You’ve got a financial adviser on your side; great move. But here’s a question worth paying attention to: are you getting the most out of that relationship? Like a good GP or personal trainer, your adviser can only work with the information you give them. The better the input, the sharper the outcome.
This certainly isn’t about turning you into some kind of spreadsheet wizard, it’s about making sure your goals, worries, and big life changes don’t get lost in the shuffle.
Update Your Adviser Like You’d Update Your Doctor
If you had a major operation or a new diagnosis, you’d tell your doctor. Your adviser needs the same heads-up when something big shifts in your life.
Have you changed jobs? Started helping the kids with house deposits? Thinking about downsizing? These events might not feel “financial” at first glance, but they ripple into everything from pension strategy to IHT planning.
A quick email or call is all it takes. You don’t need all the answers, that’s our job, but keeping us in the loop means your financial plan keeps pace with your life.
Ask Better Questions, Get Better Advice
A good adviser will always walk you through the essentials. But if you want to supercharge those conversations, come armed with a few smart questions.
Try:
- “Is there anything I should be doing before the end of the tax year?”
- “Are my investments still appropriate for my goals?”
- “If I want to retire earlier than planned, what would need to change?”
- “Do I have any protection gaps I’m not seeing?”
This isn’t about grilling us. It’s about giving yourself the best chance of spotting opportunities, before they pass you by.
Be Honest About the Wobbles
We all have them. Maybe the markets spooked you. Maybe a big bill knocked your confidence. Maybe retirement feels scarier than it used to.
None of these are problems to hide. They’re exactly the kind of things you should bring up. Your adviser isn’t here to judge; we’re here to help you find stability, adjust the plan if needed, and remind you what the long-term picture really looks like.
Check the Clock: Are You Reviewing Often Enough?
For most clients, once a year is a good rhythm. But if your circumstances are changing quickly, more regular check-ins can make a big difference.
This doesn’t mean a full-blown annual review every quarter. Sometimes a 20-minute catch-up is enough to realign things and make sure no time-sensitive allowances or opportunities are missed.
If you’re not sure whether your current cadence is still working for you, ask. It’s easy to adjust.
Use the Tools, Don’t Just File Them Away
Your adviser likely provides more than just the review meeting. Think of all the other support you have access to, client portals, ISA and pension tracking, tax-year checklists, calculators, insights.
We know life gets busy, and not everyone has time to read every market update. But even five minutes with the right tool can give you a sharper understanding of where you are and what to do next.
If you’re not sure what tools are available to you, or what’s worth using, ask your adviser for a quick run-through.
Great Advice Needs Great Inputs
You don’t need to become a financial expert to get the most from your adviser. You just need to be open, proactive, and a little curious.
It’s a partnership. And like any great partnership, the more you put into it, the more you get out.
📞 Want to check in or book your next review? Give us a call on 020 8366 4400 or email enquiries@cedarhfs.co.uk, we’re always here to help.