Financial Planning with Tasha

So… my 4-year-old came to get me earlier and proudly told me he’d been practising his writing.

I walked in to find his name… written on my curtains 🙃

Never trust a quiet child!!

I won’t lie, my first reaction was very much a “why the curtains?!” moment.

But then he’s stood there absolutely beaming, so proud of himself… and I had to pause. Because, if I’m honest, I was a little bit impressed too, his writing actually has come on a lot 😅not to mention what a difficult surface to write on!

Which made it quite hard to stay annoyed for long.

Because really, he was doing something we’d been working really hard on. Practising, being independent, doing exactly what I’ve been encouraging.

It just didn’t quite happen in the way I’d have chosen.

And it did make me think . . sometimes things don’t look great in the short term. They can feel messy, frustrating, and not quite what you had planned. But when you take a step back and look at the bigger picture, it doesn’t always mean something’s gone wrong, it can just be part of the process.

A bit like what we’re seeing with markets at the moment. There’s a lot going on in the world, and naturally that creates uncertainty and ups and downs. It’s easy to focus on those short-term movements and feel a bit unsettled by them.

But zoom out, and it’s a different perspective. These moments have always been part of the journey, not the end of it.

Not quite the same as writing on curtains… but maybe a reminder that short-term frustration doesn’t always mean long-term damage.

(Although I’m still not fully over the curtains 😅 just adds more character to our home . . right?! 🥴)

The value of your investment can go down as well as up. You could get back less than you invested.

PFP Wealth Group Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products.

SJP Approved 14/07/2026

Easter bunny trail at Hayles Fruit Farm 🐰🌿

Reality of the day:
• My 2-year-old only wanted to jump in every muddy puddle
• My 4-year-old finished the trail and declared it was all “fake, fake, fake” (likely due to the severe lack of actual chocolate… it was clues for a prize instead 🍫😅)

But watching them walk off together, muddy boots, bunny ears and all, it did make me think…

Life’s a bit like this. Things don’t always go to plan, expectations aren’t always met, and sometimes you’re just navigating puddles along the way.
And that’s exactly why having a plan matters.

Not because life is predictable but because it isn’t.

It’s not about getting everything perfect, just putting the right things in place so you feel more prepared for whatever comes next.

(And ideally… with a bit more chocolate 🍫)

The habits we avoid (because they feel harder)

💔 Some financial habits don’t get avoided because they’re unimportant…

They get avoided because they feel complicated or easy to put off.

🚗 Letting subscriptions roll on unnoticed

Let’s be honest – most of us have signed up for a subscription to get a better price or a “free” product, fully intending to cancel once the offer period ends…

…and then realised 12 months later we’re still paying full price.

It’s not carelessness, it’s life. These things are designed to be easy to sign up to and easy to forget. A periodic review can quietly free up money without changing your lifestyle at all.

😖 Putting off the more complex areas

The UK tax system is complicated, so it’s completely reasonable not to understand all of it. But having a basic understanding of what applies to you can help your money work more efficiently.

🛣️ Not having a clear financial plan

Goals give your money direction. Knowing what you’re working towards, roughly when, and why can turn individual decisions into a joined-up plan.

The aim isn’t perfection.

It’s making informed decisions, one step at a time.

PFP Wealth Group Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.


SJP Approved 04/03/2026

Even when you know better… marketing still works

💔 Breaking up with bad financial habits doesn’t mean you’re bad with money.

It means you’re human.

Even as a financial adviser, I know how powerful advertising and influencers can be.

That mascara promising 3× longer lashes.

The collagen that’s meant to support glowing skin, stronger nails and overall wellbeing.

I know what the adverts are doing… and yet they’re still very convincing.

That’s exactly why awareness matters.

🛍️ Impulse spending

Marketing is designed to trigger emotion, not logic. Having a list (and sticking to it) creates a pause between want and purchase.

🚫 No budget (or one that isn’t realistic)

A good budget isn’t restrictive, it gives you confidence about what you can spend, not just what you shouldn’t.

💀 Savings being deprioritised

Saving doesn’t have to be dramatic. Small, consistent contributions especially when automated can be far more effective than waiting for the “perfect” time.

Good financial habits aren’t about willpower.

They’re about systems that work with human behaviour, not against it.

PFP Wealth Group Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

SJP Approved 04/03/2026

Talking about protection can feel a bit heavy… but ignoring it can feel a lot worse.

Swipe through for simple, clear explanations of:
• Critical Illness Cover
• Income Protection
• Life Insurance
• Private Medical Insurance

No scare tactics. No sales pitch. Just useful info.

If you’ve got questions, pop me a message I am always happy to help 💬

PFP Wealth Group Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).

SJP Approved 05/02/2026

🌟 Feedback Friday! 🌟

Another lovely piece of feedback from one of my clients.

Age comes up a lot in conversations.

Some people feel they should have done something sooner. Others wonder if now is even the right time.

There’s no such thing as too early or too late, just different starting points.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback , it’s always really appreciated.

The reviews shown have been collected directly from VouchedFor and have not been verified by SJP.

Supporting people as they work towards retirement is rarely about one big decision.

It’s about ongoing conversations, clarity, and making sure things stay on track.


Always grateful for the feedback

The reviews shown have been collected directly from VouchedFor and have not been verified by SJP.