Will your credit score affect your mortgage application? Should you consolidate all your pensions into one place? And how do you actually start planning for retirement right now? In this Ask Becky episode Rebecca Robertson answers the three questions her team at Evolution Financial Planning hear most from clients. Whether you're a first-time buyer building your credit history or someone with multiple workplace pensions wondering what to do next, this episode breaks it all down in plain English. This is a special Ask Becky edition where Rebecca's team, mortgage and protection adviser Jenny and client manager Katie, share the questions clients ask them most. Rebecca then gives her honest, independent financial advice on each one. In This Episode You'll Learn: - How your credit score directly impacts your mortgage chances and what lenders actually look for - Why having no credit history can be just as problematic as having bad credit - The truth about payday loans and why they often mean an automatic decline - Whether consolidating your pensions is actually a good idea (spoiler: it depends) - The difference between defined benefit and defined contribution pensions - How upcoming inheritance tax changes could affect pension planning - Simple first steps to start planning for retirement at any age Chapters 0:00 Welcome to Ask Becky 0:23 Introduction: Rebecca Robertson & Evolution Financial Planning 1:40 Jenny's Question: Will My Credit Score Affect My Mortgage? 2:07 How HP, Finance & Missed Payments Impact Your Score 2:28 Why Payday Loans Are Often an Automatic Decline 2:50 Checking Your Credit Report: Experian & Equifax 3:14 When It's the Bank's Mistake, Not Yours 3:36 First-Time Buyers: The Problem with No Credit History 4:04 Building Credit the Smart Way with a 0% Card 4:47 CCJs, Bankruptcy & Higher Interest Rates 5:30 Rebecca's Book: Accelerating Your Wealth 6:04 Katie's Question: Should I Consolidate My Pensions? 6:57 Why Consolidating for the Sake of It Can Be a Mistake 7:42 Risk, Oversight & When Moving Pensions Makes Sense 8:09 Defined Benefit vs Defined Contribution Pensions 8:53 Why Every Pension Needs Individual Review 9:17 Inheritance Tax Changes & Pension Planning 10:01 Katie's Second Question: How Do I Plan for Retirement? 10:32 Run Projections, Find the Gap, Fill It 11:04 Outro & Thanks Connect with Rebecca Robertson and the Podcast: Subscribe for weekly wealth-building strategies: YouTube Instagram: @rebecca_robertsonifa & @acceleratingyourwealth LinkedIn: Rebecca Robertson Facebook: RebeccaRobertsonwealth Website: www.evolutionfinancialplanning.co.uk Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Your Money Story Is Running Your Life | How to Rewrite It - Ep. 149 Part 2

What happens when a simple conversation about remortgaging triggers a full emotional breakdown? In Part 2 of this conversation with life and leadership coach Rose Latham, Rebecca Robertson digs into the moment Rose realised her entire financial identity was built on fear, inherited money stories and a self-worth wound she didn't know was there. They explore how to uncover your own money story and start rewriting it.

Picking up where Part 1 left off, Rose shares the kitchen conversation with her husband that cracked everything open. A routine chat about remortgaging triggered a flood of emotion that revealed just how tightly her financial worth was tangled with her identity as a mother, a partner and a professional.

Rose walks through how she started unpicking that story, from reading Barbara Stanny's "Overcoming Underearning" to having honest conversations with her mum about generational money patterns. Rebecca shares her own parallel: a father who grew up in genuine poverty after a coal mine accident left his family with nothing, and how that shaped her own relationship with money without her ever realising it.

The episode closes with two practical exercises anyone can do today to start understanding their own money story and what's really driving their financial decisions.

What You'll Learn:

- Why a routine money conversation can trigger a disproportionate emotional response - How to recognise the signs of underearning (it's not just about salary) - The generational money stories that silently shape your financial behaviour - How to separate your self-worth from your bank balance - Two practical exercises to uncover your hidden money beliefs

Connect with Rose Latham:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roselathamcoaching/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rose.latham.127 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roselatham.lifecoaching/

Chapters

0:00 Cold open: "My heart started racing and I started crying" 1:43 Welcome back to Part 2 2:34 The door in the wall you didn't know was there 3:08 Self-worth and finances: the connection Rose didn't see 4:26 The remortgage conversation that broke everything open 5:14 "You make a terrible coach, but you're completely right" 6:00 What success actually means as a family 7:17 The challenge of pricing yourself as a new coach 8:54 Building confidence to charge what you're worth 9:21 When the work has nothing to do with you 10:46 Discovering "Overcoming Underearning" by Barbara Stanny 11:28 Having an honest conversation with Mum about money 12:50 Rebecca's dad: growing up with nothing after a mining accident 14:01 "If you don't shine a light on it, it runs you" 15:41 Spending money as fast as it arrives 16:20 Top tips: tell the truth about your numbers 17:21 The "Money Is..." exercise 18:10 Where to find Rose and her money exercises PDF 19:15 Outro and subscribe

#SelfWorth #MoneyMindset #AcceleratingYourWealth #FinancialPlanning #WealthCoach #MoneyBeliefs #PersonalFinance #LeadershipCoaching #WomenAndMoney #ClassAndMoney

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Connect with Rebecca Robertson and the Podcast:

Subscribe for weekly wealth-building strategies: https://www.youtube.com/@rebeccarobertsonifa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_robertsonifa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceleratingyourwealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-financial-advisor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRobertsonwealth Website: https://www.evolutionfinancialplanning.co.uk

Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Self-Worth and Money: The Hidden Money Beliefs Holding You Back - Ep. 149 Pt. 1.

How does your self-worth affect your income? In this episode, Rebecca Robertson sits down with life and leadership coach Rose Latham to explore how childhood money stories, class identity and unconscious beliefs shape what we earn and what we think we deserve. From growing up as "the posh kid" to feeling out of place at Oxford and turning down corporate opportunities in favour of stacking shelves, Rose's story reveals how deeply our sense of worth is wired into our relationship with money.

Rose Latham is a life and leadership coach for CEOs and MDs who want to lead more strategically without carrying the business alone. But before she got there, she had to confront a deeply embedded belief system that kept her playing small financially, even with a degree from Oxford.

In Part one of this two-part conversation, Rose shares how growing up as the "posh family" in a Wiltshire village shaped her early money identity, how arriving at Oxford flipped that narrative completely, and why she walked away from every corporate graduate opportunity without even attending a single evening. Rebecca draws powerful parallels from her own experience, from working in a bank at 19 to navigating class assumptions around ambition.

Together they dig into how the education system reinforces a "work hard = compliance" narrative, why the teaching profession fed Rose's low self-worth, and what it really costs when you try to fill a hole in your identity with a salary.

What You'll Learn:

• How childhood money stories create unconscious limits on what you earn
• Why class identity shifts can shake your confidence at critical career moments
• The real reason "working hard" doesn't always lead to financial reward
• How self-worth and salary are connected (and what to do about it)
• Why the UK education system may be reinforcing unhealthy money beliefs

Connect with Rose Latham:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roselathamcoaching/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rose.latham.127

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roselatham.lifecoaching/

Chapters

0:00 Introduction and welcome 1:30 How do you measure your self-worth? 3:15 Growing up as "the posh family" in Wiltshire 6:40 Arriving at Oxford: from big fish to small fish 11:20 State school kids sticking together at uni 15:00 The milk round: "This isn't for me" 20:30 Working at Tesco's and pubs instead of KPMG 24:00 Rebecca's parallel story — working in a bank at 19 27:45 Graduating with no experience: a humbling reality check 31:30 The power of networks and a free trip to Brazil 35:50 Learning Spanish at 26 and five years in South America 39:00 Coming back to the UK and going into teaching 42:30 How teaching fed the low self-worth narrative 46:00 "You could have paid me double and it wouldn't have been enough"

#SelfWorth #MoneyMindset #AcceleratingYourWealth #FinancialPlanning #WealthCoach #MoneyBeliefs #PersonalFinance #LeadershipCoaching #WomenAndMoney #ClassAndMoney

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Connect with Rebecca Robertson and the Podcast: Subscribe for weekly wealth-building strategies: https://www.youtube.com/@rebeccarobertsonifa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_robertsonifa & https://www.instagram.com/acceleratingyourwealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-financial-advisor Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRobertsonwealth www.evolutionfinancialplanning.co.uk Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Divorce and Financial Independence: Taking Back Control | Ep.148.

Divorce is one of the biggest financial turning points in anyone's life. But for women, the impact is often far greater than most people realise.

In this solo episode of Accelerating Your Wealth, Rebecca Robertson explores what financial independence really means after divorce, why pensions are dangerously overlooked in settlements, and how women can start rebuilding on their own terms.

Drawing on years of experience, Rebecca shares real client stories, challenges common assumptions about asset splitting, and breaks down the statistics that reveal just how wide the financial gap between divorced men and women really is.

• Why divorce is often a bigger financial hit for women than men
• The emotional traps that lead to poor financial decisions during separation
• Why 71% of divorce settlements don't consider pension assets
• How to understand the full financial picture before agreeing to a settlement
• The shift from shared responsibility to full financial ownership
• Why pensions are emotionally devalued but financially critical
• How divorced women hold just 39% of the pension wealth of divorced men
• Why getting financial advice early in the process matters - How divorce can become an opportunity to rebuild on your own terms

Key statistics discussed:

Divorced women hold 39% of the pension wealth of divorced men

Median pension wealth: £32,640 for women vs £85,800 for men

71% of divorce settlements do not consider pension assets

Only 11% of divorces include pension sharing orders

30% of divorced women work part time vs 10% of divorced men

Divorced women earn 37% less on average

We get into:

00:00 Divorce and financial challenges

05:03 The emotional side of divorce

07:49 Financial independence and household budgeting

11:32 Navigating finances after divorce

13:30 Budgeting for pet expenses

17:26 Taking full ownership in life

19:48 Experiences with perimenopause and growth

23:04 Building financial independence after divorce

#AcceleratingYourWealth #DivorceFinance #WomenAndMoney #PensionAdvice #FinancialIndependence #DivorceRecovery #WomenInFinance #PersonalFinance #FinancialFreedom

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Connect with Rebecca Robertson and the Podcast: Subscribe for weekly wealth-building strategies: https://www.youtube.com/@rebeccarobertsonifa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_robertsonifa & https://www.instagram.com/acceleratingyourwealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-financial-advisor Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRobertsonwealth www.evolutionfinancialplanning.co.uk Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

The Financial Impact of Motherhood: How Women Can Close the Wealth Gap - Ep. 147.

In this solo episode, Rebecca Robertson tackles the financial challenges and realities women face when navigating motherhood. She breaks down the key issues that create the so-called "motherhood penalty" and what you can do to safeguard your financial future.

• The gender pay and investment gap, and how they affect women pre and post-motherhood

• The financial impact of life events like divorce, career breaks, and part-time work

• Why early conversations about money and financial planning with your partner are crucial

• Practical advice for managing pensions and investments while raising children

• The importance of transparency and support systems for resilient household finances

Chapters

00:00 Discussing women's opportunities and motherhood

05:17 Discussing financial planning for parenthood

09:13 Importance of contributing to pensions

11:03 Discussing women and financial empowerment

13:28 Discussing financial transparency in relationships

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Connect with Rebecca Robertson and the Podcast: Subscribe for weekly wealth-building strategies: https://www.youtube.com/@rebeccarobertsonifa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_robertsonifa & https://www.instagram.com/acceleratingyourwealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-financial-advisor Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRobertsonwealth www.evolutionfinancialplanning.co.uk Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Should You Invest or Reduce Debt? Financial Planning Tips for Professionals - Ask Becky Anything - Ep. 146.

In this episode of Accelerating Your Wealth, Rebecca Robertson answers audience questions on making smart financial decisions and planning for the future. Get practical insights on investing, mortgages and the uses of trusts for wealth protection.

• How to decide between paying into your pension, overpaying your mortgage or investing spare cash as a high-rate taxpayer

• Tax implications and benefits of pension contributions for employees and limited company owners

• Strategic considerations for paying off buy-to-let mortgages and building a property portfolio

• The different types of trusts and their uses for business owners and intergenerational wealth planning

• Key reasons to seek professional advice and the limits of generic financial guidance

Chapters

00:00 Financial planning and investment advice

03:27 Mortgage strategies and investment advice

08:16 Introducing a complex topic

10:54 Understanding discretionary trusts basics

14:13 Trusts and inheritance tax planning

16:27 Financial advice and gifting strategies

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Connect with Rebecca Robertson and the Podcast: Subscribe for weekly wealth-building strategies: https://www.youtube.com/@rebeccarobertsonifa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_robertsonifa & https://www.instagram.com/acceleratingyourwealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-financial-advisor Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRobertsonwealth www.evolutionfinancialplanning.co.uk Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Women, Wealth, and Identity: Building Tenacity Through Life's Financial and Neurodiverse Challenges - Ep. 145 Part 2.

Welcome to part 2 of this interview with Ruth Kudzi. In this insightful episode of Accelerating Your Wealth, you'll discover how internal beliefs and life transitions shape your approach to money and success. Rebecca Robertson dives into mindset shifts, barriers for women and practical strategies for navigating financial decisions.

• Barriers women face in business, career, and personal finance, and how to overcome them

• The power of self-awareness and reshaping your money mindset

• Breaking emotional spending cycles and building healthier financial habits

• Navigating neurodiversity and perimenopause while managing finances

• Steps to redefine identity and success as your circumstances and goals evolve

Chapters

00:00 Networking and personal growth journey

03:08 Challenges for women in entrepreneurship

07:24 Overcoming societal and personal doubts

11:04 Changing perspectives on future planning

15:34 Building smart money habits

17:59 Discussing affirmations and self-identity

22:27 Money and happiness relationship

24:14 Meeting basic needs vs. finding purpose

29:15 Managing tasks with Google Calendar

33:25 Discussing neurodiversity needs

34:16 Understanding client communication needs

39:16 Seeking private medical help

41:05 Starting a new wellness journey

45:28 Considering coaching or leadership roles

Connect with Ruth Kudzi

Ruth Kudzi is the founder and CEO of Optimus Coach Academy where she trains individuals to become certified and accredited coaches and organisations in coaching skills. Ruth has been running her own coaching business for a decade having worked with 1000s of clients and is 1 of about 150 Master Certfiied Coaches (MCC) in the UK. She has over 30 years experience of studying Psychology and integrates Psychology into all that she does as a coach and trainer. Ruth is a best selling author, respected podcaster and established key note speaker who has been featured in a variety of places online including: Vogue, The Guardian, Women's Health, Forbes, Business Insider, Marie Claire. She is passionate about growth mindset and the fact that we're all able to change how we think, feel and act.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RuthKudzi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ruthkudzi2/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthkudzi/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthkudzi/

Podcast: https://podfollow.com/the-coaching-hub-podcast

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Connect with Rebecca Robertson and the Podcast: Subscribe for weekly wealth-building strategies: https://www.youtube.com/@rebeccarobertsonifa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_robertsonifa & https://www.instagram.com/acceleratingyourwealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-financial-advisor Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRobertsonwealth www.evolutionfinancialplanning.co.uk Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Money, Mindset and Identity: How Your Beliefs Shape Wealth and Business Success with Ruth Kudzi - Part 1 - Ep. 145.

How does your self-image impact your financial success? In this episode, Rebecca Robertson talks to psychologist and coaching expert Ruth Kudzi about the real drivers behind your money mindset and practical steps to take control.

• How childhood beliefs and identity shape your approach to money

• The impact of people-pleasing and societal "shoulds" on business decisions

• Common limiting beliefs around money, numbers, and financial growth

• Practical steps for rewiring money habits and building financial confidence

• Navigating additional barriers such as neurodiversity and perimenopause in your wealth journey

Chapters

00:00 Learning from early business mistakes

05:43 Staying true to your vision

11:03 Understanding business profitability

16:58 Discussing perceptions of wealth

22:11 Balancing work and personal life

27:36 Challenging entrepreneur stereotypes

34:43 Struggling with fitting in and change

38:36 Challenges of balancing work and family

Connect with Ruth Kudzi

Ruth Kudzi is the founder and CEO of Optimus Coach Academy where she trains individuals to become certified and accredited coaches and organisations in coaching skills. Ruth has been running her own coaching business for a decade having worked with 1000s of clients and is 1 of about 150 Master Certfiied Coaches (MCC) in the UK. She has over 30 years experience of studying Psychology and integrates Psychology into all that she does as a coach and trainer. Ruth is a best selling author, respected podcaster and established key note speaker who has been featured in a variety of places online including: Vogue, The Guardian, Women's Health, Forbes, Business Insider, Marie Claire. She is passionate about growth mindset and the fact that we're all able to change how we think, feel and act.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RuthKudzi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ruthkudzi2/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthkudzi/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthkudzi/

Podcast: https://podfollow.com/the-coaching-hub-podcast

___________________________________________________________________

Connect with Rebecca Robertson and the Podcast: Subscribe for weekly wealth-building strategies: https://www.youtube.com/@rebeccarobertsonifa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_robertsonifa & https://www.instagram.com/acceleratingyourwealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-financial-advisor Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRobertsonwealth www.evolutionfinancialplanning.co.uk Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Navigating Pension Withdrawals, ISAs, and Divorce with Financial Clarity - Ep. 144.

Get straightforward answers to your financial questions in this episode of Ask Becky Anything. Rebecca Robertson, independent financial advisor, tackles common money dilemmas with clear, practical answers.

• When it makes sense (and when it doesn't) to draw down your pension into an ISA before retirement

• The tax implications of taking your 25% pension lump sum and moving it into different investment wrappers

• Key changes to pension inheritance tax rules coming in April 2027

• When to involve a financial advisor during the divorce process for optimal financial planning

• How financial disclosure and scenario planning can improve your outcome during major life transitions

Chapters

00:00 Considering retirement drawdown options

03:53 Investment pots and tax implications

06:12 Discussing cash ISA and pension options

09:28 Planning financial scenarios for clients

12:43 Financial challenges of relocating

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Connect with Rebecca Robertson and the Podcast: Subscribe for weekly wealth-building strategies: https://www.youtube.com/@rebeccarobertsonifa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_robertsonifa & https://www.instagram.com/acceleratingyourwealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-financial-advisor Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRobertsonwealth www.evolutionfinancialplanning.co.uk Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Why Menopause Impacts Your Finances and Steps to Take Control - Ep. 143.

Money and menopause are more connected than many realise. In this episode, we uncover the hidden financial impacts menopause has on women's lives and careers.

• The real statistics behind job loss and missed promotions due to menopause symptoms

• Emotional spending and financial gaps women face during transition

• How to reevaluate your budget and joint finances for greater security

• Practical pension and investment tips to protect your future

• Strategies for managing work, health, and money through menopause and beyond

Chapters

00:00 How menopause impacts women financially

03:24 Impact of menopause on women

09:08 Navigating menopause and life priorities

11:54 Planning finances during transitions

15:57 Daily prioritising and staying realistic

18:41 Wealth planner and journaling tips

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Connect with Rebecca Robertson and the Podcast: Subscribe for weekly wealth-building strategies: https://www.youtube.com/@rebeccarobertsonifa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_robertsonifa & https://www.instagram.com/acceleratingyourwealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-financial-advisor Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRobertsonwealth www.evolutionfinancialplanning.co.uk Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.