Getting huge sums of money isn’t a daily occurrence for most people. But when the stars align, and millions fall right into your lap, you’ll have one problem at hand: the best investments to make. You see, as illustrated in Lottoland’s guide on how to invest if you win the lottery, you’ll need to develop strategies to protect your newfound wealth. Since investing is the best way to ensure the money lasts, you’ll need to avoid financial pitfalls when doing so. That said, below are some smart investments you can make after landing an unexpected windfall to ensure it lasts you a lifetime. Read on ..read more

Here is a summary of the Autumn financial statement by the government, shared in parliament at lunchtime on 22nd November 2023. I watched it live and created this article as I listened to share immediately. All of the changes that impact on you the consumer. I will also provide a shorter summary over on my Instagram page. And the budget speech begins An introduction from Jeremy Hunt sharing all of the conservatives recent financial successes. Hmm I could challenge all them, lets get on with the budget. Inflation has halved, one of the governments big financial objectives. However mainly drive ..read more

The True Cost of getting divorced Making the decision to get divorced is a big emotional decision. One of the hugest decisions you could ever take in your life. Many people get to the end of the line, there isn’t anywhere else to turn but separation and eventual divorce. And once that decision is made the legal process can start. Here is the true cost of getting divorced. The 28th May 2020 marked the day when my decree absolute was granted. Just under a year after the separation conversation (2nd June 2019) to the end, including ten months of living together. Closure. I want to share this post ..read more

I see a lot of content talking about income earned from blogging. People sharing income of thousands within a few months. I want to share the truth and manage those expectations with the detail on my income from 2015 until 2017. The income reality of blogging. Let’s face the reality, most bloggers or influencers will earn very little in the early years. To become successful financially in this world requires much time, dedication and authority. Throw in a chunk of luck and lot of who you know. Detailed records I have kept detailed records to the penny of all income earned since I started earni ..read more

Whilst doing my 64 laps of the pool on holiday every morning I thought of brilliant ideas of content to write about. This being one of them. I want to share how I changed my money mindset over the years and how you might be able to as well. Much of this story is linked to life events, as much of our behaviour is. Enjoy the story. The truth. We can be not great with money, and then change it up to be good. I was good, then not good, then good again. It’s totally possible! My Teens I was so good with money as a teenager, I had a job from the age of 14 and worked a lot of hours, earning good mone ..read more

The cost of having a third child? I have a very popular post on Mrs Mummypenny about money saving and making during maternity leave. It was my personal experience on how I saved thousands. It got me thinking about what else I can write about from those early years to help my readers. A post on how much having having a third child costs has been brewing! I have three boys, having that third child cost a lot in extra expenses and has also saved some money in a few circumstances.  I wanted to share the big things that impacted us financially. Our Home We originally lived in a three-bedroom s ..read more

Student Money Advice September 2023 marks 28 years since I first arrived at university. How did that happen?! By the age of 46, I have learnt a lot about money, made a lot of mistakes and some sensible decisions. So offering some simple money guidance to students starting what I did 28 years ago feels right! I wish I had done these things back in 1995. It is tough from a financial perspective going to university now, so much harder than back in the 90s. Most graduates I know are leaving university with £40-50k of student debt. But see it as a good debt, an investment in your future where you s ..read more

From Dundee to Dunstable, you need to think about car servicing on a regular basis. All too often, car owners postpone or even miss their annual car service thinking that letting a few months to a year slip past won’t matter that much. This is a problem that can be found from Stirling to Stevenage and from Lockerbie to London Colney. In short, avoiding servicing is something that some car owners, no matter where they might live, think might be a good way of economising. It rarely is, however. Read on to find out why. Safety The timely servicing of your car is important to ensure it is safe to ..read more

I started a financial experiment three years ago comparing the returns on different ways of saving £1000. I wanted to see in real £££ and % growth (or loss), how the savings were changing over time and which savings pots grew the fastest. This was me putting my money where my mouth is to show how balances can rise or fall over time. This is an experiment that will carry on indefinitely, it will be so interesting to reflect back after ten years to see the growth of the £1000. Each savings pot has a different time frame and risk level attached and accessibility. I have money in cash, where retur ..read more

10 things to do with kids in the summer holidays (for free!) No spend days during the long six-week summer holidays are extra important to us as a family. For me it means that if we save on days out and activities then we either save the money and put towards emergency savings or towards debt repayment. Or can even put the money towards a week away with the family.  We always do lots of things for free so I have pulled together my list of 10 things to do with kids in the summer holidays, with the help of a few friends, to give you lots of ideas on fun things to keep everyone happy. If I c ..read more