Planning ahead
When you’re juggling a busy life, planning for the future can sometimes take a backseat.
Whether you’re looking to renovate your home and grow your assets, or review your pension options and write a will, we have worked with Relate to give you the information, tools and tips to help you have more constructive conversations.
A wide range of helpful guides on will writing and inheritance tax are also available from MoneyHelper.
6 tips to help you start conversations
1. Schedule in time to talk.
It’s easy to put off conversations about the future when life is busy, so schedule in a dedicated time to go through things. Come prepared with relevant financial information and have a think in advance about the big things you’d like to discuss.
2. Don’t sweep things under the carpet.
Putting plans in place can feel overwhelming, but it’ll be worth it in the long-run – you’ll have a shared understanding of your financial plans for the future which is likely to offer some peace of mind. It’s never too early to start planning.
3. Start with hopes and dreams.
Begin with an open conversation about your hopes for the future. This may end up being really inspiring or it could highlight some conflicting aspirations that you might need to address.
4. Break it down.
Once you’ve both agreed on your desired plans for the future, break it down into small achievable steps. This way, you can celebrate progress together each step of the way.
5. Seek professional advice.
Decisions about things like wills and investing certainly require a lot of research. Trusted websites are a great place to start and independent financial advice could be really helpful to take the pressure off when making big decisions.
6. Revisit the conversation.
It’s unlikely you’ll get everything done in one conversation, so make sure to schedule regular time to check in on your plans and your finances together.
