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Since my last blog, I have had a week off alcohol to see whether it has made any difference to my life! A week is a long time to go without alcohol if you normally drink it every day but it has proved that I am not an alcoholic because I have not missed it nor broken out in cold sweats or passed out through lack of it which I take to be extremely encouraging. I have also lost weight which is another additional plus that normally comes with such abstention. I must say that I felt very “girly” leaving the Citywire 10^th Anniversary party last week at just after 1. I was almost expecting to have somebody chasing after me to see if I had lost one of my shoes.

Talking of shoes and I was astonished at the petrol station yesterday to see a bloke in a rather shiny suit filling up his car. He was very smart with tie and everything and then as he moved off towards the payment desk, I noted that he has racing driver trainers on. He was driving a golf!! And it wasn’t even a GTI – whatever next!

IFP Conference bookings for 2010 are rolling in (unlike my putts) and there is a special early bird offer available until 18^th December which reflects 2009 prices and 2009 VAT (www.financialplanning.org.uk). There are even a few VIP places left for those that are really quick off the mark.  The Programme will be available early in the New Year so keep watching out for news or follow us on twitter IFPconference or nickcanncfp. We’ve got some great things planned.

It is interesting as we come into pantomime season to go to some of these conferences where the IFAs just want to hear things that please them irrespective of how likely they are to happen. This is always a great time for ratings to shout in favour of the IFAs and how higher qualifications and fees are a bad thing because these sort of statements are followed by very large cheers. Those who suggest that independence has a limited shelf life or who advocate higher qualifications and fees are the villain of the piece and booed and jeered. It was unclear this week what role Alistair Darling was playing although maybe a role of Buttons might pop up if he plays his cards right. However the IFA public would definitely be voting for Chris Cummings of AIFA irrespective of what the X factor judges might think. I think another fun game would be to give some of our industry celebrities pantomime characters even some seem to have created their own. Andrew Fisher from Towry Law is undoubtedly the pantomime villain.

Many are now winding down for Christmas and it is good to see that offices are still able to celebrate what they have achieved in 2009. The IFP has achieved a tremendous amount this year and has some great plans for 2010 which I look forward to sharing with everybody. Going through annual appraisals etc and it is great to have such a talented team to help build the profession in 2010.

The weekend is here at last and of course it is the final of X factor which I have to say is so much more engaging than Strictly Come Dancing apart from the fact that the children would refuse to watch it. Very exciting to see who will win! I still believe that there is an opportunity to take Financial Planning to a reality TV situation. I shall ponder further over Xmas but there has to be some more creative ways of helping advisers with the challenges and opportunities that are presented over the next few years.

Have a great weekend whatever you are doing and even if it is Christmas shopping, try and do it with a smile on your face. If all else fails there is always alcohol!