“Thanks, but no thanks.”
I’ve always felt that clarity beats courtesy in financial planning conversations.
If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a vague “let me think about it” or a long stretch of radio silence after putting together a proposal, you’ll know how frustrating indecision can be. Especially in financial planning, where timing, transparency, and trust are everything, knowing where you stand is not just helpful, it’s essential.
This came to mind recently after a conversation with a potential client in the US. We had a great discussion, and I presented what I believed was a thoughtful, tailored solution. A day later, I received a message: “Thanks for your time, but this isn’t for me.” And I genuinely appreciated it.
It wasn’t a rejection—it was respect. No false hopes, no vague promises, no time wasted.
And that got me thinking.
In our daily lives, where complexities multiply quickly, it’s not just advisors who benefit from a clear “yes” or “no.” We all do!
Too often, we hesitate to say “no” because we feel we might offend someone, or we’re not quite ready to make a decision and don’t want to close a door. That’s understandable; we’ve all been there.
But ambiguity keeps us all stuck.
In my experience working with clients from the UK, US, France, and South Africa, it’s the undecided middle that causes the most stress. Sitting in that space and hovering between action and inaction always seems to hinder progress. Not because the door’s closing, but because your time, energy, and mental space are being consumed by holding the door open and not being able to either close it, or walk through.
Saying “no” when something isn’t quite right clears the deck. It frees up space for better decisions, more suitable solutions, and financial strategies that actually serve your goals.
Financial planning isn’t a once-off event—it’s an ongoing process of evaluation, decision-making, and realignment. And “no” is part of that process. It might sound counterintuitive, but here’s how saying “no” helps:
- It defines your focus. There are hundreds of investment products, insurance policies, and tax strategies. Ruling out options sharpens the path forward.
- It reveals your priorities. When you say “no” to something, you’re often clarifying what really matters to you. That’s gold in the planning process.
- It protects your time and money. Saying “yes” out of politeness can lead to commitments you don’t need, or solutions that don’t serve you.
This is especially important for expats. When you’re living abroad, navigating different tax regimes, pension rules, or residency requirements, it’s tempting to delay decisions simply because there’s too much to process. But financial indecision doesn’t protect you. It creates vulnerability.
The sooner you can say, “yes, this works for me” or “no, this isn’t right just now,” the sooner you gain traction in your financial life.
I always say: my job isn’t to convince you, it’s to give you clarity, confidence and conviction. My role is to present clear options and walk with you through the pros and cons. Whether you’re managing a UK pension from France, transferring a 401(k) from the US, or trying to figure out how to split assets across countries, you deserve advice that respects your time and your voice.
And that includes your “no.”
So if you’re sitting on the fence about a decision, or holding off on replying to a financial planner you spoke to weeks ago, maybe it’s time to clear the air.
A clear “no” isn’t closing a door. It’s opening space for the right opportunities to show up.
