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filler@godaddy.com
My story
Before becoming a financial coach, I enjoyed a 35 year long corporate career in financial services. During this entire time I was the primary earner in the family as my husband went through (a) being a mature student and gaining his Masters degree (b) starting up his own fledgling business (c) working in an industry which did not pay as well and (d) becoming a stay at home dad and homemaker.
After gaining a degree in Mathematics at Manchester University, I went on to qualify as an actuary and worked in a variety of pensions consulting roles, advising trustees and companies how to set up, manage, fund and improve pension arrangements for their staff. Dealing with financial projections and managing work budgets were a part of my day job, and so I naturally fell into that role at home too. However, it was soon clear to me that the skills I had which were effective at work did not directly transfer to good management of my personal finances. I learnt that I had so many conflicting ideas and emotions attached to how to spend and save the money that I worked so hard for. I learnt that these were part of my "money mindset" and that some served me better than others. I learnt that I needed to identify and understand why I hold onto them and that it was possible to let go of or change the ones that were unhelpful in my life.
I made many mistakes during my financial journey, but I learnt from them. I began to spend more consciously, save regularly and invest in a way that felt comfortable to me. I also made the most of my company ‘perks’, specifically maximising the contributions being paid into my pension scheme. I began to enjoy the process of watching my wealth accumulate and tracking its progress.
At the end of 2022, I achieved my goal of “retiring” from the corporate world before age 58 and transitioning into doing more of what I love.
A little bit more about me
During the Covid pandemic, I was instrumental in setting up a Community Interest Company, Let’s Talk, Stansted!, focusing on preventing suicides and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of people in our local community more broadly. This cause continues to be very close to my heart and I have recently taken over the role of Chair of the steering committee. Financial worries and stress can have a direct impact on mental health, which is why my fees are based on the ability-to-pay principle and why I devote a proportion of my time as a financial coach to providing “pro bono” services to those who cannot afford to pay anything.
I like to spend as much of my spare time as possible on the tennis court and enjoy captaining one of our ladies teams as we participate in various local matches and competitions. In the winter I also enjoy competing in our local table tennis league.
I also love travelling, reading, playing the piano and having fun with our gorgeous lab Smudge.