Former British Lion Will Greenwood spoke about the importance of planning ahead and said changing consumers' "mindset" about Financial Planning and personal finance was "key" if attitudes about finance were to be changed and more people were to be encouraged to take their finances seriously.
He said he had learned from England rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward that small changes, when "aggregated", made a powerful difference in sport and consumers could use the same tactic by making small differences to their personal finances by perhaps just committing to putting a few pounds away each month or seeking good professional financial advice.
Mr Greenwood, who had worked in finance in the City before pursuing a professional rugby career, urged the media to back the campaign by helping to "blow away the smoke and mirrors" about finance.
He addressed journalists at a press briefing sponsored by Aviva, for the sixth Financial Planning Week campaign today.
Financial Planning Week, which takes place from 24 November - 1 December, is the national consumer awareness campaign run by Institute of Financial Planning, its members and supporters, to try and help consumers improve their financial "fitness" by taking positive planning action.
Mr Greenwood acknowledged the general reluctance of people to get under the skin of their own finances and said: "I think there is a lot people can do. Even if it's just the basics like working out a proper budget, getting into the habit of spending less than you earn, avoiding unnecessary debt and getting used to putting some money aside each month for emergencies will all help".
The campaign website www.financialplanningweek.org.uk features tips, tools and information to encourage and support people who wish to take simple steps towards planning their future.
Mail on Sunday personal finance editor Jeff Prestridge said he supported the aims of the campaign wholeheartedly and encouraged other journalists and organisations to get behind it.
He said while it was right for the press to be critical of poor financial products and poor advice it was also important to write about the positive aspects of good Financial Planning and the difference it made to people's lives.
He said: "In these very challenged times I think the importance of good Financial Planning and good financial advice is more imperative than ever."
Steve Gazzard CFP^CM, chief executive of the IFP, said: "Financial Planning isn't just for the wealthy – it's for everyone. With all of us feeling the pinch due to rises in the cost of living, it's never been more important to encourage people to make sound financial plans.
"As part of the campaign, we are providing opportunities for consumers to get answers to their Financial Planning questions from Certified Financial PLanner^CM professionals, using our online "ask a planner" facility. For those who act quickly, there is also the opportunity for free surgeries with Financial Planners including the IFP's Accredited Financial Planning Firms."
Andy Curran, pensions & investment director at Aviva, added: "We're delighted to be working with the IFP and supporting Financial Planning week 2013. We share the view that it's really important that people have access to, and take advantage of, good financial advice when planning for their own, and their families, future. Financial Planning Week is a great initiative."
The IFP has urged members and supporters of the week to Tweet and follow events using the hashtag #FPWUK
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The campaign is mainly about encouraging consumers to take more interest in and control of their finances but this year the IFP is also urging CFP professionals and Accredited Financial Planning Firms to contact the media and the public as the leaders in the Financial Planning profession.
The IFP says that there are many ways for planners to get involved. Practices can open their doors to the public to show what they offer, they can review and distribute new marketing materials, including websites, and promote something new such as a new service.
The IFP is working with Holt PR to mount a national PR campaign and will also be using Wayfinder, its new consumer brand, to encourage people at different life stages to take some simple steps to improve their financial "fitness". The IFP is also working with Liontrust to carry out a survey of consumers' attitudes. Journalists have again proved keen to get involved. For more information go to the 'News and Media' section of the IFP website at www.financialplanning.org.uk.
• Don't miss our two page preview on Financial Planning Week and how planners can make the most of it. It's in the next issue of Financial Planner magazine being published in mid-November. Also see other coverage on Financial Planner Online.