The Century Plan

How much time do you think you spend doing nothing? A recent Duolingo poll revealed that UK adults spend an average of 26 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 doing... well, nothing! That’s about 12 hours a week. Think about it—moments like: Watching TV Waiting for the kettle to boil Waiting for a delivery Scrolling aimlessly online In this season of The Century Plan podcast, we’re exploring what's really holding us back. One of the most common reasons people give for not focusing on their financial planning is a lack of time. But in our latest episode, we challenge that idea and take a closer look at how we actually spend our time. Is it really about not having enough hours in the day—or something else? Join us as Dennis Hall breaks down how to make time for your financial planning and shares practical tips to help you get started, no matter how busy life feels. Listen now and discover how to take control of your financial future in just a few small steps. Useful information   Host: Dennis Hall Host: Sarah Steele  Contact us: ask@yellowtail.co.uk

The Century Plan is back!  After a summer of planning and preparation, we're thrilled to launch Season 4 of our podcast, where we move from theory to practice. This season, we're tackling the big question: How can we inspire people to take action on the insights we've been sharing? And more importantly, what's holding us back? In our first episode, we dive into a challenge we all face—connecting with our future selves. How can we motivate ourselves to protect our future—20, 30, or even 40 years from now—when it often feels like we're sacrificing our present? Here's what we cover: 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭: How it prevents us from taking necessary steps in our financial lives. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬: Why it's so hard and what we can do about it. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭: The difficulty of thinking long-term and overcoming the fear of present-day sacrifice. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬: Strategies to beat instant gratification and stay on track. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: How envisioning our future can help us achieve our long-term goals. This episode is packed with insights and actionable takeaways, plus some fascinating book recommendations you won’t want to miss! Useful information   Host: Dennis Hall Host: Sarah Steele  Atomic Habits by James Clear Be Your Future Self Now by Dr Benjamin Hardy Contact us: ask@yellowtail.co.uk

In our season finale, Sarah and Dennis address some kickback received on a social media post highlighting the issues we all face as a society when it comes to funding our retirement. And why we're trying to help people avoid sleepwalking into retirement regret. We discuss why it's so important to be aware of the pitfalls and how we can take some simple steps to improve our financial future. We cover: Why retirement planning is harder now than it was 30 years ago. The Office for National Statistics' life expectancy calculator The recent significant increase in the amount of income required for a moderate retirement The pension gender gap and why it exists Retirement anxiety We're looking forward to returning in September after a summer break. If you have a question you'd like us to cover during the next season, now is the time to reach out. Useful information   Host: Dennis Hall Host: Sarah Steele  Contact us: ask@yellowtail.co.uk

In the penultimate episode of Season 3, Sarah and Dennis discuss the importance of reviewing premiums and checking charges on financial contracts. We receive annual alerts when our car and home insurance is due for renewal. But our life assurances and savings plans tend to run quietly in the background. The direct debit leaving the account each month without much thought. Why aren't we paying more attention? Dennis and Sarah discuss: Old with-profits bonds set up in good faith delivering shockingly poor returns Life assurance contracts with overly high premiums Pension plans invested in sub-optimal default funds Investments subject to charges which significantly reduce their long-term growth With over 35 years in financial services, Dennis has all too often come across people whose finances have been detrimentally affected due to lack of review. When was the last time you reviewed yours? Useful information   Host: Dennis Hall Host: Sarah Steele  Contact us: ask@yellowtail.co.uk

In this episode of The Century Plan, Sarah and Dennis are pleased to welcome guests, Dr Tommy Perkins and Dr Ed Cantelo from the Medics Money podcast. With over 1 million downloads, the hosts of Medics Money podcast, Tommy and Ed are empowering doctors, dentists and other professionals to make better financial decisions. The team at Yellowtail Financial Planning have worked with Tommy and Ed for two years and we thought it was time to get to know the GPs behind the success story. Tommy and Ed share: How they became GPs When they decided to to help others with their finances What they think of cryptocurrency How they created their own financial plans Why they share our values around low cost index trackers Not just for doctors. This episode covers how to make a start and what we can all do to feel more in control of our money.   Useful Information Medics Money Host: Dennis Host: Sarah Email: ask@yellowtail.co.uk ABOUT YELLOWTAIL Founded by Dennis Hall, Yellowtail are the trusted financial planners who advise individuals & families across the UK. Yellowtail’s experts provide the clarity, control and confidence to guide you through financial planning, estate planning, pension transfers and investment management directing your journey towards a prosperous retirement and financial peace of mind.

In this episode of The Century Plan, Dennis and Sarah are pleased to welcome their guest, Professor Sarah Harper CBE.   Sarah is a world-renowned scientist and Clore Professor of Gerontology at the University of Oxford. She's a fellow at University College and Director of the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing and she was appointed CBE for services to demography in 2018. Sarah's written books including How Population Change Will Transform Our World, Ageing Societies, Risk and Resilience and Global Ageing.  During this episode, Sarah Harper shares her insights on how society needs to adapt to us living for longer and the way our increased life expectancy is changing the world and our retirements. We cover: What drives our increased life expectancy. The ageing workforce. Ageism in the workplace. How AI aids the shift in our workplace demographic. Flexible working for employees in their 60s and 70s. How the media is creating intergenerational conflict. Whether the current state pension age is suitable. Useful information   Guest: Professor Sarah Harper   How Population Change will Transform our World - Sarah Harper Host: Dennis Hall Host: Sarah Steele Contact us: ask@yellowtail.co.uk

In this episode of The Century Plan, Dennis and Sarah unpick some questions they are frequently asked at Yellowtail Financial Planning around retirement income. How do you derive an income from your retirement savings, and is selecting high dividend and income streams optimal over the long term? Do you need to change your investment approach when you reach retirement? Should you be looking to maximise income at the expense of growth? What does evidence based investing say you should do in order to optimise your income in retirement strategy?   Useful information Host: Dennis Hall Dennis is a Chartered Financial Planner whose career spans 35 years, mostly in central London. After working for larger organisations (including a spell in Moscow) he founded Yellowtail in 2006 and later relocated the office to Exeter. Dennis's particular expertise lies in Lifestyle Financial Planning, helping busy successful people transitioning from working for a living to financial independence, allowing them to choose whether they work, retire, or something in-between. Dennis regularly writes for the trade press and the finance sectors of national newspapers and also has written a book on getting your financial affairs in order called "Who Will it Hurt When I Die"   Host: Sarah Steele Sarah joined Yellowtail in 2017 having worked previously at Coutts Bank in Central London. Her role focused on clients in the sports and entertainment industry and, more recently, in private healthcare. In 2022, Sarah became Yellowtail's second Director and now looks after all the non-regulated aspects of the business. Sarah is particularly interested in the psychology of money and the interactions clients have with their financial planner. These interactions form the basis of many of the questions Sarah puts to Dennis on The Century Plan.   Contact us: ask@yellowtail.co.uk

In this episode of The Century Plan, we discuss the pension changes brought about by the 2023 Spring Budget which are coming in to effect this year. It may be a short-shelf-life episode if we see a change in Government following an election. Sarah and Dennis discuss how the Budget in 2023 has played out and is affecting pensions. We hear how Government decisions and changes in Government can impact financial options. We learn how we can prepare for this and how this awareness can help with planning.   Useful information Host: Dennis Hall Dennis is a Chartered Financial Planner whose career spans 35 years, mostly in central London. After working for larger organisations (including a spell in Moscow) he founded Yellowtail in 2006 and later relocated the office to Exeter. Dennis's particular expertise lies in Lifestyle Financial Planning, helping busy successful people transitioning from working for a living to financial independence, allowing them to choose whether they work, retire, or something in-between. Dennis regularly writes for the trade press and the finance sectors of national newspapers and also has written a book on getting your financial affairs in order called "Who Will it Hurt When I Die" Host: Sarah Steele Sarah joined Yellowtail in 2017 having worked previously at Coutts Bank in Central London. Her role focused on clients in the sports and entertainment industry and, more recently, in private healthcare. In 2022, Sarah became Yellowtail's second Director and now looks after all the non-regulated aspects of the business. Sarah is particularly interested in the psychology of money and the interactions clients have with their financial planner. These interactions form the basis of many of the questions Sarah puts to Dennis on The Century Plan. Contact us: sarah@yellowtail.co.uk

In this episode of The Century Plan Sarah and Dennis are pleased to welcome their guest Carl Richards.   Carl is a US-based certified financial planner, joining the podcast from Park City Utah. Carl is the creator of the Sketch Guy column, which appeared weekly for a decade in the New York times. He's an international author and speaker, and his work has influenced financial planners across the globe.   During this episode, Carl shares his insights, knowledge, and experiences as a financial planner.  We learn about how Carl became a columnist and author with books including, The Behavior Gap: Simple Ways to Stop Doing Dumb Things with Money and The One-Page Financial Plan: A Simple Way To Be Smart About Your Money. We learn more about the artwork at Yellowtail which includes favourite pieces from Carl's sketch collection.     Useful information Guest: Carl Richards Website: Books: The Behaviour Gap: Simple Ways to Stop Doing Dumb Things with Money The One-Page Financial Plan: A Simple Way To Be Smart About Your Money.   Host: Dennis Hall Dennis is a Chartered Financial Planner whose career spans 35 years, mostly in central London. After working for larger organisations (including a spell in Moscow) he founded Yellowtail in 2006 and later relocated the office to Exeter. Dennis's particular expertise lies in Lifestyle Financial Planning, helping busy successful people transitioning from working for a living to financial independence, allowing them to choose whether they work, retire, or something in-between. Dennis regularly writes for the trade press and the finance sectors of national newspapers and also has written a book on getting your financial affairs in order called "Who Will it Hurt When I Die" Host: Sarah Steele Sarah joined Yellowtail in 2017 having worked previously at Coutts Bank in Central London. Her role focused on clients in the sports and entertainment industry and, more recently, in private healthcare. In 2022, Sarah became Yellowtail's second Director and now looks after all the non-regulated aspects of the business. Sarah is particularly interested in the psychology of money and the interactions clients have with their financial planner. These interactions form the basis of many of the questions Sarah puts to Dennis on The Century Plan.   Contact us: sarah@yellowtail.co.uk

In this episode of The Century Plan, Sarah asks Dennis "How Much Does it Cost to Work With a Financial Planner?". What is fair? How are different fees structured? What should you expect? Dennis has some interesting thoughts on hourly rates and explains how he works at Yellowtail Financial Planning. We explore in detail the structure of how fees are charged and why transparency is paramount to a long lasting relationship. How do hourly rates work in financial planning?  What is a fixed price for financial services? Why do some people charge a percentage of assets under management? What is a fair ongoing management cost?   Useful information Host: Dennis Hall Dennis is a Chartered Financial Planner whose career spans 35 years, mostly in central London. After working for larger organisations (including a spell in Moscow) he founded Yellowtail in 2006 and later relocated the office to Exeter. Dennis's particular expertise lies in Lifestyle Financial Planning, helping busy successful people transitioning from working for a living to financial independence, allowing them to choose whether they work, retire, or something in-between. Dennis regularly writes for the trade press and the finance sectors of national newspapers and also has written a book on getting your financial affairs in order called "Who Will it Hurt When I Die" Host: Sarah Steele Sarah joined Yellowtail in 2017 having worked previously at Coutts Bank in Central London. Her role focused on clients in the sports and entertainment industry and, more recently, in private healthcare. In 2022, Sarah became Yellowtail's second Director and now looks after all the non-regulated aspects of the business. Sarah is particularly interested in the psychology of money and the interactions clients have with their financial planner. These interactions form the basis of many of the questions Sarah puts to Dennis on The Century Plan. Contact us: sarah@yellowtail.co.uk