Sarah Johnstone

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

March, 2023

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Great communication, very knowledgeable.

Sarah's reply

Hi Ellie, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated. It was great to talk to you and I'm glad it was helpful. Don't hesitate to get back in touch if you'd like to get started on your financial plan :) Best, Sarah

Review from verified client

September, 2021

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for a financial coach?

I wanted to understand more about investments, pensions, and how I could take action now to ensure a comfortable future.

How has Sarah Johnstone helped you?

Sarah gave me excellent advice about my company pension scheme, investing outside of a pension scheme, mortgages - specifically for my buy-to-let property, and the costs of different live events.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. I think I have a much better understand about how to plan my financial future.

Sarah's reply

Hi Will, Thank you very much for taking the time to comment, I much appreciate it! I'm glad the service has been helpful so far, I look forward to working with you further over the next year, Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

September, 2021

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I found Sarah open but also understanding and help articulate where I struggled to explain my wants and needs. After a call with her, I feel I amhave a clearer understanding of where I need to start to put things in place

Sarah's reply

Hi Jacqui, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated. I'm glad the session could help clarify your thinking and I look forward to hopefully working with you to improve your financial future! Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

August, 2021

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Sarah made financial planning interesting, she quickly picked up my goals and gave some practical advice and things to think about.

Sarah's reply

Hi Ben, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated. I look forward to continuing to work with you to hopefully improve your financial future! Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

August, 2021

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Sarah is very friendly, did not make the experience feel like "20 questions" and gave me some good tips

Sarah's reply

Hi Gina, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated. Great to meet and chat to you, sorry I won't be able to help further going forward, but I wish you the very best for finding the advice you're looking for to plan the next stages. Don't hesitate to let me know if I can help at all in the future, Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

July, 2021

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Really friendly and clear about how she could help. Did a great job at helping me to lay out my goals and paint a clearer picture. Thank you!

Sarah's reply

Hi Nermine, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated! I'm glad everything in the session was clear and I look forward to working with you through the full service over the next year. Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

July, 2021

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A good first session with Sarah. Gave me some pointers to think about how to plan and invest for the future to maximize my position.

Sarah's reply

Hi Carol, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated. I look forward to hopefully working with you further to improve your financial future! Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

July, 2021

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Sarah provided a good overview of the services available and linked them to my relevant circumstances.

Sarah's reply

Hi Samantha, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated. I look forward to hopefully working with you further to improve your financial future! Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

June, 2021

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Sarah was clear and approachable, taking time to understand our situation and goals. Looking forward to work with her to achieve our targets

Sarah's reply

Hi Rafael, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated. I look forward to working with you both further to hopefully improve your financial future! Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

May, 2021

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Sarah was very friendly and helpful. I was looking for specific pension advice which was a level of regulated advice which wasn't available which was understandable.

Sarah's reply

Hi Katie, Lovely to talk to you earlier, thanks very much for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated. Sorry I wasn't able to help further going forward, but I wish you the very best for your advice journey from here and finding a trusted adviser partner who can help you to answer your questions. Best of luck with your planning, don't hesitate to let me know if I can help in the future, Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

May, 2021

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Informative, clear, polite. Recommendation regarding Hatch of 5 below is only because it was my first call.

Sarah's reply

Hi Daniel, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated! I'm glad everything in the session was clear and I look forward to hopefully working with you through the full service. Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

May, 2021

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Useful intro session to talk through ideas at a top level and understand how Hatch/Octopus Money coach can help.

Sarah's reply

Hi Dan, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated. I'm glad the session was helpful and I look forward to working with you through the full service over the next year! Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

April, 2021

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very helpful and advised a Financial Advisor would be best for me with my current journey into retirement

Sarah's reply

Hi Linda, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated. Sorry I wasn't able to help further going forward, but I wish you the very best for your advice journey from here and finding a trusted adviser partner. Best of luck with your planning from here, don't hesitate to let me know if I can help in the future, Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

April, 2021

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Understood what I wanted and came up with a good manageable plan

Sarah's reply

Hi Isha, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, much appreciated. I'm glad the session was helpful and I look forward to working with you through the full service! Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

March, 2021

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Sarah listened / relayed back what we discussed She was approachable, friendly, spoke in simple and easy to understand terms - and matched my pace of jumping around topics (this is important to me!)

Sarah's reply

Hi Gemma, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, much appreciated. I'm glad the session was helpful and I look forward to working with you through the full service! Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

March, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Sarah asked sensible questions and agreed that Hatch was probably not able to help me in my personal circumstances given the closeness to retirement and the need for FCA regulated advice. But she provided me with legal and IFA suggestions and took the time to suggest areas that would need to be considered.

Sarah's reply

Hi Ian, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated. I'm glad the session could clarify things a bit and hopefully you will be able to sense check your plans via a session with an adviser. Best of luck for your future retirement! Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

March, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Sarah was helpful but the Hatch service isn't offering anything Excel can't do, thank you.

Sarah's reply

Hi Hugo, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated. Hopefully the session was informative around the Hatch service; I would definitely say that clients appreciate the visual aspect of a financial plan compared to a spreadsheet, as well as the dynamic aspect in being able to instantly depict changes to your planning scenario(s). Don't hesitate to let me know if anything wasn't clear around how the service works, Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

March, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Although I have already taken my DB pension Sarah provided useful advice with regards to investing in Premium Bonds/ISAs.

Sarah's reply

Hi Jackie, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated. Sorry I wasn't able to help further going forward, but I wish you the very best for your advice journey into retirement. Best of luck with your planning from here, don't hesitate to let me know if I can help in the future, Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

February, 2021

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Sarah explained the services offered but it seems that the services are more aligned with people starting out in life rather than those already established and getting close to retirement.

Sarah's reply

Hi Martin, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated. Sorry I wasn't able to help further today, unfortunately one of our caveats around not giving regulated financial advice limits our ability to help when close to retirement. Best of luck with your planning from here, don't hesitate to let me know if I can help in the future, Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

January, 2021

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I found Sarah, professional but also friendly and gave me a good guide on what I can think about to assist planning finically for my future.

Sarah's reply

Hi Kasia, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, much appreciated! I'm glad the session was helpful and I look forward to hopefully working with you through the full service. Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

January, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Sarah was really helpful and consider things for the future that I hadn't thought of. I was also able to identify other goals that I have.

Sarah's reply

Hi Kay, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, I'm glad the session was helpful and I look forward to hopefully talking again further down the line. All the best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

January, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

She was lovely and helpful but 30 mins was probably a little ambitious for the ground to cover and we ran out of time. Look forward to a followup

Sarah's reply

Hi Josh, Great to talk to you yesterday, sorry we ran out of time - I look forward to talking again soon to discuss some more of the detail around your plans. Thank you for taking the time to comment, much appreciated. Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

January, 2021

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Sarah was so friendly, helpful and completely professional. Look forward to my future planning.

Sarah's reply

Hi Gemma, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, much appreciated! I'm glad your impression has been positive so far and I look forward to speaking again next week. Best, Sarah

Review from verified client

January, 2021

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for a financial coach?

EY were offering an introductory session which initially made me think more about planning and the future.

How has Sarah Johnstone helped you?

Sarah has provided me with great advice and a plan for the future to help with my planning needs. Her useful advice has made me more proactive with setting up a Will and also focusing on my savings.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, with the new plan set up I can view my income and outgoings easier and focus on the areas I struggle with.

Sarah's reply

Hi Lydia, Thank you very much for taking the time to comment, I much appreciate it! Glad the service has been helpful so far, I look forward to working with you further over the next year, Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

January, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Sarah was very helpful and advised on some areas which I needed to consider in terms of my financial planning. I would certainly recommend Sarah so anyone who may need some guidance around their finances or areas of concern or uncertainty.

Sarah's reply

Hi Jamie, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, I'm glad your impression has been positive so far and I look forward to hopefully working with you over the next year through the full service. I look forward to talking again soon, Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

January, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Sarah was knowledgeable and was able to to answer my questions.

Sarah's reply

Hi Lena, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, I'm glad your impression has been positive so far! I look forward to hopefully working with you over the next year through the full service. I look forward to talking again soon, Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

January, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Really good first session and discussed a lot of areas that we will focus on now I have signed up

Sarah's reply

Hi Zoe, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, I'm glad your impression has been positive so far! I look forward to working with you over the next year through the full service. I look forward to talking again soon for your Initial Findings call, Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

December, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Sarah was very structured and methodical in her approach and explained everything very clearly and concisely

Sarah's reply

Hi, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, I'm glad your impression has been positive so far! I look forward to working with you over the next year through the full service. I look forward to talking again soon, Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

December, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Sarah explained the plan we have to set up to reach my financial goals and also went through the investment options

Sarah's reply

Hi, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, I'm glad your impression has been positive so far! I look forward to hopefully working with you through the full service. I look forward to talking again soon, Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

December, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

friendly, informative and clear with the services she could provide

Sarah's reply

Hi, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, I'm glad your impression has been positive so far! I look forward to hopefully working with you through the full service. I look forward to talking again soon, Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

December, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Professional service

Sarah's reply

Hi, Thank you for taking the time to leave a positive impression, much appreciated. I hope you got your query sorted out with Phil in the end. Best wishes, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

November, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Sarah was very clear on what the service and asked good questions, while maintaining a friendly tone that meant I felt comfortable talking about my personal situation.

Sarah's reply

Hi, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, I'm glad your impression has been positive so far! I look forward to hopefully working with you through the full service. I look forward to talking again soon, Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

November, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Useful discussion, but primary need at present is specific pension product evaluation.

Sarah's reply

Hi, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, I'm glad our conversation was helpful. I look forward to hopefully working with you through the full service if you decide to go ahead with making a financial plan. I look forward to talking again soon, Best, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

November, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Sarah understood my circumstances and what I wanted to achieve. She was clear about the services she could provide.

Sarah's reply

Hi, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, I'm glad your first impression was all positive! I'm looking forward to working with you through the full service. I look forward to talking again soon, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

October, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

na

Sarah's reply

Hi, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, I'm glad your first impression was all positive! I'm looking forward to hopefully working with you through the full service. I look forward to talking again soon, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

October, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Sarah was very professional and friendly. Sarah was able to clearly explain the services and how they may be able to benefit my situation

Sarah's reply

Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, I'm glad your first impression was all positive! I'm looking forward to working with you through the full service. I look forward to talking again soon, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

September, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Really helpful. Explained everything fully and patiently answered all our questions. I look forward to working more with her in future.

Sarah's reply

Hi, Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, I'm glad your first impression was all positive! It would be a pleasure to work with you both on the full service. I look forward to talking again with you soon, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

August, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Great

Sarah's reply

Many thanks for taking the time to comment, I much appreciate it! It would be a pleasure to work with you on the full planning service. Best wishes, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

August, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Very friendly and professional financial advisor, clearly explaining specific steps to take in the future to help improve my financial situation.

Sarah's reply

Many thanks for taking the time to comment, I much appreciate it! It would be a pleasure to work with you on the full planning service. Best wishes, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

August, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Sarah was really wonderful and friendly. She explained everything clearly and I'm definitely going to be proceeding with this service.

Sarah's reply

Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, I'm glad your first impression was all positive! I look forward to talking again with you soon, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

July, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Sarah was personable, knowledgeable and thoughtful about our questions and what we needed. In the end at the moment we have decided not to go ahead with a more formal financial advice service, but if we ever do we will be back in touch with Sarah again.

Sarah's reply

Hi Lizzie, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your thoughts, I really appreciate it! Please don't hesitate to get in touch if I can be of assistance in the future, All the best, Sarah

Review from verified client

July, 2020

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for a financial coach?

I was interested to get better control of my personal finances and improve planning for my long term goals, especially since I am now a parent to a 2-yr old.

How has Sarah Johnstone helped you?

Sarah has helped me develop a financial action plan, through the Hatch Financial Coaching service.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We have only been working together for a couple of months, but have so far developed a structured approach to my financial situation and step-by-step action plan.

Sarah's reply

Hi Bryony, thanks very much for taking the time to leave some comments, much appreciated! I look forward to continuing to work on your plan throughout the year with you.

Review from verified client

July, 2020

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for a financial coach?

A desire to get our finances in order and under control and then to focus on clear short, medium and long term financial goal setting.

How has Sarah Johnstone helped you?

Sarah has been a brilliant financial coach who has helped us identify our current financial position and make a clear plan for the short, medium and long term and ensure we are working towards it. She is very quick to follow up with any information we ask for and has helped us take control and set clear and sensible goals in our financial life. She is extremely personable and relatable as a financial coach and her financial mentorship of us has really helped us take back control.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

While it is very early in our relationship with Sarah, we have seen great personal service in the amount of video calls and email contact we have had. We have also had the kickstart we needed to look at our finances and to start regaining control. The initial plans that the software has given us are really interesting and we look forward to developing this further.

What could they have done better?

Nothing so far. Her flexibility to match with my changing plans has been really appreciated.

Sarah's reply

Hi Jo, Thank you very much for taking the time to comment, much appreciated! And I'm very glad my service is meeting your expectations so far :) Look forward to speaking again soon, Sarah

Review from verified client

July, 2020

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for a financial coach?

short and long term financial planning and advice

How has Sarah Johnstone helped you?

Increasing my awareness on financial options I should consider, providing me with relevant resources I need to inform financial decision making. Saving me money by prudent decision making.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

yes

What could they have done better?

n/a

Sarah's reply

Hi Mariam, thank you very much for taking the time comment, I much appreciate it! Very glad you feel you've got what you wanted to from the service so far and look forward to speaking again soon, Sarah

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

July, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Sarah

Very approachable and explained what should do offer to help us at this time. Although we aren’t in the position to go further just now we greatly appreciated her help and expertise.

Sarah's reply

Hi Susan, Thank you very much for taking the time to leave some comments (and with a super-speedy response!), I much appreciate it. All the best to you & your family, Sarah