Investing
Learn how to invest the proper way, taking a long-term mindset and investing in the global stock market using index funds.
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Why additional contributions into a large portfolio don’t matter
In the early years of your investment journey, progress feels slow. Every pound saved is hard-earned, and the gap between where you are and where you want to be feels enormous. But as the portfolio grows, there’s a moment in the journey when things begin to feel different. Compounding begins to take hold, giving your…
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How long does it take to reach £200k invested?
If £200k is the point where investing starts to feel different, the natural question is: How long does it actually take to get there? In the early years, this can feel like the hardest part of the journey. Your investment growth is driven more by your savings rate and consistency than compound interest. Progress can…
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Why £200k is investing’s magic number
In the early stages of investing, progress feels painfully slow. You’re putting money aside each month, investing consistently into the market and doing all the right things – but the results don’t always feel meaningful. £5,000 becomes £10,000. £10,000 becomes £25,000. Yes, it’s progress, but it doesn’t quite feel life-changing. Building an investment portfolio that…
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How to invest a lump sum of money in the UK
If you’ve come into a large sum of money — whether from a bonus, inheritance, or the sale of an asset — you’re probably asking the same question: how should I invest it? Learning how to invest a lump sum in the UK can feel overwhelming at first. The amounts involved are often significant, the fear…
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Vanguard’s Four Key Principles for Successful Investing
I’ve referred to these in a few past blog posts, but I thought I’d give Vanguard’s four key principles for successful investing their own post, since they have had such a profound impact on my own investing psychology. These principles are intended for building long-term wealth. They are not a get-rich quick scheme (and any…
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Don’t Dance with the Stock Market
I’ve been listening to a lot of personal finance podcasts recently. ChooseFI really stands out as a brilliant opening resource into financial independence. On one particular podcast (I forget which one in particular), the hosts Brad and Jonathan were interviewing JL Collins (of The Simple Path to Wealth), when he went into a beautifully long-winded…
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How to Make the Most of Your Workplace Pension
One thing that really drives me crazy is when people leave money on the table at work. No, not literally. I haven’t seen physical money at work in years. I’m talking about contributions you could be getting from your employer and the government, simply by participating in your workplace pension. Shockingly, around 20% of employees…
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The 4% Rule – how to know when to retire
How do you actually know when you can retire? Is it when you hit £500k… £1million… or some other arbitrary number that just “feels” right? The truth is, most people have no clear answer – which is why so many either delay retirement unnecessarily or worry they’ll run out of money. Fortunately, there is a…
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How to make the most of your ISA
Everyone over the age of 18 in the UK can start investing into the greatest wealth-building tool of all time, the stock market. And you have access to fantastic tax-sheltered accounts like an ISA. Let’s take Bob, who’s been investing into an ISA for 20 years, from age 20 to age 40. He now has…
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Why your £4 coffee actually cost £360
Whenever I go out and find myself considering to buy a Costa coffee or a Greggs vegan sausage roll, I stop myself and consider how much money I’m really spending. And it’s not just a few quid either – the true cost of everyday spending is far more than most of us realise. But to…
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The Major Money Milestones as you Build Wealth
Building wealth can often feel like an arbitrary process – something you do throughout life because you know you should. Eventually – someday in the far future – you’ll be able to retire. Before then, you must keep working your ass off and advance in your career. It doesn’t have to be like this –…
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THIS is why investing is better than saving
Above image from the Martin Lewis Money Show Live. Watch the full video clip here. Visit Martin Lewis’ website, MoneySavingsExpert. Watch Martin Lewis’ TV show The Martin Lewis Money Show Live One very important point made by Martin in the video clip is: “Only invest what you won’t need for at least five years, after…
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How Many People Invest in the UK?
The number of Britons actively investing in the stock market is shockingly low. According to Finder, in 2023, only 18% of us actively invested – although there was an increase to 23% in 2024. When you look at how many people invest in the UK, the numbers reveal a surprisingly sparse investing landscape. Why are so…
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Retire Early by Not Being a Moron with Your Money
Learning how to retire early starts with only spending within your means and on things you can actually afford. This simple advice is the bedrock upon which Slow Down and Save is built. If you follow this advice (and invest the remainder), you’ll be retired early before you know it. So then why do so…
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The best index funds to own in 2026 (UK)
Investing doesn’t have to be hard. Banks and financial advisors will tell you to let them handle the investing with their ‘expert’ opinions. But the truth is, investing is only as difficult as you make it. Investing in index funds allows you to invest in thousands of companies at once, keeping costs low while capturing…