Lianne Catt, Branch Manager
05 June 2025
Have you ever noticed how warmer weather and a bit of sunshine can go a long way to improving your mood? The world can seem like your oyster, especially if you’re like me and love embracing the outdoors and soaking up those sunny rays.
In my downtime, I find any excuse to work in the garden, something I not only enjoy, but requires my undivided attention. And that got me thinking about the many similarities between gardening and how I help my customers plan their finances, in my role as branch manager.
Odd as it might sound, gardening and financial planning have more in common than you might think. Both can help cultivate a flourishing future, and just as plants need sunlight and water to thrive, the right conditions can do wonders for your money.
So, let’s explore the similarities together, but don’t worry, you won’t need green fingers or a garden to gain something from my tips.
Planning out your money management journey
Just like someone with a good financial head on their shoulders, a quality gardener doesn’t dive into action at the drop of a hat. There’s a well-thought-out plan in place. What plants go where, what season they bloom, and how they contribute to the look of the garden.
Similarly, the successful planning of your finances doesn’t mean randomly throwing your money into different savings accounts or investments. It’s important to assess your current circumstances, establish your financial goals, and create a plan tailored to your needs.
An ideal way to start is to ask yourself some important questions. What do you want your finances to look like by the end of the year? In five years? Or even beyond that? And do you have something specific in mind? It could be putting down a deposit on a house, an upcoming wedding to pay for or buying a new car.
No matter what it is and when you want it to happen, it’s something to focus on for your financial future. You’ve worked hard for your money, so why not set realistic goals to help you plan ahead?
This could help you sow the seeds of success right from the beginning.
Manage your money like you manage a garden
If you’ve ever seen a garden left untended, you’ll know that the result tends to be messy. Well, the same goes for your money too.
A skilled gardener has a knack at keeping the weeds at bay. Continuously pruning and ensuring the garden stays tip top during the different seasons. Likewise, someone looking to improve their financial health will trim unnecessary costs and make adjustments based on their personal circumstances.
That can be easier said than done sometimes. But if you have all your financial comings and goings fully laid out, you’ll be able to see your complete financial landscape and know everything that’s happening with your money.
So, grab a pen and paper, and look for anything related to your finances. Any savings accounts, investments, subscriptions etc. Basically, anything you pay into or are being charged for on a regular basis. And don’t forget to include full details on your financial incomings as well.
Now you’re aware of everything, you can prune if needed, because the best thing about having regular reviews ensures that small issues don’t grow into larger problems.
Consider the long-term impact on your money
A gardener has good instincts. They know when to plan for different eventualities, and they adjust their choices. Safeguarding plants or perhaps introducing new, more resilient ones.
Likewise, life can throw us financial curveballs from time to time, so adapting your plans to help protect against financial blips, no matter the climate can really help.
Yet, it’s also important to remember that no garden changes in a day.
It’s about long-term growth, nurturing each plant until it blossoms. Planning your finances is the same. It’s about setting long-term goals – like paying off your mortgage, getting ready for retirement, or saving for that dream holiday. Then nurturing your finances towards these goals.
Patience is key, as the most rewarding outcomes come from sustained effort and persistence.
Cultivating your money options
Having a personal touch is a massively underrated trait and something gardeners have in spades. And just as some gardens are precise, while others are imaginative, making financial plans can be deeply personal.
They are tailored to reflect personal risk tolerances, life goals, and financial situations. Much like a garden reflects the personality and taste of the gardener.
So, maybe it’s time to think about who’s tending to your financial garden. Is it well-kept, flourishing with growth and potential? Or has it been left to the weeds?
The right care, planning and maintenance by a professional can make all the difference.
Good money advice doesn’t grow on trees
Whether you’re an eager gardener or not, the similarities with finances are there for all to see. And no matter what you take away from what you’ve read today, an important thing to remember is that you don’t have to do everything yourself.
There is always help available and here at Skipton, we have created a free My Money Review service to offer you the support you need. Helping you build on your existing money management skills and offering you money advice, to help get your finances in good shape to bloom.
In a My Money Review we can take a holistic look at everything you have. Focusing on your future goals and helping you determine whether you’re maximising opportunities.
How a My Money Review can help you:
- A friendly chat that goes at your pace - We’ll ask you about your future priorities and goals, and help you discover how your current plans stack up.
- Ideas on how you could make more of your money - After talking it through, you’ll get a summary of your situation. And if there’s any way you could make stronger plans, we’ll offer personalised recommendations for you to consider.
- You’ll receive free money advice - We’ll give you the information you need to think about your future. And there’s no pressure to act on any recommendations you receive.
- Covering your longer-term needs - When it comes to any investments and pensions you might have, we can also arrange for you to meet with one of our qualified financial advisers. They can review your needs and provide personalised recommendations. A charge only applies if you take their advice and implement a plan.
- Choosing the best place to chat - A My Money Review can take place in a range of different places. At any Skipton Building Society branch, using our Skipton Link video service, or over the phone. Plus, it only takes an hour of your time.
Let Skipton help give you financial peace of mind for the future and get you in a good position to see that money tree grow.
Money is at risk with investing.
