Thoughts


Under the title of 'Ties are optional', Les Conway shares his thoughts about what’s going on in the World and how it can affect and impact your lifestyle and finances. Feel free to sign up here to subscribe to receive. And remember that these articles are the opinions of the author, Les Conway of Essentially Financial Limited, and are not endorsed or necessarily shared by Flying Colours Advice Limited.

What does it look like when it’s done

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 3rd of July 2024

In the popular UK television series ‘Grand Designs’, individuals embark on ambitious architectural projects. Turning unique and often challenging visions into the home of their dreams.
 
The process involves extensive planning, budgeting and problem-solving. Where the homeowner works closely with architects and builders, balancing creative ambitions with practical constraints.
 
A common challenge is that the homeowners often have difficulty articulating what their new home will look like. As they find it challenging, putting the image in their ...


Wealth isn’t health but health is wealth

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 5th of June 2024

This phrase was one that my Personal Trainer (yes, I have one), said to me some weeks ago. Serving as a poignant reminder of the intrinsic value of well-being over materialism.

While financial stability is undoubtedly crucial, prioritising our health yields long-term dividends that money cannot buy. In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to become ensnared in the pursuit of monetary ambition, at the expense of our health.

Stressful work environments, sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary habits often accompany the quest for financial prosp...


Time is money, but money doesn’t buy time

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 1st of May 2024

The adage ‘time is money’ is well known. Which we know is often regarded as the most precious of all commodities. What is not well known however, is it is intricately linked to lifestyle financial planning, where money can be earned, invested and spent. But time remains finite and irreplaceable.

The concept underscores the importance of efficiency and productivity. In managing an individual’s finances. Where delaying, can represent a potential loss in earnings or opportunities for wealth accumulation. Prudent lifestyle financial planning in...


What I learnt from my dentist

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 3rd of April 2024

We all experience stresses from time to time. Where during a recent client meeting, I broke a tooth. Fortunately, my dentist was able to fit me in swiftly.
 
I’ve had a phobia about going to the dentist since I was young. But my current surgery are as professional as I would expect, and always make me feel at ease.
 
Whilst waiting for the anaesthetic to take effect (where I had three injections), my dentist was keeping me in conversation. About topics we both love, to ease my anxiety. Prior to the endurance of the next hour and a quarter, to re...

If You Can See It, You Can Be It

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 6th of March 2024

Visualisation is a powerful tool that transcends mere wishful thinking. When individuals can vividly picture their desired lifestyle for example. Whether it be a comfortable retirement, a dream home or a globetrotting adventure.
 
But when they strategically plan, they are more likely to make informed financial decisions. To turn those visions into reality.
 
The process of lifestyle financial planning involves aligning one’s financial objectives, with personal values and aspirations. Where the planning plays a pivotal role. Acting as the fo...


How did grunts become words?

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 7th of February 2024

Human communication has come a long way from primitive grunts to the intricate tapestry of language we use today.
 
The earliest form of communication was likely comprised of simple grunts and gestures. Serving basic needs and expressing primal emotions. Over time, as human societies evolved, so did the need for more nuanced communication. This led to the development of language. Enabling individuals to convey complex ideas, share knowledge and strengthen social bonds.
 
The transition from grunts to words was a gradual process. Driven by th...


As they’re often referred, we all experience lightbulb moments from time to time. Sometimes related to circumstance. And sometimes in respect of moving through the lifecycle.
 
Regardless, different things carry different levels of importance in our lives. And at particular times compared to others. Things happen for the good and the bad and our priorities change for lots of different reasons.
 
We all have a lifestyle. And one that we in general, want at the very least to maintain. Or even perhaps improve upon.
 
Being individuals, mine will diff...

Nothing lasts forever

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 6th of December 2023

One of the few things that has stayed with me from my school days, was something that one teacher used to say of ‘nothing lasts forever’. This is so true and applies in so many forms.

I’ve also heard it said by others, that we only have so many days that we’re given as a privilege to be on this planet. Which means that we have to live life to the full, as much as we can.

From a lifestyle financial planning perspective specifically, it’s about adopting a truly life-centred approach. That can really be appreciated and valued. Where we focus ...


Many years ago, I came across this phrase. Another more recently of ‘No one ever teaches you how to become a parent, but you learn how to get it right just as they leave home’.
 
We are all different and people are not all wired the same. Ultimately, it’s about us as humans. Where we think differently about numerous things. From one person to the next. But by providing guidance, advice and support has got to be the key contributor that we can offer to others.
 
We live in a very mixed up and confused world. Where with the evolution of the human ...

Sometimes, when life hands you lemons, you have to make lemonade

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 4th of October 2023

An interesting phrase. Which was something that caught my attention some weeks ago.
 
Where after not having the best World Athletic Championships due to a mystery problem, I heard Dina Asher-Smith say in a post-race interview on the BBC, ‘Sometimes, when life hands you lemons, you have to make lemonade’. Where she ‘vowed to hit back’ and ‘and still feels that she has belief, ahead of next year’s Paris Olympics’.
 
But what on earth did she mean?
 
Well, being the age I am I had to look it up. Where Wikipedia tells me that it’s a proverbial phrase...

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