Business
Mastering Financial Planning with Expert Guidance

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your financial future? Seeking help with financial planning can provide clarity and peace of mind. This article explores the key steps to assess your financial needs, the types of financial advisors available, how to find the right advisor, and the benefits of working with one. Discover how expert guidance can help you achieve your financial goals and secure your financial future. Explore financial planning with the help of educational experts and designed to guide you towards informed decisions and financial empowerment. Learn more about our comprehensive resources and personalized guidance today.
Assessing Your Financial Needs
Assessing your financial needs is a critical first step in the financial planning process. It involves taking a close look at your current financial situation and identifying your short-term and long-term financial goals. To assess your financial needs effectively, consider the following steps:
Evaluate Your Financial Goals: Begin by defining your financial goals. These could include saving for retirement, buying a home, or funding your children’s education. Setting specific, achievable goals will help guide your financial planning efforts.
Understand Your Income and Expenses: Take stock of your current income and expenses. This will help you determine how much you can realistically save and invest each month. Consider creating a budget to track your spending and identify areas where you can cut back to free up more money for savings and investments.
Assess Your Assets and Liabilities: Calculate your net worth by subtracting your liabilities (such as debts) from your assets (such as savings, investments, and property). Understanding your net worth will give you a clear picture of your overall financial health.
Consider Your Risk Tolerance: Financial planning involves making decisions about investments that align with your risk tolerance. Consider how comfortable you are with the possibility of losing money in your investments and adjust your financial plan accordingly.
Review Your Insurance Coverage: Ensure you have adequate insurance coverage to protect yourself and your family against unexpected events such as illness, disability, or death. Reviewing your insurance coverage regularly can help you identify any gaps in your protection.
Types of Financial Advisors
When seeking help with financial planning, it’s important to understand the different types of financial advisors available and their areas of expertise. Here are some common types of financial advisors:
Financial Planners: These advisors help individuals and families create comprehensive financial plans. They can provide guidance on retirement planning, investment strategies, tax planning, and estate planning.
Investment Advisors: Also known as wealth managers or portfolio managers, these advisors focus on managing their clients’ investments. They help clients build and maintain investment portfolios that align with their financial goals and risk tolerance.
Certified Financial Planners (CFPs): CFPs are professionals who have completed extensive training and certification in financial planning. They can provide holistic financial planning advice and are held to high ethical standards.
Insurance Agents: These professionals specialize in selling insurance products such as life insurance, health insurance, and annuities. While they can provide valuable advice on insurance matters, they may not have expertise in other areas of financial planning.
Accountants and Tax Advisors: These professionals specialize in tax planning and can help you minimize your tax liability through strategic financial planning.
How to Find a Financial Advisor
Finding the right financial advisor is crucial to the success of your financial plan. Here are some steps to help you find a qualified advisor:
Ask for Recommendations: Seek recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues who have worked with financial advisors. Personal recommendations can help you find advisors who have a track record of providing excellent service.
Check Credentials: Look for advisors who hold relevant certifications, such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC). These certifications indicate that the advisor has met rigorous standards of education and experience.
Research Potential Advisors: Conduct research online to learn more about potential advisors. Review their websites, read client testimonials, and check for any disciplinary actions or complaints filed against them.
Interview Potential Advisors: Schedule initial consultations with several advisors to discuss your financial goals and get a sense of their approach to financial planning. Ask about their experience, fees, and how they communicate with clients.
Consider Fee Structures: Financial advisors may charge fees in different ways, such as hourly fees, flat fees, or a percentage of assets under management. Choose a fee structure that aligns with your financial goals and preferences.
Finding the right financial advisor may take time, but doing your due diligence can help you find a trusted advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals.
Working with a Financial Advisor
Once you’ve found a financial advisor who meets your needs, it’s important to establish a productive working relationship. Here are some tips for working effectively with a financial advisor:
Set Clear Goals: Clearly define your financial goals and expectations for working with a financial advisor. This will help your advisor tailor their advice to your specific needs.
Be Honest and Transparent: Provide your advisor with all relevant financial information, including your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. Being honest and transparent will help your advisor provide you with the best possible advice.
Communicate Regularly: Stay in regular contact with your advisor to discuss any changes in your financial situation or goals. Regular communication will help ensure that your financial plan remains up-to-date and relevant.
Review Your Financial Plan Regularly: Schedule regular reviews of your financial plan with your advisor to track your progress towards your goals and make any necessary adjustments.
Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask your advisor questions about your financial plan or any financial matters you don’t understand. Your advisor is there to help you navigate complex financial decisions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, seeking help with financial planning is a proactive step towards securing your financial future. By assessing your financial needs, finding the right advisor, and working collaboratively, you can create a tailored financial plan that aligns with your goals. Remember, financial planning is not just about money—it’s about empowering yourself to make informed decisions and live the life you envision.
Business
New owners reopen The Vibe in Milford Haven

MILFORD HAVEN’S popular pub and restaurant, The Vibe, is reopening under new management on Monday (Mar 10), bringing a fresh start to Charles Street’s hospitality scene.
The new team behind The Vibe has worked around the clock to transform the venue in just six days, ensuring it is ready to welcome customers once again. The revamped pub and restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with extended opening hours throughout the week.
The new owner, who has taken on the venture as their first business, expressed gratitude to Sharon Matthews, chef at The Bull Inn in Haverfordwest, and owners Randy and Lori Bennett, whose support made the reopening possible.

Speaking ahead of the launch, they said: “We have had some of the best lads working day and night—there’s been sweat, tears, laughter, and even a few arguments! But we pulled it off and can’t wait to welcome everyone back.”
They also paid tribute to former owner Kerryanne, promising to maintain the pub’s name and spirit: “One thing I promised Kerryanne was to keep the name, and that will remain. We just want to give it back the love she had for the place.”




The Vibe’s new opening hours are:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 11:00pm
- Saturday: 9:00am – 12:30am
- Sunday: 10:00am – 11:00pm
- Breakfast: 9:00am – 11:00am
- Lunch: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
- Dinner: 5:00pm – 9:00pm
With a new menu featuring fresh, homemade dishes—including a highly praised lasagne—The Vibe’s new owners are confident customers won’t be disappointed.
They added: “You won’t need a bank loan to be wined and dined here—we’re offering great food at affordable prices.”
The doors officially open at 9:00am on Monday (Mar 10) for breakfast, marking the beginning of a new chapter for The Vibe and Milford Haven’s dining scene.

Business
Retail crime epidemic: Welsh shop workers face rising abuse

RETAIL workers in Wales are facing increasing levels of abuse, threats, and violence, according to new figures released by the shop workers’ union, Usdaw. The latest survey, published on Tuesday (March 5), shows that incidents remain at double pre-pandemic levels, highlighting a growing crisis in the sector.
Usdaw’s survey of 540 Welsh retail staff found that in the past year:
- 73% have experienced verbal abuse (compared to a national average of 77%).
- 42% were threatened by a customer (53%).
- 7% were assaulted (10%).
Usdaw says retail crime is out of control and that workers are being left to face the consequences of lax enforcement.
‘They just laugh at us’
Workers shared shocking accounts of their experiences:
- “Refused sale of alcohol, told to ‘f**k off’ and threatened by five people that I’d get beaten up when my shift finished.”
- “Spat at, pushed against a wall. Punched and threatened with a knife.”
- “Been punched in the face, kicked under my chin and had stitches. Wrist sprained and products thrown at me, knocking me to the floor.”
- “Shoplifters just laugh in our faces as they leave with bags full of washing powder. They don’t care anymore because they know we can’t do anything.”
Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis said: “Welsh retail workers are suffering far too many incidents of violence, abuse, and threats. No-one should feel afraid to go to work, but our evidence shows that too many retail workers are. It is shocking that over three-quarters of our members working in retail are being abused, threatened, and assaulted for simply doing their job and serving the community.”
Calls for action
Usdaw is backing new government measures to tackle retail crime, including the Crime and Policing Bill, currently going through Parliament. The union is pushing for the removal of the £200 minimum threshold for prosecuting shoplifters and the introduction of Respect Orders to protect retail workers.
The first debate and vote on the bill is scheduled for Monday (March 10).
Usdaw represents around 360,000 workers across the retail, transport, and manufacturing sectors. Its Freedom from Fear Campaign seeks to prevent violence and abuse against shop workers by pressuring the government for tougher action.
Business
National Insurance hike threatens Welsh tourism industry

THE SUDDEN closure of Oakwood Theme Park, Wales’ largest theme park, has sparked concerns about the financial sustainability of the country’s tourism industry, with business owners warning that increased National Insurance (NI) contributions could push more attractions to the brink.
Oakwood, a staple of Welsh tourism for nearly 40 years, announced its closure last week, citing “unrelenting economic challenges,” including rising operational costs, falling visitor numbers, and increased wage and tax burdens. The move has sent shockwaves through the tourism sector, with fears that other major attractions could suffer a similar fate.

Financial pressure mounting
Industry leaders have pointed to the recent increase in employer NI contributions as a significant factor exacerbating financial difficulties. Under the latest changes, the employer NI rate rose from 13.8% to 15%, while the threshold for contributions was lowered from £9,100 to £5,000. These adjustments, which took effect in April 2025, have placed an additional estimated £1 billion burden on the UK’s hospitality and tourism sectors.
Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, warned: “The scale of this change is unprecedented, bringing three-quarters of a million people into this employer tax for the first time. The impact will be enormous, forcing businesses to abandon investment, change recruitment plans, reduce headcounts, and increase prices to cope with these cost increases.”
Welsh attractions at risk
The concerns extend beyond Oakwood, with fears that other key Welsh attractions could struggle under the increased tax burden. Smaller family-run sites, seasonal tourism businesses, and even large-scale operations dependent on high visitor numbers may be particularly vulnerable.
Dominic Paul, CEO of Whitbread, which owns Premier Inn and other hospitality businesses, highlighted the disproportionate effect of rising NI costs: “These increases disproportionately affect part-time and minimum wage workers, which could hinder growth and employment opportunities across the sector.”
Giles Fuchs, owner of Burgh Island Hotel, echoed similar concerns: “The hospitality sector plays a crucial role in employment across the UK, contributing £93bn to the economy annually. The NI hike risks stifling growth at a critical time, putting thousands of jobs in jeopardy.”
Closure fears across Wales
The ripple effects of Oakwood’s closure are already being felt in Pembrokeshire, where local businesses reliant on visitor traffic are anticipating a sharp downturn. Local café owner Bethan Hughes said: “Oakwood brought thousands of visitors to the area every year. We’ve already seen bookings drop, and it’s worrying to think what could happen if other attractions close too.”
Meanwhile, the Welsh tourism board has called for urgent support measures to prevent further closures. A spokesperson said: “Tourism is one of Wales’ biggest economic drivers, and we need targeted relief to help businesses cope with these rising costs. Without action, we could see a major decline in the sector.”
Calls for Government intervention
With concerns mounting, industry figures are urging the government to reconsider its policies. UKHospitality and other business leaders are lobbying for a reversal of the NI increase or targeted tax relief for tourism businesses to mitigate the impact.
Nick White, CEO of Bistrot Pierre, which recently announced the closure of eight UK locations due to rising costs, warned: “If the government does not step in, we will see more closures, more job losses, and a damaged tourism industry that will take years to recover.”
As Wales braces for an uncertain tourism season, businesses, workers, and visitors alike are left wondering whether further attractions will follow Oakwood into closure—or if policymakers will step in to prevent an industry-wide crisis.
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