Dominic Thomas
March 2026 • 3 min read

What profits?

I wonder if you have seen the recent BBC series Small Prophets written and directed by MacKenzie Crook. To be honest, I’m usually very wary of “written and directed by” – often it’s not a good combination, but here Crook has built upon the charming Detectorists (2014-2022) to deliver another feel good, amusing and poignant comedy that will leave a smile on your face.

This is a tale of the extraordinary in the very ordinary, an exploration of grief and hope, with a dash of wry wit and some daft divine magic. I won’t spoil the plot as it’s a series with a probable follow up.

In essence Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley) is living with the knowledge that the love of his life, Clea, has disappeared. Most presume she took her own life with her car being found on the Severn bridge. He is waiting for her return as he goes about his mundane, ordinary life as a member of staff at the local DIY superstore. He visits his father Brian (Michael Palin) each day who is now living in a local care home. Apples don’t fall far from the tree, both are curious and have sharp minds, though Brian’s is now failing him.

Brian has the ludicrous certainty that he can grow truth-saying spirits (Homunculi) in a jar of rainwater, who have to speak truth. This, Brian asserts, will lay to rest the question of Clea’s mortality. The fantastical is set against the backdrop of the plainly defiant ordinariness of a fairly bland life. Yet we quickly witness many moments of magic in the ordinary and are reminded of our humanity and ability to connect and relate to one another with grace, patience and goodwill.

The contrasting lives and experiences are set against one another, the minimalist nosy neighbour who can barely tolerate Michael’s chaotic overgrown garden. The ‘brother-in-law’ who has lost everything as an adult, yet can find his childhood being restored. The lost treasure within our clutter. The hopes of superstore staff who dream of careers whilst serving others intent on their own DIY, most being oblivious to all that is in front of them (bucket scene) and missing the mystery and magic within the ordinary.

So what? It is so easy for us to forget the basics of life, to connect and be connected, to pause, to think and to thank. The talent and skill of genuinely caring. To be curious and to allow our curiosity to explore the mundane to the mystical. It reminds me of what I sometimes hear from clients “we have a fairly ordinary modest lifestyle” as though I may judge your life choices or maybe perhaps you aren’t sure if you are quite rich or ambitious enough.

The point of great financial planning is to live on your terms, not those of others. Whilst it may not be mathematically ‘best’ to repay your mortgage, the sense of liberation felt by doing so is priceless for many. To be able to live and give generously, on your own terms, without strings attached and to be able to see your legacy taking shape during your lifetime. These are things that are ordinary yet deeply fulfilling and are the true profits of a rich life.

The short 6-episode series, which I watched on the BBC iPlayer was a great way to end an evening, that may otherwise have been punctuated by a stream of “nothing good” on social media. I agree with those who gave it the high score of 8.5/10 on IMDB. Here is the trailer.

References:

When to report a missing person: https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/missing-person/missing-persons/what-to-do-when-someone-goes-missing/

Missing Person: https://www.gov.uk/report-missing-person

What is financial planning: https://www.solomonsifa.co.uk/what-we-do/

BACK TO ALL BLOGS

Should advisers fear being black listed?

Solomons-financial-advisor-wimbledon-blogger

Should advisers fear being black listed?

There are numerous benefits of social media. One is the ability of peers in any field to discuss topics and share ideas. Sadly this comes with the inevitable double-edged sword of whether to post under your real name or a pseudonym… or “nom de plume”. This I assume is connected to a fear of being black listed.

Of course there’s a lot to disagree about, and it appears that many will take considerable time to vent and click send. Not always a great choice, I’ve been guilty of it myself. There is a general perception, whether explicit or implied that somehow anything critical of those in power will result in some form of retribution. Hence many publish comments under false names for fear of being “black listed”.

Invariably the problem within my own sector is that of fear of the regulator. Of course on the one hand I think this is quite a good thing, advisers ought to be “afraid” of the regulator. That would really mean that they are surely there to keep people on the “straight and narrow”. So I welcome good, strong regulation – it’s in my interests (and yours). The hope is that strong regulation reduces the potential for people to be ripped off.

A critical voice brings change

On occasion, of course some criticism of the regulator is entirely appropriate (after all is anyone or any organisation perfect?). It is this that advisers fear (good ones too). The concern is rather obvious – raising a critical voice may be met with a sudden barrage of requests for information, which can prove time consuming and frankly unnecessary. I take the view that the regulator needs to be held to account and publish under my name. Frankly it is rare that I am critical of them – my main gripe is invariably a difference of approach to the way investors who have suffered scams or mis-selling are compensated following advice from “bad” advisers.

At present, the system is such that “bad” advisers rip off investors. The product, fund, adviser and their PI cover all fail and the remaining “good” advisers pay the compensation. By remaining, I really do mean a diminishing number. At one point there were about 250,000 “financial advisers” today there are about 22,000. Most advisers pass this cost onto their clients. To date, I haven’t despite a 30-day demand for payment increasing by 67% in 2015 on top of a 69% increase in the previous year! Hard to explain and pass on such fee rises in a period of virtually no inflation!

I don’t think I’m being too radical or inflammatory in my industry comments. This isn’t the 1950’s, McCarthyism has not returned (as far as I can tell). On which note, there is a very good new film out called Trumbo – the true story of a man that was blacklisted by some very unsavoury people in Hollywood. Trumbo was forced to write under a pseudonym to allow him to earn a living and he wasn’t ripping anyone off. I’m not so sure that advisers publishing under pseudonyms is really the same thing at all. I wish I had the creative writing skills of Trumbo! I only stand with him in the sense of being free to write or speak without fear of reprisal.

Oh, and you are welcome to check out my industry comments online at places like New Model Adviser, Financial Adviser, Professional Adviser.. but they are pretty dull and aimed at advisers.

Here is the trailer for Trumbo, you may recognise Bryan Cranston (who plays Walter White in Breaking Bad) and Helen Mirren has a small role, but has you piping venom… well it did for me. It has only just been released here in the UK… its one of the few films that I gave 10/10… but of course I may have been influenced by issues raised here!

Dominic Thomas
Solomons IFA

You can read more articles about Pensions, Wealth Management, Retirement, Investments, Financial Planning and Estate Planning on my blog which gets updated every week. If you would like to talk to me about your personal wealth planning and how we can make you stay wealthier for longer then please get in touch by calling 08000 736 273 or email [email protected]