In 2018 I was on a career break, I’d recently sold everything (including my accountancy practice) after suffering for months with stress related illness.
I was walking the coastal path in Devon, one day, somewhere just outside of Bude. I sat to drink some tea and watch the seabirds diving. I took a deep breath, my whole body exhaled and I experienced an overwhelming feeling of happiness and what I think I would describe as contentment. That day out cost me a £3 in bus fare and homemade cheese sandwich in my rucksack.
I remember thinking really clearly that this in this moment I had everything I wanted and needed. Perhaps this is wealth is really about, perhaps wealth is actually a feeling, not a number.
“ Perhaps wealth is actually a feeling, not a number”
The photo is me, outside the caravan that I bought in September 2019. This is where I now live for most of the year.
You might look at this and think ‘Why would I take money advice from someone who mostly lives in a caravan?’ - I’ll tell you why. My dream was to live in a big house on the coast, so close to the sea that I could listen to the waves as I lay in bed, so close that I could run down into the sea anytime.
I realised I could wait years saving up and waiting for that dream home OR I could get 95% of the dream now by buying this caravan. It was a no-brainer!!
FREEDOM is in your choices - yes money can certainly open more doors - but don’t let it keep them closed.
Don’t let money keep the doors to your dreams closed.
When I sold my accountancy business I absolutely swore I was done with business finance stuff that I’d find a new career. The thing is I can’t help it, when I see people stuck with money I want to help them open doors. I want to help people understand money stuff enough so it stops getting in their way, so yes I teach spreadsheets and profit margins and how to put things in the right category, when to register for VAT, how to talk to your accountant but I do it because I want you to find you freedom too!
My Background
I was a Chartered accountant for 20 years. Looking after other people’s money was easy, but when it came to my own it was a different story. I don’t come from a wealthy background, when I got my first credit card at 18 I thought it was magic!
I spent most of my adult life in DEBT - something I’ve only recently admitted publicly because I was ashamed that someone with my training was struggling with debt. I really had no idea how to manage my own money well. The truth is, no one teaches us this stuff, and yet we have an expectation, usually of ourselves that we should know what to do, and we find ourselves being self-critical, “I’m just not good with money” is something I hear over and over.
We all feel like we SHOULD know what to do with it and we are too EMBARRASSED to admit when we don’t!
Over the past 4 or 5 years I’ve really been focusing on what’s IMPORTANT in MY life - What do I really want? How do I want to FEEL? I discovered that at my core I am driven by a passion for FREEDOM and BELONGING. I have a love of the UK coast, being out in nature, and more recently sea-swimming. I also really like meeting and working with new and interesting people - it sounds obvious but it’s easy in day-to-day life to be distracted from what you LOVE.
I sold my accountancy business in March 2018 and cleared my debts. I set off in a motorhome to explore the UK on a dream adventure and to figure out what I wanted to do with the next chapter of my life.
I’m probably still figuring that out but I’m so grateful that I gave myself the freedom to do that!
If you are looking to get a handle on all things money so that you can find the freedom that you have been searching for, come join me in Small Business Money Club.