I wandered around the counters in a trance, staring at an incredible selection of food.  I didn't know what to choose or even where to start!  After what seemed like 20 minutes of wandering I decided I needed to limit my options.  I decided to have soup and headed to the soup section.  There were 20 different soup flavours to choose from.  I nearly had a melt down.  I was just hungry and tired! I needed food!

This is the paradox of choice.  The more options there are the harder it is to make a decision. This was just deciding what to have for lunch!  Can you imagine how I felt looking at investment options for the first time?  Maybe you can?

What is an index fund? The language of investing can be hugely complex at the best of times! Even a simple term like index fund takes a lot to properly explain.  If you want to feel confident investing then the first step is to build your investing knowledge and financial vocabulary. The more you understand something the more confident you will feel starting!  Writing this article has double Katie and my knowledge about index funds!  We hope it does the same for you!

The short explanation: Index funds give you an easy and cost-effective route to diversify your investments across the globe and partake in the growth of the global economy. Sounds sexy; but what the hell does it mean! What is an index fund? What is contained in an index fund? Which index funds should I buy? Why do I care? Let's get geeky together!

He worked for a multi-national logistics company and specifically in aviation.  His area of expertise was airlines.  So he had taken his money and invested it into aviation and travel companies.  In March 2020 when Covid-19 knocked the stock market sideways his stocks plummeted.   When the stock market recovered in May; his stocks didn't.  He had the opposite of a diversified portfolio!  What is diversification?

One of the most interesting questions I have been exploring this year is "If things continue as they are am I happy with the direction?" 

To be able to answer that question you need to be able to know whether you are going in the right direction or not.  The only way to do this is to measure something...….

The first thing I did was create a graph obviously.  Scroll down to see which way my belly is heading!  And FAR more importantly to start to think about where you are heading? Where's your destination is likely to be? Are you are going to like it or not!???

This photo was taken on the exact spot where, in Spring 2018, and over the course of about 200-300ft or so of run, my life totally changed. The “a-ha” moment came while stumbling across Alan Donegan for the first time on a podcast.

Nine months later, I quit a 100k / year job, never to return.

Do you know how much you are saving of the money that you earn every month? Do you save any of the money that you earn each month?

The average savings rate in the United Kingdom is 6%. Only 6%!

Do you save more money than the average person? Do you save less money than the average person? Do you know how much you’re saving?

Your savings rate is one of the key indicators of when you can retire! Knowing this number you can predict how long you have to work in paid employment

How can this be possible? How can we have more money than we earnt? Does that mean that we have lived for free for our entire life so far? Is this normal? Could you do the same? Do you have anything to show for your years of labour?

How do you calculate your net-worth?  The first step to change is to take a good look at where you are right now.  If you don't know your starting point it is difficult to know if the change you are creating is moving you in the right direction or not.  If you can't clearly give a £ or $ figure for your net-worth then this article will help you figure it out.

As you know I like to write articles about Financial Independence, business and positivity.  But occasionally I write about what is going on with me to share the ups and downs and hopefully inspire you