I’ve often had friends tell me that their approach to buying is to find something they like and then find the cheapest place that sells it. Whilst this might initially seem quite sensible, I believe it represents a false economy. Cheaper might save you money initially, but you’ll usually find that what you’re buying is […]
I’ve written before about the importance of seeking feedback, but what about providing it? Thanks to my work with Toastmasters International and the projects I’ve run with freelancers, I’ve recognised the importance of being able to provide good quality, useful feedback. There are countless ways to provide feedback, but it all starts with being clear
When I graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2013, I was enthusiastic about gaining experience and building my financial assets, but like many my age had more debt on my credit cards than in in my bank account. I wasn’t struggling to pay the bills or feed myself; I certainly never went on debt-fuelled spending
Moving properties is a stressful experience. From viewing endless unsuitable properties, handling snooty estate agents and keeping an eye on your approaching deadline to move out of your current property, tensions run high. Alongside this, tenants also have the stress of trying to find somewhere they can afford. Knowing how difficult negotiating rent can be, I’ve
At a recent dinner with a friend, we were talking about my blog when my friend asked me a pretty simple question; I’ve always had the view that savings and investments are a good way to protect myself from the uncertainties of life. Given that you lost your parents early on, how do you view
Reader question: How much money should I be saving in my 20s? Read More »
Anyone that’s been reading this blog for a while will have noticed that a significant proportion of my articles are about investments; the ones I love, the ones I hate and how my readers can help to improve their finances through strategies like building a passive income. Consequently, when I talk about investments, most
In the summer of 2016, I wrote an article about the Panama Papers, the offshore industry and international taxation. The article was brief, but decried the lack of transparency which seemed to be costing the world dearly in lost tax revenues. It’s been pretty much half a year since I wrote that article and I
What has happened to the Offshore Industry since the Panama Papers? Read More »
When the financial services sector (and most global economies) fell off a cliff in 2007/08, savings rates fell with them. Several years (and many interest cuts) later, I decided to take the plunge and invest some money with Zopa Loans. At the time, I wasn’t sure whether the company would survive or if I’d ever
A friend recently came to me enquiring about their personal brand and what they could do to develop it. I must admit; I’m not an expert. Sure, I have accounts with Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Facebook; I run my own blog and try to attend networking events when I can, but I’m still trying to
Several years ago, I was asked to help a friend prepare for a sensitive negotiation and found myself perplexed by their mental state. Under most circumstances, I try to remain calm and focused on achieving the best possible outcome – rarely more so than in negotiations. Staying calm, well rested and focused helps me to
Teamwork is an activity that used to fill me with dread at University. From the students that couldn’t be bothered to the ones that couldn’t speak English – I think we’ve all had enough experience of team players being more of a burden than an asset. Despite this, I’ve always been a big believer in people.
Ever since my parents passed away, I’ve aspired to own my own property – not as an investment, but as a home. Consequently, I’ve spent many years squirreling money away to put towards a deposit and eagerly reading any information I could find on the financing of property deals. When I was younger, I assumed
Being a business student, I find the structure and thinking of much of the business world a useful lens for viewing aspects of my personal life. Once a year, I imagine sitting with my ‘board’ and presenting my progress for the year. If I’ve done well, I could imagine that external investors (my girlfriend, my
If your household were a company, would it be an attractive investment? Read More »
Since I started my new job at Careys, I’ve been faced with a similar problem to my role at WHISHWORKS. Namely; how my role can fit into the larger communications and marketing picture for the business. Like WHISHWORKS, Careys is a complex business, with multiple divisions and focuses. Some business lines, such as Scudder Demolition,
Writing a contract and successful negotiation can be a source of strength for building a relationship, but can also cause seemingly promising partnerships to collapse. I’ve negotiated my share of contracts and have written 5 things to consider for a successful contract negotiation. In a world where more and more people seem to be struggling
