A 10-Point MOT Checklist for Protecting Your Loved Ones and Building Peace of Mind
“It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to stay busy and still feel like we’re falling behind. Between school runs, work commitments, and day-to-day expenses, how often do we really stop to review our family’s financial safety net?
We insure our phones. We service our cars. But when was the last time you gave your family’s financial future a proper check-up?
That’s where the Family Financial MOT comes in — a 10-point checklist designed by Empreso to help households assess, protect, and strengthen their financial foundations. Whether you’re a young parent, a growing household, or supporting ageing relatives, this guide will help you pause, reflect, and realign.
🛠 1. Life Insurance: Are You Covered or Just Hoping?
Too many families carry the emotional burden of being unprepared. In the UK, over 8 million adults have no life insurance at all — and many more are underinsured.
Ask yourself:
- If I died tomorrow, would my family have to move out?
- Could they cover the mortgage or school fees?
- Is my policy in trust (so it pays out quickly and tax-efficiently)?
If your answers cause hesitation, it’s time for a review. Life insurance is not morbid. It’s love in financial form.
💸 2. Mortgage Affordability: Can You Breathe If Rates Rise Again?
In a post-pandemic economy with inflation still lurking, interest rates can shift rapidly. Mortgage repayments that were affordable two years ago may now feel suffocating.
Consider:
- Are you on a fixed rate? When does it end?
- Would a remortgage or term extension ease pressure?
- Have you stress-tested your finances for higher rates?
Your mortgage should work for you — not against your mental health.
🧯 3. Emergency Fund: If Life Paused, Would You Sink or Float?
Financial experts agree: a minimum of 3–6 months of expenses should be saved in a liquid emergency fund. Yet surveys show less than 40% of British households meet this threshold.
A washing machine breakdown shouldn’t trigger a credit card spiral. A car repair shouldn’t become a crisis.
An emergency fund is your family’s financial airbag — often invisible, but essential in a crash.
📜 4. Wills & Power of Attorney: Is Your Voice Protected If You’re Silent?
According to Which?, 54% of UK adults don’t have a will. That’s millions of families vulnerable to probate delays, disputes, or intestate laws deciding their future.
- A will ensures your wishes are known.
- Power of attorney ensures your choices are respected if you lose mental capacity.
- Both can be arranged affordably — the cost of not having them is far higher.
🎓 5. Children’s Education Planning: Do Your Dreams Match Your Plan?
Whether you’re eyeing private schools or university tuition, education comes with a price tag. If you want your children to thrive without debt, you need to prepare:
- Junior ISAs or education savings plans
- Lump-sum investment vehicles
- Fee planning for grammar or boarding schools
Education is the greatest gift. Planning turns it into a reality.
🩺 6. Income Protection: What If You Couldn’t Work for 6 Months?
Many people think, “It won’t happen to me.” But statistically, 1 in 3 working adults will be off work for over 3 months before retirement due to illness or injury.
Income protection:
- Replaces a percentage of your monthly salary
- Buys you time to heal without panic
- Often costs less than a weekly takeaway
Don’t bet your family’s well-being on perfect health.
📊 7. Household Budgeting: Are You Telling Your Money Where to Go?
Money can be a source of power or a source of stress — it depends on how intentional you are.
- Do you track your income and outgoings?
- Is your spending aligned with your long-term goals?
- Are you consciously saving for holidays, emergencies, or freedom?
A budget isn’t restriction — it’s permission to spend with purpose.
🪦 8. Legacy Planning: Are You Building a Future That Outlives You?
Legacy isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy. Every parent, grandparent, and carer leaves behind more than possessions — they leave behind clarity or chaos.
- Who inherits what?
- Is your estate structured for tax efficiency?
- Have you recorded your wishes beyond money?
Legacy planning is an act of generational kindness. Your children will thank you for it — even if they never say so aloud.
🧓 9. Pensions & Retirement: Are You Future-Proofing or Fire-Fighting?
The sooner you start, the less it hurts. Compound interest is your best friend — but only if you use it.
- Are you contributing enough to your workplace pension?
- Have you considered personal pension top-ups?
- Do you know how much you’ll actually need to retire comfortably?
Your future self is counting on today’s actions.
🤝 10. Professional Guidance: Are You Navigating Alone?
You don’t need to be a financial expert — you need a team.
At Empreso, we believe everyone deserves a trusted guide to:
- Spot blind spots
- Plan for the unexpected
- Coordinate across property, finance, protection, and legacy
That’s what our Clarity to Prosperity Review offers — a 360° view of your life, and a practical plan to strengthen it.
🧭 Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait for a Wake-Up Call
The best time to review your financial health was yesterday.
The second-best time is now.
Whether you ticked 3 boxes or 10, the Family Financial MOT Checklist is about awareness, not perfection. It’s a starting point. A mirror. A motivator.
🎁 Get Started Now:
✅ [Download the Free Checklist (PDF)]
📞 [Book Your Family Clarity Review]
Empreso is more than a service. It’s a support system for your entire prosperity journey — helping you protect what you love, plan for the future, and rise together.