A day in the life...

Monday, 19th May 2008 09:40 - by Resident IFA

It is just before 9am as I settle down to write this – the calm before the storm. I call it a ‘storm’ in the sense of a very busy and diverse day to come. Those who read this Blog regularly know that I am an IFA (Independent Financial Adviser) by profession, helping with lse.co.uk when time allows. The ‘day job’ is busy enough on its own, today being a prime example. 7.45 – Leave home. 8.30am – Arrive at lse to, amongst other tasks, write this! 10.45 – Leave for the local Hospital to make my first ‘Making the most of your money’ presentation on behalf of the Financial Services Authority (FSA). 12pm – Make said presentation. Wish me luck! 1.30 – Back at lse to write more site content. 3.10 – Walk to a local Hotel to meet with an Estate Planner. This is potentially a great source of business for an IFA, the lady mainly dealing with estates worth £5M or more. She needs to work with someone she can trust to not let her down or reflect badly upon her. It is the same when I make a referral to i.e. a General Insurance Broker or Commercial Mortgage Broker. 4.45 – Back at lse to speak with the developers/administrators to ensure the site is running smoothly. 6 - Back to the car park for the drive to one of the surrounding villages to talk with a gentleman about his retirement and annuity (income) purchase in approximately 12 months time. Who knows what other financial topics we may touch upon? That’s what makes my job so interesting – no two people or financial situations are the same. 8 – A good guess at what time I should be home. No rest for the wicked! I can’t pretend this is an absolutely typical day as I am usually at my normal office, the appointments and duties not coming as thick and fast, more a case of battling mounds of paper instead! As an aside in relation to my 6pm appointment, the Financial Mail recently launched a campaign to promote greater awareness of annuity options at retirement. I whole-heartedly condone and support this, writing more on this anon. Until next time...