Business Details
18 Years
experience
Your Trusted Financial Partner in Edinburgh
At Real Life Financial Planning, we believe your life should take precedence over your finances. Our approach prioritises understanding your personal aspirations before crafting financial strategies. Founded in 2008, we specialise in life planning and wealth management, guided by the principles of the Kinder Institute. Our team combines Chartered Financial Planner and Certified Financial Planner qualifications with advanced training in the psychology of money. We serve individuals, couples, and families across the UK, helping them navigate major life transitions through tailored financial solutions.Our process involves three structured meetings to clarify goals, resolve obstacles, and provide ongoing guidance. Recognised as one of Scotland's two Masters of Life Planning, we maintain authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority to ensure regulatory compliance. Client testimonials highlight our ability to transform financial anxiety into actionable plans for fulfilling lives. We operate from Edinburgh, offering both in-person and remote consultations.
Services
Life Planning
Financial Planning
Wealth Management
Retirement Planning
Inheritance Planning
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- We combine life planning with financial expertise to address your personal aspirations
- Our team holds dual certifications as Chartered and Certified Financial Planners
- We utilise the proven EVOKE process developed by the Kinder Institute
- We maintain authorisation from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority
- We offer tailored solutions for major life transitions like inheritance and retirement
Associations and certifications
- Financial Conduct Authority
- Kinder Institute of Life Planning
- Chartered Financial Planner
- Certified Financial Planner
- Registered Life Planner
What people say
Life-changing guidance
Personalised approach
Clear communication
Emotional support
Practical solutions
Services
Life Planning
Our life planning process helps clients identify personal aspirations before financial strategies. Through structured questioning and psychological insights, we clarify your ideal lifestyle, then create actionable financial plans. This approach ensures your wealth supports meaningful life goals like career changes, property purchases, or retirement plans.
Financial Planning
We develop comprehensive financial strategies aligned with your life goals. Our planning covers asset management, tax efficiency, pension consolidation, and inheritance considerations. By integrating life planning principles, we ensure your financial roadmap supports both practical needs and personal aspirations through all life stages.
Retirement Planning
Specialised retirement planning services help clients transition to fulfilling post-career lives. We assess pension provisions, tax implications, and lifestyle requirements to create sustainable income strategies. Our approach enables clients to pursue retirement dreams while maintaining financial security through structured withdrawal plans and investment management.
Inheritance Planning
We guide clients through inheritance tax planning and estate organisation. Our services include assessing property holdings, structuring wills, and creating tax-efficient wealth transfers. By combining emotional considerations with financial strategy, we help preserve family assets while respecting personal wishes for legacy distribution.
Wealth Management
Our wealth management services optimise financial resources across market conditions. We provide investment portfolio management, risk assessment, and diversification strategies tailored to individual circumstances. By maintaining regulatory compliance and focusing on long-term growth, we help clients build and sustain wealth aligned with their life objectives.
People
Michael Fairweather
Founder & Chartered Financial Planner
Michael established Real Life Financial Planning in 2008 after 10 years in London's financial sector. Trained by the Kinder Institute, he holds dual certifications as Chartered Financial Planner and Certified Financial Planner. As one of Scotland's two Masters of Life Planning, he specialises in integrating psychological insights with financial expertise to help clients achieve meaningful life goals.
Questions
What is life planning in financial advice?
Life planning prioritises understanding your personal aspirations before creating financial strategies. We use structured questioning to identify your ideal lifestyle, then develop financial plans that support these goals through all life stages.
How do you help with inheritance planning?
We assess your property holdings, tax implications, and family circumstances to create tax-efficient inheritance strategies. Our approach combines emotional support with practical financial solutions for estate organisation and wealth transfer.
What makes your retirement planning different?
Our retirement planning integrates lifestyle aspirations with financial security. We create sustainable income strategies through pension consolidation, tax-efficient withdrawals, and investment management tailored to your desired post-career lifestyle.
Are you regulated by financial authorities?
Yes, we are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our Edinburgh-based practice maintains all required industry certifications including Chartered Financial Planner and Certified Financial Planner status.
How does the planning process work?
Our three-stage process begins with goal identification, followed by obstacle resolution, and concludes with ongoing financial strategy development. Each stage uses the EVOKE methodology from the Kinder Institute for structured progress towards your aspirations.
What areas do you serve?
While based in Edinburgh, we provide financial planning services across the UK. Our clients include individuals, couples, and families navigating major life transitions through tailored financial strategies.
