Financial Advice, Planning or Coaching?

Understanding the options available to you.

Three Ways, One Direction

Different types of support may be appropriate at different stages. This page explains the difference between financial coaching, planning-style guidance and regulated financial advice.

True financial wellbeing doesn’t have to be a linear process. Explore the three pathways below, from coaching to FCA-regulated advice, and find the one that meets you exactly where you are.
Financial Coaching is all about you — your mindset, habits, and relationship with money. A coach doesn't tell you which products to buy. Instead, they help you build strong financial foundations and real confidence in your decision-making.
A coach helps you:
- Understand where your money goes and design a simple spending plan
- Reduce debt, build savings, and set achievable financial goals
- Identify financial habits that may be holding you back
- Learn how to make sound financial choices for yourself
Best For
People who want to improve their financial habits, get organised, or feel more in control before diving into products or investments.
Coaching is unregulated in the UK — it's about guidance, not product recommendations.
Financial Planning takes things further by creating a holistic plan for your financial future. Financial planning-style guidance can help you organise your goals, understand your priorities and explore the decisions that may sit ahead. Where a personal recommendation is needed — for example about pensions, investments, protection or tax planning — you should use a regulated financial advice firm.
A planner helps you:
- Analyse your current finances in detail
- Project your income, spending, and investments into the future
- Model different 'what if' scenarios (e.g. retirement age, house purchase)
- Build a long-term financial roadmap aligned with your life values and goals
Best For
Individuals and families wanting a clear, long-term plan for achieving major financial goals.
Planning is unregulated in the UK — it's about guidance, not product recommendations.
When you're ready to take action — to invest, choose a pension, or protect your wealth — you may need Independent Financial Advice (IFA). This is a regulated service where an adviser can recommend specific products and even set them up for you.
An IFA helps you:
- Select the right investments, pensions, and protection products
- Understand and manage risk across your portfolio
- Review and adjust your strategy as your life and the markets change
- Access the whole market — independent advisers aren't tied to specific providers
Best For
People with savings, investments, or pensions who want professional, regulated product advice backed by consumer protection.
Regulated advice is not provided through Rachael Hall Wealth. Visitors who need regulated advice can be directed to Seven Stars Private Wealth.
All UK financial advisers are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), giving you important consumer protections.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Power of Three - Blending Solutions

Each person's relationship with money is unique. It is shaped by both how they think and what they do. Psychology-based coaching, structured financial planning, and regulated advice can work powerfully in sequence.

Financial Planning isn’t just restricted to yourself. We can also help protect and plan your children’s futures, family members and your business.

Want to find out more? Click the links below.