Balance Briefing: January 2026
A new year, changing conditions, and thoughtful planning
A new year often brings a quiet moment of reflection. It’s when many people begin thinking about what they want the year ahead to feel like: more clarity, less pressure, and a greater sense of direction.
In this month’s Balance Briefing, Chartered Financial Planner Sarah Coulson shares why having a clear, well-thought-through plan can make moving forward feel calmer, and how starting early in the year creates more choice over time.
Inside this month's update
In this 4-minute video, Sarah examines some of the key themes shaping the financial landscape as the year begins and why they matter from a planning perspective.
If you’ve ever felt unsure where to start, this is a simple way to see how thoughtful planning begins with goals, not headlines.
Key points from this month
A fresh start doesn’t need big decisions
Starting the year well doesn’t mean making dramatic changes. Small, considered steps taken early often create more flexibility and less pressure later.
Delay is common — and understandable
Many people wait because financial decisions can feel overwhelming or difficult to prioritise. The challenge is that waiting can quietly limit options over time.
Goals give money direction
Understanding what you want your money to help you achieve in life, not just financially, brings clarity and allows decisions to feel purposeful rather than reactive.
Progress with money rarely comes from perfect timing. More often, it comes from starting gently, building over time, and having a plan that can adapt as life changes.
If you’d like to explore this further, we’ve shared more thoughts on the cost of waiting and why earlier insight can create more flexibility over time.
Thinking things through
Change often prompts reflection. A clear plan helps turn that reflection into confident decisions.
If you're exploring what a thoughtful plan might look like for you, a clarity call offers a simple way to talk things through.
Please note: This update is not financial advice and is provided for information only. You should not take any action before speaking to a Financial Planner, who will confirm what suits you. Past performance is no guarantee of what will happen in the future.