Lines Financial Planning

18/11/2025

A big part of what I do is helping people plan for stopping / slowing down from their business.

But how do we know how much is enough?

One of the three main steps I take my clients on is finding out if they're on track to have a life well lived after work and while that may look different for everyone, this article is a useful place to start if you've not thought about it before.

What do you think?

How much do I need to retire? By the time we reach 55 (age 57 from April 2028), many of us begin to prioritise pension planning, and this question often tops our minds. With inflation rates still see-sawing, and interest rates falling, the cost of a comfortable retirement may well keep rising. We ex...

28/10/2025

Could your finances handle a short-term setback?

Us business owners are pretty resourceful folk. When things get tough, we dig deep and push through.

But what if the business hits a slow patch, a big client delays payment, or you have to take time off unexpectedly?

Having an emergency fund for both personal and business expenses gives you something you can’t put a price on: Time.

Time to make good decisions, not rushed ones.
Time to recover without panic.

It’s not always about how much you earn. Sometimes, it’s about what’s protected when you can’t.

Curious how financially resilient your setup really is?

Take my Business Owner Financial Clarity Quiz - https://matt-yvbrh5sd.scoreapp.com

Lines Financial Planning Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

SJP Approved 27/10/2025

10/09/2025

Real is not about predicting the future.

It is about preparing for it.

By mapping out income, spending, assets, and goals, we can test different scenarios:

- What happens if you sell your business?

- What happens if you stop working earlier than planned?

- What happens when markets take a dip?

With me, you can stress-test your plan against all of these possibilities and more.

The point is not to have a crystal ball, but to know that whatever life throws at you, your plan has the flexibility to adapt.

That is the difference between hoping everything will be fine, and knowing you are in control. Proper Financial Planning.

09/09/2025

Almost everyone has asked themselves at some point:

“Am I going to be OK?”

It is the fear behind most financial worries. It's why people stay awake at night, second-guessing their decisions about money, investments, and retirement.

I can help answer that question. We'll bring together all the moving parts of your finances and show you the bigger picture.

Not in spreadsheets, not in jargon, but in simple, visual terms.

Most of my clients have the 'penny drop' moment when they see my way of .

They realise they can stop worrying about whether they are doing the right things, and instead start living with confidence.

After all, real wealth is peace of mind. 😉

Here's a vaguely related picture of me enjoying some peace of mind in a cowboy costume, because why the hell not?

08/09/2025

Some people think financial advice is a search for better investment returns.

But that misses the bigger picture.

The real question is not “can I get a better return?” - it's “will I have enough to live the life I want?”

The way I work with clients puts that question front and centre.

We start with you, your income, your spending, your assets, and your goals.

We then map out what your future might look like in clear, visual terms. If it isn't as rosy as you'd like, I help you optimise it.

The end result is not just a number on a statement.

It is clarity, confidence, and the knowledge that your plan is truly built around you and your life.

Isn't that what we all want?

23/05/2025

It's not about timing.

It's about time in.

22/05/2025

"Matt, great presentation today. I really enjoy listening to your useful presentations, they’re always really informative. I’m excited to work with you in helping me plan for my future as I know you will genuinely have my best interests at heart. Keep up the good work" - F.S, Solihull

"I've seen hundreds of presentations by Financial Advisors and yours was the best by a mile" - A.B, Birmingham

"So easy to understand, really engaging" - T.B, Redditch

This is some of the feedback I received about my presentation on Why Investing Makes Sense.

I'm not easily embarrassed but even I was rosy-of-cheek after that!

If I can toot my own horn a little, I've always been good at explaining complex ideas and concepts simply and relatably (not sure that's even a word, but you get what I mean).

It's so important considering what I do.

I'm Matt Lines, I help busy people make better financial decisions.

I'm looking to do more presentations, so if you want to give your staff / networking group / peers some enhanced financial education, I'm here for you.

21/05/2025

"I don't know what to do, so I'll do nothing"
Analysis Paralysis.

Sound familiar? I hear you.

I speak to busy people on a daily basis who have felt this way about getting their financial plan underway.

They come to me feeling confused about where to start, maybe even a little embarrassed that they haven't taken action before.

They don't leave feeling that way.

Instead they feel empowered, more knowledgeable and that they've taken the first step on a journey to a secure financial future.

I can often see the shoulders relax, hear the sigh of relief.

The best time to do it was back then. The second best time to do it is...

You guessed it.

Right now.

What are you waiting for?

07/05/2025

"I can do my own financial planning"

Financial planning isn’t the same as budgeting, my friend.

Many people are perfectly capable at managing their personal budgets, but proper financial planning requires professional expertise and knowledge.

Tax regs, for example, can change frequently (see Autumn Budget...)

And it’s easy to miss opportunities or find you’ve made a costly mistake if you’re not managing money full time.

My advice allows busy people like you to prepare well in advance for major life stages such as retirement, or even funding care. I help you navigate complex decisions and the ups and downs.

What does that mean for you?

Choice, abundance, and a life well lived.



Fancy a chat? I'm currently taking bookings for June.

22/04/2025

Do you feel ready for retirement? Yes / No / Other in the comments!

Last Friday I launched my Business Owner Retirement Quiz:
https://matt-jfm1zur3.scoreapp.com

and it got me thinking, what about everyone else? So I'm curious - do you feel ready for retirement?

17/04/2025

Business Owners - This mistake could cost you.

It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day challenges of running a business. I know - I do it all the time! It’s a hard gig, this entrepreneur malarkey.

But one mistake I see business owners regularly make is not properly planning for their exit. I hear the phrase “My business is my pension” on a regular basis!

That’s great, but what if you can’t sell when you want to? Or if it takes years longer than expected?

Everyone needs to know how their retirement is shaping up, so take my Business Owner Retirement Quiz and see how you’re doing.

In about the same time it takes to boil the kettle, you’ll have a personalised report about your retirement savings, tax strategy and goals.

And the best bit? You’ll get a 15 min Zoom call with me to go through the results! No obligation, no hard sell. Just some time with an expert on this sort of thing 😉

https://matt-jfm1zur3.scoreapp.com

21/03/2025

It's not about timing.

It's about time in.