Worldwide Financial Planning

The vast majority (75-90 per cent) of doctor visits are for stress related health issues. Over 70 per cent of us recognise finance as the number one stress in our lives. That is no surprise of course and given that somehow all school topics take greater priority in education than money, it’s ok to feel a bit overwhelmed.

Despite the ECB’s efforts to calm expectations of an early rate cut, weak economic data sustained hopes of a cut in the spring. The Japanese central bank is aiming for the same 2% inflation target but is coming from the opposite direction as it tries to shake persistently low inflation.

There is often shame attached to ‘mismanagement’ of money and the bills mount up, eventually becoming overwhelming. Its normal, its common, but we need to act. Every step in the right direction is an internal sign of hope, whether its debt, investments, or pensions. And trust me, it’s ok and normal to be overwhelmed.

Equities and bonds have given back a little more of their recent bumper gains as some investors consider whether enthusiasm for rate cuts is overdone. However, market movements this week seem to be more about timing than the overall picture.

Look at the financial situation in front of you first and simplify it. Clean it up and apply the correct consistent disciplines. Trust me, taking care of the pennies means the pounds will take care of themselves, as my late mother always advised.