BLOG – Jamie Hilsdon

The EI edge

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to effortlessly manage their finances while others struggle, despite having similar incomes or financial knowledge? The answer might lie not in their bank accounts, but in their hearts and minds. While financial literacy is undoubtedly important, there’s another crucial factor at play that often goes overlooked: emotional […]

The C-word

Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. One day, everything’s running smoothly – you’re hitting your stride at work, the kids are thriving, and you’ve finally started that healthy eating plan. The next day, a single word changes everything: Cancer. It’s a word that sends shivers down our spines, a […]

Calm needn’t be the focus

We often think that financial peace or calm is the ultimate goal when it comes to managing our money. We hear phrases like “financial peace of mind” or “calming the storm of debt” and we think, “Yes, that’s what I want. I just want everything to be calm.” And while there’s nothing wrong with seeking […]

Ten Rules – Part 2

In the first part of this series, we explored five essential rules for personal finance, inspired by “The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated” by Helaine Olen and Harold Pollack. The rules in the blog spoke to things like spending less than we earn, paying off credit card debt, save 10-20% […]

Spending with intention

In her thought-provoking book “The Year of Less,” Cait Flanders shares a powerful insight: “Every time you make a purchase, you’re voting with your dollar for the kind of world you want to live in.” This simple yet profound statement invites us to reconsider our relationship with consumption and its impact on our financial well-being. […]

Ten Rules – Part 1

Whilst it’s easy to get lost in a sea of jargon, investment options, and conflicting advice, financial success doesn’t require a degree in economics or hours spent poring over market trends. In fact, according to Helaine Olen and Harold Pollack in their book The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated, everything […]

A missing link between money and happiness

What if you found out that your current financial plan might be working against you, not for you? That despite all your careful budgeting and saving, you’re missing a crucial element that could make or break your financial well-being? It might be time to talk about values-based financial planning – the missing link between your […]

The freedom to live life on your terms

Here’s one of the hardest (or least asked…) questions when it comes to financial planning: “How much is enough?” It’s a simple question, but one that most people never stop to consider. We’re so caught up in the race for ‘more’ that we forget to ask ourselves why we’re running in the first place. It’s […]

The gap between our income and ego

Is money linked to our ego? It’s a question that invites us to reflect on the deeper motivations behind our financial decisions. Morgan Housel, in his thought-provoking way, suggests that “savings is the gap between your income and your ego.” This statement can be confronting, especially because it challenges us to consider the extent to […]

Nudging, not judging

Change is one of those things that we all know is necessary but often struggle with. Whether it’s a change in our spending habits, our health routines, or our approach to relationships, the process can be daunting. The desire to improve is there, but the path forward isn’t always clear or easy. This is where […]

All behaviour is communication

Have you ever paused to consider what your behaviour might be saying about you… to you? It’s a fascinating thought, isn’t it? All behaviour is a form of communication. Every action we take, every choice we make, sends a message, not only to the world around us but also to ourselves. In the realm of […]

So, why do we plan?

Have you ever wondered why we spend so much time planning, even when we know that life rarely goes according to plan? It’s a curious thought, especially when it comes to financial planning. Carl Richards beautifully encapsulates this paradox: “In fact, the only thing we know for sure about any good financial plan the moment […]

Problems that seem simple at first

Life’s a bit of a puzzle, isn’t it? We look at our problems and think, “Oh, that’s straightforward enough.” But then we start digging, and suddenly we’re in a whole different ballgame. It’s like peeling an onion – layer after layer, each revealing something new. And you know what? There’s a reason for all this […]

From Hocus Pocus to Financial Focus

You know that feeling when you check your bank account and suddenly you’re thinking, “Hocus pocus, I’m brokus”? Yeah, we’ve all been there. It’s like one minute you’re feeling on top of the world, and the next, poof! Your money’s vanished faster than a rabbit in a magician’s hat. But here’s the thing: our finances […]

The art of switching off

What if the key to unlocking a richer, more fulfilling life lies not in doing more, but in doing less? In our hyper-connected world, where the lines between work and personal life are increasingly blurred, this question has never been more relevant. The older we get, the more we see and learn how burnout can […]

The Baby-Steps Rule for Financial Growth

You know, it’s funny how we often think about our finances. We look at our bank accounts or our debts and think, “Wow, I need to make some big changes here.” And then we get overwhelmed and end up doing… well, nothing. Sound familiar? But here’s the thing: what if we didn’t need to make […]

Pause before you pay (part II)

ENHANCING FINANCIAL WISDOM: FROM PRICE COMPARISON TO SPENDING AWARENESS The simple act of pausing before making a financial commitment can transform your budget and savings strategy, echoing the thoughtful approach advocated by Benjamin Franklin: “Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.” Taking a moment to think before you buy significantly […]

The Truth Fairy

Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, there lived a magical creature known as the Retirement Fairy. This benevolent being was said to wave its wand and miraculously transform meagre savings into bountiful nest eggs, rescuing procrastinators and under-savers from financial distress in their golden years. It’s a comforting tale, isn’t […]

The behavioural blueprint for financial success

Traditionally, personal finance conversations have focused heavily on numbers, metrics, and strategies. However, Morgan Housel, in his insightful book “The Psychology of Money,” proposes a compelling argument: while acquiring wealth involves shrewd financial strategies, maintaining and growing that wealth is more about mastering your behaviours and emotions. Housel shares that acquiring and preserving wealth are […]

Who’s leaning on you?

BALANCING FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND PERSONAL BOUNDARIES For all of us, we’re often interconnected with others in ways we don’t fully realise. Family members, friends, colleagues and even acquaintances can lean on us for support, both emotionally and financially. While this support can be a beautiful expression of love and community, it can also become an […]

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