My first client meeting of the day is to review their existing portfolio: they are looking to make additional investments, as they are very happy with the performance of our model portfolio funds. The meeting runs until midday, after which I continue working on their details over a bowl of soup. My son calls to say he thinks his exam went well – good news.
This afternoon’s clients want to consider options with their pensions. They are in their early 60s and want to retire early. We discuss their situation and confirm that they could comfortably retire now, so I start work on the process to enable them to draw down their pensions. The rest of the day is taken up with paperwork and administration from today’s meetings.
Tuesday:
First thing, I am visiting a local graphic design company, where my clients are the directors. They are due to start their auto-enrolment soon, so I am speaking to their employees about general pension flexibility rules and specific pension options for them. The feedback was that they all felt they had a much better understanding of pensions, so time well spent.
It is then back to the office for a lunchtime meeting with one of the discretionary fund managers we work with. I went through general updates, individual portfolio performances and specifics on trust law.
I spent the afternoon working on client files before heading down to Plymouth for the launch of the Venus Women’s Business Awards for a 6pm start. It is a good inspirational event for women in business, and I am home by 8.30pm.
Wednesday:
The first appointment of the day is with the man from the Pru, who gave the latest updates on its funds. After this, I spent a few hours working on investment and protection recommendations for clients I saw last week who came into an inheritance and also want to consider their own inheritance tax planning. My son phoned – he does not think his AS maths exam went so well. Oh dear.
I whizzed home to meet the plumber as my boiler has packed up again (arghh!), then back to the office for a 4.30pm client appointment – a recommendation from an existing client – looking for advice on their pensions as they are nearing retirement. I got home around 7pm to find out what happened in AS maths.
Thursday:
I have two client meetings today – this morning’s is an annual review meeting to discuss rebalancing their existing portfolio, so I worked on their paperwork until the afternoon. My other meeting is a new client who is looking for an IFA for pension advice. Apparently, my son’s AS business studies exam went well, so back on track.
Friday:
A local charity, the Mare and Foal Sanctuary, have a number of young staff and have asked us to give a talk about the various forms of debt, good vs bad, and how credit scores affect their ability to borrow. The staff said they found it very useful and that it opened their eyes. A bit of financial education can go a long way. I finished at lunchtime, so a quick turnaround home then the train to Reading to catch up with a friend for the weekend.
Vanessa Taylor is an IFA at Strategic Solutions Financial Planners, based in Devon
