From Andrew, Sarah and all the team at Berry & Oak we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.

Below is a short poem about what happened when Santa came to visit us at Boston House and how Berry & Oak saved Christmas……

Twas the night before Christmas, and in Boston House
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
But wait, what’s that noise? There is someone there:
Looking through blue files, alphabetised with care.

Our clients are sleeping all snug in their beds,
Their secure financial future gives peace in their head
Their ISAs are brimming to their £20k cap,
Their investments are working while they sleep and nap.

But alone in the office the printer makes a clatter
Is not all well this night? Is something the matter?
Our hero at his computer, typing away.
He’s been huddled in this position for most of the day.

The moon outside shines on the new-fallen snow
But our hero’s eyes fix on his document below.
Checking it diligently, ensuring it’s clear
And understandable to clients so there’s nothing to fear.

Then, up on his feet, he hops to the scanner,
Whilst singing a tune, it’s our Financial Planner!
Let their pension pots grow, and their trusts free from tax.
Solved estate planning worries: they can now all relax.

But planning takes time and the time had just flew
Now almost Christmas day, the hours too few.
“Home time” he muttered as a bang on the roof
Startled our planner: the sound of a hoof.

Looking outside he saw reindeer around,
Now in the office came St. Nick with a bound.
He was dressed worse for wear, from his head to his foot,
His clothes were moth-eaten, stained with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he put down on a chair,
But there were hardly enough: a Christmas nightmare.
His tearful eyes twinkled; he didn’t look merry
“I need a Planner’s help!” cried the failed-actuary.

“You see”, he began, “I’ve made a grave miscalculation”
“I’ve not accounted for growth in the child population.”
“The north pole Christmas budget was just in my head,”
“I should have used a spreadsheet” he confessed with dread.

“At this rate, my toy assets will soon run to naught.”
“And a Christmas without presents is a terrible thought.”
Luckily our hero knew just what must be done
To save Christmas now, and for years to come.

To keep smiles on faces of all the world’s youth:
Without hesitation he fired up ‘Truth‘.
At this point our lawyers have a disclaimer for you
‘Other cashflow modelling tools are available too.’

With clicks of his mouse, he worked overdrive,
Building a cashflow model so Santa could thrive.
Contingency planning and a spending budget
Catastrophe scenarios…..that should just about do it.

The chart now showed assets growing up and away
For a thousand more years they’d be toys on the sleigh.
“Oh thank you, oh thank you, you’ve saved Christmas for all”
Your financial plan has answered my call”.

He got up to leave, with a smile now a beam.
“I’m grateful for the help from both you and your team”
Now grabbing his toys Santa made his exit
Leaving our planner alone with his checklist.

With documents now tidy and filed out of sight,
It was a Happy Christmas for all, and to all a good-night.