Thoughts
Under the title of 'Ties are optional', Les Conway shares his thoughts about what’s going on in the World and how it can affect and impact your lifestyle and finances. Feel free to sign up here to subscribe to receive. And remember that these articles are the opinions of the author, Les Conway of Essentially Financial Limited, and are not endorsed or necessarily shared by Flying Colours Advice Limited.
Lifestyle Financial Planning is a lot less Stressful Than You Might Think
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 4th of March 2026
For many people, the phrase lifestyle financial planning conjures up images of spreadsheets, complex calculations, and difficult decisions. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the idea of managing investments, pensions, and future goals. Yet lifestyle financial planning is far less intimidating, and far more personal than it sounds.
At its core, lifestyle financial planning begins with understanding what truly matters to you. It means understanding your ambitions, your values, and your dreams. Rather than focusing solely on how much you have, i...
Everything You Can Imagine Is Real
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 4th of February 2026
Pablo Picasso’s words ‘Everything you can imagine is real’ capture the essence of possibility, and the power of vision and belief in shaping our reality. In terms of lifestyle financial planning, this mindset is not just inspirational, it’s essential.
It is often seen as numbers, spreadsheets, and investments. But at its heart, it’s about dreams and imagining the life you truly want, then crafting a financial strategy to make it real.
Lifestyle financial planning begins with defining what ‘real’ means for you. It’s not only about accumulating...
The future belongs to those who prepare for it today
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 7th of January 2026
Malcolm X, one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, was a passionate advocate for equality, education, and empowerment. Born Malcolm Little in 1925, he rose to prominence as a human rights activist who inspired millions to take control of their lives and destinies. His words, ‘The future belongs to those who prepare for it today’, remain as powerful and relevant now as they were decades ago. Especially when we think about our financial wellbeing.
Lifestyle financial planning is, at its heart, about preparation. It’s not jus...
Life is like Riding a Bicycle
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 3rd of December 2025
Albert Einstein once said, ‘Life is like riding a bicycle: to keep your balance, you must keep moving’. This timeless wisdom applies beautifully to lifestyle financial planning. Just as balance is essential to keep a bicycle upright, balance is also key when managing your finances and living a fulfilling life.
Lifestyle financial planning isn’t simply about accumulating wealth or chasing investment returns, it’s about maintaining forward momentum towards your life goals. Standing still, whether financially or personally, can make us lose bal...
The Only Thing We Have to Fear is Fear Itself
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 5th of November 2025
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous words, ‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself’, were delivered during a time of deep uncertainty. The Great Depression had shaken confidence, and fear threatened to paralyse progress. Roosevelt’s message was clear in meaning: that fear magnifies problems and prevents us from taking the steps needed to move forward.
The same principle applies to our financial lives. Many people let fear dictate their financial decisions: fear of market downturns, of losing money, or fear of making the wrong choice. Thi...
Don’t do things by halves
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 1st of October 2025
Abraham Lincoln once said, ‘In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s life in your years’.
These words capture the essence of lifestyle financial planning. Where traditional financial planning often focuses solely on numbers, retirement ages, investment returns, and tax strategies, whilst lifestyle financial planning goes much, much deeper, and asks the most important question - what do you want your life to really look like?
Money is not an end in itself, but a tool that helps shape our experiences, relationships and ...
The most important thing is to enjoy life
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 3rd of September 2025
Steve Jobs, one of the founders of Apple, once said, ‘The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy - it’s all that matters’.
It’s a statement that cuts through the noise of modern life, and reminds us of a truth we often overlook. Life’s ultimate currency is not money - it’s joy, purpose and meaning.
Lifestyle financial planning is about aligning your financial resources with what truly matters to you. It’s not just about building wealth for the sake of it, but about shaping a life you love to one that reflects your value...
Making It Happen
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 6th of August 2025
Michael Jordan, former professional basketball player, once said, “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”
Whilst these words are rooted in the world of elite sport, they also resonate deeply in the realm of lifestyle financial planning.
Financial freedom doesn’t just arrive by chance. Many people want to retire early, travel extensively, or provide their children with the best education. Others wish for security, dreaming of a comfortable lifestyle, without really engaging with the process. But ...
Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 2nd of July 2025
“Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get” is a famous quote from Forrest Gump - and it resonates deeply with how we experience life: unpredictable, varied, and full of surprises. Just like reaching into a box of assorted chocolates, life offers both sweet moments and unexpected challenges. This uncertainty is exactly why lifestyle financial planning is so essential.
Unlike traditional financial advice, which focuses mainly on numbers, income, savings, and investments, lifestyle financial planning centres around...
You Can Take a Horse to Water…
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 4th of June 2025
In lifestyle financial planning terms, this is also true. We can educate, encourage and guide by establishing what truly motivates people and why. We can then map out a financial roadmap that gives clarity and intention. Ultimately though, it’s up to each individual to act.
Too often, people wait. They wait for the ‘right time’ to travel, to start that business, to retire early or to make meaningful changes to their lives. They accumulate wealth, but hesit...