The Finance Geeks Podcast

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Warren and Paul explore one of the ongoing challenges of financial planning: trying to create long-term strategies in a world where the rules keep changing. From shifting tax policies to evolving pension legislation, the conversation looks at how advisers can guide clients through uncertainty while keeping plans focused on what really matters.

The geeks discuss recent developments around pensio...

What happens when you’ve trained for years, crossed the finish line of financial freedom… and realise the road keeps going?

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth explore what comes next after the traditional markers of success have been ticked off. If income, assets, and independence were the race you were running, what happens when the medal is around your neck? This conversation examines the mindset...

In the first episode of Season 4, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth tackle the question clients are always asking, even when they don’t say it out loud: “Will I be OK?”

This isn’t a spreadsheet question. It’s an emotional one.

Clients don’t want certainty or perfect predictions. They want reassurance they can trust, delivered with honesty. They want to know they’re not lost, that they can orient themselves, and that they can keep movi...

In this episode, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth deliver a post-Budget forecast tailored for financial planners. With the dust settling after Rachel Reeves’ first Autumn Budget, they break down what’s changing — and what isn’t — across taxation, pensions, welfare, and public spending. It’s not just about the announcements, but the implications for client conversations and strategic planning.

They explore the potential long-term effe...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth unpack the often-overlooked world of inheritance tax planning. With IHT thresholds frozen and the value of estates rising, they explore the real impact this has on clients — and the critical role advisers play in helping reduce the burden.

From early-stage planning to knowing when to act, they emphasise that mitigating inheritance tax is less about clever tricks a...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Paul and Warren explore the treasure-filled dungeons of client finances — where large cash reserves are tucked safely away, guarded by caution and a desire for security. With interest rates offering a short-term haven and market headlines often sounding alarm bells, it’s no surprise many clients prefer the comfort of cash. But is that the best long-term plan?

From risk aversion and misunderstan...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Paul Cleworth and Warren Shute fire up the speculation engine ahead of the Autumn Budget 2025. With the economic pressure mounting and a fiscal gap to fill, they explore the rumours and forecasts swirling around Rachel Reeves’ first major fiscal statement — and what financial planners should be doing right now to prepare.

From possible changes to capital gains tax, inheritance tax, and pension ...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Paul and Warren pull on their running shoes and take on the longevity challenge — asking what it really means to financially plan for clients who might live to 100 (or beyond). The traditional retirement playbook is being stretched, and planners can’t assume the finish line is fixed at 65 plus 20 years. So, what changes when the race is longer than we ever trained for?

They explore how life exp...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Paul and Warren climb aboard the topic of annual reviews and ask whether this long-standing part of the planning timetable is still on the right track — or whether the whole process is starting to run out of steam. Are these meetings still a valuable stop on the client journey, or just a legacy carriage rolling along out of habit?

Rather than sticking to a fixed schedule for the sake of traditi...

In this episode, Paul and Warren step into creative territory, asking a big question that’s facing more and more financial planners: should content creation be part of your role in 2025? With digital platforms becoming the first place clients look for credibility and connection, planners are increasingly expected to show up — not just with technical knowledge, but with a voice, a message, and a way to share it.

But does that mean e...

In this episode, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth take to the riverbank to explore the evolving role of the modern financial planner. Like a great rowing coach, today’s adviser isn’t just there to shout instructions — they’re guiding from the sidelines, helping clients find their own rhythm, set the pace, and steer toward a meaningful destination.

They discuss the delicate balance between giving technical advice and offering coaching...

In this episode, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth walk you through what really happens in a first client meeting — and how to make sure yours feels less like a cold sales pitch and more like the start of an empowering journey. Think of it as your client’s first step onto the Yellow Brick Road — and you're there as their guide, helping them find clarity, courage, and confidence about their future.

Warren and Paul break down the essent...

In this episode, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth share what it really takes to attract the right clients to your financial planning business—without resorting to pushy tactics or broad marketing blasts. They unpack how getting crystal clear on who you want to serve helps you become a magnet for the clients who truly value your work.

From mastering referrals to managing expectations and building trust, they offer practical strategies...

Leap into this retro platformer–inspired episode with Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth as your pixelated protagonists. Starting in the “Solo Start” world, you dash across blocks labelled “Capacity Limits” and collect “Client Coins". Discover why a single character can’t conquer every level alone and learn to spot the flashing “Power-Up” icons—signals it’s time to recruit allies and build a party strong enough for the next stages.

As ...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Paul Cleworth and Warren Shute survey the seismic fault lines that can undermine even the most seasoned advisory practices. They uncover the top ten mistakes—such as assumptions that skip proper discovery, communication cracks that widen client doubts, and the tremors caused by overpromising outcomes—that can destabilise your planning from the ground up.

Whether you’re laying the foundations fo...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth roll out the measuring tape on retirement income planning—proving that the best strategies are tailored to fit, not pulled straight off the rack. They explore how personalised planning, shaped around an individual’s goals, mindset, and spending habits, leads to a more comfortable financial future.

From refining the classic 4% rule to cutting through the complexity...

In this episode of The Finance Geeks, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth explore the impact of Trump's tariffs on market volatility and the broader economic landscape. They unpack the difference between risk and volatility, highlighting why investors often confuse short-term market fluctuations with long-term financial danger.

The conversation dives into how behavioural biases shape client perceptions, the importance of clear communica...

Dust off your pixelated fedora and light your tax-saving torch—because in this epic 8-bit adventure, Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth set off on a quest to uncover the hidden treasures of Inheritance Tax planning.  From ancient gifting scrolls to the mystical artefacts of trusts and insurance, they navigate booby traps of complexity to help preserve your family fortune.

With sharp wit and strategic know-how, they dodge the 40% boulde...

Warren Shute and Paul Cleworth scrutinise every clue in this timely investigation of year-end tax planning. Like master sleuths hot on the scent, they bring to light strategies ranging from maximising ISA contributions and refining pension allocations to making the most of charitable donations. Each insight presented as a vital piece of evidence that can protect your financial well-being before the 5th of April tax deadline.

The ga...