Five years of The Savvy Spender is a lot to fit into one post, so I’ll start with the simple bit: I can’t quite believe it. The Instagram page began in September 2021, and today it is a blog, a community, a podcast guest spot, and now a book.
Here are my favourite memories from the last five years, and what I have learned along the way.
How The Savvy Spender started as a UK money blogger
I set up the Instagram page in September 2021, after going on maternity leave. Statutory Maternity Pay was tight, and I wanted to earn some extra income. I also wanted to share the journey in public, in case it helped someone else. You can read the full story on my about page.
Those first posts were about two things: saving money and making money. Growing money came later, and it now sits alongside the other two. You can find all three in my save money, make money and grow your money sections.
The world was a different place too. Over these five years, we have all lived through a pandemic and a cost of living crisis. Money worries were everywhere. That is a big reason why I keep my advice practical and free of jargon.
From 10k followers to the Savvy Community
I hit 10,000 followers in 2022. That felt huge at the time. There are now over 151,000 people following on Instagram alone.
I love the numbers, but they are not the point. The point is what you do with the tips. I can share an idea, but you are the ones who open the account, make the call, start the side hustle, or set up the direct debit. Some of you have paid off debt. Some of you have started investing. Some of you have booked holidays you did not think you could afford. Some of you have left situations that were not good for you. And some of you have asked for help when you needed it, which might be the biggest win of the lot.
I can’t take the credit for any of that. You did the work.
I have also had the chance to meet lots of you in person. I invited followers to a Savvy meet-up, just to catch up and spend time with like-minded people. I would love to do more of them. (I had to crop a few of you out of the photo because of the size. Sorry, and love you all!)
Winning Online Financial Influencer of the Year
One of my proudest moments came just two years in. The Savvy Spender won Online Financial Influencer of the Year at the British Bank Awards 2023.
The awards are run by Smart Money People. They say the results come from customer reviews and votes, with no judging panel. That makes the win even more special to me, because it came from people who follow along and use the tips.
It also gave me the confidence to keep going. It told me I had made the right choice in helping people with their money.
Working with big brands and asking your questions in Downing Street
The last five years have taken me to places I would never have pictured in 2021. I have worked with BlackRock on a campaign to help more people understand investing. I have worked with brands such as M&S, and I have been to events where I could meet other people who care about money as much as I do.
Then there is Downing Street. Five years ago, I did not think I would ever be invited. I have now been several times. I have also met two former prime ministers, and I got to ask questions to get answers for you. Andy Burnham, you’re next!
There was one more bucket list moment. A brand chose me for a cruise around the UAE, and I got to share the trip of a lifetime with my family. Qatar was my favourite. (Qatar is not actually part of the UAE. I know. I have been told.)
Talking about financial infidelity on The Cost of Loving podcast
Another highlight was being a guest on The Cost of Loving, a podcast from Experian hosted by Anna Williamson. I appeared in the episode on dating, debt, financial anxiety and financial infidelity.
Financial infidelity means being dishonest with a partner about money. That could be secret spending or hiding a debt. Experian’s research for the series found that more than 1 in 4 (27%) of 18 to 35 year olds had lied about their financial situation to a partner.
This is a topic I feel strongly about. Money can be hard to talk about, especially with someone you love. But keeping quiet usually makes things harder. Being open about money in a relationship is a habit that protects both people.
Investing for kids: speaking on the Mia Wealth panel
I also spoke on a panel at an event for Mia Wealth. Mia is a junior investment app that puts a child’s money into a Junior Stocks & Shares ISA. Its website says you can start with as little as £20, and that family and friends can add gifts too. I love anything that makes investing for kids easier.
This is what I do it all for. I came from nothing, and I have built my financial knowledge up over many years. I didn’t have much growing up, although my parents clearly gave me my work ethic. Now I want to give my children the life I never had, with options and freedom. I also want to help you do the same for your kids.
The usual warning applies. Money invested for a child can go down as well as up, and Mia says on its site that capital is at risk. If you want the basics first, read my guide on how to invest for your kids.
Writing The Savvy Spender book
If you had told me in 2021 that I would publish a book, I would not have believed you. But The Savvy Spender is now a real book from Harriman House. It is called The Savvy Spender: How to Make, Save and Grow Your Wealth in Seven Simple Steps.
It covers the everyday habits that make saving easier, how to deal with debt, how to keep money and relationships healthy, saving for your goals, investing made simple, and side hustles. The side hustle chapter is my personal favourite. I go into more detail in my quick look inside the book.
The biggest idea in it is the shift from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset. That does not mean spending recklessly. It means knowing you can always create more money, and not gripping every penny out of fear.
What running The Savvy Spender really looks like
The content you see is only part of it. Most of my days look like this: working most evenings, early mornings, around the kids, and locking in at my desk. Behind the content there is a business. I reply to DMs and comments, plan content, answer emails, fix tech issues and manage a team. Then there is everything in between.
It is the most important job of all, and it is what I am here to do. I want to help you with money. I want to make money feel less intimidating. And I want to show that a normal person like me, and you, can take control of your money and change your financial future, one small step at a time.
The money lessons I keep coming back to
Five years of sharing money tips have taught me a few things. Here are the ones I would pass on first.
Start small, and start. Most of the changes people have made came from one simple action, repeated. If you want a place to begin, my guide to budgeting without a spreadsheet is a gentle first step.
Look at both sides of your money. Cutting back helps, but earning more can help too. I share my thinking in earn more or save more.
Ask for help early. If you are struggling with debt or bills, speak to someone sooner rather than later. Free, impartial help is available from MoneyHelper, and there is no shame in using it.
New here? Where to start on The Savvy Spender
If this is your first visit, welcome. You do not need to read everything. Pick the goal that matters most to you right now and start there.
Want to keep more of what you earn? Head to the save money section, or try the bank switch offers tracker. Want to see how small amounts can add up over time? The free compound interest calculator shows it clearly. And if you want to earn more, the make money section is where the side hustle ideas live.
Here’s to the next five years
Thank you for being here. Thank you for trusting me with your money questions, for sending me your wins, and for doing the hard part.
If you want to stay in the loop, you can join the Savvy Spender newsletter. And tell me in the comments: what is the one money change you are most proud of over the last five years? I read them all.
