Good advice is human.
Everyone has their own reasons for asking about money.
Here are thirty of them, and where a financial adviser might begin.
01
A place of my own
Can I afford to buy a place of my own?
I've found a flat I love, but the mortgage could cost me the holidays I take with my friends.
Where an adviser might begin
- What would you have left each month?
- What are you saving towards?
- How important is living alone right now?
02
Going it alone
How do I plan my finances as a freelancer?
I love being my own boss. I'd love it more if clients paid before I had to chase them.
Where an adviser might begin
- How much does your income vary?
- What savings could you fall back on?
- What pension arrangements do you have?
03
Six months away
Can I afford to take six months off to travel?
I've saved for years to feel secure. Spending it on travelling feels both wonderful and terrifying.
Where an adviser might begin
- What would the trip cost altogether?
- What income do you expect afterwards?
- How much would you want left?
04
The startup offer
How much should I count on my startup shares?
The options might be worth a fortune one day. But I can't pay my rent with them.
Where an adviser might begin
- When could the options become valuable?
- What if they end up worth nothing?
- What are your longer-term financial priorities?
05
A different kind of success
Can I afford to take a job that pays less?
It's at a charity I've admired for years. I'm thrilled they want me, but worried about the pay cut.
Where an adviser might begin
- How much would your take-home pay change?
- How do the pensions and benefits compare?
- Which financial plans might be affected?
06
A little further out
How much does moving further out really cost?
I love my first flat. I miss being able to pop over to friends without turning it into an expedition.
Where an adviser might begin
- How have your monthly costs changed?
- What would you like to keep spending on?
- What are you saving for now?
07
One flat, two countries
Should I sell my flat before moving abroad?
I can't wait to move, but my London flat took years to make mine. And what if I come back?
Where an adviser might begin
- How long might you live abroad?
- What rental income would remain after costs and tax?
- How would selling affect your plans overseas?
08
Two flats
What should we do with our two flats?
We're moving in together. Neither of us planned to become a landlord, but selling feels strange.
Where an adviser might begin
- Where would you like to live together?
- What would keeping both properties cost?
- How would you share the financial responsibilities?
09
Buying together
How do we protect ourselves when buying a house together?
We're excited about the house. I just don't know how to bring up a breakup before we've even moved in.
Where an adviser might begin
- What is each of you contributing?
- How would you share ownership and repayments?
- Have you discussed legal protections with a solicitor?
10
Mum's house
Would Mum be better off in a smaller home?
She'd rather put her bedroom downstairs than leave the five-bedroom house she's lived in for decades.
Where an adviser might begin
- What would your mum prefer?
- What would adapting the house cost?
- How would moving affect her finances?
11
A very civil breakup
How do we sort out money after a breakup?
We've split up without a row, but letters still arrive in both our names. I'd like to keep it civil.
Where an adviser might begin
- Which financial commitments do you still share?
- What are your mortgage options?
- When would you like your finances separated?
12
The job I didn't expect
Should I take the job or move abroad?
I've spent years pushing for the move. Now my partner's ready, I've been offered a job in London I love.
Where an adviser might begin
- How would the job compare with freelancing?
- What could you earn abroad?
- How much flexibility would you want?
13
A helping hand
Should I accept financial help from my parents?
They're delighted to help with my deposit. I keep wondering whether they'll wish they'd kept it for retirement.
Where an adviser might begin
- Is the money a gift or loan?
- How would helping you affect their retirement?
- What savings would they have left?
14
Starting again
Can I afford to retrain after redundancy?
Everyone's sending me job adverts. After years in the same role, I want a chance to try something different.
Where an adviser might begin
- How long could your savings support you?
- What would retraining cost?
- What expenses must you continue covering?
15
Their future
How much should I save for my child's future?
They've changed their mind about what to do after school six times. I want to help, whatever they decide.
Where an adviser might begin
- What support would you like to offer?
- When might they need the money?
- How flexible should those savings be?
16
Five jobs, five pensions
How do I know if I've saved enough for retirement?
Five jobs, probably five pensions. I can't find half the paperwork, never mind work out what's in them.
Where an adviser might begin
- Can we trace your old pensions?
- What are you contributing now?
- When would you like to retire?
17
The future I imagined
How do I plan financially when I'm still single?
I thought I'd be married by now. I haven't given up on that, but I can't keep putting my future on hold.
Where an adviser might begin
- What do you want for your own future?
- Have you delayed any financial decisions?
- How can your plans stay flexible?
18
Keeping up
How do I afford to keep up with my friends?
My friends earn more and I hate missing out. I always say yes, then dread checking my bank balance.
Where an adviser might begin
- What could you comfortably spend socially?
- Which plans matter most to you?
- What else are you saving towards?
19
What Grandma left me
Where do I even start with Grandma's inheritance?
Grandma left money in old accounts nobody can find. Chasing it feels awful, and I haven't even decided what to do with it.
Where an adviser might begin
- Who's handling her estate?
- Which accounts have been traced?
- What would you like the money to help you do?
20
Saving for tomorrow
Am I saving too hard for retirement?
My retirement's mapped out in Excel. I'm still young, and beginning to wonder what I'm missing while I save.
Where an adviser might begin
- When would you like to retire, and why?
- How much are you saving each month?
- What would you like to enjoy more of today?
21
Fifty-fifty
Is splitting everything fifty-fifty always fair?
My boyfriend earns more. We split bills equally, but he's saving every month while I'm skint.
Where an adviser might begin
- What does each of you have left after expenses?
- What are your shared financial goals?
- Would splitting costs differently work better?
22
Our first baby
Can we both afford to take parental leave?
The baby's due in March. I'd love him to have time at home too, but his employer's parental pay is rubbish.
Where an adviser might begin
- What parental pay would you each receive?
- How long could your savings support you?
- What costs will change when the baby arrives?
23
Not climbing the ladder
Should I take a promotion I don't want?
It pays more, but I'd lose the work I love and probably my evenings. Everyone thinks I should say yes.
Where an adviser might begin
- How much would the extra salary change your finances?
- What longer-term plans depend on earning more?
- How important is your time outside work?
24
No children, no blueprint
What am I saving for if I don't want children?
My friends are saving for school fees. I know I don't want kids. I'd like to work out what I'm building towards.
Where an adviser might begin
- What would you like your money to make possible?
- When might you want to stop working?
- How would you plan for support in later life?
25
The pay rise
What should I do with my first decent pay rise?
Mum says pension. Friends say deposit. Honestly, I was thinking a holiday...
Where an adviser might begin
- What savings do you already have?
- What are your priorities over the next few years?
- How much could you spend without affecting those plans?
26
Doing it on my own
Can I afford to become a parent on my own?
I'm tired of waiting for a partner. I want a baby, and I'd rather figure out the money than keep waiting.
Where an adviser might begin
- How would parental leave affect your income?
- What might childcare cost on one salary?
- What financial buffer would help you feel secure?
27
Business with a friend
Should I start a business with my best friend?
She's already named it. I'd be putting in the savings, and I don't want our friendship riding on the balance sheet.
Where an adviser might begin
- How much could you afford to invest or lose?
- What would you each contribute?
- How would you protect your personal finances?
28
Decades together
Are we financially protected if we're not married?
We've been together for decades. We never needed a wedding, but I'm worried about what happens if one of us dies.
Where an adviser might begin
- What assets and commitments do you share?
- What financial protection do you have?
- Have you made wills and reviewed your beneficiaries?
29
Time for Dad
Can I afford to cut my hours to care for Dad?
He needs more help now. I'd like to be there, but I'm worried about what three days a week does to my pension.
Where an adviser might begin
- How would reducing your hours affect your pension?
- What savings could help cover the difference?
- What financial support might be available?
30
Selling the business
Should I sell the business I've spent years building?
Someone's made a good offer. I thought I'd be thrilled, but it feels a bit like selling part of myself.
Where an adviser might begin
- What would you receive after tax and transaction costs?
- What income would you need afterwards?
- What would you want to do next?