Budgets

Staying grounded in facts, not speculation

By Alfie Mullan

Posted 3rd Oct 2024

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

As we approach the Autumn Budget on 30 October, there’s a palpable buzz in the air. Media outlets are awash with predictions, analysts are sharing their forecasts, and water cooler conversations are rife with speculation. At Emery Little, however, we’re taking a different approach.

Our house view has always been, and almost certainly always will be, that we won’t make knee-jerk reactions to budget speculation or any other financial news. Instead, we base our decisions on confirmed information. This approach isn’t just a hunch; it’s grounded in solid reasoning and backed by research.

The perils of speculation

Speculation can be alluring. It gives us a sense of control in uncertain times and can be quite exciting. However, it’s important to remember that speculation is just that – guesswork, often based on incomplete information.

Research consistently shows that fact-based decision making leads to better outcomes. A study published in the Harvard Business Review found that data-driven organisations are three times more likely to report significant improvements in decision-making compared to those who rely on intuition and speculation.

In the context of financial planning, this means waiting for the concrete details of the budget before making any changes to your financial strategy. It means focusing on what we know, rather than what we think might happen.

Our commitment to you

At Emery Little, we’re committed to providing you with sound, evidence-based financial advice. When the autumn budget is announced, we’ll carefully analyse the changes and consider how they might affect your financial plan. We’ll then communicate any necessary adjustments clearly and promptly.

Until then, we encourage you to join us in avoiding speculation. Instead, let’s focus on what we can control – your current financial strategy, your goals, and your long-term financial wellbeing.

Remember, in the world of finance, as in life, it’s not about predicting the future. It’s about preparing for it, whatever it may bring. And that’s exactly what we’re here to help you do.