This is going to be a life update post and I must warn you, this email is a tad bit long, so brace up 😅. I’m at a point that I’ve been calling my transition season. I’m trying to decide whether to fully focus on my creator business, make it my full-time thing and put my time and energy into growing it OR whether to take up a job because of the stability it gives with a guaranteed income every month.

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And honestly, I’m still at a crossroads, so let me explain my thinking.

With my creator business, the test that most people would probably tell you to do before going full-time is to make sure you have consistent months of earnings. This year, I’ve actually earned consistent five figures for more than four months, which shows me that there is potential here.

I think what I’ve been waiting for, although I’m now questioning whether this is even the right approach, is to grow the money in my business to £100,000 before I take that leap. Mind you, I’m not talking about revenue here. Yes, there’s been a lot of revenue, but I’m talking about profit. I want to have at least £100,000 profit in the business so I know I have enough runway to cover my salary, pay my video editors and pay for all the tools I use to keep the business running. Right now, the tools and things I use to run the business alone come up to almost £500 a month 🫠.

But then there’s also this question: do I want to trade off starting my business now for stability? Because I’ve actually made this trade-off before.

In 2022, I took up my first full-time employment in the UK. At the time, I had built a community of over 30,000 international students, which was very demanding. The problem was that I hadn’t figured out how to properly monetise it or build a sustainable business model around it. If you don’t know the community I’m talking about, search CP Community on YouTube or Instagram and you’ll see some snippets of what it looked like.

At the time, I was literally thinking, “Okay, what do I do next?” Then I got a job offer and chose the stability of the job instead of taking a bet on myself and trying to figure out how to scale the CP Community. To be fair, perhaps that wasn’t the best time to take the risk anyway. I had just moved back to the UK after getting married, and we were trying to figure out our finances.

The funny thing is that before I moved back, my husband and I had actually agreed that I would give myself at least six months to focus on my own thing. If it didn’t work out, then maybe I could get a job. Guess what? I got a job within two months of moving back 😭. So maybe I never actually gave myself enough time to experiment and figure out whether I could build a proper business out of what I had created.

And now, here I am again, at another crossroads.

When I really think about it, the worst-case scenario is that I fail. Like, really fail 🫣. But even if I fail, I can always go back to paid employment. The downside might be that after taking a career gap, I may not immediately get the salary I want when I return. On the other hand, it could work out really well. I could build the creator business properly, take on consulting gigs where I help companies with marketing strategy and growing their SaaS businesses (which I already do now btw 👀), and who knows what else could come from it? And then there’s the best-case scenario: the business booms and performs way better than I could ever imagine.

You might be wondering how I even ended up at this crossroads. I recently quit my job a couple of months ago, so I’ve really just been in this in-between season, trying to figure out what comes next.

So, that’s pretty much where my head is at right now.

What would you do if you were me? Take the stability of a job or finally take the chance on the business? Hit reply and tell me because, clearly, I could use the help 😅.

And finally, about this newsletter…

I want to be more consistent with writing to you, but the truth is, given what my life looks like right now, I don’t think I can commit to writing a weekly newsletter. I need to be real with myself about that. Maybe some months I’ll write twice. Maybe three times. Maybe even four if I have a lot to say and the time to say it. But my goal is simply to make an effort to show up here at least once every month.

Thank you so much for sticking with me despite the silence. Hopefully, you’ll be hearing from me a lot more going forward ❤️.

Until next time, please stay hydrated and drink lots of water.

XOXO,
Chidera

In December last year, I did something I had never done before in my adult financial life: I went into debt.

I paid for a private health procedure, and with the total cost landing somewhere between £9K and £11K, I made the decision to put a portion of it on an interest-free finance plan rather than drain my savings or use my investments. The plan gave me 10 months to clear the debt at zero interest, so as long as I stayed disciplined and paid it off before the window closed, I would essentially be borrowing money for “free”.

I just made the final payment today! approximately 6 months ahead of schedule 🎉

Carrying that debt was not something I took lightly. Every month, £500+ left my account before I could even check my payslip. This debt sat in the background of every financial decision I made over those months, a quiet but persistent reminder that a significant chunk of my income was already allocated before it even landed.

Paying it off today did not just feel like a financial win. It confirmed something I had suspected but never fully understood until now that I’ve experienced it: I deeply dislike being in debt.

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💡 What this experience taught me

Before this, my view of debt was fairly straightforward.

• Consumer debt on credit cards, bad ❌

• A mortgage or student loan, more acceptable ✔️

But this experience introduced me to a third category that does not get nearly enough attention, and that is strategic, short-term, interest-free debt.

The 0% finance option I used is something the UK system does very well, and it is underused by people who could genuinely benefit from it. Many private medical providers, dental clinics, and some home improvement companies offer interest-free finance periods ranging from 6 to 24 months. When used correctly, and with the discipline to clear it before the promotional period ends, it means you are borrowing money for free while keeping your savings and investments intact.

The critical part is the discipline, because if you miss the window, the interest rate that kicks in can be eye-watering 😭, sometimes between 20% and 30% APR. This strategy only works if you treat the monthly repayments as non-negotiable, in the same way you would treat your rent or a utility bill, which is exactly what I did.

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Here is how the numbers looked for me:

By treating the regular repayments as non-negotiable and throwing lump sums at it whenever I could, I cleared it in a fraction of the time. The relief is I feel cannot be fully captured in this email 😮‍💨.

If you are ever faced with a large, necessary expense and you are offered an interest-free finance option, it is worth considering rather than dismissing outright. The tips are simple:

1. Know exactly when the promotional period ends 📅

2. Set up a direct debit so you never miss a payment

3. And read the full terms so you are not caught off guard by the rate that kicks in after the interest-free period.

Debt is not inherently the enemy. Unmanaged, high-interest debt is, and knowing that difference can genuinely work in your favour 💪🏽.

💰 While we are talking about making money work harder...

With the new tax year arriving on 6th April, NOW is a good time to check where your savings are sitting. If your cash ISA is earning less than 4%, you are leaving money on the table.

XTB is one of the apps I use for investing, and right now they are offering a 6% AER boosted rate on their Cash ISA for new clients who open an account between now and 30th April 2026. Here is what that looks like in monetary value compared to a typical 3.4% ISA:

You can also get a free stock when you sign up through my link or my code CHIDERA

Open your XTB account here →

Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.

🎓 The Money Method: Cohort 2 waitlist is open

Last week we wrapped up the first ever cohort of The Money Method, my 6-week money and investing programme, and the feedback has been awesome! Read the testimonials here →

If you want to be first to know when the next cohort starts and get £50 off, join the waitlist below. Places are limited and waitlist members always get priority access.

Join the waitlist →

🎥 Video of the week

This week’s video covers 5 critical money moves you need to make NOW before the tax year rests on April the 6th. Time is running out

Watch the video

Clearing that debt five months early confirmed something for me: there is a big difference between money spending your money by choice and watching it leave your account every month to cover a debt.

One is a choice. The other is an obligation, and I am so glad that obligation is behind me🙌🏽.

XOXO,

Chidera 💰

Last week, my brother made a post on social media thanking me for sponsoring his education in the UK. He said he couldn’t have done it without me, and I cried when I saw it.

Seeing him graduate with a Distinction in MSc Management made every sacrifice worth it, and I want to be honest with you about what that sacrifice actually looked like.

For over a year, I’ve been financially supporting my brother since he moved to the UK. Starting from Visa fees, flight, tuition, living expenses, the whole 9-yards. It wasn’t a one-off payment but a monthly commitment that quietly ate into everything else.

During that same period, I had been planning to buy a buy-to-let investment property. I’d done the research and I knew the areas I wanted to invest in. I was ready to take that next step in building my property portfolio, but I couldn’t do both, so I made a choice and I chose my brother.

I’m not going to give you the exact figures, but I’ll tell you this: the money I spent on his education could have been a deposit on an investment property. It could have been generating rental income by now and growing my net worth on paper. Instead, it went towards transport, fees, groceries, and making sure my brother could focus on his studies without the stress of wondering how he’d survive in a new country.

Some months were harder than others, and there were times when I looked at my accounts and felt the squeeze. I questioned whether I was making the right call, but I kept coming back to the same thought: an investment property can wait, and this opportunity for my brother could not.

The personal finance books and videos don’t tell you that sometimes the best investment you can make isn’t in real estate or index funds. Sometimes it’s in people.

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My brother now has a UK Master’s degree and opportunities that didn’t exist for him before. In the long run, having a sibling who is established and thriving takes pressure off me, so it’s not just generosity but also strategy.

More than that, it aligned with my values. I talk a lot about building wealth, but what’s the point of wealth if you can’t use it to change the lives of the people you love?

Truth be told, there were moments when the opportunity cost felt very real, especially when I saw other people buying properties and felt like I was falling behind. There were moments when I wondered if anyone would ever do the same for me. But comparison is a thief, and my journey isn't the same as anyone else's.

The property market will still be there 👀 hopefully, so I can still achieve this goal of mine.

I delayed one financial milestone to create another kind of wealth entirely, the kind that doesn’t show up on a net worth spreadsheet but matters just as much.

I played a part in setting up my brother for life, and no buy-to-let could have given me that feeling 🥹.

Have you ever made a financial decision that didn’t make sense on paper but made complete sense for your life? I’d love to hear about it, so just hit reply.

And if you’re currently sacrificing something to support someone you love, I see you. It’s not easy, but sometimes the “wrong” financial decision is exactly the right one.

XOXO,

Chidera 💰

P.S. The property is still on my list and it’s not cancelled, just delayed. And when I do finally get those keys, my brother will be there to celebrate with me.

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There’s a huge penalty on having a baby that no one talks about, no scratch that, a huge penalty on becoming a MUM that we rarely talk about, and even when we do, it’s never talked about enough.

According to research by the TUC and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), men who work full-time experience a 21% “wage bonus” when they become fathers. Meanwhile, women who become mothers before the age of 33 typically suffer a 15% pay penalty.

Can you imagine? It’s literally the same life event but opposite financial outcomes.

I actually watched a movie where a group of men were about to close out a business deal, and the investor, just before signing the dotted lines, asked his soon-to-be new partner if he had kids. This new partner did not have kids but could tell from the tone of the question and their prior conversation that having kids could be a plus for him, so he lied and said he did. The investor proceeded to sign the papers because according to him, “a man with kids can be trusted as you have a stronger sense of financial responsibility.”

You might argue that’s just a movie, but it’s not. The data backs this up in a big way. A Fawcett Society poll found that nearly half (46%) of people think women are less committed to their work after becoming parents, while three in ten (29%) think men are MORE committed to their jobs after having a baby.

Men get promoted when they have kids. Women get pushed out.

A woman being a mum is seen as a disadvantage, and there will be so many assumptions ranging from “she won’t have the time” to “she won’t be as focused” and everything in between.

The Numbers Are Staggering

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published an analysis in October 2025 that put hard numbers to what many of us already know. Five years after the birth of a first child, mothers’ monthly earnings are on average 42% lower than in the year before birth.

For mothers of three, the total earnings loss over five years amounts to more than £124,000.

And this doesn’t even account for the long-term impact on pensions. According to Royal London, women can miss out on nearly £92,000 in pension savings over 12 years by juggling caring responsibilities and working part-time. If you leave work altogether, you could be looking at a £183,000 pension hole.

Getting pregnant and having a baby should be something that is encouraged, given declining world populations, and also celebrated by all.

A woman literally puts her life on the line to have a child, and rather than being treated like the hero that she is, she gets to deal with the snap back police, hostile workplaces, and a financial uphill battle.

I’ve had lots of women ask me how to financially prepare for maternity leave or how to make the most of the Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) that they’re forced to live on. In an ideal world, a woman who chooses to keep the human race going should not have to bear the brunt of her own financial survival. Motherhood is hard enough already.

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So If You’re Reading This as a Woman Who Hopes to Have Kids Someday, What Should You Do?

1. Understand and accept the sacrifice

As with everything in life, seasons come and go. Before you become a mum, please sit with the idea for a while and consider all the many lifestyle and financial changes you would face. Then accept that for a season you’re okay to prioritise being a mum over financial success. This sucks, but I am keeping it real with you.

2. Consider the costs and plan for your maternity leave

A baby typically gives you months of advance notice (except in certain circumstances). Once you decide you would like to have a baby, and notice I didn’t say once you’re trying for a baby or married, even as a single lady who desires to have a baby at some point, open up a Maternity Fund and start keeping money in it.

This is super critical so you can spend time with your baby during postpartum without having to worry about money. If I ever consider having a baby again, this is the first thing I will tackle aggressively. Without this, financial considerations will have you cutting short your precious time with your little one.

Just to share here, my partner and I had “Childcare Savings” which is money we saved up and are still saving for all child-related costs. But I wish I had a “Maternity Fund” which is solely for looking out for myself and replacing my salary so I could take up to one year of maternity leave.

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3. Check and know your maternity leave policy

Before you take on a new job, beyond the financial compensation, also consider their maternity leave policy and how supportive the company is, especially if you’re in a season where you’re strongly considering motherhood.

4. Upskill during your maternity leave

During your maternity leave, in the margins of your day (yes, margins, because taking care of a baby sucks up all the time), find ways to upskill. Take up a relevant course or improve on a key skill you need at work.

Also use this time to become a LinkedIn pro, and by that I mean treating “LinkedIn” as work where you clock in at least once or twice a week with a thought leadership post in your field. I did this during my maternity leave for 30 days straight and it made a difference as I began to get more inbound leads for open roles.

5. Document everything

You probably already know this as a rule of the workplace: follow up every conversation or meeting with an email recap to ensure everyone is on the same page. This is even more important when you’re pregnant.

From the moment you’re pregnant, you’re in a vulnerable state, and it’s super critical that you protect yourself. If it’s not written, it did not happen. Put every promise, hostile remark, and unfavourable treatment down in writing. It will come back super helpful should you need it.

And If You’re an Employer Reading This

1. Create a supportive environment for working mums.

I recently read that the American Express office in London has dedicated nursing rooms for mothers where they can go to breastfeed or pump, access to lactation consultants, and flexible return-to-work arrangements for mothers returning from leave. This is the kind of support that makes a difference.

2. Recognise that mothers are often MORE productive, not less:

A study from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis that examined 10,000 academic economists found that over a 30-year career span, mothers outperformed women without children at almost every stage. What’s more, mothers with two kids were the most productive of all.

Yes, there’s a dip when children are young, but when you look at an employee’s value over their entire career rather than just the baby years, mothers consistently come out on top. They’ve learned time management, efficiency, and how to prioritise like nobody else.

3. Offer genuine flexibility

Not "flexible" in name only, but actual support through flexible hours, remote working options, and understanding that school pick-ups and sick children are part of life.

4. Keep her role and give her a chance

Don’t demote a woman or strip her responsibilities based on assumptions about what she can or can’t handle now that she’s a mum. Have a conversation with her instead.

Many women return from maternity leave to find their role has been quietly reduced or given to someone else. With the right support and flexibility, she can thrive in the same role she had before, and sometimes even better.

The motherhood penalty is real. It’s not a myth or an excuse, and it’s not something women bring upon themselves. It’s a systemic issue that requires systemic solutions.

But until those solutions arrive, we need to protect ourselves. Plan ahead. Save aggressively. Document everything. And know your worth, because becoming a mother doesn’t diminish it.

XOXO,

Chidera 💰

Perry didn’t come from a wealthy family and knew little to nothing about investing. But in 1987, during the wave of privatisations, she drained her cash savings account, bought shares in BT, and opened a Personal Equity Plan (that later became Stocks & Shares ISA).

She was a working class woman on an average salary who made a decision to start and then kept going for nearly 40 years.

The result? A £2 million in an ISA. Tax-free.

Perry’s story isn’t unusual because she had some secret advantage. It’s unusual because most people never start. They assume building serious wealth requires a business, an inheritance, or a salary they don't have, when really it just takes a regular income, discipline, and time.

📊 The Maths Is On Your Side

The average full-time salary in the UK is about £39,000 a year.

After tax, rent, and bills, it can feel like there’s barely anything left.

But becoming a millionaire from your salary isn’t about how much you earn. It's about how much you keep and how early you start.

If you invested £500 a month into a global index fund returning an average of 7% per year after inflation (which is roughly what the S&P 500 has delivered historically), you’d have over £1 million in about 37 years.

You might hear 37 years and feel like that’s a lifetime away. But I watched something last week that completely reframed that number for me.

😔 The Video I Can’t Stop Thinking About

Business Insider released a video featuring people in their 80s who are still working, not because they want to, but because they have no choice.

An 84-year-old Uber driver. An 82-year-old who said “I wish I could retire now” but has zero retirement savings. A 81-year old substitute teacher who has to work in order to eat.

These aren’t people who sat around doing nothing with their lives. They had real careers and serious qualifications.

One man had a degree in mathematics and worked as a computer programmer. And later became the vice president of a company developing advanced communication systems, earning $115,000 a year at the peak of his career, which was serious money at the time 👀.

Despite that, he panicked during a stock market crash, sold all his investments, and later had to drain his retirement fund just to get by and that he tries not to think about it because he’d “wake up in the middle of the night screaming. What did you do? You were a fool”

Despite his maths degree, despite decades of high-level work, he said: “I might have a degree in mathematics, but it doesn’t mean I’m financially literate.”

That’s the part that stuck with me.

Another woman who earned $100,000 at the peak of her career said “I just wish I had enough passive income that I could do whatever I want without trading hours for dollars”

Another person in the video said: "I kind of wish I would have known about the thing if you just save like $25 a month with compound interest, starting at age 25, that you'll be a millionaire by some 65 or 70 or something." They know that now.

But knowing it at 80 is very different from knowing it at 25.

So when I say it takes 37 years to reach £1 million, those years might feel far away right now. But it doesn't have to take 37 years.

You could earn higher returns, invest more as your salary grows, add occasional lump sums. There are so many ways to speed that timeline up.

But even if it does take 37 years, every person in that video will tell you the same thing: it goes by faster than you think. And when you get there, you'll either have options or you won't.

✅ 7 Things You Can Do Right Now To Be Financially Ahead of Most People

The good news? You’re reading this, which means you still have time. Financial literacy isn’t something they teach in school, but it is something you can learn.

1. Know exactly where your money goes every month. You can’t build wealth from money you can’t account for.

2. Start investing something, even if it’s small: Perry started with £2,400. The man in the video wished he’d started with $25 a month. The habit matters more than the amount

3. Build an emergency fund: The biggest reason people lose their path to wealth is because they pull money out their investments during a personal crisis. Even three months of essential expenses in a savings account protects your long-term plan.

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4. Don’t panic when the market dips: The man with the maths degree sold everything during a crash and never recovered. Markets go down, and that’s normal. The people who lose money are almost always the ones who sell during a downturn.

5. Increase your contributions every time your income goes up. Every time you get a raise or a bonus, redirect a portion into your investments before your lifestyle adjusts to the new number.

6. Treat your career as a wealth-building tool. Your salary is what funds everything. Negotiating raises, switching jobs strategically, and investing in skills that increase your earning power all compound over time just like your investments do.

7. Get financially literate on purpose. Nobody is coming to teach you this. Not your school, not your employer, not the government. Even a basic understanding of budgeting, investing, and compound interest puts you ahead of most people. That’s why this newsletter exists.

Perry’s advice to anyone thinking about investing? “You don’t have to know anything about it. Invest small sums regularly.”

That’s it. That’s how you become a millionaire from little. You start, you stay consistent, and you let time do what time does.

Before you go...

If this email made you think differently about what’s possible, forward it to someone who needs to hear it.

And if you’re ready to start building wealth through investing, my 6-week programme The Money Method walks you through everything from understanding your numbers to building a portfolio that works for you. The next cohort starts soon.

XOXO,

Chidera 💰

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Every week, I hear from people who tell me they want to start investing. They’ve read the articles, watched the videos, maybe even downloaded an investing app or two. But months pass and they still haven’t done it.

When I ask why, the answers usually sound logical.

“I’m still learning”

“I’m waiting until I have more saved up”

“I just don’t want to make a mistake”

But the real reasons people don’t start investing are rarely about logic. They’re about fear, confusion, and a belief that they’re not quite ready yet.

Let me break down what’s actually going on.

1. You’re scared of losing money

This is the big one. The idea of putting your hard-earned money somewhere it could shrink instead of grow feels terrifying.

You’ve heard stories of people losing thousands in the stock market, and you’d rather keep your money where you can see it, safe in a savings account.

But what you don’t realise is that this fear is costing you. Your money is already losing value. Inflation is eating away at your savings every single year.

A savings account paying 3% while inflation runs at 3.6% means you’re going backwards, just slowly enough that you don’t notice.

The stock market has risk, yes. But over the long term, it has historically returned around 8-10% per year on average. The real risk isn’t investing. It’s thinking that doing nothing is the safe option.

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2. The jargon makes you feel like this isn’t for you

You open an investing app and suddenly you’re staring at words like VUAG, ACC, P/E ratio, iShares, All-World ETF, and you think: this is for finance people, not me.

The investing industry has done a terrible job of making itself accessible. All those acronyms and graphs create a wall that makes normal people like you and me feel like we need a degree to participate.

But guess what? You don’t need to understand every term to start. You don’t need to know what P/E ratio means right now. You don’t need to analyse graphs.

You just need to understand one thing: when you invest in a broad index fund, you’re buying tiny pieces of hundreds of companies at once, and over time, those companies tend to grow.

That’s it. The rest you can learn as you go.

3. You’re waiting until you feel ready

This one is sneaky because it sounds responsible. “I’ll start when I understand more.” “I’ll start when I earn more” “I’ll start next year.”

But readiness is a feeling that never fully arrives. There will always be another article to read, another bill to pay, another reason to wait.

The people who build wealth aren’t the ones who waited until everything was perfect. They’re the ones who started before they felt ready and figured it out along the way.

You will never feel 100% confident before you begin. Confidence comes from doing, not from preparing to do.

So what now?

If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll start investing “soon,” I want you to notice what’s really holding you back. Is it fear? Is it the jargon? Is it the myth of readiness?

And then I want you to consider this: you don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need to understand everything. You just need to begin.

Start with £50. Pick one simple fund. Make the first deposit. The learning will happen alongside the doing, not before it.

If you want help with this:

The Money Method is my 6-week programme where I walk you through exactly how to start investing, step by step, without the jargon or overwhelm. We start this Saturday, 7th February.

If you’ve been stuck in “I’ll start soon” for months, this is your moment.

👉🏽 Use code DISCOUNT35 for £35 off → Join The Money Method

XOXO,

Chidera 💰

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A few weeks ago, I shared the inside of my £45K investment portfolio with you. The response was incredible, and so many of you messaged asking what’s next.

So I’m going to tell you: I’m aiming to hit £100K in my investment portfolio by the end of 2027.

I’m also planning on turning this into a public series on TikTok and Instagram because I need you all to hold me accountable 👀. But before I start documenting the journey there, I wanted to share the full blueprint with you here first.

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💰 Why £100K Specifically?

There’s a concept in personal finance that explains why the first £100K is the hardest, but also the most important milestone.

Here’s how it works:

At £100K, your money starts working seriously hard for you. A 10% return on £100K is £10,000, which is essentially half of your annual ISA allowance generated passively. Your returns start to feel like real money rather than pocket change.

That’s why £100K is the milestone I’m working towards. Once you hit it, compounding takes over, and the next £100K comes faster than the first. The table below shows how long it takes to reach each £100K (assuming you invest around £10K per year at 7% average returns):

📊 How I Plan to Get There

Let me show you my exact blueprint to hit £100k

Where I am now: £46,000 (as of January 2026)

The contribution plan:

• April 2026 to April 2027: Invest £20,000 (max out my ISA allowance)

• April 2027 to December 2027: Invest another £20,000

Total new contributions: £40,000 Portfolio after contributions: £86,000

The gap to £100K: £14,000

This means I'm counting on my investment returns to close that £14K gap, roughly 8 to 10% average annual returns over the two years. Based on my portfolio's performance in 2025 (+26%), this is achievable, but I'm not guaranteed those returns. Markets don't go up in a straight line, and 2026 could look very different from 2025.

So yes, there’s risk in this plan. I’m betting on continued market growth while knowing it might not happen exactly as I hope.

🤔 The Part I Haven’t Figured Out Yet

Here’s where I get really transparent with you.

I know the numbers. I know the plan. What I don’t fully know is where the £40K I plan to invest will come from.

I’m at a crossroads with my career right now. I’m wrestling with whether I want to stay employed or build something of my own, and there’s genuine uncertainty about what my income will look like over the next two years. For all I know, I might not have a salary to plan with by the end of this year.

That’s scary to admit publicly.

But I’ve decided to commit to this goal anyway because I’ve learned that clarity comes from action, not from waiting until everything is perfect. I’ll figure out the “how” as I go, the same way I figured out how to go from investing £50 a month to maxing out my ISA.

The goal stays the same even if the path changes.

🎯 My Strategy for the Next Two Years

1. Max out my Stocks & Shares ISA for 2026/27 and 2027/28 tax years

2. Stay consistent with monthly contributions rather than trying to time the market

3. Reinvest all dividends so compounding can do its thing

4. Document everything publicly on social media, so I stay accountable

5. Adjust as needed because life rarely goes exactly to plan

📩 Follow the Journey

I’ll be sharing monthly updates on this £100K journey. Some will be free, but paid subscribers will get the detailed numbers: exactly what I bought, what I sold, and why.

Upgrade to Paid

💡 What This Means For You

You don’t need to aim for £100K by 2027. Your timeline might be 2030 or 2035, and that’s completely fine.

What matters is that you have a number, a plan, and the willingness to start even when you don’t have everything figured out.

If I waited until I had perfect certainty about my career and income before setting this goal, I’d never start. Sometimes you have to commit first and figure out the details along the way.

🎓 Want Help Building Your Own Blueprint?

If you want to create your own investment plan, whether it’s £10K, £50K, or £100K, The Money Method is for you.

It’s my 6-week programme starting 7th February, where I walk you through exactly how to build and execute your wealth plan. We cover everything: the mindset shifts, the practical steps, the investment strategies, and the accountability to actually follow through.

Discounted registration ends 27th January, so if you’ve been thinking about it, now’s the time.

👉🏽 Use code DISCOUNT40 for £40 off

→ Join The Money Method

I’ll be sharing updates on this £100K journey on TikTok and Instagram, so make sure you’re following along there too. I want you to watch me do this in real time, including the months where the market dips and I question everything 😅.

Let’s build wealth together.

XOXO,

Chidera 💰

P.S. If this resonated with you, tap the heart below or forward it to someone who's also chasing a big money goal this year.

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I remember getting my first proper paycheck about six years ago and thinking, “this is it, I’ve made it.” I genuinely believed that earning more money would automatically mean having more money.

More salary = more savings = investments = wealth. Simple maths, right?

Except it doesn’t work like that 😅

I’ve watched people double their income and somehow end up in the same financial position they started in. I’ve also seen people on modest salaries quietly building wealth in the background. And after years of learning about money, creating content about it, and coaching people through their finances, I’ve realised something important: your salary isn’t actually the problem. The problem is the gap between what you earn and what you keep.

I know people earning £30k who are building wealth. I also know people earning £80k who have nothing to show for it. The difference isn’t their payslip. It’s what happens after the money hits their account.

Wealth isn’t about income. It’s about the margin you create between earning and spending, and what you do with that margin over time.

The wealth equation is simple:

Wealth = (What you earn − What you spend) × Time

Increasing your income takes time, but adjusting your spending can start today.

🎭 The Lifestyle Inflation Trap

Every time your income goes up, there’s pressure for your spending to follow. New job means a wardrobe refresh, a promotion calls for a nicer flat, and a bonus practically screams a vacation.

Before you know it, you’re earning double what you made five years ago, but you’re no closer to financial freedom.

This is lifestyle inflation, and it’s the silent killer of wealth.

The tricky part is that it doesn’t feel like overspending. It feels like “I’ve earned this” or “I deserve to enjoy my money.” And you absolutely deserve to enjoy your money, but not all of it. Not if you want to build something.

🔍 The Real Culprits

If your salary isn’t the problem, what is? Usually it’s one of these:

No system for your money: Your salary hits your account and gets spent reactively instead of intentionally, and without a plan, money finds a way to disappear.

Keeping up appearances: This looks like spending to appear successful instead of building actual wealth: the car, the holidays, the lifestyle that looks good on Instagram but leaves nothing behind.

Waiting for “more.”: You tell yourself you’ll start saving or investing when you earn more, but “more” comes and nothing changes because the habit was never built.

If you can’t save £10 from £100, earning £1,000 won’t magically fix that. The habit has to come first.

Not knowing where it goes. If I asked you right now where your last £500 went, could you tell me? Most people can’t, and if you don’t know where your money is going, you can’t redirect it.

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🔄 The Reframe

Your salary is a tool, a very useful tool, but a tool is only as good as the person using it.

Give it ten years, and the person earning £35k with a clear system, automated savings, and investments working in the background will be wealthier than the person earning £70k without one.

The question isn’t “how can I earn more?” (though that certainly helps). The question is “what am I doing with what I already have?”

When I finally asked myself that question honestly, everything changed. I stopped waiting for the “right time” to start building wealth because I realised the right time was whenever I decided to start.

🚀 So What Now?

If this is hitting home, here’s my challenge for you:

1. Track your spending for one month: this will make you aware of where your money goes.

2. Find your margin: what’s the gap between what you earn and what you spend? If it’s zero or negative, that’s your starting point.

3. Automate something: even if it’s £50/month into savings or investments. Automate it to leave your account before you can spend it.

4. Stop waiting for more: the habits you build now are the habits that will serve you when you do earn more.

💰 Ready to Build a Real System?

This is exactly what I teach inside The Money Method, my 6-week programme helping you take control of your money and start building real wealth.

We cover everything: getting clarity on your cashflow, building your financial foundation, and actually investing your money (even if you’re starting from zero).

The next cohort starts Saturday 7th February at 5pm GMT, and I’d love to see you there.

👉 Use code DISCOUNT40 at checkout to get £40 off.

Join The Money Method →

This programme is for action-takers. If you’re tired of earning well but having nothing to show for it, this is your sign.

Join The Money Method

Your salary is not the enemy, but waiting for a bigger one to save you? That’s the trap.

Start where you are, use what you have, and build the system now.

XOXO, Chidera 💰

P.S. If this resonated, forward it to someone who needs to hear it. Sometimes, the people earning the most are the ones who need this message most. 👀

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Three years ago, I invested about £5,000 into my ISA for the year. That felt like a stretch at the time 😅.

Then in 2024, I managed to max out my £20,000 ISA allowance, but I split it between a Cash ISA (£10k) and a Stocks & Shares ISA (£10k).

And now? I just made the last payment to complete my £20k allowance, and it ALL went into my Stocks & Shares ISA 🥳

That’s a 4x increase in just two years 🤯. And I need to tell you something important: my salary didn’t quadruple, neither did I suddenly become rich (I wish 😅). What changed was my strategy and how I thought about my money.

Today, I’m breaking down exactly how I went from £5K to £20K, the mindset shifts that made it possible, and why this matters.

📈 The Journey: From £5K to £20K

Let me show you exactly how this progression happened.

2023: £5,000: I started small, like really small. For the first half of the year, I was investing £50-£100 per month when I could. Then I’d do some lump sums between £200-£500, but I wasn’t consistent. Some months I’d invest, some months I wouldn’t. I ended the year having put in around £5,000 total, but there was no real strategy behind it.

2024: £20,000 (split between Cash ISA and S&S ISA): This was the year I first maxed out my ISA allowance, but I kept about £10,000 in a Cash ISA as part of my emergency fund and put £10,000 into my Stocks & Shares ISA.

2025: £20,000 (all into Stocks & Shares ISA): This is the first time I put the full £20,000 into my Stocks & Shares ISA.

I’ve been investing since 2023 (though my very first investment was actually in December 2022). So why did it take until now to go all-in on a Stocks & Shares ISA?

The answer is simple: confidence and strategy.

🧠 The Mindset Shifts That Changed Everything

Going from £5K to £20K wasn’t just about having more money. It was about thinking differently about my finances. Here are the big shifts:

1. I stopped treating investing as “leftover money”: In 2023, I’d invest whatever was left at the end of the month. Sometimes that was £400, sometimes £100, sometimes nothing.

In 2024, I flipped it: I paid myself first. My contributions to my ISA became as non-negotiable as my rent.

2. I redirected “extra” income intentionally: Before, bonuses or freelance income would just float into my current account and eventually get spent on random things.

Now, I had a plan: any extra income beyond my salary went straight to my ISA before I could even think about spending it.

3. I became more confident in my investing knowledge: In 2023, I was investing, but I didn’t really understand what I was doing. I was just putting money into “some funds” that people recommended.

By 2024, I understood my portfolio, my strategy, and why I was choosing specific investments. That confidence made it easier to commit larger amounts because I knew exactly where my money was going and why.

4. I developed an actual strategy (instead of investing for the sake of it): Early on, I was investing because “that’s what you’re supposed to do”, which is fine at the start. But I didn’t have a plan.

Now, I have a clear strategy: index funds for growth, dividend stocks for income, and diversification across markets. I’m not just throwing money at investments randomly.

Every pound has a purpose.

📊 How I Actually Did It

Now, for the practical part. Here’s exactly how I structured my contributions to hit £20K:

Monthly contributions: I set up a standing order of £600/month (£7,200 for the year) → This was automatic, which meant no decisions to make, no temptation to skip months, just consistent investing.

One-off deposits: I added an extra £12,800 throughout the year → This came from side hustles, freelance projects, and a small bonus from work.

Here’s the interesting part: I actually started 2025 with the goal of investing £10,000. I worked backwards and figured £600/month was comfortable, and I’d try to make up the remaining £2,800 with extra income as it came in.

But I ended up having more extra income than expected throughout the year. I wasn’t planning to max out my ISA allowance, but when I saw I could actually do it, I decided to go for it.

The lesson? Set a realistic goal, but stay flexible enough to go bigger if the opportunity presents itself.

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💷 Why This Should Matter to You (Even If You Can’t Do £20K)

You don’t need to max out your ISA to win at investing. But here’s why my journey from £5K to £20K should matter to you:

1. The progression is replicable I didn’t go from £0 to £20K overnight. It was £5K → £10K → £20K. Small increases compound over time.

If you’re currently investing £2K/year, could you get to £4K this year? If you’re at £0, could you start with £50/month (£600/year)?

Remember, it’s progress, not perfection.

2. The strategy works at ANY level

• Automate your monthly contributions (whether it’s £50 or £500)

• Direct “extra” money intentionally (tax refund, bonus, side hustle income)

• Review and adjust as your income grows

3. Tax-free growth compounds: Every pound you put in an ISA is shielded from tax forever. That matters whether you’re investing £1,000 or £20,000.

If you invest £5,000/year at 7% average returns for 20 years, you’d have around £204,000. In an ISA, you keep all of it. Outside an ISA, you’d potentially owe thousands in capital gains tax when you sell.

🎓 Want to learn how to make the most of your ISA?

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines thinking about investing, or you want to understand how to actually use your ISA allowance effectively, I’ve got something for you.

I’m hosting a FREE Live Investing Masterclass on Saturday the 17th of January, where I’ll walk you through:

✅ How ISAs work and why they’re powerful

✅ How to start investing with whatever amount you have

✅ My exact framework for building a portfolio

✅ The biggest mistakes to avoid as a beginner

Spaces are limited, so grab your spot while you can → Reserve my spot for the FREE Masterclass

Reserve my spot

The compound effect of consistent investing over decades is what builds real wealth, not one perfect year.

XOXO,

Chidera 💰

P.S. If this was helpful, forward it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you want to learn how to build your own investment strategy, don’t forget to sign up for my free masterclass. Let’s make your money work harder for you!

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Everyone's setting goals, making plans, talking about the year ahead. If you're ready to set your financial goals this year, you can still grab one of the last seats for my Money Map Workshop.

In a recent video, I shared that I made £4,793 from investing in 2025. A lot of you messaged asking: “But what do you actually invest in? What makes up your portfolio?

I said I’d only share the full breakdown with people on this email list.

So here we go, I’m pulling back the curtain completely.

💰 Inside My £45K Investment Portfolio

This is the first time I’m showing you exactly what I invest in: the funds, the stocks, the percentages, everything.

Total portfolio value: £45,088
Current return: +26.42%
Dividend yield: 5.19%

Here’s the breakdown:

📊 The BIG Picture (Index Funds - 55% of portfolio)

These are the backbone of my portfolio, doing the heavy lifting:

1. Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VUAG)
→ The 500 biggest companies in the US in one fund. Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, etc

2. Legal & General Global Technology Index Trust (GBP Accumulation)
→ This is a tech-focused fund that invests in global technology companies that make semiconductors, software, AI, and cloud computing.

3. Invesco FTSE All-World ETF (FWRG)
→ This is my global diversification ETF comprising of thousands of companies across developed and emerging markets.

These three funds alone make up 55% of my portfolio. They’re my set-it-and-forget-it wealth builders.

🪙 The Safety Net (Gold & Emerging Markets - 23%)

4. iShares Physical Gold ETC (SGLN)
→ This invests in real physical gold and serves as a hedge against inflation and market crashes.

5. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VFEG)
→ This gives me exposure to fast-growing economies like China, India, Brazil.

Gold and emerging markets balance out my tech-heavy portfolio.

💵 The Income Generators (Dividend Stocks - 22%)

This is where I get paid regularly. I have a Dividend Pie with the following stocks:

• Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) (energy)

• Nvidia (NVDA) (growth AND income)

• AGNC Investment (high dividend yield)

• Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) (healthcare)

• TORM (shipping)

• Realty Income (Real estate investment trust (REIT)

• AT&T (very high dividend yield)

• Novo Nordisk (weight loss drugs like Ozempic)

• Coca-Cola (dividend aristocrat)

📌 These stocks pay me dividends every quarter. My current dividend yield is 5.19%, which means that if I hold £10,000 in these, I receive approximately £519 in dividends per year.

That’s passive income while the portfolio grows.

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🎯 My Strategy (Why I Invested This Way)

1. Core Holdings (55%): Tech index funds for long-term growth
2. Diversification (23%): Gold + emerging markets for balance
3. Income (22%): Dividend stocks for passive cash flow

The goal? Growth AND income. This way, I’m building wealth slowly and consistently over decades.

💡 Something worth noting

My top 3 holdings (Vanguard S&P 500, L&G Global Tech, Invesco All-World) make up 55% of my portfolio. That’s a lot riding on three tech-heavy funds 😅.

And there’s about 65% overlap between these funds. Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia appear in all three. So I’m not as diversified as it looks on paper.

However, it worked brilliantly in 2025 (hello, +27.42% return! 👀). But for 2026, I’m considering rebalancing to reduce that tech concentration.

My plan:

• ✅ Keep S&P 500 (broad US market exposure)

• ❌ Drop or reduce L&G Global Tech (since S&P 500 already has 30%+ tech)

• ✅ Keep All-World for global diversification

• ✅ Put a bit more in gold as it performed excellently this year

I’m not rushing to change what’s working, but I’m being smarter about my risk. Tech won’t boom forever.

🎬 Video of the week

Speaking of starting...

If you’ve been thinking, “I want to invest but I don’t have thousands to start” then you should watch this video: How to Invest Your First £50 In The UK As A Beginner

I walk you through exactly how to start investing with just £50.

🎓 Want to learn how to build your own portfolio?

I’m hosting a FREE Live Investing Masterclass on Saturday, January 17th at 5pm BST.

In this 45-minute workshop, I’ll walk you through:

✅ Where to invest your money in the UK
✅ How to start with whatever amount you have
✅ The biggest mistakes to avoid as a beginner
✅ My exact framework for building a portfolio

Reserve my spot

Spaces are limited, so sign up NOW

I love being transparent. I've shared my real numbers, strategy, and mistakes with you because that's how we all learn and grow together.

You now know exactly where my £45K is invested. The good, the bad, and the boring index funds that are doing all the heavy lifting.

Let’s make 2026 the year you start building wealth.

XOXO,
Chidera 💰

P.S. If you found this valuable, forward it to someone who needs to see it. And if you’re not investing yet, start with my free masterclass on the 17th. You’ve got this!

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Hey friend,

Can I just take a moment to say thank you?

This is issue #33 of this newsletter, and the fact that you’re still here, still opening these emails, reading my musings about money and life every week means more to me than you know 🥹.

Thank you for reading, for replying, for watching my videos and trusting me with your financial questions and goals.

Now, let me give you something practical in return 👇🏽

📋 The Ultimate Money Reset Checklist

I always do a financial year in review at the end of each year and there are a few items I typically go through to ensure I close out the year strong and set myself up for financial success in the new year.

So today, I'm giving you the exact checklist I use and I've created a simple spreadsheet that you can download for free to tick off as you complete each task. You don’t have to do everything, just select the categories relevant to you

1. Income & Expenses 💰

This section is about being aware because you can’t improve what you don’t measure.

✅ I’ve calculated my total income for the year
✅ I’ve calculated my total expenses for the year
✅ I’ve worked out my savings rate as a percentage
✅ I’ve reviewed where my money is actually going

2. Subscriptions 🔍

Small recurring payments add up fast, and most of us are paying for things we don’t even use.

✅ I’ve listed all my subscriptions
✅ I’ve cancelled at least 3 I don’t use
✅ I’ve negotiated or downgraded ones I’m keeping

3. Savings Accounts 🏦

This section is about making sure your money is working as hard as possible for you.

✅ I’ve checked if my Cash ISA is still competitive
✅ I’ve looked into transferring to a higher rate account
✅ I’ve reviewed if I’m maximizing my ISA allowance
✅ I’ve assessed my emergency fund savings: where I am vs where I need to be

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4. Investments 📈

If you’re investing (or want to start 👀), now’s the time to review and recalibrate. Small adjustments now compound into big results later.

✅ I’ve reviewed my investment performance for the year
✅ I’ve rebalanced my portfolio (or set it to auto-rebalance)
✅ I’ve set up or increased my monthly contributions for 2026
✅ If I haven’t started investing, I’ve committed to starting in 2026

5. Tax Prep 📝

If you’re self-employed or need to file a tax return, December is prep time. The deadline is 31st January 2026 for the 2024/25 tax year.

✅ I’ve gathered all my income records & organised my expense receipts/spreadsheets
✅ I’ve blocked time to complete my return (or booked an accountant)

6. Digital Declutter & Goal Setting 📧🎯

This final section is about closing the year with intention and creating space for what’s next

✅ I’ve unsubscribed from at least 10 marketing emails
✅ I’ve deleted unused banking or finance apps
✅ I’ve reviewed what worked (and what didn’t) in 2025
✅ I’ve written down 3 SMART financial goals for 2026
✅ I’ve unfollowed accounts that push me to impulse buy

Simply pick one section to start with, complete one action and then build momentum from there. Your future self will thank you for the financial clarity you’re creating right now 💪🏽

That’ll be all for this week, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a blissful holiday season! Love and light to you and yours ✨

XOXO

Chidera

P.S. Final chance to grab discounted seats for the Money Map Workshop (January) where I’ll walk you through my exact framework for creating a step-by-step plan to hit your 2026 money goals. Early bird pricing ends soon → Signup now

P.P.S. Want to make 2026 different? Join the waitlist for The Money Method (my 6-week coaching programme, limited to 20 people). Waitlist members get exclusive pricing when doors open in January → Join the waitlist

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I’m going to be really honest with you today.

I’m writing this with about fifteen tabs open in my head, a to-do list that won’t end, and the kind of mental exhaustion that comes from juggling too many balls while trying to look like you’ve got it all together.

Spoiler: I don’t. And I’m tired of pretending like I do.

The Reality Check No One Talks About

You know what nobody tells you about maternity leave? How it can feel like your career hit pause while everyone else kept playing🥲.

How coming back to work feels like starting from scratch, except with more responsibilities, less sleep, and the added pressure of proving you still “got it.”

I’m in the thick of a major life transition right now. New mum. Navigating work challenges. Dealing with the reality that my content creation business hasn’t grown the way I wanted this year because growing a human and then keeping said human alive takes up a lot of bandwidth.

And the finances? Oh, there’s been a lot of unexpected bills lately. Health expenses I didn’t budget for. Tax bills that showed up right on time (because they always do!). Work-related stress that I’m having to manage while also managing everything else.

It’s a lot, and it’s getting to me 😔.

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💰Money Corner

This is the part where I’m supposed to tie this all up with a neat financial lesson, right?

Something like: “And this is why you need a 6-month emergency fund!” or “This is why planning ahead matters!”

But you know what? Sometimes the lesson is simply this: life transitions are expensive, financially, emotionally, and mentally. And that’s okay.

You can do everything “right” with your money and still feel overwhelmed when life throws multiple curveballs at once. You can have savings and still feel stressed about unplanned expenses (especially large ones 👀). You can be good with money and still feel like you’re not making progress.

Progress isn’t always linear. Sometimes it goes up, then down, then sideways. And sometimes it’s just survival, and survival counts.

😮‍💨 Where I’m At Right Now

I’m in a season of uncertainty and transition, and honestly? It’s doing my head in.

I’ve got emails to chase, admin to handle, and a backlog of videos I shot weeks ago, which I don’t feel like posting anymore. The motivation just isn’t there right now.

I’m questioning things. Like, whether to rebrand this newsletter (maybe call it “The Money Method”? I don’t even know 🤷🏽‍♀️).

I’m dealing with the reality that sometimes showing up consistently means showing up imperfectly. And maybe that’s exactly what you need to hear today, too.

If you’re in a season where things feel hard, where progress feels slow, where you’re doing your best but it still doesn’t feel like enough, I see you. You’re not alone in this.

🎥 Video for the Week

Speaking of things that feel hard, saving money when you’re stretched thin is one of them.

This week’s video breaks down the exact strategy to save £5,000 in just 6 months, even if you’re only earning £2,000 per month. It’s practical, it’s doable, and it might be exactly what you need right now.

Watch here →

📌 FINAL CALL: Money Map Workshop - January

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about your finances heading into 2026 (trust me, I get it), this workshop is for you.

90 minutes to create a financial roadmap that actually works for YOUR life, not some Instagram-perfect📸 version of what your life “should” look like.

Early bird sold out, but I’ve released a second round of discounted tickets. So secure your spot before the price goes up

What you’ll get:

• Clear financial goals for 2026

• A step-by-step plan that works for your reality

• Tools to stop feeling overwhelmed about money

  Grab your spot here →

📆 6-Week Money Coaching

And if you want more than just a workshop, if you’re ready for proper financial transformation with ongoing support, join the waitlist for The Money Method.

6 weeks. Small group. Personalised strategy. The accountability and community you need to actually stick with it.

Limited to 20 people. Doors open in January.

Join the waitlist here →

So that’s where I’m at. Raw, real, and figuring it out as I go.

If you’re in a similar season, know this: you’re not behind. You’re not failing. You’re just human. And sometimes, that’s the most important financial lesson of all.

XOXO
Chidera

P.S. If this email resonated, give it a heart 🧡 and forward it to someone who needs to hear it. Sometimes the best thing we can do is remind each other we’re not alone in the messy middle.

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I’m writing this with a cup of tea in one hand, and my baby monitor in the other - my little angel is finally napping 🙌🏽.

You know what I’ve been thinking about? New Year’s resolutions.

Not the “new year, new me” energy that lasts exactly 11 days, but the intentional kind that actually sticks.

Your future income, the opportunities that come your way and your financial confidence are all linked to what you know how to do. A new year won’t change anything unless your skills change too.

So if you want your life to look different in 2026, you need to learn the skills that create different results.

Subscribe now

What to learn if you want your life to look different in 2026

Your financial glow up for 2026 starts here. If you want different results with your money next year, you need to build different skills. It’s that simple (and that hard😅).

Let me break it down for you:

If you want to increase your income:

• Negotiation (salary, rates, contracts)

• Personal branding (becoming known for something)

• Networking effectively

• Sales psychology (even if you’re not in sales)

• Communication skills that command respect

If you want to build wealth:

• Investing basics (stocks, funds, ISAs)

• Tax literacy (keeping more of what you earn)

• Understanding compound interest

• Risk management

• Pension planning (boring but crucial 👀)

If you want financial confidence:

• Budgeting and money tracking

• Debt strategy (if applicable)

• Building credit intelligently

• Understanding your payslip numbers

• Financial goal setting that actually works ( I recommend Money Mapping workshop)

If you want to support family back home sustainably:

• Upskilling the people you support

• Setting healthy financial boundaries

• Balancing obligations with personal goals

• Smart ways to give without guilt

• Long-term vs short-term support planning

If you want to stop living paycheck to paycheck:

• Emergency fund building

• Expense categorization

• Finding your money leaks

• Automating your finances

• Creating buffer systems

Pick ONE category above. Just one.

Then pick THREE skills from that category to focus on in Q1 2026.

That’s it. That’s the plan.

You don’t need to do everything all at once. Just three things.

And in just a few weeks from now, you could have three new skills that will completely change your financial trajectory. Or you could do nothing and still be in the same place, waiting for motivation to strike.

You decide.

✨ Your 2026 financial glow up

Let me be real, learning about money can feel overwhelming. I know this because I’ve been there 🥲. The UK’s financial system is complex, and many of us are yet to understand how money works here.

That’s exactly why I created two ways to help you level up and become more financially literate and confident in the new year:

🗺️ The Money Map Workshop - £27

Your entire finances for the new year created in just 90 minutes

This is perfect if you want to:

• Set clear financial goals for 2026

• Create a step-by-step plan that actually works for YOUR life

• Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling in control

• Get clarity on where to focus your energy

Think of it as your financial planning session but make it fun, practical, and actually useful.

Happening in January 2026. Grab your spot now.

Grab an early bird discount

💎 The Money Method Coaching Programme

6-week comprehensive financial transformation (Limited spots)

This is for you if you want:

• Weekly live group coaching with me

• A personalized financial strategy

• Accountability and community support

• Workbooks, templates, and resources

• To master UK finances once and for all

We cover everything: budgeting, saving, investing, pensions, property - the whole nine yards. Specifically designed for UK residents who want to master money and build wealth in the UK.

Doors open January 2026. Join the waitlist to be first to know + get an exclusive discount.

👉🏽 Join the waitlist

🎥 New video

The year is almost over, and I’m not about to let you walk into 2026 without a plan 😅. I’ve put together 9 quick financial moves you must make to organise your money, boost your savings, and start the New Year feeling confident and prepared.

→ Watch now

So tell me: Which category are you picking? And which three skills are you committing to?

Hit reply and let me know. I genuinely want to know what you’re working on.

Here’s to making 2026 the year your skills (and your bank account) level up 💰✨

XOXO
Chidera

P.S. If this resonated, give it a heart ❤️ and forward it to someone who needs this nudge!

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Let me tell you about the time I almost didn’t buy my first iPhone 📲.

It was 2019. I had saved up to buy it outright. I was about to complete the purchase online, and then I froze 🥶.

The guilt hit me like a wave. I should send this money home. I should use it for something else. This is too much to spend on myself.

I literally had to call my brother for moral support to complete that purchase. Not because I couldn’t afford it. But because spending that money on myself felt wrong somehow.

But guess what? I’ve bought my husband gifts that cost multiple times more without thinking twice. I’ve single-handedly funded one of my siblings through school in the UK (we’re talking serious money here 👀). I regularly spend hundreds on family and friends without hesitation.

But £100 on myself? That requires a three-week internal debate.

That’s when I noticed the pattern: spending on others comes easily with no second thoughts. But spending on myself? That comes with guilt, hesitation, and mental gymnastics.

Something wasn’t adding up 🤔

I think it’s because I’m the first child. I’ve been taught to take care of others my whole life. And don’t get me wrong, that’s not a bad thing in itself. But somewhere along the way, it’s become the thing that stops me from putting myself first

This shows up every time I’m about to spend £100+ on myself, whether it’s skincare refills, booking something nice, or any purchase that crosses that threshold. And it’s not because I can’t afford it. It’s a limiting belief I’ve been carrying.

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What are limiting money beliefs?

They’re invisible rules we follow about money without realizing it. Stories that shape how we handle money in ways that don’t serve us.

For me, it’s this idea that spending on myself is selfish or wasteful.

But they show up differently for everyone:

“Talking about money is taboo” - You avoid discussing salaries or asking for raises.

Scarcity mindset - Even when you’re doing well, you operate from fear that it could all disappear 😰.

Hoarding in savings - you’re sitting on significant savings with no plan, keeping it in low-interest accounts because investing feels too risky.

“I’m just not good with money” - You’ve told yourself this so many times you don’t even try to improve.

These aren’t facts. They’re patterns. And they often hide as “that’s just the way I am” rather than something we can actually change.

The unlearning process

I’ve been actively working on unlearning mine. My skincare routine is my practice ground. When I catch the internal debate starting, I call it out and buy it anyway, because that voice is lying to me.

I’ve worked hard for my money. I’m responsible with it. I take care of the people I love. So why shouldn’t I also take care of myself?

Maybe your scarcity mindset means you never take that holiday. Maybe your fear of talking about money means you’ve been underpaid for years. Maybe your “I’m not good with money” story means you avoid your finances altogether.

These beliefs don’t just affect your bank account. They affect your peace of mind, your opportunities, and your quality of life.

It’s time we recognize them for what they are: stories we can rewrite.

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Before you go...

The early bird discount for The Money Map Workshop ends on November 30th. This is the only workshop you need to create a step-by-step plan you can actually follow for your 2026 financial goals. 90 minutes together, live, getting clear on what you actually want your money to do next year.

👉🏽 Grab your spot here before the discount ends.

Signup for the workshop

Thanks for reading. Thanks for reading. If this resonated, tap the heart below or screenshot and tag me @thechiderapeters

XOXO

Chidera

I almost didn’t write this email today 😅.

I had a long day which ended with me attending my very first Zumba class which I absolutely loved ! 💃🏽 The class was so energising and I’m glad I dragged my tired self out of the house.

I can’t do strenuous exercises at the moment, so instead, I’m finding ways to stay active, and it looks like Zumba is here to stay. Already looking forward to next week!😁

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Anyway, I want to talk about something I’ve been thinking about lately: financial freedom.

We talk about it all the time. It’s the goal, right? The ultimate level. The finish line where all your money stress disappears and life becomes easy 🏖️.

But what if I told you that financial freedom might be overrated?

Wait, hear me out.

The Problem With “Financial Freedom”

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the different levels of personal finance, from avoidance all the way to freedom. And while freedom sounds amazing in theory, here’s what I’ve realised: most people spend so much time chasing it that they forget to enjoy the levels they’re already at.

Financial freedom has become this mythical destination or magic number where you never have to work again, money flows effortlessly, and all your problems are solved.

But the reality? Even people who have “made it” still have money stress. They still have decisions to make. They still have to manage wealth, deal with taxes, think about legacy, and navigate relationships around money.

Freedom doesn’t mean the end of responsibility. It just means a different set of challenges.

What If Stability Is Actually the Goal?

Most of the financial peace you’re chasing actually lives in financial stability.

Stability is when you’re not panicking about bills. When you have an emergency fund that can cover a few months of expenses. When you can afford the things that make your life easier without guilt or strain. When you’re investing consistently, and your money is growing in the background.

Stability doesn’t mean you’re rich. It means you’re secure. And honestly? That’s where most of us need to get to.

You don’t need millions to feel financially at peace. You need enough to cover your life comfortably, with a buffer for the unexpected and the ability to make choices that align with your values.

That being said, I think what most of us actually want isn’t freedom. It’s flexibility.

The ability to say no to things that don’t serve you. The ability to take a break when you need it. The ability to make decisions based on what you want, not what you can afford.

And guess what? You don’t need to be financially free to have that. You need to be financially stable with intention.

If you’re at the stability level and you’re smart about your spending, your savings, and your investments, you already have more flexibility than you think. You just need to give yourself the permission to use it.

So What Should You Chase Instead?

Instead of obsessing over financial freedom, here’s what I think we should focus on:

✅ Financial peace – Not worrying about bills or emergencies

✅ Financial flexibility – Having options and the ability to pivot when needed

✅ Financial intentionality – Spending and saving in ways that reflect your actual values

The truth is, if you’re stable, intentional, and flexible, you’re already living a version of freedom.

Where Are You Right Now?

If you haven’t already, go back and read my previous email about the five levels of personal finance. Figure out where you are. And then ask yourself: what would the next level look like for me?

Maybe it’s not freedom. Maybe it’s just a little more breathing room.

And that’s more than enough ♥️

💰NEW: The Money Map Workshop

I’m so excited to finally share this with you ! 🎉

The Money Map Workshop is happening live on Saturday, 10th January at 11am BST. It’s designed to help you turn your 2026 money goals into a step-by-step plan that actually works.

Most financial goals don’t only fail because they’re too vague. They fail because of a lack of system and a clear roadmap on how to achieve them.

In this 90-minute live workshop, you’ll learn my exact framework for achieving my financial goals:

✅ Turn vague hopes into specific, measurable targets

✅ Break your annual goals into quarterly and monthly milestones

✅ Identify the income and saving levers you can actually pull

✅ Build your 2026 financial roadmap in real time (with a worksheet to guide you)

✅ Get live support and accountability from me and the group

You’ll leave with your complete plan for 2026: income goals, savings targets, investment strategy, and your first action step for the next 48 hours.

This isn’t theory. This is the EXACT system I used to exceed my Q1 content creation earnings goal, save £22,000 toward my investment property, and stay on track with my investing. Now I’m teaching you how to do the same.

Early bird seats are now available. Spaces are limited.

Stop wishing. Start planning. Let’s build your 2026 money map together.

Register now at early bird discount

📹 New Video: Fix my finances

This week’s Fix My Finances episode is about a couple who thought upgrading to their dream home would solve all their problems. Spoiler: it didn’t 🥲.

If you’ve ever wondered whether “bigger is better” when it comes to property, this one’s for you.

🎥 Watch it now

That’ll be all for this week. If you enjoyed this email, give it a heart ❤️ and forward it to someone who needs to hear this!

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Until next time,

XOXO
Chidera

Last week, I asked people why they haven’t started investing yet, and the responses flooded in. I ended up grouping them into six main reasons, from “I don’t have enough money” to “Immigration rules keep changing.”

If you missed it, I shared my responses to those reasons here 👉 Check them out

But today’s Dispatch isn’t about why people haven’t started. It’s about those who think they have but actually haven’t.

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💰 Money Corner: The most expensive beginner mistake

One of my one-to-one clients reached out, frustrated that her investments weren’t growing. She said, “Chidera, I’ve been investing for months, but the amount hasn’t moved.” Basically, the same amount she put in was the same amount she was seeing on her dashboard 😥.

At first, I was confused. Until we jumped on a call and discovered the issue. She had a Stocks and Shares ISA, but she hadn’t actually invested the money. She was just paying money into the account every month, and it was sitting there in cash.

And honestly, she’s not alone.
This is one of the most common mistakes I see beginners make 🤦🏽‍♀️. They assume that once you open a Stocks and Shares ISA and deposit money, it’s automatically invested. It’s not (unless you use a platform that auto-invests for you).

Here’s what you need to understand:

• A Stocks and Shares ISA is just an investment account. The keyword here being an account.

• Money inside it can either sit as cash or be invested into funds, ETFs, or shares.

• Unless you’ve actively selected what to invest in, your money might just be sitting idle.

So, what can you take away from this?

✅ Check your platform today: Log in and look for your “cash balance” vs “invested balance.” If most of it says cash, it means you haven’t started investing yet 😅

✅ Know your platform’s setup: Some platforms (like Nutmeg, Plum or Moneybox) invest automatically once you set up your preferences. Others (like Trading 212 or Vanguard) require you to manually choose investments.

✅ Stop waiting for “someday”: The earlier you start investing, the sooner compounding can start working for you. But don’t take my word for it, let’s put it into perspective:

🙍🏽‍♀️ A 25-year-old investing £200 every month at an 8% annual return will have about £300,000 by age 55

🙍🏽‍♂️ But a 35-year-old investing the same £200 monthly at the same return rate will only have about £118,000 by age 55

That’s a £182,000 difference! 🤯

All because of a 10-year head start. That, my friend, is the power of compounding. The longer your money stays invested, the more time it has to grow.

The lesson here is simple: You can’t grow money that isn’t working, and the sooner you start, the better.

🌱 What’s Next

This is exactly why I’m launching The Money Method in January 2026 to help you finally move from confusion to confidence with your money.

I’ve seen so many smart people make small, costly mistakes that could have been avoided with the right guidance.

Before we start the full programme, I’ll be hosting a free investing masterclass exclusively for those on the waitlist. It’ll cover:
✅ How to start investing, no matter your income
✅ What to invest in (and what to avoid)
✅ How to set up your first investment portfolio properly

If the waitlist fills up, I may not even post the link publicly, so if you’re serious about doing more with your money in the new year, join now

👉 Join The Money Method waitlist

Let’s start 2026 strong, no more excuses, no more confusion. Just action.

🎥 New Video for the Week

“Your Bank Account is Costing You Thousands”
If your money sits in a regular account, you’re missing out on returns that could change your future. I broke it all down here 👇

👉🏽 Watch Now

💡 Things I’m Loving This Week

📚 Read: The Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel, a reminder that wealth is about mindset, not just numbers.
🎧 Listen: How to Ask for What You Want by Grace Beverley, an empowering talk on confidence, money, and self-worth.
💭 Quote of the week: “Money sitting idle is money losing value”

That’ll be all for now. So today, log in, check your ISA, and make sure your money is actually invested. And if you haven’t started investing yet, what’s stopping you?

See you next week,

XOXO
Chidera

Now that I’m slowly finding my rhythm again, I want to talk about something that’s been on my mind lately: the different levels of personal finance

💰 The Levels of Personal Finance

Most people talk about “getting rich” or “saving more,” but the truth is, money has levels. You move through them as your mindset, habits, and confidence evolve.

Knowing where you are helps you focus your energy instead of feeling like you’re behind.

Here’s how I like to think about it 👇🏽

1️⃣ Financial Avoidance
This is where a lot of people start, even if they don’t admit it.
You avoid looking at your bank account because you already know it’ll stress you out 😩. You’re borrowing from one card to pay another, convincing yourself you’ll “sort it next month.”
You buy things for comfort, not need. You’re living paycheck to paycheck, sometimes even on borrowed money, and you can’t remember where your money goes.

2️⃣ Financial Awareness
This is the wake-up stage when you finally start paying attention to your money instead of avoiding it.
You’re tracking your spending, realising how small expenses add up, and learning what your financial reality actually looks like🧐.

You begin to notice patterns: how impulse buys, convenience spending, and poor planning eat into your goals. It can be uncomfortable at first, but it’s where real change begins.

Subscribe now

3️⃣ Financial Growth
Now you’re building momentum 💪🏾. You’re saving consistently, learning about investing (or have started investing), improving your credit, and maybe creating extra income streams 💰.
Money stops being a source of shame and starts to feel like a tool. You’re thinking long term, setting goals, and learning how to make your money work harder for you.

4️⃣ Financial Stability
This is where things start to feel settled. You’re not just managing your money, you’re in control of it 🧘🏾‍♀️.
You have an emergency fund that could cover a few months of expenses, you have investments, and you’re no longer worried about how to pay the next bill.

You can afford small luxuries that make your life easier, for example, a monthly cleaner, childcare support, regular date nights, gym memberships, self-care days, and even spontaneous weekend trips without guilt or strain.
You finally feel safe, not stretched.

5️⃣ Financial Freedom
This is the dream stage 🛌. But it doesn’t have to mean you never work again. For some people, it’s knowing that their investments or passive income could cover all their bills. For others, it’s the ability to take a work sabbatical, relocate, or make a life change without financial panic.

Freedom isn’t necessarily about wealth; it’s about choice. The choice to say no, to take risks, to give, or to rest. It’s money that works for you, not the other way around.

💸 Join The Money Method Waitlist

If you’re ready to take your finances seriously in 2026— save smarter, invest confidently, and build real wealth in the UK, then join the waitlist for The Money Method.

You’ll get:
✅ Early access before launch
✅ An exclusive discount
✅ A chance to shape the programme with your feedback

👉🏽 Join the Waitlist Here

🎥 Video for the Week

I posted a new video sharing 15 little ways to save a lot of money no matter how much you earn. It’s simple, practical, and full of tips you can start using today because saving doesn’t have to feel like punishment.

That’ll be all for this week. If you found this valuable, if you did, please tap the heart below as it helps others discover this newsletter. Or you can take a screenshot and tag me on Instagram @thechiderapeters so I can repost it! Thank you

XOXO

Chidera

I almost tumbled over finding my way into your inbox. There were so many cobwebs along the way 😂. But I’m here now! How have you been?

Oh, you’d like to know how I’ve been instead, seeing as I’m the one who disappeared for weeks? 🙈 Well, thank you very much for that question. I’m not even sure where to start, so this email might be all over the place.

👶🏽 I Became a Mum!

Yes, you read that right. I have a whole human who depends on me for her survival. I still find it surreal sometimes. Like me? A mum? Me, that’s a twenty-something-year-old teenager? LOL, Life comes at you fast!

I had a rough onboarding into motherhood (catch up in this video if you missed it). Those first six weeks were the hardest of my life — recovering from a C-section, caring for a newborn, and having no external support. It really affected my mental health to the point where I needed professional help.

But things are better now. My mum is with me, and honestly, her presence has made a world of difference for my mental health, my confidence, and how I show up day-to-day.

Motherhood has been quite the journey. Some days are easy, some are tough, but even on the hard days, nothing beats seeing my baby giggle or smile 🤭.

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💭 On Identity & Motherhood

Someone recently asked if I’m struggling with my identity as a mum. My honest answer is no. I don’t feel like motherhood has consumed me. Being a mum is one of the many hats I wear, but it doesn’t define all of me.

Yes, I know I talk about my baby a lot (bombastic side eye 👀), but that’s because this is my current reality. It’s what I live every day. Still, I’m able to function as a creator, coach, and strategist even while being a new mum. I’m only a few months in, but I like where I’m at.

💼 Maternity Leave & The Reality of Work

Being on maternity leave has opened my eyes to how unfriendly some maternity policies are.

In the UK, you get six weeks at 90% pay. Some employers offer enhanced maternity leave (three to six months full pay). But even that isn’t enough. At three months, you’re barely in a rhythm with your baby, and you have to consider going back to work. If you don’t, you go on statutory maternity pay, which is just a couple quids a month. With bills, rent, groceries? That’s not cutting it.

It puts women between the devil and the Red Sea: go back to work before you’re ready OR manage on a tight budget.

Now more than ever, I see why financial planning for a child is crucial. The options put before you aren’t the best, and you’re making choices not because you want to, but because you have to.

I saw a stat recently that over 450,000 women in the US have left their jobs, mostly due to childcare. And honestly, I get it.

I’m currently in that space of reflection too, deciding what returning to work will look like for me, or if I even want to go back. Let’s just say I’m in a season of transition and uncertainty, but I’m keeping an open mind.

💸 The Money Method is Coming!

Now for the exciting part! I’m working on a coaching program called The Money Method. We’re kicking off in January 2026.

If you’ve ever wanted to be mentored by me or need guidance on investing, building wealth, saving better, earning from your savings, or buying your first property, this is for you.

This isn’t one of those programs where you’re just told what to do. We’re going to do it together. We’re going to learn and implement, especially investing.

Join the waitlist here to be the first to know when we go live. You’ll get £50 off and help shape the program through a survey.

👉🏽 Join the waitlist

🎥 Creator Life Check-In

This one is a bit vulnerable to share. Lately, I’ve been struggling to show up online. Not because I don’t want to, but because I’ve been overthinking everything.

I want to share behind the scenes of building The Money Method, maybe even do a 30-day video challenge in November, but I keep hesitating. You’d think that after years of content creation, it would come naturally. But right now, I’m just trying to find my rhythm again 😅.

Interestingly, I’ve been doing a 30-day LinkedIn challenge (today’s day 28!) and it’s been going great, probably because I don’t have to shoot videos; it’s all text. My goal is to bring that same energy to TikTok and Instagram soon. So hold me accountable, please!

❤️ Wrapping Up

If you’ve read this far, thank you. Writing this Dispatch reminded me how much I’ve missed connecting with you here.

I can’t promise weekly emails like before (I’m still finding my footing), but I’ll do my best to show up more often.

In the meantime, hit reply and tell me what you’d love to see in the next Dispatch. I’d love to hear from you.

Till next time,

XOXO
Chidera 🫶🏽

P.S. If you enjoyed this, tap that like button below. It helps others discover this content. Thank you for being here! 💛

I’m in a season of transition, and to be honest, it feels like my heart is trying to hold on to many things at once. There’s a kind of bittersweetness in it that I’m still trying to name. On one hand, there’s deep joy — the excitement of new beginnings, the sense of possibility, of stepping into growth. On the other hand, there’s grief; grieving the things I’m leaving behind, the spaces where I used to feel rooted, the parts of me that won’t look the same after this.

It’s been hard, navigating that tension. I’m noticing it most in my work lately, where I’m slowly stepping back from some core functions that used to define my role. That shift has meant being left out of conversations I once led, not receiving the recognition I deserve, and seeing decisions being made for me instead of with me. And even though I understand why it’s happening, that it probably comes from a place of care, it doesn’t soften the ache of feeling invisible, of feeling like a part of me is being erased.

I think no one really prepares you for how transitions can be both a doorway and a goodbye at the same time 😞. There’s so much to celebrate in what’s ahead, but there’s also so much to mourn in what’s being left behind. It’s a strange place to stand, holding grief and joy in the same hands, but I’m learning that both can coexist, and maybe, they’re meant to.

OK, now onto something a bit lighter that gave me a burst of joy this week 😅.

For the first time ever, I actually used a warranty on my Google Fitbit of all things. The battery had gone faulty, and I was this close to buying a new one when I remembered it might still be covered. I checked, and it was set to expire in just two weeks. Talk about divine timing! I went through the warranty process and they replaced it for free. Zero extra money spent, and that’s a win in my books! 😂

There’s a money lesson here, and honestly, it’s one I nearly forgot myself:

✅ Before you buy something new, check if you’re still covered. Whether that’s a warranty, insurance, or a consumer guarantee, make it a habit to double-check. Many of us throw away broken or faulty things without realising we could get them repaired or replaced for free.

✅ Advocate for yourself. Companies won’t always remind you about your warranty, so you have to check, chase, and push if needed.

If you take anything from my Fitbit drama, let it be this: protect your money from impulse “replacement” purchases. Things don’t always have to be thrown away. Sometimes, the fix is already there, you just need to ask for it 🛠️.

Another tiny spark of joy this week? Cashback 🤑

I’ve been using Monzo’s cashback offers on everyday spending, and I’ve racked up about £17.29 so far. £17.29 won’t change my life (I wish it did 😭), but it’s still my money coming back to me, and that feels good! 😂

If you have a Monzo account but haven’t activated cashback yet, here’s a quick step-by-step to get yours rolling:

1️⃣ Open your Monzo app
2️⃣ Tap on the Home tab
3️⃣ Scroll down to Offers
4️⃣ Tap to see what cashback partners are available
5️⃣ Activate the ones you shop with
6️⃣ Spend as normal, and Monzo will track the cashback automatically

It’s easy to ignore these small money wins, but they add up, even if it’s “just” £5, that’s still £5 you didn’t have before - you’re welcome! 😌

New video this week 🎥

This week’s episode of Fix My Finances hits on another tricky money lesson: how helping a partner can cross the line into financial self-sabotage.

A 26-year-old woman in the UK has been giving her boyfriend £500 every month and now she’s struggling to pay her rent and bills.

If you’ve ever felt torn between helping someone and protecting your own stability, you’ll want to watch this one.

👉🏽 Watch it here

If you’d like more support on your money journey, I’m building a membership and accountability community designed to help you stay consistent, feel seen, and grow. Members on the waitlist will get an exclusive discount and bragging rights as founding members 🤭. Join the waitlist here.

Join my accountability group

Until next time,

XOXO
Chidera 🤍

Separating your finances is one of the core foundations for managing and growing your money with confidence. When you give every pound a purpose, you stay in control and build financial stability for the long term.

Here are my top 6 recommended accounts to structure your money for growth and peace of mind:

✅ 1. Current Account (Salary + Spending)

This is the hub of your financial life, your salary lands here, your bills go out from here, and your day-to-day spending happens here.

How to make it work:

• Set up all your direct debits (rent, subscriptions, utilities) from this account.

• Leave only your planned spending money in it, so you don’t overspend.

• Automate transfers to your other accounts right after payday, so you pay yourself first.

✅ 2. Pension Account

Your pension is a critical foundation for long-term security. It’s your retirement money; the earlier you build it, the more time it has to grow.

Options include:

• A workplace pension (most employers offer one, and some will even match your contributions; don’t leave that money on the table! 👀)

• A personal pension (for self-employed or side hustlers)

• If you’re under 40, you can check if you’re eligible for a Lifetime ISA, which can also be used towards retirement.

✅ 3. ISA (Individual Savings Account)

An ISA helps you grow your money tax-free in the UK. There are several types, each with a different purpose:

• Cash ISA: Like a regular savings account, but interest is tax-free. Best for short-term savings, just ensure you get one with a high interest rate. Here’s a 4.92% Cash ISA which I recommend

• Stocks & Shares ISA: Invest in funds, stocks, bonds, and your earnings stay tax-free. Great for longer-term investing (5+ years).

• Lifetime ISA (LISA): If you’re 18–39, you can save up to £4,000/year towards your first home or retirement, plus a 25% government bonus, but there are limitations; watch my detailed video on Lifetime ISAs.

• Innovative Finance ISA: Invest in peer-to-peer loans or similar, tax-free, higher risk.

Tip: Know your annual ISA allowance (currently £20,000 as of 2025) and use it strategically.

Subscribe now

✅ 4. High-Yield Savings Account (Emergency Fund)

Life happens: job loss, car repair, sudden illness. That’s why you need an emergency fund, ideally 3–6 months of living expenses, parked in a separate high-yield account where it can grow a bit of interest but still easily accessed when needed.

How to choose one:

• Look for FSCS-protected banks (up to £85,000 protection)

• Check withdrawal limits (you want instant or easy access in emergencies)

• Compare rates between banks to get a competitive interest rate for your money

✅ 5. Credit Account (Optional, but useful)

Credit is powerful if you use it wisely. Having a credit card and paying it off in full monthly helps build your credit score, which you’ll need if you ever want a mortgage or car finance.

Perks of responsible credit use:

• You get section 75 buyer protection (which protects your purchases over £100)

• Cashback or travel points

• Credit-building history for future borrowing

But:

• Never carry a balance to the next month if you can avoid it

• Set up a direct debit to pay in full each month

✅ 6. Sinking Funds Account

This is your stress-free account for irregular but predictable costs:

• Car maintenance

• Holidays

• Birthdays

• Annual insurance payments

By breaking these costs into monthly chunks and keeping them separate, you avoid panicking (or pulling from your emergency fund) when they pop up.

How to manage it:

• Work out annual costs

• Divide by 12

• Automate a monthly transfer so the money’s there when you need it

🎥 New Video This Week

6 Tiny Habits Keeping You Broke (And How to Stop Them Today)

If your money disappears by Week 3, you’re probably not alone but it’s usually not one big mistake draining your account. It’s the tiny habits you repeat without thinking 😅.

In this video, I break down the six small habits that keep you stuck and exactly how to fix them.

👉🏽 Watch it here

P.S. I’m opening a brand-new membership community soon, packed with live sessions, resources, and accountability to help you stay consistent with your money. If you’d like exclusive discounts and founding member bragging rights 🤭, join the waitlist here.

That’ll be all for this week. Please stay hydrated, this 31°C weather today has been no joke! I hope you’re finding ways to stay cool. See you same time next week.

XOXO

Chidera