While chocolates and flowers are lovely, there may be a greater need for a money date this Valentine’s Day. I’m coaching more and more individuals who have issues with their partner, whether it be mismatched spending, resentment over who pays for childcare, keeping money separately or just different attitudes to what matters. I’ve written this blog to share the power of scheduling money dates and how you can best go about it. Couples should talk to each other about money for several key reasons, which contribute to both the health of their relationship and their financial well-being: Buildin ..read more

Deciding between earning interest on savings and overpaying your mortgage is a question I’ve been getting a lot recently. To make an informed decision, it’s essential to consider several key factors, including tax implications, interest rates, mortgage terms, financial goals, and more. As with all things money it will be personal, some prefer to take on risk, and leverage as much as possible, others feel calm and happy the quicker they pay off their mortgage. Personal finance is just that – personal. In this blog post, I’ll explore these factors to help you determine the best course of action ..read more

I have had quite a few queries about premium bonds recently and whereas I have always dismissed them, now I am coming round to the idea that they could be a nice alternative to an easy access savings account for your emergency fund or peace of mind fund as I like to call it. Let’s start by understanding what premium bonds are. They are a type of investment offered by National Savings and Investments (NS&I) in the UK. Instead of earning interest, premium bonds give you the chance to win tax-free prizes in monthly draws. In this post, I explore the world of premium bonds and compare th ..read more

I wanted to share a case study of how I recently helped someone working together 1:1. Client Profile: – Female, 36 years old – Married with one child in nursery – Based in the UK with an income of £120,000 Initial Situation: – Rising mortgage cost – £100 monthly ISA contribution and £25 into a Junior ISA (from grandparents) – both left in cash – Zero savings at the end of the month despite her income – Feeling stressed due to long working hours and not seeing the benefit of her salary What We Addressed: 1. Understanding Spending: We examined her monthly expenses. 2. Exploring Money Mindset ..read more

We’re 3 months away from Christmas – how does that make you feel? For many, Christmas can be a time where there are all the extras and so without a plan we can end up overspending. As a certified financial coach I love helping people feeling clear about their finances and this often includes some planning and thinking ahead. Here are 5 tips to get yourself on track ahead of Christmas so that you can start January in control rather than wondering where your money went. Calculate and Save Accordingly: Begin by estimating your total Christmas expenses: gifts, decorations, travel, and festive m ..read more

When I tell people I’m a financial coach I hear “oh I’m terrible with money,” or “I’m pretty good but a sucker for sales”. These casual remarks may seem harmless, but they can impact our behaviour without us even realising it. Here are some steps to see what label you might be putting on yourself around money and some ideas about how to flip it to a positive if it isn’t serving you. Step 1: Self-Reflection Take a quiet moment, grab a journal or open a new note on your phone, and jot down phrases or labels you’ve used or thought about in relation to your money habits. They can be things l ..read more

What is the key to a wealthy life? The answer: it’s not all about money. We need to look at what we value as a starting point. We all have different values that shape our lives and guide our decisions. However, many of us may not have taken the time to sit down and really think about what our values are, and how they align with our spending, saving or investing habits. As a financial coach, I often encourage my clients to explore their values as part of our work together. Many realise that there are areas of their life that don’t match up to their values, and they make changes as a result. Th ..read more

Exploring the psychology behind your “scary number” and learning how to take control of your spending habits I had an interesting conversation at the weekend with someone who was having a complete block over spending £1,000 on something which would improve her flat. When we delved into it she had no qualms about spending £100 at a time, and she was definitely doing that regularly on things that meant a lot less to her. This topic sparked a lot of comment so I thought I’d ask do you have a specific number that triggers your inner alarm bells? It’s important to recognise that we all have differe ..read more

How many times have you heard or even said the phrase “I can’t afford that”? In some cases, this statement is a genuine reflection of our financial reality, but sometimes, it’s more about our priorities and how we choose to allocate our money. When we take a closer look at our spending habits and re-evaluate what we value, we often find that we can make adjustments and prioritise the things that truly matter to us. In this blog, I discuss how changing your mindset can help you make better financial decisions and live a more fulfilling life. Changing Your Mindset The journey towards financial ..read more

I had two conversations last week, one person navigating a new job and new level of pay, and another wanting to charge more for her services. Both women said they ‘didn’t want to be seen as greedy’. They also said they didn’t want to be ‘ungrateful’ either for what they’ve been offered. As a certified financial coach I see and hear this all too often. It is understandable as we have been conditioned not to ask for too much. Do you worry you’ll be seen as greedy? In this instance I always say what is the worst that can happen? If you ask for a payrise, they can say no. If you put your ..read more