New Year; New You?

Debbie Harris
Dec 2024 • 1 min read

New year; New you?

I wanted to write about the value of New Year’s Resolutions, so obviously I took to ‘the Google’ to see what the internet thinks!

I was mildly surprised that the vast majority of articles that appeared in my search provided reasons why we should NOT make New Year’s Resolutions.

So I guess I’m in the minority on this; because I think they’re a great idea!

The 1^st of January represents a finite moment when you can set some goals for the coming twelve months … but then I also love Mondays (much to the disbelief of my colleagues), clean bed linen, a new notebook – all of which represent a fresh start; a new beginning.

So what do the naysayers say about ‘resolutions’?

They’re too broad and we are therefore bound to fail
We don’t consider ‘why’ and therefore we don’t address our real challenges/motivations
We aren’t ready for the change we vow to make
We include things that are beyond our control
We don’t tell anyone what they are (not verbalising them means they don’t really exist!)

Suffice to say – there are a myriad of other reasons why you shouldn’t bother with them, but there are a lot of folk who are in agreement with me that they are still worthwhile!

For me – my goals are small and achievable (yet challenging) and, importantly, some of them do not require me to ‘last a full year’! So there may be things I want to achieve in January or in July. I don’t verbalise any of them to anyone (I don’t imagine anyone is that interested!) but they are meaningful to me and I do write them down.

Whichever camp you sit in on this; all that matters is that it works for you!

Here at Solomon’s – we like being prepared and organised; we enjoy planning (obviously) in all its guises and we value having goals and objectives; something to aim for.

What will your plan for 2025 look like?

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New Year; New You?Jemima Thomas2024-12-19T13:23:59+00:00

Planning – Christmas is coming

Debbie Harris
Dec 2022 • 6 min read

The goose is getting fat, Christmas is coming

As I write, it is the middle of November, but we are galloping towards the festive season at a pace – bombarded by supermarket adverts, neighbours putting their fairy lights up (already!), and the internet promising fantastic bargains if you are willing to part with your money on one particular day of the year.

It all seems so frenetic (and it is), but this year I have decided to slow things down a little; get my priorities in order; and be mindful during the planning process (there it is … the P word!).

As a financial planning firm – these are three things that are crucial to a job well done and a job done well.

1. SLOW DOWN

Hit the ‘pause’ button; take a break; stop – you cannot see the wood for the trees if you are running around the forest like a headless chicken

2. PRIORITISE

Figure out what is important; what you really care about; what matters – only in reflection and introspection do these things become clear

3. BE MINDFUL IN THE PLANNING

It’s all very well to have grand plans and ‘big goals’; but we HAVE to be realistic around what can be achieved with what we have. That visit to Lapland to race red-nosed reindeer will have to be put on hold! We must also remember that time is a finite source – things can be done with all the time in the World; but we don’t have the luxury of that – our tomorrow is never guaranteed

PLANNING – ENJOY THE FRUITS…

All that in mind, I have booked tickets to see a pantomime with my daughter this year (Cinderella ON ICE!); I will be attending a choral performance at a theatre (on my own – I couldn’t convince any of my lot to join me!); I have a ‘Christmas Jumper Evening’ at a pub scheduled next month and I have arranged a shopping-followed-by-dinner date with my siblings. All things that bring me joy; all things that I have carefully selected to do with my time; all things that I will be able to look back on with a smile.

I’m not so worried about ‘the big day’ itself (although I have ordered my turkey … who knows whether I’ll actually get it … bird flu has wiped out huge swathes of the turkey population across the UK this year) – there’s always a slightly anti-climatical feel to the day for me – I enjoy the build up; the anticipation; the socialising – but once the turkey and trimmings have been devoured; it’s all over and there is a sadness to that – the tinsel doesn’t look so shiny; the leftover orange creams in the Quality Street Tin look resigned to their fate; and the tree is a dry, droopy version of its former glory.

I always enjoy the post-Christmas clean-up to be honest … it always feels good to clear away the (admittedly pretty) clutter and start the New Year with a clean, fresh slate (one of the reasons why I love Mondays too I think!)

So whatever your Christmas will look and feel like; whatever your preferred ways are to spend your time; whatever your beliefs about gifting and celebrating; I hope that you are able to plan your festive season mindfully and to execute your plan beautifully.

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 info@solomonsifa.co.uk

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Planning – Christmas is comingJemima Thomas2023-12-01T12:12:41+00:00

TOOLS TO HELP YOU GET STUFF DONE

TODAY’S BLOG

TOOLS TO GET STUFF DONE

As soon as the turkey is finished, attentions are drawn to the New Year. For most, the experience of resolutions can be quite off-putting when contemplating the year ahead. The plethora of adverts for holidays provides some indication about what most of us choose to plan for, though in pandemics the task is somewhat harder, with more “ifs and buts”.

There is an entire industry that is dedicated to setting goals and managing your time and actions to achieve them. The new page is the potential for so much, yet can feel rather overwhelming, in the context of human history we have never had so much choice. I wonder though if most of us suffer from something like writer’s block when it comes to planning what we want from the future.

FORMING GOOD HABITS

I’ve been trying to design a notebook to help clients formulate some goals and good habits for money management. Ironically, it’s been a difficult task to complete, not to get it done, but whether it’s something that is helpful in an already overcrowded space. I suspect like me you use a calendar on your phone and computer, the challenge often being how to ensure that the personal and professional are shared appropriately with those impacted. For me there is something powerful about a pen and paper that a keyboard doesn’t capture (I’m well aware that there are tablets and stylus options).

As I plan my year ahead there is always the tension between experience and optimism. Perhaps its not even that, a sense of larger goals that seem plainly unrealistic based on the past, yet not beyond the realm of possibility. In a professional context that’s about growing the business, attracting and serving more clients as well as improving what we already do. Increasing value and demonstrating it more clearly. The latest 10-year business plan is about to enter its second year, the clock is ticking and we want to “up our game”.

I wonder if I could ask you if you’d let me know if a paper-based notebook designed to help you keep in mind the bigger goals and the steps to achieving them would be helpful to you. Please email me.

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 info@solomonsifa.co.uk

GET IN TOUCH

Solomon’s Independent Financial Advisers
The Old Mill Cobham Park Road, COBHAM Surrey, KT11 3NE

Email – info@solomonsifa.co.uk
Call – 020 8542 8084

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Take Survey

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GET IN TOUCH

Solomon’s Independent Financial Advisers
The Old Mill Cobham Park Road, COBHAM Surrey, KT11 3NE

Email – info@solomonsifa.co.uk Call – 020 8542 8084

7 QUESTIONS, NO WAFFLE

Are we a good fit for you?

Take Survey

PRIVACY POLICY | DATA PROTECTION

TOOLS TO HELP YOU GET STUFF DONEDominic2023-12-01T12:12:57+00:00

NEW YEAR, SAME OLD PROBLEMS

TODAY’S BLOG

NEW YEAR, SAME OLD PROBLEMS?

The year finally draws to a close, thoughts turn to resolutions for 2021. Perhaps thinking 12 days ahead is easier than 12 months. Yet we all hope that the vaccine will be rapidly and successfully deployed so that we can pick ourselves up and face a new year, with some degree of reduced anxiety.

This may take a while and so can I urge to you complete your 10 Minute Challenge items. If you really cannot bring yourself to tick off these important tasks, can I ask you to simply jot down on a piece of paper your plans for 2021. Then send it to me as an email (preferably placing it on the portal).

FORGET THE RESOLUTIONS – MAKE IT EASY

I am not interested in resolutions. Most of us find these rather like hopeful pie-crust promises – easily made, easily broken. No I am after some of the practical goals and tasks that you want to get done this year, things that I can have input into or help with… so that’s things like (and of course any such list it not exhaustive and needs adapting to your circumstances).

Your bank balance – rates are awful, but what is your comfort cash balance?
Your monthly savings level (how much you want to squirrel away each month)
When you intend to retire
If you are retired, what challenge are you facing in 2021?
What income you need
Clearing or reducing your mortgage
Your job or career – any changes to work patterns, promotions, redundancy concerns?
Expectations for your business or perhaps starting one (or another one)
Where you live – any plans to make alterations to anything that requires finance?
Any big purchases? Electric car? Alternative energy?
How you will measure 2021 as a successful year.

You will appreciate that some of our clients work in the NHS, we also advise a few teachers. Most of us will have some time to note down some thoughts. PLEASE send these to me. This is precisely what proper financial planning is all about – where your life, values and money all meet. You may think your plans are not terribly ambitious or hanging on the hopes of “normal life resuming”. I offer no judgement, simply want to know so that we can do an even better job for you in 2021.

Enjoy New Year’s Eve and the zoom calls with your friends and family. We will be ready to go again on Tuesday and I look forward to it.

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 info@solomonsifa.co.uk

GET IN TOUCH

Solomon’s Independent Financial Advisers
The Old Mill Cobham Park Road, COBHAM Surrey, KT11 3NE

Email – info@solomonsifa.co.uk
Call – 020 8542 8084

7 QUESTIONS, NO WAFFLE

Are we a good fit for you?

Take Survey

PRIVACY POLICY | DATA PROTECTION

GET IN TOUCH

Solomon’s Independent Financial Advisers
The Old Mill Cobham Park Road, COBHAM Surrey, KT11 3NE

Email – info@solomonsifa.co.uk Call – 020 8542 8084

7 QUESTIONS, NO WAFFLE

Are we a good fit for you?

Take Survey

PRIVACY POLICY | DATA PROTECTION

NEW YEAR, SAME OLD PROBLEMSDominic2025-01-28T10:06:07+00:00

A New Year 2014

So it’s the end of the first full week back at work. I have been very busy getting back up to speed, meeting clients and getting the new year 2014 heading in the right direction. I was reminded on Tuesday of how precarious life can be and how risk comes in various forms. A good friend (and client) had a very bad car accident on the way home from Heathrow, the car span out of control on the A3 heading towards London, rolling a couple of times. He and the other passengers, which included his daughter were all incredibly fortunate to climb out alive and were rushed to Kingston Hospital where they were very well cared for. So please drive carefully in these very wet conditions!

Lessons from a hostage negotiator

On Tuesday night, I attended an IFP event and benefited from the wisdom from a hostage negotiator. He provided some really good ideas about helping to improve listening skills…and no I won’t be taking anyone hostage if they fail to return forms in time.

Portfolio Reviews – Investment Committee Updates

Speaking of time, 2013 came and went pretty quickly didn’t it! Now we are set for 2014 and our investment committee have reviewed portfolios for the coming months. There are no really major changes, but its worth a look at the minutes and the performance packs, which you can do as a client with a password (you will need to contact the office for this by going to the what we do tab. You will also find the economic outlook for the year ahead…which if you know me well, will appreciate that we do this for sense checking, not as a prediction of what may or may not happen. I have also put the latest asset wall chart, within that section of the website. This reveals the performance of difference asset classes over a calendar year… the pattern is that there is no pattern, hence why we diversify and apply some clever maths to get the portfolios tuned. Anyway, I do hope that you had a good break, after the fireworks along the Thames, we are now very much back and ready to go.

Dominic Thomas: Solomons IFA

A New Year 2014Dominic2025-02-03T13:27:38+00:00