Monday
My week starts with a swim, which is something I try to do two or three times a week. Today was a good day as the crazy old lady wasn't there doing her water aerobics in the fast lane. Then I am straight into our office in Folkestone to meet with the team, planning for the week.
I have a longstanding client travelling down from Surrey as he has heard about the regeneration happening in Folkestone and is keen to have a look around. We have a good review and then go for lunch overlooking the harbour. The rest of the day is spent with the team in the office working on client files.
Tuesday
This morning we have our apprentice Jack's training provider in to observe him at work. Jack started with us a year ago and is already an important and keen member of the team. We definitely see the apprenticeship route as an alternative to the university route I took.
Most of the day is taken up with a meeting to review my company's long-term care proposition. We invited our contacts working in the care industry to give us feedback on our approach and help us improve. With demographics as they are, we see this as an increasingly important part of our business.
In the evening I enjoy a curry my wife has cooked for her father’s birthday.
Wednesday
Back in the office to prepare for my afternoon meetings, then I'm off in the car to Weybridge to present my recommendation on a defined benefit scheme. Like most advisers, we are being asked to review more final salary schemes then ever before. The downside of this is the enormous amount of time it takes to review and advise on each one.
There is time for a quick break before another meeting in Surrey to review a client and meet his new wife. We spend a long time talking about what a good retirement looks like to him, then I leave him to ponder this before we begin building a cash flow plan.
Thursday
Working from home this morning is great as I get to walk my chocolate Labrador, Rupert. We have a long discussion about crypto-currencies, but I think he is more interested in the stick he found.
London beckons me to a meeting with a client in Eight Members Club, in Bank. It is a really positive review where we decide on a list of action points to help him reach his retirement goals for 2020.
A quick meeting with our managing director and then I am off to the West End to meet with my best man who is over from Auckland for work. We have a great night in the Big Easy restaurant, eating and drinking too much before grabbing the last train home.
Friday
The morning comes round far too quickly with no time to exercise away the hangover. I head into the office to prepare for the day's reviews and then leave for a meeting in Canterbury. This is shortly followed by another review meeting in Reigate.
This second meeting is with a client who has been slowly getting me to manage more of their money as they become familiar with our process and approach. I leave agreeing to manage their remaining assets and start discussions as to whether retiring at 55 can be a reality for them.
In the evening I am in Brighton for a friend’s 40th birthday, where we have an awesome meal at a tapas restaurant in the Lanes. I am looking forward to the weekend as I need to recharge my batteries after a hectic week.
Nathan Harris is a chartered financial planner at Lothbury Pendil Financial Services, based in London
