Three significant events recently had me thinking about how quickly time passes.

In April 1988, the first Boeing 747-400 flight took place. The second event was the 30th anniversary of East and West Germany unifying. Finally, when Apple launched the iPhone 12, it took me back to June 2007 when the first iPhone was released.

Such events are good reminders that while our attention is often on our present worries, like paying the bills and simply getting by, life marches on. Sometimes, we have to make decisions now to give ourselves a better future. Financially, that means investing. So what would have happened If I had invested during these milestones?

This month the state pension age increases to 66 years old, and it will rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028. There have been several changes to pension ages in recent years, causing confusion and anger. Knowledge is power, so it’s important to know what you’re entitled to, and when.

Do you work hard but feel that you are not making any progress financially? Do you put money away each month, but don’t have a real plan for it? Do you have goals you’re looking to achieve?

Perhaps it’s time to meet with a financial planner:

So what does a planner do? First, they get to understand you; what you want from life, your dreams and ambitions. Then they take your numbers and create a plan, a financial roadmap of your life, to help you achieve your goals.

We all know life is not a smooth straight road. We encounter twists, turns and sometimes boulders, and occasionally these obstacles turn into catastrophes. A financial planner can show you, before a catastrophe occurs, what it would mean to you financially, and how you can manage that risk.

September is World Alzheimer's Month, an international campaign to raise awareness and highlight issues faced by people affected by dementia. Globally, dementia is one of the biggest challenges we face, with nearly 50 million people living with the condition worldwide.

So what has this got to do with The Money Plan?

In The Money Plan I talk about eight financial foundations we should all be aware of, three of which are essential and five optional. The three relevant to us all are our emergency cash, our will and our Powers of Attorney – and the latter two are not just something to think about when we’re older. I strongly suggest everyone over the age of 18 should have them: an accident or a condition like dementia can affect us from any age.

I am often asked, ‘Why is it so difficult to get ahead financially?’ After 25 years a financial planner, and thousands of hours with clients, I believe it comes down to psychology. The answer is to stack the odds in our favour, which means taking emotion out of the equation. If we can make a decision once and put our finances on autopilot, we’re on the right track.

The Pensions Regulator says that more than £30m has been reported lost to pension scammers since 2017.

Scammers targeted pension pots large and small, with individual losses ranging from under £1,000 to as much as £500,000. The average victim was described as a man in his 50s – but this could happen to anyone, so what can you do to spot and avoid a pension scam so that it doesn't happen to you?

The furlough scheme is reaching its final chapter, and inevitably, that’s led to more redundancies hitting the headlines. So what should you do to prepare in times like these?

If you haven’t been motivated before, now is the perfect time to get financially well organised. This is something everyone can do; even if you don’t know where to start when it comes to managing your money, with a few simple steps you can take control.

Students the length and breadth of the country will soon celebrate Fresher’s Week without a worry in the world.

For many, this is the first time they have left home to fend for themselves. It’s also the first time that many will have to manage their money and plan their expenditure.

Listen to this episode to find out how students can help organise their finances as they return to education.

I believe children are the future, and if we want a prosperous future we need to help them with financial education.

So I discuss money with Charlie, our youngest reader of the money plan and I answer his questions.

Learning how to manage our money is just like learning to walk: we need a guiding hand to hold and encourage us along the way. We don’t get a formal financial education at school, so teaching children about money starts at home.

Listen to this episode to discover how you can teach your children about pocket money, investing, student loans, buying a house, and even pensions!