Four Pillars Financial Planning

Four Pillars Financial Planning Create your Financial Freedom

Pension Awareness Week (15–22 September) is a reminder for all of us to pause and think about the future. If you’re savi...
17/09/2025

Pension Awareness Week (15–22 September) is a reminder for all of us to pause and think about the future.

If you’re saving into a pension, that’s a great start. But many people don’t actually know if what they’re putting away is enough or whether their pension is even invested in the right place. That’s where a quick check-in can make a big difference.

Here are a few things worth thinking about this week:

· Workplace pensions – Do you know how much your employer contributes? Could you add a little more and boost their match?

· Tax relief – For every £80 you put in, the government adds £20. Higher-rate taxpayers could get even more.

· Annual allowance – There are limits on what you can pay in each year without a tax charge.

· Investments – Your pension isn’t just savings, it’s invested. Does your fund match your goals and appetite for risk?

· Old pensions – Changed jobs? You might have money sitting in old schemes you’ve forgotten about.

Taking 20 minutes now could save you years of uncertainty later.

At Four Pillars Financial Planning, we’re offering a free 20-minute consultation during Pension Awareness Week. It’s a chance to:

Get clarity on your pensions

Understand what retirement could look like for you

Ask questions in plain English, with no pressure

You’ve worked hard to build your career. Let’s make sure your pension is working just as hard for your future.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates, and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.

Workplace pensions are regulated by The Pension Regulator.

Your pension income could also be affected by the interest rates at the time you take your benefits. The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances, tax legislation, and regulation, which are subject to change in the future.

🔮 Even with tomorrow’s headlines, half of investors lost money. A recent experiment shows that perfect foresight isn’t t...
22/05/2025

🔮 Even with tomorrow’s headlines, half of investors lost money. A recent experiment shows that perfect foresight isn’t the key to financial success — wise planning is.

👉 Planning beats predicting.
🔐 Build resilience, not guesses.
🔗 Read more here > www.4pfp.co.uk/blog

At Four Pillars, we focus on building resilient financial plans that weather uncertainty and keep you on course, no crystal ball required.

📈 Confidence today. Resilience tomorrow.

16/05/2025

A financial plan you can actually see working 📊✅

It’s not just about numbers — it’s about giving you the confidence to grow, protect, and enjoy your finances. 🙌

Huge thanks to our client for trusting the 4PFP team to help guide their journey toward lasting financial success!

‼️Friday Feedback‼️When trust has been shaken, it takes more than advice — it takes consistency, care, and follow-throug...
09/05/2025

‼️Friday Feedback‼️

When trust has been shaken, it takes more than advice — it takes consistency, care, and follow-through.

The team here at Four Pillars are proud to have made such a difference for this client.

The Tragedy of Asset Misallocation 🤔📊Investors have been bombarded by internet gurus telling them about the danger of hi...
08/05/2025

The Tragedy of Asset Misallocation 🤔📊

Investors have been bombarded by internet gurus telling them about the danger of high fees, with the adviser’s cost coming under the spotlight. It has led to many investors believing that a DIY approach is the optimal strategy. While we acknowledge that some investors have the ability and discipline to follow a DIY approach, we have seen too many examples of investors working in isolation, leading to suboptimal results.

We frequently see clients making poor asset allocation decisions: how much to allocate to equities, bonds, and cash. This complex decision must weigh the investor’s time frame, goals, attitude to investing risks, and emotional makeup.

💻💡Head over to 4pfp.co.uk/blogs to learn more

💥Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information and should not be considered as personalised financial advice. Consult with a qualified professional for personalised guidance.

‼️Feedback Friday‼️️✨ Patience. Diligence. Professionalism.That’s how we help clients navigate even the most complex fin...
02/05/2025

‼️Feedback Friday‼️️

✨ Patience. Diligence. Professionalism.

That’s how we help clients navigate even the most complex financial situations — like multi-generational inheritance planning.

We’re grateful for feedback like this.

In video games, "Easy Mode" is a popular setting that makes the gaming experience more accessible and less challenging f...
01/05/2025

In video games, "Easy Mode" is a popular setting that makes the gaming experience more accessible and less challenging for players. 🕹

Like gaming, many people find the world of finance and investing intimidating and complex.

Embracing "Easy mode" means focusing on long-term, goal-oriented strategies that align with your values. It involves prioritising the essential concepts and actions for your success.

💻💡Head over to 4pfp.co.uk/blog to learn more

💥Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information and should not be considered as personalised financial advice. Consult with a qualified professional for personalised guidance.

29/04/2025

📊 Do you know how much of your income is actually taxed?

Spoiler: It’s not all at one rate.

Income tax in England works in bands — and smart planning helps you keep more of what you earn.

💥It’s not one rate on everything you earn—it’s tiered.

Here’s the breakdown:
✔️ £0–£12,570 = 0% (Personal Allowance)
✔️ £12,571–£50,270 = 20% (Basic Rate)
✔️ £50,271–£125,140 = 40% (Higher Rate)
✔️ £125,141+ = 45% (Additional Rate)

That means you only pay higher rates on the part of income above each threshold.

So your first £12,570 is tax-free, and then it steps up from there.

💼 With the right strategy - like using pensions, you can reduce how much falls into those higher bands.

‼️Feedback Friday ‼️What does great financial planning feel like? 🤔➡️“I can just get on with my life without having to w...
25/04/2025

‼️Feedback Friday ‼️

What does great financial planning feel like? 🤔

➡️“I can just get on with my life without having to worry about it.”

Financial planning should give you clarity and confidence — empowering you to create your own freedom.

Do you know your numbers? 🔢The road to financial freedom is a journey of a thousand steps. Fortunately, the path is well...
23/04/2025

Do you know your numbers? 🔢

The road to financial freedom is a journey of a thousand steps. Fortunately, the path is well-trodden by millions of investors who have already reached financial independence. From their experience and our experience advising many such clients, we can extract the key learnings and metrics you’ll need as you continue your financial journey. 🛤

This journey is a marathon, not a sprint.

💻💡Head over to 4pfp.co.uk/blogs to learn more

💥Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information and should not be considered as personalised financial advice. Consult with a qualified professional for personalised guidance.

Being a business owner is rewarding, but it doesn't come without challenges, especially when income isn't consistent. Is...
28/01/2025

Being a business owner is rewarding, but it doesn't come without challenges, especially when income isn't consistent. Is your income seasonal? Does it come in lump sums once jobs are complete? These are common realities for many entrepreneurs across many different industries.

This inconsistency can make it incredibly difficult to manage your finances. How much should you be reinvesting in the business? When do you pay yourself? How do you prepare for expenses like taxes, insurance or stock?

One of the most effective strategies for navigating this financial turbulence is to segment your money using the "Rule of Thirds."

The rule of thirds: A simple yet powerful framework which can help you

✔️Add cashflow to your business to keep it secure
✔️Ensure your business has a long-term plan so it can grow
✔️Add value to your clients, team, and shareholders

We often guide our clients to apply the rule of thirds to their personal finances:

‼1/3 for Living: Cover your essential living expenses (utilities, sustenance/living, transport costs).
‼1/3 for Debt: Allocate funds towards existing debts (credit cards, rent/mortgages).
‼1/3 for Future: Invest in your future self (savings, pensions, investments).

This framework provides a balanced approach to personal finance, ensuring you meet immediate needs while creating your long-term financial independence.

The same principle can be applied to your business finances:

‼1/3 for Immediate Jobs: Allocate funds to cover the costs associated with your current projects and upcoming client commitments (materials, labour, stock)
‼1/3 for Business Expenses: Cover essential business spending (rents, rates, insurance, maintenance of tools and machinery)
‼1/3 for Yourself (Reserves and Reinvestment): This portion is crucial. It enables consistency in paying your salary as the business owner and allows for reinvestment in the business's growth through accumulated reserves.

So how to implement the rule of thirds in your business?

💡Spend time tracking your income and expenditure over at least a 12-month period. This could involve using accounting software, spreadsheets, or even a simple notebook.

💡Build a cashflow plan: Using data you have collected, create a detailed budget that outlines your key income and expenditures and how you plan to allocate the funds across the thirds.

💡Regularly review: Monitor your budget and make changes as needed. Your business is constantly evolving, so your financial needs budget will need to be flexible beyond your core or “fixed” costs.

💡Automate where possible: Set up recurring payments such as income, utilities, and loan repayments to ensure timely and consistent cash flow.

💡Seek professional advice: Consider consulting with a financial adviser or accountant to develop a comprehensive financial plan that aligns with your business goals.

💭Managing finances as a business owner can be challenging, especially when income is inconsistent. By implementing the rule of thirds, you can create a more structured and sustainable approach to managing your finances. This framework provides a clear roadmap for allocating funds towards immediate needs, essential business expenses, and your own well-being and the future growth of your business.

💥Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information and should not be considered personalised financial advice. Consult with a qualified financial professional for personalised guidance.

PSA‼️Want to know how to create a plan but struggling to get started? Many people dream of a life where they can finally...
20/01/2025

PSA‼️Want to know how to create a plan but struggling to get started?

Many people dream of a life where they can finally relax and pursue their passions. But between the businesses of life and the ever-present fear of running out of money, achieving financial freedom can seem like it may be out of reach. 💭💭

The good news is that financial freedom is within reach for everyone, regardless of your current income or savings. The key lies in having a clear vision of your ideal lifestyle and a well-defined plan to make that vision a reality. 💡💡

Breaking down your planning into smaller, manageable steps can make the process of implementing your plan seem less overwhelming. 🛤🛤

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