Consumers throughout the UK are being offered free introductory financial planning sessions by qualified professionals during the last week of January to help them shape and achieve their money goals and dreams.
Financial Planning Week, 27 January – 2 February, is an annual campaign organised by educational charity and professional body, the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI). The campaign aims to help encourage people to improve their relationship with money and understanding their finances.
The CISI’s Wayfinder website, a directory listing CISI qualified CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals and CISI Accredited Financial Planning Firm™ businesses for consumers, contains tips and tools, including a budget planner and savings calculator, important steps on the road to helping manage financial wellbeing. The resources also include a financial planning common terms explainer and a link to a quiz identifying when to see a financial planner.
The campaign is being led by CISI CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals. The CFP™ is the highest-level financial planning certification in the UK. Those offering complimentary financial planning sessions during Financial Planning Week are listed here.
A financial planner helps consumers focus on their goals, aspirations and concerns. They are qualified to look at the bigger picture to produce a holistic strategy for people with a financial plan. This is distinct from financial advisers who focus solely on a single aspect, which may be your money and investments, helping you buy a good product. A financial planner looks at the whole picture and uses their expertise to help create an overarching strategy to protect you and/or your family.
Financial planners are qualified to offer guidance on a range of issues including how to achieve financial independence, starting a new business and everything from budgeting to mortgages and socially responsible investing.
Sally Plant, CISI Assistant Director Financial Planning and Education Development said: “Financial Planning Week is for everyone, regardless of your financial situation. Experienced financial planners will provide initial thoughts and suggestions on how you may organise your finances better or help navigate the jargon. This may help you take your first step towards fulfilling your financial plans and dreams.”
To find out more about CISI Financial Planning Week, visit the Wayfinder website at www.financialplanning.cisi.org listing CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals or CISI Accredited Financial Planning Firms™.
Financial planners UK-wide will be supporting CISI Financial Planning Week with activities including sharing articles and guides, hosting a free one-hour financial planning session and heading into their local schools to talk about financial literacy. Search the hashtag #FPWUK on social media for more.