Financial Advice, Planning or Coaching?

Three Ways, One Direction

These days anyone can set up an Instagram account and call themselves a wealth strategist, without having any experience to draw upon but their own.

Some people call themselves a financial adviser, but aren’t FCA registered.

This means any work you do with them isn’t actually covered by the Financial Services Compensation and remains outside of the remit of the Financial Conduct Authority!

This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s important that you understand the key differences between financial coaching, regulated advice and financial planning.

Fortunately, I am qualified in all three practices.

Some which I can work with via this channel and others where you will need to engage with me via other companies.

This page helps you understand what service might be best for you.

For example, a regulated financial advice process is like going to the bank - or a doctor.

It’s very formal. You asked for your ID and get a full diagnostic. They eventually write you a prescription and carry full liability for the advice and recommendations.

Financial coaching and planning-style guidance work differently, but can help you understand your situation, explore your options and build confidence, but they do not involve personal product recommendations or regulated advice.

I actually think there are pros and cons for all of these services and there’s a space for everything, which is why I cover the full spectrum across all of my businesses.

  • From financial coaching to regulated independent financial advice, there are many ways to help people build wealth. You can explore the different pathways below to find one that works for you.

  • Financial coaching is about understanding what makes you tick. It explores your mindset, habits, patterns, self limiting beliefs, and behaviours around money.

    A financial coach does not recommend financial products. Instead, they help you build strong financial foundations and develop real confidence in your own decision making.

    By helping you understand your patterns, a coach can support you in strengthening your mindset, forming healthier habits, and taking more control of your financial life.

    A coach can help you:

    Understand where your money goes and create a simple spending plan

    Reduce debt, build savings, and set achievable financial goals

    Identify financial habits that may be holding you back

    Make sound financial choices with greater confidence.

    BEST FOR

    People who want to improve their financial habits, get organised, and feel more in control before moving into products, investments, or regulated financial advice.

    Financial coaching is unregulated in the UK. It is about guidance, education, and confidence building, not personalised 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.

    Unless a financial planners is authorised and regulated by the FCA, they won’t recommend financial products.

    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-style guidance can help you explore goals, priorities and possible future scenarios. It does not include personal product recommendations or regulated financial advice.

  • When you're to invest or need a financial product - choose a pension, establish a trust, take out a life cover plan — you can take Independent Financial Advice (IFA).

    This is a regulated service where an adviser can recommend specific products.

    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 regulated product advice backed by consumer protection (FSCS).

    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.

Where family, children, business protection or long-term planning needs involve regulated advice, you’ll be directed to the appropriate regulated firm.

Want to find out more? Click the links below.

Financial Planning for You

Financial Planning for Little Humans

Financial Planning for Your Business

“The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments”

— Thich Nhat Hanh