Well I suppose I certainly don’t like the alternative!
I know I have said it before, but I’ll say it again, doesn’t time fly?!
Well it does and it has, and here we are at the end of another year.
In many ways the end of 2011 is very much the same as 2010. Lots of bad news around the world and in our neck of the woods, Fund Managers having their high costs exposed and Banks being fined for appalling advice given to the elderly and vulnerable.
Proper Financial Planning is becoming a bit more mainstream, with The Institute of Financial Planning banging their drum to let people know that such a thing as comprehensive planning exists.
Thinking about my clients, for many there are big challenges ahead, with many earning a bit less and being taxed a bit more.
For some, certainly dentists, the paperwork and new regulation that seems to endlessly appear are a real disincentive, although they quite often enjoy the dentistry itself.
It’s also always interesting when a client calls me to say that they want to retire earlier or slow down a bit and can I remind them of the impact on their pension.
Then there was one last month who called to catch up and announced that in his early forties he was going to be a dad again. I think a revisit to their goals in life is due!
On a personal note, my parents are now 80 and are definitely slowing down further. Then there was the phone call from Len the other week. Len was my best man when I got married and we have known each other for 42 years.
He has been in a relationship with a lady called Jackie since his early twenties and last year they decided to get married.
They love cruising and so they got the Captain to marry them in mid ocean. They were really enjoying their lives together.
Len told me that Jackie was dying.
Diagnosed with cancer very late as there were few symptoms, Jackie went into hospital and then very quickly a hospice where she passed away last week.
Of course ,I am sure many of you have had experiences such as this, but it is a constant reminder to me that it is vital to enjoy life NOW, and not put doings things off for ‘when I retire and have more time’.
Age 54 is no age to go. God bless you Jackie.
I write this the day before her funeral, and the Juxtaposition of life struck me when I wrote the date down in my diary as tonight I take my daughter to a Pantomime, and know that I will be laughing my socks off and will love seeing Charlotte enjoying herself.
Yet the next day will be about tears of sadness, people dressed in black, and trying to help Len come to terms with the loss of his wife.
Work Related Matters
We have long awaited the final details of The Hutton Report on Public Sector Pensions reform and particularly how it will affect the NHS Scheme.
Well, the week before Christmas it appears that there is progress being made and we will be writing about this in the New Year.
So, I’m off to put another log on the fire, and to try not to make a mess of wrapping a few presents.
Ray and I wish you a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.
