Why I prefer conversations over fancy tech

Let’s face it—financial planning can be a dry topic. When you start throwing around words like “compound interest,” “asset allocation,” or “diversification,” most people’s eyes start to glaze over.

So, while I could fill meetings with charts, graphs, and spreadsheets, I’ve found that connecting through stories and relatable examples works so much better.

Over the years, I’ve learned that real, impactful financial advice doesn’t come from complex solutions, snazzy software or the latest tech; it comes from meaningful conversations. 

I’ve spent a good chunk of my career navigating life across different countries. I’ve lived in the UK, South Africa, and now, France, where I get to spend mornings enjoying a coffee and croissant while watching my chickens peck around the garden. My stories (and the chickens) have become a bit of a signature in my online presence, especially on LinkedIn.

It might seem silly, but sharing snippets of my life—whether it’s a story from growing up in Wigan or a nugget of wisdom from my weekly “Chicken Tuesday” posts—helps me make the complex, often intimidating world of finance more approachable for clients.

Why stories matter more than software

When you think about it, financial decisions are deeply personal. It’s not just about numbers and forecasts; it’s about what you want from life. Maybe you’re planning to buy your dream home, preparing for retirement, or trying to provide a solid financial foundation for your children.

These aren’t just financial goals—they’re life goals. Life goals are best begun through conversations, not with charts generated by fancy tech. (that can come later!)

I often use analogies to bring financial concepts down to earth. Just like how my chickens have a daily rhythm, needing food, shelter, and care, your financial plans need nurturing too. If you ignore them, you won’t get the results you hope for. Financial planning is a lot like tending to a garden; with the right care and attention, it can flourish. But if you neglect it, things start to go wrong. It’s these kinds of relatable examples that make complex ideas click (or cluck…) in a way that software can’t.

By grounding financial planning in real-life examples and our shared stories, we are more likely to understand, trust, and follow through on the advice. Conversations build connections, and connections build trust. 

When our clients see the real-world application of financial principles through stories or analogies, they feel less overwhelmed and are more likely to engage actively in their financial journey.

There’s something refreshing about stepping away from the jargon and letting a story do the heavy lifting. Clients don’t need to understand every technical detail of a financial product to make a sound decision—they just need to understand the bigger picture. 

When I share stories from my own life, whether it’s about growing up in Wigan, watching Liverpool FC play, or tales of my girls and I exploring a new village on a Saturday morning, clients see the person behind the planner. They’re more likely to feel comfortable, ask questions, and come to me with concerns. 

And ultimately, that’s what financial planning should be about: a relationship built on trust, understanding, and a shared vision.

It’s easy to get lost in the complexities of financial planning. But at the end of the day, it’s about helping clients build a life of security, opportunity, and freedom. Fancy tech and software have their place, and I do use them to keep things efficient and accurate. But they don’t replace the value of a heartfelt conversation, an engaging story, or a moment of shared understanding.

If you’re new to financial planning or if you feel intimidated by the process, let’s have a chat. No jargon, no overwhelming spreadsheets—just a genuine conversation about what matters to you. 

And remember, there’s always a way to make your financial journey a little lighter and more meaningful. Let’s make wealth management feel less like a math class and more like a conversation between friends.

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Living here in the beautiful Tarn countryside of France, life has a rhythm of its own. Every morning, as the sun spills over the rolling