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  • Podcast – When Estate Duties and Family Duties Collide

    Podcast – When Estate Duties and Family Duties Collide
    2026/08/24

    In this episode, I look at why estate planning is about much more than writing a will.

    I use a common family scenario. Dad has died and leaves everything to Mum. Their three children are executors, Mum now has dementia and lives in a care home, one child has Power of Attorney, and another still lives in the family home.

    The problem comes when Mum needs more money for care and the house may need to be sold.

    Who comes first? What should the attorney do? What happens to the child living in the property?

    This is exactly why we need to think about these issues before we lose the ability to make decisions.

    Good planning cannot cover every event, but it can give your family clear direction and help avoid serious disputes later.

    Because doing nothing is still a decision.
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    8 分
  • Podcast – Direct Cremation

    Podcast – Direct Cremation
    2026/08/12
    Welcome to a joint podcast I did with Karen Acres. You can find out more about Karen here. Karen Acres Celebrant Skip to content Direct Cremation: Cheap, Simple and Not Quite What You May Think Direct cremation has become a common choice. The adverts make it sound simple. You pay a set fee, the funeral firm collects the person who has died, the cremation takes place, and the ashes come back to the family. There is no funeral service. No large bill. No fuss. You can listen to the podcast below http://www.moneytrainers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Karen-acres-direct-cremation-podcast.mp3 For some people, this may be the right choice. But before you sign anything, you need to understand what you are buying, what you are giving up, and what other choices may be open to you. Karen works as both an ordained minister and a funeral celebrant. She leads religious and non-religious services and helps families through one of the hardest times of their lives. Our talk started with our friend Jude. Jude Wanted No Fuss Jude knew that she was dying. She had made her wishes clear and had put her paperwork in order. She had thought hard about what she wanted and did not want her friends to face a large funeral bill. Her first choice was a direct cremation. Her plan seemed simple. Her body would be collected, the cremation would take place, and her ashes would come back to the people close to her. Her friends could then get together, have a drink and remember her. She thought this would save everyone trouble. Karen was concerned. Jude had many friends and was loved by a great number of people. Karen asked her whether she had thought about the effect that having no service might have on those left behind. The answer was no. Jude had thought about the cost and the work involved. She had not thought as much about grief, saying goodbye and the needs of her friends. After a long talk, Jude chose a short attended cremation service instead. Six of us attended. The service lasted around 15 minutes. It was simple, warm and personal. It did not cost anything close to the large sums that many people expect a funeral to cost. Jude still avoided a grand funeral. But the people closest to her had the chance to say goodbye. That small change made a huge difference. What Is a Direct Cremation? A direct cremation normally means: The person who has died is collected. There is no attended funeral service. The cremation takes place without family or friends present. The ashes are returned or made ready for collection later. The low price is the main selling point. Many people choose this because they do not want to leave their family with a large bill. Others say that they do not want a fuss. Those are fair reasons. The problem is that the adverts may not explain every part of the service in enough detail. Depending on the firm and package, the family may have little say over the date, time or place of the cremation. They may also have to wait before they receive the ashes. Not all direct cremation firms work in the same way. This is why families must ask clear questions before they agree to anything. You Can Arrange a Direct Cremation Locally One of Karen’s main points was that you do not have to buy a direct cremation from a large firm that advertises on television. A local funeral director may also offer direct cremation. This may give the family more choice and more contact with someone nearby. You may be able to learn: Which crematorium will carry out the cremation. The date of the cremation. The time it will take place. When the ashes will be ready. How the ashes will be returned. Whether a short attended service is possible. Knowing the date and place can matter. Some families want to light a candle, say a prayer or simply sit together at the time of the cremation. Other families feel better knowing where the person is and what is happening. That knowledge can help with the grieving process. Direct Cremation Is Not the Only Low-Cost Choice People often think there are only two choices: A cheap direct cremation with no service. A full funeral costing several thousand pounds. There is a middle choice. A local funeral director may be able to arrange a short attended cremation at a less popular time of day. The service might last 15 or 20 minutes and include only close family and friends. You may choose to: Play one or two pieces of music. Read a short tribute. Say a prayer. Hold a quiet moment. Attend without hiring a minister or celebrant. Hold a separate memorial later. You can still keep the cost under control while giving people a chance to say goodbye. Start With Your Budget Funeral arrangements often start with a list of products and services. The funeral director explains the coffins, cars, flowers, service choices and other extras. The family then chooses from the list. Karen suggests starting the other way round. Say: “This is the money we have. What can you arrange within this budget?” A good funeral director...
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    30 分
  • Put Your Affairs in Order—and Make Life Easier for Those Left Behind – Podcast

    Put Your Affairs in Order—and Make Life Easier for Those Left Behind – Podcast
    2026/07/31
    Thinking about death is uncomfortable. Organising our finances, reviewing our will and documenting important information are jobs many of us would rather leave for another day. But getting these things in order is one of the most considerate things we can do for the people we care about.  The value of being organised I was recently involved in administering the estate of an old friend who had died a few weeks earlier. She had worked with me on my Dying to Know workshops and understood the importance of preparing properly. Her documents were organised, the necessary information was available and everything could be found in one place. As a result, dealing with her estate was remarkably straightforward—perhaps the simplest probate work I have ever undertaken. That experience reinforced an important lesson: good preparation makes an enormous difference. When somebody dies, those left behind may need to identify bank accounts, investments, property, debts, pensions, insurance policies and numerous other details. If that information is scattered, missing or inaccessible, the administrative burden can become overwhelming at a time when family and friends should be allowed to grieve. Rehearse the process One exercise included in my Dying to Know workshops is what I call a rehearsal. It involves imagining that you have died and looking at the situation from the perspective of the person who must deal with your affairs: Could they find your will? Would they know which bank accounts you hold? Could they identify your investments and pensions? Would they understand your property arrangements? Could they locate details of your debts and regular commitments? Would they know whom to contact? Could they access the documents and information they need? The exercise can reveal gaps that might otherwise remain unnoticed until it is too late to address them. This isn’t about being morbid. It is about accepting responsibility for the practical difficulties our death could create for the people we leave behind. Review your will Having a will is important, but simply having one isn’t enough. It also needs to remain accurate and appropriate. I increasingly encounter wills that are badly out of date. They may refer to people who have died, appoint executors who are no longer suitable or rely on circumstances and legislation that have since changed. Find your will and read it again. If it is held by a solicitor, ask for a copy. Check that: Your wishes are still accurately recorded Your chosen beneficiaries remain correct The executors are still willing and suitable Everybody named in the document is correctly identified Changes in your family, finances or property have been considered The document remains legally effective If anything is unclear, obtain current professional advice before making changes. It is also worth thinking carefully before automatically appointing a solicitor as an executor. Professional executors may charge the estate for their work. One alternative is to appoint trusted individuals who can later engage a solicitor if professional assistance is required. The right arrangement will depend on your circumstances, so consider the options and take appropriate advice. Take responsibility for your financial security Putting your affairs in order isn’t only about what happens after your death. It is also about creating greater security while you are alive. Governments change, legislation evolves and financial markets rise and fall. We cannot control those events, but we can take greater control of our own finances. That begins with understanding where you stand, making a plan and ensuring your money is working towards the life you want. Most of us spend a large proportion of our lives working for money. Far fewer of us regularly stop to consider how our money could be working for us. Reviewing your finances won’t remove every uncertainty, but it can leave you better prepared for whatever happens next. Make a start You don’t have to organise everything at once. Begin by locating your will, gathering your financial information and considering what somebody else would need if they had to manage your affairs tomorrow. A little preparation now could spare the people you care about a great deal of unnecessary work and distress later. Listen to the accompanying Money Trainers podcast episode for the full discussion. You can also find more information at Money Trainers
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    7 分
  • Dying to Know – Lunchtime Sessions

    Dying to Know – Lunchtime Sessions
    2026/04/06
    What this is about The Dying to Know programme focuses on planning for death and later life. It tackles the reality most people avoid: we all die and most people are not prepared. The aim is to reduce stress, confusion, and poor decisions for families. You can listen below Why it matters People delay planning because it is uncomfortable and no one shows them how it works. Result: families are left guessing, decisions are made under pressure, and outcomes often do not match the person’s wishes. Richard’s background 30+ years in financial services. Experience in estate planning, legacy planning, and financial and legal structuring. Programme developed over roughly 15 years. The core idea – “The Rehearsal” Sit down and walk through real scenarios. Example: one partner dies, what happens next? Key questions: is the will valid, where are the assets, are powers of attorney in place, have care and tax been considered? Two stages of the problem 1. Death Wills, estate planning, inheritance tax, asset visibility, gifting. 2. “Half-dead” scenarios Stroke, illness, incapacity. Who makes decisions, what treatment is wanted, DNR decisions, living will or Advance Directive. Without planning, others decide for you. What the programme does Brings together legal, financial, healthcare, and social care into one joined-up plan. Life is messy, but most people do not even attempt to organise it. Social care reality Most people will not need extensive care. Many solutions in the market overpromise and often fail. Focus is on sensible planning, not gimmicks. The Lunchtime Sessions One-hour taster sessions. Delivered in workplaces, pubs, coffee shops, or meeting rooms for small groups. Purpose: give a starting point, show how everything connects, prompt action. Covers: wills, inheritance tax, pensions, healthcare wishes, living wills, and social care basics. The Full Workshop Full-day deep dive into all planning areas. Outcome: a clear and structured plan. Key message Nobody wants to deal with this. Avoiding it creates stress, confusion, and cost. Planning gives control, reduces burden on family, and ensures wishes are followed. Next step Register interest for free lunchtime sessions or the full workshop. No sales pressure on any of these, there is nothing to buy. No magic solution offered. Final takeaway This is not about death. It is about control, clarity, and making life easier for the people you leave behind. Get in touch or visit this link Dying to Know Lunchtime Sessions Or you can read more on this substack.
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    8 分
  • Podcast : The Myth of Overnight Success

    Podcast : The Myth of Overnight Success
    2026/03/04
    Welcome to this week’s podcast. Today we are talking about overnight success. We have all heard the stories. “I bought Bitcoin at $1.” “I bought Amazon at pennies.” “I got in early and changed my life.” Yes, it happens. No, it is not normal. It is rare. You cannot rely on turning £100 into £50,000 by luck. That is not a strategy. That is a story. The Fantasy That Distracts Us These stories distort expectations. They make steady progress look dull. They make patience feel pointless. They push people into risky decisions. Overnight success is the exception. Slow compounding is the rule. What Actually Works Instead of chasing miracles, focus on what you can control. 1. Invest Consistently £5. £10. £50. Whatever you have. Modern platforms allow you to invest small amounts. The amount matters less than the habit. The key is simple: Invest regularly. Leave it alone. Let time do the work. Even 2–5% per year compounds. It is not exciting. But it works. 2. Understand Borrowing vs Investing When you borrow money: The interest works for someone else. You trade future income to repay debt. When you invest money: The returns belong to you. You build future income. Debt compounds against you. Investment compounds for you. 3. Broaden What “Investment” Means Investment is not just the stock market. You can invest in: Education Skills Health Fitness Better habits Paying for learning today can increase income later. Looking after your health now reduces future cost and stress. These are real returns. Build a Balanced Strategy If you had £1,000 to deploy, you might: Put some into long-term investments. Put some into personal development. Put some into your health. You are building assets in more than one area of your life. The goal is not overnight wealth. The goal is long-term independence. The Bigger Picture The future arrives quickly. There are no guarantees in life. But you can stack the odds in your favour. Small decisions. Repeated consistently. Over long periods of time. That is how financial strength is built. If you want practical guidance on investing, mindset and building long-term financial independence, visit: 👉 https://moneytrainers.co.uk Stop chasing lottery tickets dressed up as strategy. Because if overnight success was normal, it would not be called success. It would be called Tuesday.
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    5 分
  • Money Trainers – Late February Podcast Investment Risk: What Actually Matters (And What Doesn’t)

    Money Trainers – Late February Podcast Investment Risk: What Actually Matters (And What Doesn’t)
    2026/02/17
    In this March (it's early) episode of the Money Trainers podcast, the focus is investment risk and how people really build wealth over time. Most of us want the same outcome. More security. More freedom. And ideally, a bit of comfort along the way. The question is how we get there. How People Try to Build Wealth There are a few common routes. You can start a business. You can sell your skills as a consultant or self-employed professional. You can invest in a startup. For most people, though, wealth is built by investing in other people’s companies. Through pensions. Through ISAs. Through long-term investing in the stock market. That is where most real-world decisions are made. The Two Things That Shape Your Future If you want to improve your future position, two things matter more than most. 1. Debt Debt pulls money from your future income. Some debt is useful. Borrowing to buy something that may rise in value, like a home, can make sense. Borrowing to buy things that fall in value, like cars, usually does not. Understanding what your debt is really costing you is a key part of planning. 2. Inflation Inflation quietly erodes your money. At 3 percent inflation, your buying power drops every year. Cash in the bank may feel safe, but after tax and inflation, it often stands still or goes backwards. Doing nothing is still a decision. Why Markets Matter Companies own real things. Buildings. Stock. Processes. Intellectual property. Because of this, stock markets tend to rise with inflation over the long term. That does not mean markets only go up. They fall. They stall. They sometimes stay down for years. This is why time matters. Investing for decades is very different from investing for months. Time Changes Everything Your age and time horizon shape your risk. If you are in your 20s or 30s, you have time. You can ride out market falls. You can think long term. If you are in your 50s or 60s, the focus changes. Shorter timeframes matter. Reducing volatility matters. At some point, you start moving from investing to spending. There is no single correct answer. Only what fits your situation. Risk Is Not the Enemy Markets will fall. Inflation will rise and fall. Governments will change policy. That is normal. The real risk is not understanding what you are doing or why you are doing it. Once you understand the basics, investing becomes less frightening and more manageable. These are not life-or-death decisions. Even if they sometimes feel like it. The Takeaway Wealth building is not about clever tricks. It is about time, balance, and expectations. Cash has flexibility, but inflation risk. Markets offer growth, but volatility. The key is knowing why you are choosing one over the other. Call to Action If any of this feels unclear, or you are unsure how it applies to your own situation, help is available. You can find out more about me and the wider Money Trainers project at: 👉 MoneyTrainers.co.uk More podcasts and practical guidance are coming. Get in touch below if you need some help on this.
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    8 分
  • Podcast : Bitcoin, my humble view

    Podcast : Bitcoin, my humble view
    2026/02/13
    Bitcoin Falls, Crypto Volatility and Sensible Asset Allocation 1. Why I’m Talking About This Recent falls in Bitcoin and other digital currencies have triggered questions. Whenever markets drop, people get nervous. When markets rise, people get greedy. Both emotions are dangerous. 2. My Position on Crypto I am not anti-crypto. But I am not a cheerleader either. There is clearly a sector that believes digital coins have a future role as currency or store of value. The issue is how they are marketed. They are often presented as: A hedge against inflation A way to preserve wealth A guaranteed long-term winner That is a stretch. 3. Inflation and the “Store of Value” Argument Inflation reduces the value of cash. True. But inflation often pushes up the value of: Property Company revenues Physical assets Intellectual property Labour costs When you buy shares, you buy into all of that. You own a small slice of a real business. If you own a Tesco share, you own part of the land, the building, the stock, the brand, the car park. You own the mortar in the wall. That is tangible value generation. Crypto does not give you ownership of underlying productive assets. It relies entirely on future demand. 4. Speculation Is Speculation This applies to: Bitcoin Other digital currencies Gold Silver Shares In every case you are saying: “I am buying this now because I believe I can sell it for more later.” That belief may be right. It may be wrong. There are no guarantees. 5. Learn Before You Leap If you are thinking about crypto: Understand how it works. It is not the same as: Buying shares Holding an ISA Owning property Keeping money in a bank Wallets, exchanges, custody risk, regulation, volatility. It is a different ecosystem. If you do not understand what you own, you should not own it. 6. Asset Allocation Still Applies The basic rules do not change. You do not put all your eggs in one basket. We do not know: Which country will outperform Which sector will lead Which asset will surge next So we spread risk. A sensible framework: No more than 10% of your portfolio in high-volatility assets such as: Crypto Commodities So £10 out of every £100. If it trebles, great. If it halves, it is painful but not catastrophic. That is discipline. 7. The Real Issue The danger is not crypto itself. The danger is concentration. Overconfidence. Overexposure. Emotional decision-making. That is how people blow up portfolios. 8. Final Thought Crypto may have a place. But it is not a magic shield against inflation. It is not a guaranteed wealth machine. It is one asset class among many. Balance beats bravado. Questions? Get in touch.
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    4 分
  • Dying to Know: Why Checking the Basics Now Saves Chaos Later

    Dying to Know: Why Checking the Basics Now Saves Chaos Later
    2026/02/10
    In this episode of the Money Trainers podcast, the focus is on Dying to Know and why planning for the end of life cannot be left on autopilot. Traditionally, the Dying to Know workshops are aimed at people who may be five to ten years from the end of life. They cover the practical foundations that need to be in place early. Wills. Estate planning. Trusts. Powers of attorney. Alongside the paperwork, they also deal with the human side of things. Wishes. Rehearsals. Conversations families tend to avoid. Because most people assume there is plenty of time. There usually is. Until there isn’t. One recurring issue that shows up again and again in probate work is outdated or poorly reviewed wills. Documents written decades ago. Executors who have died. Beneficiaries who no longer exist. Solicitors and advisers who disappeared years earlier. All left untouched because reviewing a will feels uncomfortable and easy to postpone. The cost of that delay is rarely paid by the person who wrote the will. It lands on the executors. Often their adult children. To help address this, a practical wills tip sheet has been created as part of the Dying to Know programme. It acts as a simple checklist. Is the will signed correctly? Are the beneficiaries still alive? Does the charity still exist? Are the executors appropriate? Where is the document actually stored? This is not theory. These missing details are what turn straightforward estates into long, stressful messes. The podcast also introduces the idea of rehearsal. Sitting down as a family and walking through what would actually happen if someone died tomorrow. Where is the paperwork? Who knows the passwords? Is there a funeral plan? What is missing? The aim is not to be morbid. It is to remove uncertainty while there is still time to fix it. The Dying to Know approach is about facing reality calmly, reducing burden on family members, and making sure the basics are in place before they are needed. The Wills Tip Sheet is currently available free of charge. You can download it from the Shop section using the voucher code provided. It is a PDF checklist designed to help you review what exists and spot what is missing. Updates are sent only when the document changes. No spam. No nonsense. Visit MoneyTrainers.co.uk/store to download the guide.
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    5 分