Financial advice for good times and bad

Everyone is talking about the cost of living crisis and while the government is providing some financial support to help pay the bills, now’s the time to keep a cool head and get a proper strategy in place says Alex Dunk, an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) at Acumen Financial Partnership, who’s based at the firm’s head office in West Lancashire.

With a young family and a decade’s experience at Acumen, Alex feels he’s perfectly placed to advise clients about the current predicament many find themselves in.

With a 21-strong and team and offices in Burscough and Pilling, Acumen currently has £395m funds under management and Alex says, “More are more people are trusting us to deliver clear, friendly and straightforward financial advice.”

He continues “In the midst of a crisis, it’s easy to make the wrong decisions. At times like this, our independence as advisers comes into its own as we are able to guide clients through the financial maze and make sure they consider all options before making decisions.”

Originally from Staffordshire before buying a house and moving to Lancashire in 2012, Alex himself understands the importance of getting good financial advice.

“The advice I was given 10 years ago has stood me in good stead. I put a strategy in place for me and my family which I know will pay dividends in the good times as well as the challenging times.”

With high interest rates and so much uncertainty, it’s a common misconception that now may not the best time to invest for the future.

“The reality is,” says Alex “that there is never a bad time to get a financial plan in place. There’s a saying that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago and the second best time is now. Getting your financial ducks in a row and getting a plan in place is no different.”

“Understandably budgets are really stretched at the minute but even committing to smaller monthly contributions can make a big difference to wealth over the long term and current volatility has the added value of buying investments at low prices.”

Acumen MD Angela Maher who set up the company 16 years ago is proud of her team “We have a close knit and loyal team of advisers and support staff helping people make the most of their hard earned savings and making sure they make the right decisions, at the right time.”

Angela continues “The company, alongside some of the team, has in recent months been nominated, shortlisted and won awards which shows we are being recognised within the industry for the service we provide.”