Cervello Financial Planning

03/09/2026

We spend decades planning our careers and finances for retirement, but what happens when you finally arrive? The financial plan gets you there, but life planning helps you design what comes next. In my latest blog, I explore the NEXT Framework a simple, practical way to navigate, evaluate, execute and track your next chapter without needing all the answers upfront. Read the full post here: https://www.cervellofp.co.uk/2026/08/06/what-happens-next-a-simple-framework-for-designing-the-next-chapter-of-your-life/ and discover how to build a life filled with purpose and fulfilment.

Chartered Financial Planners serving high-earners across South Essex: Thorpe Bay, Billericay, Stock, Chalkwell, Danbury, Shenfield & beyond. Expert wealth planning & retirement advice.

02/09/2026

Are you feeling stuck in your 50s or 60s? Wondering what comes next but unsure where to start? In this episode of What Happens Next, Chris Daems shares a powerful idea that can help you move forward without making risky, life changing decisions.

Many people spend months or even years thinking about the next chapter of their lives. Whether it is retirement planning, a career change, relocating, volunteering, or finding a new purpose, the pressure to make the right decision can leave you frozen. Chris explains why the answer is not a massive leap, but a small experiment.

Listen to Episode 88: Feeling Stuck After 50 - How to Reinvent Yourself and Find Purpose Again.

Are you feeling stuck in your 50s or 60s? Wondering what comes next but unsure where to start? In this episode of What Happens Next, Chris Daems shares a powerful idea that can help you move forward without making risky, life-changing decisions.

01/09/2026

Does ambition fade after 50, or does it simply need a new direction?

In the latest episode of What Happens Next, host Chris Daems sits down with author and business founder Hugo Brooks to talk about ambition, success and how our goals change through our 50s, 60s and beyond.

After more than 30 years building businesses and advising major global brands, Hugo hit a turning point. His wife asked him a simple question: did he really want to go round the same cycle again? That question sparked a much deeper exploration of what had been driving him for decades, and it eventually became his book, Ambition.

In this conversation, Chris and Hugo explore:

• Why ambition is not a destination, but a very human drive to make tomorrow better than yesterday
• The difference between "hero", "move up" and "be better" ambitions
• Moving towards success versus running away from fear
• Why so many people climb the ladder, only to find it leaning against the wrong building
• How retirement, AI and the changing nature of work are reshaping what ambition means
• How to set goals that reflect your values, your life stage and the world as it is now

So here is the question worth sitting with: what are you ambitious for today, and is that ambition truly yours?

Share your thoughts in the comments. And if this resonates, do like the video and subscribe to What Happens Next for more honest conversations about life after 50, purpose, retirement, personal growth and meaningful change.

Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-wRX5jT_8s

31/08/2026

Retirement changes more than just your work schedule; it changes where you go, who you see, and the everyday social connections that give your life structure.

In our latest episode of What Happens Next, host Chris Daems explores the concept of the “third place” – somewhere that is not home or work, but provides community, connection, routine, and a sense of belonging. Finding a third place can help prevent loneliness and social isolation as you transition into retirement.

Watch the full episode to discover practical exercises, including the simple three visit rule, to help you find your community.

📘 Buy the What Happens Next book for practical strategies:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1918097720

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https://whathappensnext.life/quiz/

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https://whathappensnext.life/

28/08/2026

Why the Traditional Retirement Model Is Broken and What Should Replace It

Think back to one of the classic board games from childhood.
For many people, it was

The Game of Life.

It had everything. A colourful spinning wheel, tiny plastic cars and a winding road that took you through all the major
milestones society expected you to follow.

You started with education.

You found a career.

You got married.

You bought a house.

Perhaps you had children.

You accumulated wealth.

Then eventually you reached retirement.

The game stopped.

You counted your money. Whoever had accumulated the most was declared the winner.

https://www.cervellofp.co.uk/2026/07/09/why-the-traditional-retirement-model-is-broken-and-what-should-replace-it/

27/08/2026

One of the first questions people ask when they’re approaching retirement is perfectly sensible.

“How much money do I need?”

As a Chartered Financial Planner, I’ve spent years helping people answer exactly that question.

https://www.cervellofp.co.uk/2026/07/23/the-three-questions-that-could-change-the-way-you-think-about-retirement-forever/

26/08/2026

What if the key to a happier retirement isn’t found by looking ahead but by looking back?

In this episode of What Happens Next, Chartered Financial Planner Chris Daems shares a simple but powerful 30-minute exercise that helps you uncover what truly matters for your next chapter of life. Instead of chasing endless retirement advice, Chris explains why your happiest memories already contain the clues to building a meaningful and fulfilling future.

You’ll learn how to identify the moments when you felt most alive, most proud, and most fulfilled, discover the common themes that connect those experiences, and use those insights to make better decisions about how you spend your time in retirement.

https://whathappensnext.life/podcast/episode-86-your-past-holds-the-key-to-a-better-retirement-try-this-30-minute-exercise/

25/08/2026

In this video Jake talks about how important it was to create a clear plan for his and his wife’s future, how Cervello’s cashflow forecasting gave them peace of mind about never running out of money, and why he believes their trustworthy, thoughtful approach and willingness to challenge assumptions makes working with them such a positive experience.

25/08/2026

Does ambition disappear as we get older or does it simply need a new direction?

In this episode of What Happens Next, host Chris Daems speaks with author and business founder Hugo Brooks about ambition, success and how our goals evolve through our 50s, 60s and beyond.

After more than 30 years building businesses and advising major global brands, Hugo reached a turning point. When his wife asked whether he truly wanted to repeat the same cycle again, he began questioning what had driven him for so long. That question led to his book, Ambition, and a deeper exploration of how ambition shapes our careers, relationships and sense of purpose.

Chris and Hugo discuss why ambition is not a destination, but a powerful human drive to make tomorrow better than yesterday. They explore “hero”, “move up” and “be better” ambitions, the difference between moving towards success and running away from fear, and why many people climb the ladder only to discover it is leaning against the wrong building.

Does ambition disappear as we get older or does it simply need a ne...

24/08/2026

Could journaling help you create a happier, more purposeful next chapter of your life?

In this episode of What Happens Next, host Chris Daems explores the science and practical benefits of journaling and why taking time to reflect could be one of the most powerful habits you develop as you move through a career transition, retirement, or simply rethink what you want from life.

Drawing on research from psychology and positive psychology, Chris looks at why effective journaling isn’t simply about writing down your emotions. The real benefits come from using reflection to develop greater self-awareness, identify patterns, practise gratitude and understand what genuinely gives you energy and meaning.

Chris also shares four practical journaling prompts you can start using today, including questions around energy, gratitude, identity and the small experiments you’re making in your life. You’ll also discover different approaches to building a journaling habit, from a simple notebook to guided journals and digital journaling apps and why the best journaling tool is ultimately the one you’ll actually use.

📘 Buy the What Happens Next book and discover practical strategies ...