Tag: personal finance

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The beatings will continue until morale improves – January 2022 update

The Wealthster

After a fantastic start to the year of our Lord 2022 (mainly because I was chilling in Australia) we had a rude awakening upon our return to London.  First, there was the rampant Covid outbreak still going on in London.  Second the utterly dreary weather and long nights, and third the stock market took a plunge.  As I had been on holiday, I’d left £2000 in my S&S ISA account ready to invest because I was idle about investing it. Upon being paid on 10 January, I plonked another £3000 into my ISA and duly purchased £5000 of VUSA the … Continue reading The beatings will continue until morale improves – January 2022 update

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Review of All About The Money podcast article.

The Wealthster

I just had the displeasure of reading one of the most childish articles on personal finance I have ever read. It’s an article I wrote when I was aged 23. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4Gsq4lf46lWz2tB74LH9KQq/why-im-sick-of-being-told-to-save-money OK, so I didn’t write it, but I probably had the same attitude to money as this young lady back then, and I know what happens when that attitude continues on as you get older. You get in huge debt believing that you will never get old and have plenty of time to make your first million. As you are reading my site, and I’m sure you are interested … Continue reading Review of All About The Money podcast article.

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The day I paid off my debt

The Wealthster

Today I made the final payment on my credit card. It felt scary to do it. I had all kinds of anxiety thinking things like “I’m going on holiday at the end of the month, do I have enough?” Well, the answer is yes, I do have enough. It’s a feeling I’m not used to having, but I have enough because I’ve sorted out my financial life.   There have been so many times in the past 6-7years where I’ve been struggling to get through the month, or worse just spending recklessly It’s deeply ingrained anxiety that I’ve lived with … Continue reading The day I paid off my debt

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Emma, my new best money friend.

The Wealthster

Budgets are fantastic tools to allocate your monthly income against certain items and keep on track with your spending. I have used budgets for many years and they have indeed helped me manage my money better. I have an Excel spreadsheet that has my income at the top from which I deduct all my expenses, leaving me with a remainder figure. At the moment that remainder is in theory quite large thanks to all the cutbacks I have made in my quest for financial freedom. But the quandary I find myself in is that the remaining money I actually have … Continue reading Emma, my new best money friend.

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May update

The Wealthster

May has been a long month by all measures. Many things have come to a head and I’ve felt both directionless and demotivated at times, and extremely excited about the future at others. Firstly, the issues with the company have made me reassess what I am doing career-wise. I think I’ve mentally checked out of the company, and although I have half-heartedly applied for new jobs, it’s only a matter of time before I do so properly. I just feel there is no point in working hard for a company that is on the brink and is being run so … Continue reading May update

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Some anxiety

The Wealthster

The past three weeks have been rather difficult for me. Despite my genuine excitement at being able to ‘see the light at the end of the tunnel’ for my debts, some external forces have upset this happy FIRE ship. On Tuesday shortly before Easter, when I arrived at my company’s office, there was a bouncer on the door and a notice saying we could not go in. Rather perturbed, myself, the Chairman and other employees didn’t really know what was going on. I work for a small consultancy business with big ambitions, and one that has taken some big risks. … Continue reading Some anxiety

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Housing in London

The Wealthster

London, Londra, Londres. What a city. Home of The City, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. Hub of culture with galleries, museums and stunning architecture. Home to culinary delights and thriving nightlife. It is indeed a great place to live, but I’m not alone in that view. The result of this popularity is many, many, people arrive from around the UK, Europe and the wider World come to experience what the exciting cultural melting pot has to offer. My girlfriend came from Melbourne, the world’s most livable city for seven years running, to live in this city. I have many friends … Continue reading Housing in London

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Calculations and calibrations

The Wealthster

Last weekend shortly after making my blog post, buoyed by the confidence that I am approaching debt freedom, I spent several hours calculating whether it would be better for me to save money or to pay off my mortgage. Firstly, there are several viewpoints on whether mortgage debt counts as ‘debt’. Of course it is different to a credit card or a car loan as you have purchased an asset that will appreciate in value and give you ‘equity’, and you pay off a chunk each month which also contributes. However, as that equity is tied up in the home, … Continue reading Calculations and calibrations

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Another week has passed

The Wealthster

I’ve had a good week. My work treated me to tickets to England v Scotland at Twickenham. It was an astonishing game which will stick with me for the rest of my life. I really do wish my Dad had a chance to see it. It would have been an expensive day save that my company will pay for it. Can’t get better than that?! As for my FIRE quest, I’m feeling much better. My cash flow has improved, people have paid their bills to me and I have the cash to get me to the end of the month. … Continue reading Another week has passed

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Feeling the pain

The Wealthster

Last week I paid off £1200 of my credit card. It felt good to be making progress, but also scary. I’ve taken the approach that I must clear these debts as fast as possible with a target of 3-4 months being a stretch target. I’m anxious that I may be biting off more than I can chew. I now only have £1172 in my account to last me the month. I know I have at least £650 of payments coming out before the next paycheck. However, I am owed £500 in rent and have £400 of expenses to clear. In … Continue reading Feeling the pain