A new study4  has found that people with a financial adviser are over four times more likely to display high levels of financial wellbeing than those who have never received financial advice.

Financial wellbeing relates to the control people have over their financial future. Those with high levels tend to not only meet their long-term financial goals, but also have a clear idea about what makes them happy and what they want from life, thereby allowing them to identify and achieve more meaningful life goals both now and in retirement.

The ‘all-rounder’

This latest analysis was based on a survey of 10,466 UK residents and found that the key to building financial wellbeing is to have both ‘money’ building blocks and ‘mindset’ building blocks. People with the best financial wellbeing scores did well on both fronts; in essence, all money and no long-term happiness plan was found to be no better overall than having a plan but no money.

Respondents with the best possible combination of scores were classified as ‘all-rounders’, with this group financially comfortable and enjoying life now while also planning for their future happiness. Essentially, such people are equipped to achieve the perfect balance between understanding the importance of both money and mindset.

Wellbeing and advice go hand in hand

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the study revealed that people who seek professional financial advice are far more likely to fit into the ‘all-rounder’ category than those who do not. Overall, just 10% of those who had never received financial advice were fortunate enough to combine healthy finances with a positive money mindset, compared to 44% of those who enjoy an ongoing relationship with a financial adviser.

4Aegon, 2021

If you received a large windfall suddenly or unexpectedly, you’d likely expect to feel happy and excited for the opportunities it presents. Whether you’re a successful entrepreneur, perhaps selling your business or inheriting, sudden wealth can feel overwhelming.

Far from being a happy event for some, coming into a large sum of money can prove a massive emotional shock. In fact, it can even result in a recognised psychological condition called ‘Sudden Wealth Syndrome’. The symptoms of this syndrome will vary from person to person, but can include feeling isolated from friends and family, guilty about the good fortune, uncertain about the future, or afraid of losing new-found financial stability. The process of adapting to one’s new financial status can lead to poor mental health and thus self-destructive behaviour, for example excessive spending or risky investments.

The link between mental health and money issues

It is well known that our mental state has a significant impact on how we handle our money. In fact, nearly half (46%) of all people with problem debt also have a mental health issue5. Unfortunately, stories about people who won millions of pounds in the lottery before losing it all, or even getting into debt, are all too common.

Avoiding the negative impacts of sudden wealth

While we can’t always plan for it, or even avoid some of the negative feelings associated with coming into money,

there are things we can do to keep our finances safe.

• Don’t make any hasty decisions – put your windfall into an easy-access savings account(s) (within Financial Services Compensation Scheme limits), where it can accrue interest, until you have decided what to do with it
• Keep it on the down low – Sudden Wealth Syndrome can cause paranoia and anxiety that people only like you because you have money. Keeping things discreet will help alleviate these feelings and help with clear decision-making
• Take professional advice – spending or investing large sums of money without advice can be disastrous for your finances. Investment and tax planning advice are crucial. We’re on hand to help you make wise decisions that will ensure your new-found wealth works hard for you and your family.

Money and Mental Health Policy Institution, 2019.

Far from being a happy event for some, coming into a large sum of money can prove a massive emotional shock.

It’s easy to feel bombarded by the constant cycle of negative news headlines or ‘noise’, which can add to your anxiety about how your investments are doing and uncertainty as to whether your investment strategy is on the right course. It’s important to try and block out this noise which could influence you to make hasty or erratic investment decisions.

Set and revisit your goals

Keeping a record of your reasons for  investing can help temper any inclination to hastily change your plans. Revisiting your initial decisions allows you to assess whether your long-term priorities remain the same.

Avoid continuous monitoring

Our mobile phones allow us to keep completely up to date, which is obviously important for things like keeping in touch with family, but when it comes to investing, it’s best to avoid the emptation to set up alert notifications for funds or companies that you are invested in. Warren Buffett had this advice in 2016 after a period of extreme market volatility saying, “Don’t watch the market closely”; advice that still rings true today.

Time in the market

Shutting out the noise to concentrate on the long term, gives your investments a greater chance of yielding positive returns and benefiting from compounding, although there are obviously no guarantees.