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Giving Brits professional insights, practical tools, and simple frameworks to help them build wealth and get money smart. Trusted by 150k+ followers. This is education, not financial advice.
Higher returns. Lower chance of success...
Chris Exley DipFA Creator of MoneyGeek MoneyGeek Digest - Issue 11: Higher investing returns, lower chance of success... I was sitting with a client last week — we'll call him Bill. Age 55. Decent pot, sensible saver, realistic about what he needs. The conversation about asset allocation came up. Should he hold mainly equities — or mainly bonds? More equities = more volatility.More volatility = higher potential returns.Higher returns = better chance of hitting his goals. Right? Not quite....
They've KILLED Buy to Let:
Chris Exley DipFA Creator of MoneyGeek | Financial Coach | Financial Planner MoneyGeek Digest - Issue 10:7 Reasons Why Buy to Let is Dead Dear Reader, I spoke to a 30-year-old last week - builder by trade, sharp as a tack, and had spent years saving a 25% deposit on a £150,000 buy-to-let. He’d done his homework - scoured Rightmove, lining up some options. Then we ran the numbers for Stamp Duty on a 2nd home purchase... £8,000. On a £150,000 property. That was game over - the numbers just...
The TRUTH about retiring at 50
Chris Exley DipFA Creator of MoneyGeek | Financial Coach | Financial Adviser MoneyGeek Digest - Issue 9: The TRUTH About Retiring at 50 Dear Reader, I hope the Easter bunny treated you well — though between you and me, I'm convinced the eggs get smaller every year. Shrinkflation doesn't even spare mythical creatures, it seems. Anyway, enough about chocolate. This issue, I want to talk about something that I think will genuinely change how you think about financial freedom. If I had a penny...
The #1 Financial Metric you're MISSING:
Chris Exley DipFA Creator of MoneyGeek | Financial Coach | Financial Planner MoneyGeek Digest - Issue 8:The #1 Most Important Metric Dear Reader, I'm writing this edition of the digest from a small village outside of Rio de Janeiro - Brazil - taking a few weeks to wind down. After settling the bill for one of the finest meals I've ever had (£30 for starter, mains, dessert and drinks for two), my wife and I got talking about whether we'd ever move to a country where the cost of living is...
9 Money Convo's (before it's too late)
Chris Exley DipFA Creator of MoneyGeek | Financial Coach MoneyGeek Digest - Issue 6:The 9 Money Conversations Every Couple Should Have... Dear Reader, Happy St David's Day 🌼Adelle and I celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary soon (Sugar, i'm told). Summer 2020. One of the first weddings allowed that post COVID… 6ft distancing10 guestsA registrar in latex gloves Describing it now makes it sound less like a celebration and more like a medical experiment. But it was a GREAT day nonetheless......
5 Years of BIG TAX changes...
Chris Exley DipFA Creator of MoneyGeek | Financial Coach | Financial Planner MoneyGeek Digest - Issue 5:5 Years: Lots Of Big Tax Changes Just over a month until the tax year comes to a close — and along with it, what has been a wet and miserable start to the year. With that in mind, people are talking about topping up their ISAs (£20k), maxing out their pensions or SIPPs, and using carry forward relief where they can. And so they should — because looking ahead, there is an absolute slurry of...
When is investing more is WRONG...
Chris Exley DipFA Creator of MoneyGeek | Financial Coach | Financial Adviser MoneyGeek Digest - Issue 4: People don't realise when they can start to slow down: The forecast gives truth A few weeks ago, we lost our little rescue French Bulldog suddenly to brain cancer. She was only seven. It was brutal. It's these fleeting moments of mortality that remind us that life is short. Everything can change in an instant - and you get one shot. The goal isn’t to hoard cash until some distant...
Why retiring at 60 could be a MISTAKE:
Chris Exley DipFA Creator of MoneyGeek | Financial Coach | Qualified Financial Adviser MoneyGeek Digest - Issue 3:What a difference a year makes (to your retirement plan) Dear Reader, I spoke to 19 people last week about their finances - ranging from age 30 all the way up to 70 - and something struck me that I hadn’t fully digested before. We're all guilty of this. Me included. When decisions feel big, uncertain or emotional, we default to round numbers. We aim to retire at 60. We opt for a...
Did the 4% rule cost Bill £1m ? 😵💫
Chris Exley DipFA Creator of MoneyGeek | Financial Coach | Qualified Financial Adviser MoneyGeek Minute - Issue 2: Good news for your retirement... Dear Reader, I’ve been deep in financial planning and money conversations over the past few weeks. Which, to be fair, is probably the best way to take my mind off long, wet Welsh winter days. One conversation in particular stuck with me. A reader told me she was planning her retirement income — and her “financial freedom” number using the 4% rule....
Giving Brits professional insights, practical tools, and simple frameworks to help them build wealth and get money smart. Trusted by 150k+ followers. This is education, not financial advice.