In 1987, British popstar Rick Astley released his hit single ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’, which would see the singer cement his place in the annals of music history and return him to cultural relevance decades later with the surge of “Rickrolling” across the internet.
The viral prank saw Astley’s earworm gain a second life and etched his six famous promises into young minds everywhere.
1980s pop might not seem like the obvious place to look for financial advice, but the chorus to ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ provides simple guidance towards the kind of financial planner you should seek.
1. ‘Never gonna give you up’ — A trusted financial planner works to foster a long-term relationship
A quality financial planner puts you first and solutions second. They work to foster a mutually beneficial relationship and don’t seek to make quick gains or decisions that aren’t aligned with your goals.
Financial planning benefits from a long-term perspective. At Grey Parrot, we think in years and decades — we want to be with you throughout your journey.
One of the first steps is working out the best way to get you there.
This can involve a range of tools, such as:
- Cashflow modelling
- Evidence-based investment strategies
- Using financial products such as pensions, ISAs, mortgages, and protection.
Utilising these tools, and tailoring them so they suit your needs, allows us to develop a road map to help you navigate challenges in the short term — and ensure you reach your long-term goals.
2. ‘Never gonna let you down’ — A trusted financial planner works in your best interests
Can you ever imagine your financial adviser telling you to stop investing? Well, at Grey Parrot that’s our number one goal.
Hear us out!
Traditionally financial advisers earn more money when their clients increase the size of their investments due to percentage-based fees. Our fixed fee approach means we aren’t incentivised to drive you to take greater risks in search of sizeable gains.
Our fees only increase if your needs change and there’s more work for us to do on your behalf.
This means that we can turn around to you when the time is right and say: “You have enough. Stop investing. Spend your money”.
Research from Royal London shows that 72% of over-55s consider experiences to be more important than material possessions. Working with a financial planner you trust removes the weight of money worries from your shoulders and allows you to focus on getting the most out of your life.
3. ‘Never gonna run around and desert you’ — A trusted financial planner communicates and checks in regularly
A good financial planner knows that your dreams and goals are the foundations of any plan, and that understanding your background and concerns is a crucial step before any actions take place.
At Grey Parrot, we understand the importance of this step. It’s why “you first, solutions second” is a core part of our ethos.
We do this through frequent communication, not just at the beginning of a relationship but throughout. This is so both client and adviser get to know each other well, and an honest, transparent dynamic is established. We want your trust, and we will work hard to gain it.
In Astley’s words, we are “never gonna run around and desert you”. Our client journey involves regular check-ins, meetings, and annual reviews so that we can adapt your plan to your changing circumstances and work to help you meet your long-term goals.
4. ‘Never gonna make you cry’ — A trusted financial planner provides emotional support
One of the great advantages of working with a financial planner you trust over the long term is that it can provide emotional benefits, not just financial ones.
A study by Royal London showed that, out of individuals who sought professional advice, those who knew their advisers well were more confident about the future, felt less anxious about their finances, and felt more financially secure and stable, as displayed by the graphic below.
Source: Royal London
The data shows that individuals who received advice from an adviser they knew well and trusted felt better about outcomes across the board.
5. ‘Never gonna say goodbye’ — A trusted financial planner won’t abandon you during market instability
Over periods of 10, 20, or 30 years, there are likely to be short-term market downturns. At Grey Parrot, we develop a plan that accounts for these periods and helps you to stay on track to meet your long-term objectives.
This means that if your investments are adversely affected by short-term instability, your adviser isn’t going to jump ship. Instead, we will be there to help you understand any issues, calm any worries, and make sure you feel reassured about the bigger picture.
Our approach involves patient, evidence-based investing decisions that seek to reduce your associated costs and risk exposure, while ensuring you still achieve the level of growth needed to reach your long-term goals.
6. ‘Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you’ — A trusted financial planner is fair, honest, and transparent
Ultimately, developing a beneficial, trusting relationship with your financial planner needs a degree of honesty, transparency, and a fair approach.
At Grey Parrot, we achieve through several means, including:
- Taking the time to get to know your story, worries, and dreams before making any plans
- Clear and regular communication that ensures you’re always aware of the progress you are making towards your ambitions
- A passive investing approach that allows you to easily account for the state of your investments at any time
- A fixed-fee charging policy, which means the amount you pay is equivalent to the work you receive.
Rick Astley’s 80s anthem might be a bit cheesy and has probably earned him a fair bit of flack over the years. However, decades later those pop promises are still ringing out of speakers worldwide and quietly putting away a few extra pennies for Mr Astley’s retirement.
Get in touch
If you have any concerns about your financial plans and how to successfully navigate any short-term instability, seeking professional advice is a good potential first step.
We can help you stay on course towards your long-term goals, so reach out and contact us, either by email at info@grey-parrot.co.uk or by calling us at 02039 871782.
Please note
This article is no substitute for financial advice and should not be treated as such. To determine the best course of action for your individual circumstances, please contact us.
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