Calum J. Levy - Independent Financial Adviser

05/11/2025

This morning I saw a lady step off the bus today… and carefully hop over three drains.

I don’t know her story. Maybe she grew up hearing about the superstition similar to stepping on cracks; maybe it’s just a habit; or maybe it gives her a tiny sense of control in an unpredictable world.

It made me pause. Every person we pass has their own little routines, fears, hopes, and superstitions. A whole life we’ll never fully see. That sense of sonder is humbling.

It also reminded me of financial behaviour. We all carry habits, beliefs, or fears around money, avoiding some things, chasing others, often without stopping to question why. Why do I do this? Why do I fear this? Why do I believe this?

Much of it starts long before we even realise.

We've all seen the Barclays advert by now, surely? Our relationship with money begins at age 7! Our first lessons about money from our parents, schools, and experiences shape how we think about earning, spending, saving and investing. - The nervous excitement of receiving pocket money, the shame of being told “we can’t afford that,” the pride in saving for something special; all of it quietly builds a blueprint for how we handle money as adults.

Understanding that blueprint is the first step. Just like noticing someone’s little habits on the street, reflecting on our own patterns; the fears and beliefs we carry, it helps us make conscious, intentional choices rather than repeating inherited behaviours.

The lesson? Awareness matters. Understanding the “why” behind our choices is just as important as the choices themselves.

29/08/2025

Does this have to go on my gifts and inducements register? 🙄

Blessed to have the best clients in the world, and to be able to help them achieve their dreams!

It's going to be a good weekend!

17/05/2025

🛑 UNDER 40? NO STATE PENSION FOR YOU.

Yep. You read that right.

If you're under 40, there's a real chance the State Pension won’t exist by the time you hit retirement.
Not in the same way your parents or grandparents have it.
Not at the same age.
Not at the same amount.

The system is under pressure. People are living longer. Fewer workers, more retirees.

And the government knows it! They're quietly pushing the goalposts further every few years, and flooding the mainstream with pension adverts, I'm sure you've noticed

So here’s the question:

If the State Pension doesn’t show up… what’s your plan B?

📈 Are you building your own retirement pot?
🏡 Buying a rental property?
📚 Learning how investing works?

Because here’s the truth:
If you start early enough, even with a small amount, time will do most of the work for you. You just need a plan and someone to help you stick to it.

That’s where I come in.

💬 Drop me a message.

Let’s work out how to turn your income today into freedom tomorrow.



Excaliber Associates is directly authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA No. 476748

This post is for information purposes only and should not be considered personal financial advice. Investments carry risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may not get back what you invest. Past performance is not a guide to future results. The availability and structure of the State Pension is subject to change by the government.

25/04/2025

Helping you make your money — and your business — work just that little bit harder.

Whether it’s setting up a company pension, consolidating personal pensions, or just making sure your life cover actually suits your life — small steps can have a big impact.

Over the last month or so, I’ve had the pleasure of supporting some brilliant people through some pretty important decisions. I’m incredibly grateful for the kind words they’ve shared — here’s a snippet of what they had to say:

📣 “Calum was professional, approachable, and incredibly knowledgeable... He tailored a seamless, cost-effective pension solution for our business and made a complex process feel easy.”

📣 “He helped me consolidate multiple pensions with ease... crafted a tailored plan that gave me real peace of mind. I genuinely feel more confident about my financial future.”

📣 “Outstanding service and expert financial advice... His knowledge, professionalism, and clear advice made everything so much easier.”

📣 “He had fantastic knowledge of the market and provided me with a range of options... I’ll definitely be using his services again.”

Don't believe me? Check for yourself: https://g.co/kgs/kv19nZe

🙏 Massive thanks to those who took the time to leave a review — it really means a lot.

If you’re thinking about sorting your finances — whether for your business, your retirement, or your peace of mind — I’d love to help.

📩 Drop me a message or let’s have a no-pressure chat about where you’re at.

26/03/2025

Grateful to our local clients for thinking of us whilst we prepare to wrap our heads around changes we're due to see today!

What do you reckon is coming in Rachel Reeves' 'Spring Statement'?

17/03/2025

💡 Turn £800 into £5,500 – The Little-Known Loophole That Disappears in 2025!

🧐 Most people don’t realise this...
The government is allowing you to top up missing National Insurance years from 2006 to 2016, which could massively boost your State Pension. For a one-off payment of around £800, you could gain up to £5,500 over the course of retirement.

✅ Are you a man born after 6 April 1951?
✅ Are you a woman born after 6 April 1953?
✅ Do you think you have missing National Insurance (NI) contributions from 2006 to 2016?

This unbeatable opportunity allows you to buy back missing NI years to boost your State Pension.

💷 Cost to buy back a full year's credit: Around £824
📈 Potential increase to your pension: £275 per year
🏁 Over 20 years of retirement: That's up to £5,500 extra in your pocket!

🎯 How to check if this works for you:
1️⃣ Check your NI record: gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record
2️⃣ Contact the Future Pension Centre to see how much your pension could increase: gov.uk/future-pension-centre
3️⃣ Make voluntary contributions before 5 April 2025 - it is important to take financial advice first!

✅ This is one of the best returns on investment out there right now — and most people don’t even know about it.

⚠️ Don't miss out! The deadline is 5 April 2025. After this, you’ll only be able to buy back the last 6 years.

💡 Tag a friend who needs to know this!

Disclaimer: This is general information and not financial advice. Individual circumstances vary, and you should seek advice from a financial adviser before making any decisions.

20/02/2025

🔥 I Invested £100/Month – Here’s What Happened!

Stay till the end to find out why I chose these photos!

Just over a year ago, I started a simple investment journey to see if I could realise respectable gains on my money by using the investment products offered by my bank!

I set up a small direct debit of £100 per month into my Barclays Smart Investor account; which invested my money within the Barclays Investment ISA. My goal? To show that consistent, long-term investing can be an accessible way to build wealth, and something that you can do from the safety of your banking app.

⚠ Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and not financial advice. The funds I’ve chosen may not be suitable for you, and you should always do your own research or seek professional advice before investing.

💡 Remember:
✅ Capital is at risk – The value of investments can go up as well as down.
✅ You may get back less than you put in.
✅ Never invest more than you can afford to lose.

🔹 What’s an ISA & Why Is It Good?
So firstly, an ISA (Individual Savings Account) is a tax-efficient way to invest, meaning no capital gains tax or income tax is levied on your returns. This makes it a great option for long-term growth without losing a chunk of profits to HMRC. Each person currently gets to put £20,000 into an ISA every year!

To keep it simple and to diversify my risk, I chose to invest into:
🔹 Barclays Global Markets Adventurous R Acc GBP
🔹 Vanguard Global Equity Acc

💡 What are these?
These are investment funds, which are professionally managed baskets of stocks, bonds, and other assets. Instead of buying individual stocks, these funds spread investments across multiple companies and sectors, helping to diversify risk while aiming for growth.

So how have I done?

🏦 How much have I put in? - 12 Months of £100 = £1200.
📊 Current Portfolio Value: £1,300.37
💰 Growth Rate: 14.2%
📈 Gain: £100.37

Well, this isn't free - you're right!

🔍 How Much Have I Paid in Charges?

Barclays Smart Investor Platform Fees:
0.25% per year on my portfolio value (under £200,000)
Based on an estimated £725 average portfolio over 12 months:

0.25% of £725 = £1.81 per year
For 12 months, that’s ~£1.81 in platform fees

Fund Ongoing Charges:
These are fees that are paid to the managers for handling the investments and making decisions about what the fund is invested it, to ensure it is working for you, and is suitably diversified and not over exposed to risk! These fees are built into the funds and reduce returns as we'll see below.

Barclays Global Markets Adventurous R Acc GBP – 0.45% per year
Vanguard Global Equity Acc – 0.48% per year

As I split my investment equally, the average value of the fund over the 12 months was roughly ~£362.50

0.45% of £362.50 = ~£1.63 in Barclays fund charges
0.48% of £362.50 = ~£1.74 in Vanguard fund charges

📌 Estimated Total Charges Paid So Far: ~£5.18

So for £5.18, I've made £100.37. which is a net gain of 95-odd smackeroons. When you make gains like these over a long time, you will see your wealth balloon from compounded returns. (Imagine I keep this extra £95.19 invested, and it makes a similar return next year, and the year after...)

💡 What Have I Learned?
✅ Consistency matters – Automating regular investments helps smooth out market fluctuations, and it not being a manual task means you don't even have to think about it!
✅ Time in the market beats timing the market – Staying invested is key.
✅ Fees add up – Fees exist, but understanding and minimising them ensures they don’t eat into your returns.
✅ It pays to have your money working for you – Over time, inflation will eat away at the value of your money, so making more than inflation in interest or growth is key to long term success.

So go on then, tell us, why these photos? - Well, I recently went on my Skiing Stag Do to Bulgaria, and was made to go down the mountain as Eddie the Eagle due to my striking resemblence. So why? Well to get your attention, did it work?

All I can say is, I may look like Eddie the Eagle, but my investments are flying high and have stuck the landing!

15/01/2025

🌟 An Evening at Club Diamond 🌟

Nothing says One Percent Club like an evening at club diamond!

Last night, I had the privilege of experiencing something truly special—a visit to Club Diamond at Plymouth Argyle Football Club, and the clubs first game under a new manager! 🏟️💚

Being surrounded by the energy and passion of our local football community reminded me of how much teamwork, strategy, and forward thinking matter—not just on the pitch, but in life and business too.

That's what the One Percent Club is all about. Businesses targeting 1% improvements each week, and banking on the experiences and feedback of others in your position or long established business mentors!

Whether it's building a property portfolio, planning for a comfortable retirement, or scoring financial goals, it's all about having the right team behind you.

Grateful for the opportunity to enjoy such a fantastic evening and cheer on our Argyle! (And yes, the hospitality in Club Diamond lives up to its name—top-brass!✨)

⚽💼 Here's to teamwork, great nights, and brighter futures! 💚

Plymouth Estates Colin Worden

06/01/2025

Today is D-Day...

No, we're not going back to Normandy, but for some people it might feel like that!

The first Monday of January is often called "Divorce Day" because many couples, after reflecting on their relationships over the holiday period, decide to take the difficult step of separating. It’s an emotional and life-changing decision—and one that comes with significant financial considerations.

If you’re going through a divorce or know someone who is, it’s important to remember: you don’t have to navigate this alone.

So why are you hearing from me? - Well, statistically, you know someone who will benefit from financial advice during these tough times.

Here’s Why Financial Advice Is Crucial During Divorce 💔

Divorce isn’t just about dividing assets; it’s about creating a secure financial future for everyone involved. From pensions and mortgages to investments and insurance, here are a few ways financial advice can make a difference:

🌟 Understanding Life After Divorce: One of the biggest barriers to divorce is the fear of the unknown—especially when it comes to finances. Many people delay this step because they don’t know how they’ll manage financially on their own. Working with a financial adviser helps you get a clear picture of what your financial life will look like post-divorce, giving you the confidence to make informed decisions.

🌟 Protecting Your Interests: Understanding your financial rights is essential. Professional advice ensures you get a fair settlement that considers long-term stability.

🌟 Securing Your Future: Divorce often changes your goals—whether it’s buying a new home, building a savings buffer, or planning for retirement. A financial adviser can help map out your new path.

🌟 Helping Children’s Stability: If children are involved, finances often directly impact their living arrangements, education, and well-being. Good planning ensures they’re looked after.

🌟 Tax Efficiency: The way assets are split can have tax implications. With expert advice, you can minimize unnecessary costs and maximize what you retain.

You’re not alone.

Divorce can feel overwhelming, but the right support network makes all the difference. As a financial adviser, I’m here to offer not just technical expertise but also a calm, understanding approach to help you rebuild your financial confidence and stability.

If you’re navigating this challenging time, or if you’re looking ahead and want to understand your options, let’s have a chat. It’s never too early—or too late—to start planning.

📞 Message me to schedule a private and confidential conversation.

Remember, every step forward is a step closer to a brighter future.

21/12/2024