At Town Close, when clients challenge us, we don’t flinch. We welcome it. Why? Because being sceptical is a strength in financial planning.
A sceptic is someone who questions claims, withholds belief until there’s enough evidence and stays open to being convinced. It’s a mindset rooted in curiosity and critical thinking. When a client says, “I’m not sure that adds up,” they’re not being difficult - they’re being thoughtful.
And it makes us better planners.
Scepticism keeps the process honest. It invites deeper explanation. It says, “Help me understand,” not “I don’t believe you.” That’s a vital distinction.
But sometimes, we encounter something else entirely - cynicism.
Where the sceptic asks questions, the cynic assumes the worst. Cynicism is the belief that people are self-serving, outcomes are rigged and that trying is mostly pointless. It isn’t inquisitive - it’s closed off. “This probably won’t work.” “They’re just in it for themselves.” “Why plan at all?”
The result? Cynicism can sabotage progress before it begins. Not because it’s wrong, but because it stops the conversation. It replaces inquiry with distrust.
Of course, we understand where cynicism comes from. It’s often earned - from past disappointments, poor advice or unmet expectations. But if left unchecked, it becomes a barrier - to advice, to collaboration and to peace of mind.
That’s why, in every conversation, we aim to help clients move from cynicism to scepticism and from there, toward confidence.
Sceptics build better plans because they want to believe - once they’ve seen the evidence. Cynics have stopped believing altogether.
So bring your questions. Be sceptical. That’s the start of good planning. And if you feel cynical? That’s okay too. Our job is to rebuild trust - one honest answer at a time.