Here you'll find thoughts, stories and educational resources on personal and financial wellbeing.
International Women's Day isn't just about celebrating achievements, it's also a stark reminder of the barriers women continue to break down. As a young girl, I used to flip through the pages of glossy magazines to find inspiration, looking for those who looked like me or thought like me, but I rarely found them.
READGetting into a relationship can be a big step, there’s so much to explore and learn about each other—especially when it comes to managing finances as a couple. It can leave you feeling completely different, especially when you live together, as all of those decisions that you once made alone, suddenly require additional input.
READFor many, there’s nothing more exciting than the thought of owning a home. The browsing through properties to determine what you like, and getting excited about all of the memories and decor you’ll fill it with. It can be a wonderful experience… But it's crucial to be prepared for the responsibility that it entails too, because, as I'm sure you know, home ownership is so much more than just finding the perfect property!
READWhen we first bought our house, I was so incredibly excited. At first, my husband and I doubted our capability to achieve this milestone. However, we looked into it and discovered that it was attainable for us. Our original plan was to buy this house, live here for 5 years whilst we worked to increase our financial standing, and then move to the long-term family home we dreamed of. Only, after a year or so of living here, I started to fixate on the end goal. I treated where we lived as a stepping stone, forgetting to appreciate it and feeling frustrated when things weren’t going in our favour to make the end goal happen. I forget to be grateful.
READI often say to get clear on your money values as it can help provide clarity and guidance to your financial journey. But determining your money values can be hard if you’ve never heard of, or set any previously! Financial values are the things which are most important to you when it comes to money and investing—so to help get you started, here are some examples of the different types...
READAs things start to slow down and the year comes to a close, it’s only natural to start thinking about the next year and what you’d like it to have in store. Every January so many of us set resolutions, and December is a great month to reflect upon them to see how you progressed and think about what you want to achieve next.
READOur mindset plays a pivotal role in shaping various aspects of our lives. From career aspirations to financial attitudes, fostering a healthy mindset can help us to align our thoughts and intentions, especially when it comes to pursuing change or achieving goals—and a money mindset is no different. It helps us to enhance our financial management skills and address emotional issues tied to our monetary beliefs.
READOver the last couple of years, the amount I travel for work has increased, which I love! The majority of my travel is to London where I get to work and attend industry events. But as you can imagine, the early starts and late finishes often mean doing so can cause a pretty long day. Which is why I decide to stay in London whenever I do so.
READIf you asked somebody if they wanted a higher salary, there’s no doubt that they’d say yes. In today's competitive job market, high salaries are not just a must for increasing cost of living prices, but have become a coveted symbol of success and financial stability. However, whilst a substantial paycheque undoubtedly brings numerous benefits, it’s important to note that there’s a lot of nuance to what comes with that increase in salary.
READWhen it comes to financial well-being, our mindset plays a significant role in how we approach things. For example, if you’re constantly anxious about money, you may be in a scarcity mindset. This type of mindset can be incredibly limiting, preventing you from seeing the big picture by only seeing what’s happening directly in front of you. But shifting to an abundance mindset can have a profound impact on how you look at your finances.
READBetween Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts, Christmas gift buying, and Boxing Day and New Year sales, this time of year can feel full of pressure to spend money. After all, who doesn’t love to make their loved ones feel special, or to make the most of those bargain discounts?
READRaise your hand if you are or have ever been a people pleaser 🙋🏽♀️ Me too. Being a people pleaser is a common trait for many individuals, and whilst it’s admirable to want to make others happy and maintain positive relationships, it's crucial to recognise that that isn’t actually our job. It is down to the individual to take ownership of their life, whether that’s their emotions, their finances or their overall situation. Our role is to instil great boundaries that enable us to be there and support without overcommitting and taking the full weight of something.
READIs it greedy to want more? It’s a question I’ve been asking myself a lot recently. I’ve always grown up with an attitude of gratitude whilst always wanting more for myself and that’s not something that everybody understands. I’m sure you’ve heard it. “Why do you need X?” Why would you want X if you have Y?” or “Isn’t X enough?”.
READJust like fashion, when it comes to finance there is no one-size-fits-all. Each individual has their own style: including their own goals, aspirations, and attitudes towards money—and just as you would curate your wardrobe to reflect your personal style, your approach to managing finances should also be the same. So let’s delve into some chic money management techniques...
READDo you ever feel like you set yourself a budget and then all of a sudden everybody wants to go out for dinner after work, three weddings get announced and there’s talk of a family holiday?
READI can say with utmost certainty, that there’s been a time in your life, whether you meant it or were just exasperated at a particular moment, where you’ve stopped and said to yourself “I’m bad with money.”
READEmbracing a life of financial success goes beyond numbers and spreadsheets—it's about creating a lifestyle that aligns with your values and aspirations. By setting realistic financial goals and developing a plan to achieve them, you can pave the way for a fulfilling and prosperous future. But to achieve that, here’s what you need to do!
READFor me, the answer is yes. It’s not something I ever expected to happen, especially in the world of mortgage brokerage, where it’s heavily regulated, has a lot of jargon and the rules and regulations can be complex. However, in a world where individuals with learning differences are often misunderstood, I can honestly say that, contrary to those conventional beliefs, dyslexia has endowed me with a set of skills that enhance my abilities in this demanding profession.
READIn today's society, many people associate financial success with high-paying jobs and six-figure salaries. But did you know that “In March 2023 the top one percent of earners in the United Kingdom received an average pay of 16,754 British pounds per month, compared with the bottom 10 percent of earners who earned 711 pounds.” —Statista
READDuring a cost-of-living crisis, building and maintaining an emergency fund can feel like the last thing you want to think about. However, it’s during times like these that it becomes most crucial...
READThere's no denying that the financial landscape is challenging and stressful for many right now—something which is exacerbated by media coverage, economic fluctuations, and uncertainty surrounding economic policies. Mortgage rates are up, rental prices have increased drastically, and many are feeling the pinch. Also with supermarket inflation hitting hard it's no surprise that people are feeling anxious. So, how do you navigate the economic anxiety and remain calm amongst the challenge?
READAt this point in time, I’m pretty sure we can all agree that the real estate market has taken a big turn in recent months. This has left many wondering about today’s market and if it is the right time to buy or sell. As with all things, what moves you should make depends upon your individual financial situation, but let’s take a look at the two perspectives…
READWhen starting out in any career, it’s hard to think about where you want to take it. But in Mortgage Brokering, it’s even more true. There’s so much to learn in terms of process, compliance and business, to do the job, that future goals can feel far from your thoughts. But no matter what industry you’re in, it’s important to ask yourself what your overall goals are so that you can move towards that direction. And if you’re not quite sure yet, and you’re looking to figure out where you want to be as your career as a Mortgage Broker develops, these are the tips for you!
READFinancial planning is a crucial part of a healthy relationship. Yet so often couples find it difficult to have open and honest conversations about it—avoiding talking about finances beyond the bare minimum.
READThere’s no denying that I am a self-development obsessive! I love anything that helps with personal growth because it enables me to learn and improve my physical, mental, and emotional well-being. And I’m sure I’m not alone in that.
READThere are a number of reasons why just even the thought of asking for a pay rise makes people tense up and avoid it completely. Fear of rejection, lack of confidence and uncertainty over how to negotiate are just a few. I know this because it’s how I felt before asking for one! It can be daunting, but if you’re thinking about asking for one, it’s usually for a reason—so here’s what I did to help me prepare for the conversation.
READChannel the power of The Law of Attraction and Manifestation by using these money mantras to attract financial abundance into 2023 and beyond.
READNot everybody loves setting New Year's Resolutions. For many, it’s considered a cliché or a set up for failure, but whilst I understand why people come to this conclusion, I don’t personally believe that. I can see why people say it, as so often we tend to over-focus on the goal and then get upset when we don’t achieve it and give up. But personally, I love New Year’s Resolutions.
READWith a cost of living crisis in full swing, and Christmas fast approaching, it’s no wonder a lot of people are feeling the pressure as they prepare for the Christmas period. In fact, a poll for Accenture showed that 70% of Brits are planning to cut back this year, not just on gifts, but on expenditure across Christmas in general. However, the joy of Christmas isn’t measured by how much you spend. So if you’re looking to make your money stretch further this year, here are my top tips for helping to cut costs this Christmas.
READI’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: when you plan ahead, you want to break boundaries, not the bank. Yet too often people swing too far the other way and get caught up in a scarcity mindset where saving is their holy grail. And whilst I am all for saving, I think when the pendulum swings too far in either direction, it can be a bad thing. So in this post, I’m going to take you through my top tips for planning your monthly budget to help you create a sense of equilibrium.
READAs of this month, I have been working from home for two years. I often get asked how I find it, or if I have any tips, and as somebody who has to juggle multiple projects in their professional life, there are definitely things that make it easier. Here’s what works for me.
READA lot of financial information is geared towards those in full-time employment and isn't always helpful for those who are self-employed. Here are my top three tips if you're self-employed!
READYou’ve heard of red flags when dating, but did you know there are certain red flags you should look out for when looking to purchase a property? If you find yourself noticing any of these, you may want to think carefully about your next step…
READBuying a property is one of the most stressful things you will ever do which is why you need a team of people you trust around you that will have your best interests at heart.
READYou need to make sure you are ready for home ownership and it’s not all about the figures! Read on to see if you’re ready…
READCreating vision boards has been my thing since the days of cutting out magazines and sticking them into scrapbooks, but I’ve realised the digital version helps me to spend less.
READBuying a property with your partner can be one of the most exciting milestones in your relationship. Here are some things to keep in mind when thinking about taking that next step.
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