Financial wellbeing — what are advisers and planners measuring?

'Money should be our servant, and not our master'

clock • 3 min read

The Institute for Financial Wellbeing (IFW) is a community of financial services professionals interested in our relationship with money. In the first of a series of monthly columns, founder Chris Budd questions what financial services actually measures

There is a famous quote taken from a speech by Bobby Kennedy in 1968. He describes GDP as being something which "measures everything… except that which makes life worthwhile." The point he makes is that you focus on what you measure; and that a government which focuses too much on economic growth is in danger of failing to pay attention to the things that make life enjoyable, such as the arts, knowledge, science, kindness. Wellbeing and wealth I think we can say the same thing about wealth. Am I saying that money does not matter? Of course not. Money is an essential ingredient to li...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

PA Asks: Should the FCA intervene to tackle pension delays?

PA Asks: Should the FCA intervene to tackle pension delays?

Plus, did the FCA's consolidation review go far enough?

Professional Adviser
clock 07 November 2025 • 1 min read
FE Fundinfo expands adviser platform with acquisition of Contengo

FE Fundinfo expands adviser platform with acquisition of Contengo

Deal intended to strengthen Nexus platform

Sahar Nazir
clock 07 November 2025 • 2 min read
Advisers warned against 'tick-box' cashflow modelling

Advisers warned against 'tick-box' cashflow modelling

Cashflow modelling ‘only as good as the information you put in’

Sahar Nazir
clock 06 November 2025 • 5 min read