together if moving forward makes sense.
Are you ready to start planning for the future you want? Let’s have a conversation and see where it leads.
Book a discovery call with me: https://link.custodiafs.co.uk/DiscoveryCall