Former Senior HR Consultant and Coach from Solihull, Warwickshire, Lynda was aiming to retire by the age of 55. To meet that goal, she was looking for help finding the right balance between taking a sensible income from her business to live on whilst at the same time building up her retirement pot.  

How soon can I retire?

This is a question that I am sure most of us ponder, especially as we hit our late forties and early fifties. For me, the original goal was always to be able to retire at 55 and thanks to sound financial planning I’ve been able to do just that. 

When Plans Change Suddenly… 

I had most recently been looking to continue working for a few extra years, but the pandemic unexpectantly put a stop to those plans. 

Prior to retiring I had been a self-employed Senior HR Consultant and Coach and if it wasn’t for prudent long-term financial planning, the devastating effect of COVID on my business would have left me frozen like a rabbit in the headlights. Instead, I’ve felt calmly in control and have only had to make small financial adjustments, without any material compromises, to how I live my life.

What’s it like working with Maria?

From one professional business women to another, I’ve built a long standing relationship with Maria based on trust, mutual respect and empathy. 

Maria sees the whole picture, not just part of it, and is sensitive to your personal needs.

Financial Advice for Women

Part of those personal needs concern my specific needs as a woman – for example, I had never even considered putting money aside for personal care, such as going to the hairdressers and getting my nails done. Only another woman would make provisions for that in a lifelong financial plan – it may seem small and inconsequential, but important nonetheless!

Maria is also sensitive to my responsibilities as a mum, my children may be older now, but I still want to help provide for their future. Let’s face it, as young adults starting out in life they need financial support now instead of an inheritance further down the line.  

Financial Expertise

I appointed Maria because she is an expert in what she does. I can relate to her professionalism and perfectionism as I applied the same approach to my own profession. 

I never had the time nor the inclination to manage my own finances instead preferring to hand it over to the experts. That said, Maria has always been very patient at explaining it all to me and nothing is too much trouble.

Whenever I have picked up on anything in the press – financial news that could impact my savings and investments – I drop Maria a note and I am always taken aback at how quickly she responds. It leaves me confident in the knowledge that my money is being proactively managed. 

Maria’s holistic approach coupled with her clear system of prioritising and ordering investment products and tax wrappers means that, in the 10 years I’ve been working with her, I’ve always felt in safe hands. 

Leisure Pursuits 

I am now free to tap into my creative side; I am currently working on a piece of embroidery, I’ve dabbled in rugging and cushion making and I’ve also been designing and making my own clothes and even some for my husband (with mixed results)!

Open Road

Last but, by certainly no means, least, I’ve indulged in the romanticism of owning a motorhome and have succumbed to the pull of the open road. I am looking forward to planning trips with my husband to Scotland, Ireland and across Europe. 

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” ― Oscar Wilde

The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be linked to the peformance of the funds selected and the value may therefore fall as well as rise.  You may get back less than you invested.