Making sense of your money.
Free, simple guides to help young people plan their route to financial freedom.
Find your starting point See why starting early matters- Free, no account needed
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- Written for the UK
The route to financial freedom
Four steps, in the order most financial planners would suggest. Start with the first one you haven't done yet. Not sure? Take the one-minute check.
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Spend less than you earn
Track where your money goes each month and make sure some is left over. Everything else builds on this.
Read the guide -
Build a safety net
Clear costly debt first. Then keep three to six months of essential spending in an easy-access account.
Read the guide -
Take the free money
Stay in your workplace pension and pay enough to get your employer's full contribution. It's part of your pay.
Read the guide -
Pay yourself first
Each month, set money aside for your future self before anything else. Invest it and let it grow over time.
Read the guide
Why starting early matters
Ten extra years can nearly double what you end up with. Move the slider to see it with your own amount.
Starting at 22 means paying in £12,000 more, but ending up with about £62,800 more.
Try the full compound interest calculatorWays to save and invest
Compare the main options and choose what suits you.
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Budgeting
See where your money goes using your banking app or a simple spreadsheet.
Step 1 -
Cash ISAs
Earn tax-free interest on your savings, with no investment risk.
Step 2 -
Workplace pensions
Save for later in life, boosted by your employer and tax relief.
Step 3 -
Stocks and shares ISAs
Invest up to your yearly allowance without paying tax on what you make.
Step 4 -
Index funds
Own a small slice of many companies through one low-cost fund.
Step 4
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