Free self-help tools
Use independently, at your own pace — no booking needed
in order ↑
Start here · Foundation
Where Do I Start?
New to Money Lifemap? Start here. The three capitals, the two levers, and how the whole series fits together — in plain language, before any detail.
Introduces the Human, Decision, and Financial capitals framework — and why understanding the relationship between the three matters more than any individual financial product. Sets the context for everything else in the series, including the FAM™ activation measure used in guided sessions.
Box Theory · Guide 1 of 3
The Box Theory
Understanding tax-efficient wrappers and why where you put your money matters as much as how much you save.
Introduces the Box Complexity Measure (BCM™) — a structured, client-visible framework for understanding the complexity of your tax wrapper and financial planning position. Covers the key wrapper types, their tax treatment in accumulation and decumulation, and how to think about wrapper selection without making product recommendations.
Box Theory · Guide 2 of 3
What Goes in the Box?
Investment construction — what to hold inside your wrappers, and how to think about risk, diversification, and cost.
Moves inside the wrapper to explore investment construction principles. Covers asset classes, the role of diversification, the relationship between risk and time horizon, the impact of costs on long-run returns, and the difference between active and passive approaches — without recommending any specific product or provider.
Box Theory · Guide 3 of 3
Will It Last?
Decumulation, risk of ruin, and sequence-of-returns risk. The question nobody asks — until it's too late.
Addresses the shift from accumulation to decumulation — where the planning questions change fundamentally. Introduces risk of ruin, sustainable withdrawal rates, and the sequence-of-returns effect. Illustrates why a portfolio that grows well during accumulation can still fail in retirement if the drawdown strategy is wrong.
Planning framework
The Cash Flow Framework
How cash flow modelling works, why it's central to good financial planning, and how to read a lifetime model.
Explains the mechanics and purpose of cash flow modelling as a planning tool. Covers how a lifetime model is constructed, what the key assumptions are, how to read and interpret the output, and how scenario analysis helps explore decisions — without the model telling you what to do.
Guidance framework
Door A or Door B?
A framework for understanding whether self-directed learning or guided support is the right starting point for you.
Helps you think through where you are in your financial education journey and what kind of support is most useful right now. Door A is self-directed — using the free tools independently to build knowledge and confidence at your own pace. Door B is guided — working with an educator when your situation has complexity that benefits from a structured session. Neither door is better; the right one depends on where you are.
Guided session tools
Used with an educator in a booked session — not available for standalone use
Money Lifemap — full suite
The core cash flow modelling system and BCM™ complexity measure are used by the educator and client together during a booked session. The educator must be present to ensure the tool is used correctly within the guidance boundary — these tools are not available for solo use.
Money Lifemap cash flow model
A proprietary, proven lifetime cash flow modelling system. Educator and you explore scenarios together — income, expenditure, assets, liabilities — across your full planning horizon.
Session onlyBCM™ — Box Complexity Measure
An interactive, client-visible tool that maps the complexity of your tax wrapper and financial planning position. Feeds directly into the FAM™ Activation × Complexity matrix and shapes session design.
Session onlyThe FAM™ assesses your current level of financial activation — your awareness, capability, and readiness to manage your financial life — and maps it against the complexity of your situation. The result shapes session design, signposting decisions, and the outcome report.
Level 1
Unaware
Limited awareness of financial planning concepts. Session focus: foundations, vocabulary, orientation.
Level 2
Aware
Aware of the need to plan but uncertain how to start. Session focus: frameworks, structure, priorities.
Level 3
Engaged
Actively engaged with finances. Session focus: cash flow modelling, scenario analysis, complexity.
Level 4
Activated
Confident and capable. Session focus: advanced scenario planning, signposting to regulated advice.
FAM™ is completed as a short questionnaire ahead of your session. Your result is included in the outcome report, providing a measurable pre- and post-session record of your financial activation level.
Custom educational tools are available for employers and professional firms with specific planning needs. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.