Who should use a financial planner?

There is a widely held misconception that you have to be wealthy to work with a financial planner. But the truth is that we all have finances, and we all want our money to work as hard as possible for us, both today and for our future – especially if we don’t want to have to work until we drop! We explore the range of people we help to have confidence in their financial future, as well as some key life milestones that should prompt you to use a financial planner if you’re not already doing so.

Who should use a financial planner?

Many people think financial planners are only for the wealthy. But that simply isn't true. If you have income, outgoings, aspirations, and concerns about the future, you have a reason to build a financial plan. Yet, according to the Advice Gap’s 2025 report¹ , just 9% of UK adults received regulated financial advice in the last two years, while 91% hadn’t paid for any financial advice.

Much of this stems from misunderstanding. The report found that over half of consumers don’t know how much wealth they need to access advice, with many incorrectly believing it’s only worth it if they have over £250,000 in investable assets. But in truth, anyone can benefit from a well-structured, personal financial plan.

The reality is that the earlier you start, the better. Small decisions made early in life, like starting to save or contribute to a pension, can have a significant impact on your future financial resilience. The latest Money and Pensions Service survey² found that many UK adults are still disengaged, with 80% of defined contribution pension savers never having thought seriously about how much they should be contributing. Though many of us are not willing to pay for financial advice, a poll by Skipton Building Society³ found that 61% had been given financial advice by a friend in the pub. While 40% refused to act on this advice, one in four invested in stocks and one in five admitted investing in cryptocurrencies based on the advice of a friend.

However, despite the advice of friends given with the best of intentions, more of us are feeling financially overwhelmed, and with 11.9 million (22%) of U.K. adults stating that they felt overwhelmed and stressed by their finances⁴ - 18% of whom stated that they had fallen into debt, because they did not want to deal with difficult financial situations - it seems that the current tactic of burying our heads in the sand cannot continue much longer.

A financial planner can help you build a bespoke strategy that fits your life goals and evolves with your circumstances. Whether you’re planning your next step or protecting your family’s future, it’s never too early or too late to take control.

What are the benefits of using a financial planner?

Working with a financial planner offers peace of mind and a clear strategy for your future. Benefits include:

• Clarity on your goals: Understand what you want from life, and how your money can help you achieve it.
• Confidence in your decisions: Make informed choices about everything from pensions to property.
• A tailored strategy: No two people are the same, and your financial plan should reflect your unique needs.
• A long-term Partner: A good planner will adjust your strategy as life changes, helping you stay on track.
• Less financial stress: With a clear plan in place, many people find they feel more in control and less anxious. In 2024, 40% of adults with credit or loans said they suffer from anxiety and stress because of their debt.⁴

What key life milestones make it particularly important to use a financial planner?

Some moments in life should serve as natural prompts to seek professional advice. These include:

• Buying a house: Understand how much you can afford and protect your future with the right mortgage strategy.
• Getting married: Plan as a couple, from joint budgeting to protecting each other with specialist insurance.
• Having a baby: Consider costs like childcare, education and potential career breaks.
• Getting a major promotion: Make your salary work harder with efficient investment and tax planning.
• Being made redundant: Manage payouts and explore your options with expert support.
• Getting divorced: Ensure your financial interests are protected and plan for your new future.
• Turning 50: A key moment to get serious about retirement planning.
• Preparing for retirement: Make the most of your pension savings and understand your withdrawal options.

Who does Amanda Redman Financial Planning help?

We support clients across the Southeast, including Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Bromley, Crawley, Brighton, and throughout Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Essex and Greater London. Thanks to online consultations, we also work with clients across the UK.

While we offer financial planning for people from all walks of life; from artists to accountants, we specialise in helping clients with more complex needs, including:

• High Net Worths: With tailored tax-efficient wealth management strategies.
• Professionals preparing for retirement: Who want clarity and confidence as they approach the next chapter.
• Professionals starting out: Building good habits from the outset.
• Business owners: Especially those looking to plan their exit and realise the full value of their life’s work.
• Divorcees: Rebuilding financial independence with clarity and control.
• Retirees: Looking to manage their income and pass wealth to the next generation.

What specialist advice does Amanda Redman Financial Planning provide?

Our services cover every aspect of your financial life – from investment planning to retirement planning, protection planning, and intergenerational wealth management.

We also offer specialist services for more complex needs, including:

• Advanced Tax and Investment Planning: Helping you minimise liabilities while growing wealth.
• Trust and Estate Planning: Ensuring your legacy is passed on according to your wishes.
• Offshore Investments: Strategic solutions for international assets.
• Pension Fund Analysis: In-depth reviews of existing pensions.
• Self-Invested Personal Pension Plans (SIPPs): For holding commercial property or company shares.
• Income Drawdown: Managing income in retirement
• Protection Panel: Life, critical illness and disability cover tailored to your needs.
• Specialist Insurance: Cover for high-value property and businesses.
• Portfolio Management: Ongoing support to keep your investments aligned with your goals.

A good financial planner helps you feel more in control, less stressed, and better prepared for whatever life throws your way.

If you would like to work with an expert, regulated, collaborative financial planner, we are happy to offer an initial no-obligation consultation – call 01732 449 799 to book your appointment.

Based in Tonbridge and West Sussex, Amanda Redman Financial Planning supports clients across Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Greater London.

The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. Tax relief is dependent on individual circumstances.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Please note that advice with regard to exit strategy planning may involve the referral to a service that is separate and distinct to those offered by St. James's Place.

Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Although the content of the article was correct at the time of writing, the accuracy of the information should not be relied upon, as it may have been subject to subsequent tax, legislative or event changes.

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1. The Advice Gap 2025, the Lang Cat, June 2025 https://thelangcat.co.uk/report/the-advice-gap-2025/
2. MoneyView 2025 Technical Report, MaPS, June 2025, https://maps.org.uk/en/media-centre/financial-wellbeing-blog/2023-financial-wellbeing-blogs/how-we-developed-the-financial-fitness-tool
3. Skipton Building Society, November 2024 – Poll of 2,000 UK adults carried out by OnePoll
4. Financial Lives 2024, FCA, May 2025, https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/research/financial-lives-2024-key-findings.pdf