Heide Swift Financial Planning

We’re still in Armed Forces Week, and most of the lessons you learn in the military stay with you for life.

Today, I nearly forgot two of the most basic:

👀 JRTFQ – Just Read The ((Flipping 😉)) Question

👀 Don’t Assume

I’ve been working on a flurry of Equity Release cases recently, and one client is keen to complete quickly.

To save time, I completed the Decision in Principle before our final meeting.

⛔️ Declined.

Within 30 seconds, the system told me the property wasn’t suitable security. 🤯

After a slightly panicked phone call, I discovered the problem.

At the bottom of a very long list of “No” questions was a single “Yes” question that I’d missed.

The question was whether the property was habitable and in good repair.

Yep. I answered it incorrectly. 🙈

So I forgot both lessons:

❌ I didn’t Just Read The Flipping Question.

❌ I assumed the answer would be “No” because every question before it was.

And we all know what happens when you assume… 😂

Thankfully, the decision was overturned and we’re back on track.

I’m blaming the heat. 🥵

But it’s a good reminder that sometimes the smallest details make the biggest difference.

What’s a lesson you’ve learned that has stayed with you for life?

Stay cool,

Heide x

Phew! It’s been a hot one today 🥵

Today (Monday 22nd June) marks the start of Armed Forces Week.

First of all, let’s spare a thought for all those eager young people who are going through their basic training this week in the heat… 🙏

It made me think back to the things we were ‘made’ to do when we joined up.

And making a will was one of those things!

I have no idea whether it was a ‘legal’ requirement.

I suspect not… although many circa 17/18 year old recruits made a big deal about having ‘nothing to leave’ anyone.

However: the point was, whether you have anything to leave NOW or not is irrelevant.

You may have in the future in the event that the worst happens, and having it in place takes one less worry off your loved ones’ plates.

I feel it didn’t do me any harm: in fact it gave me a very early understanding of the need for a will and why one should be in place.

Imagine it’s your own child leaving home and embarking on a new life in a new job and a regular income being earned.

Will you encourage them to have a will in place? 🤔

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Have a great evening. Heide x