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One of the joys I get with credit cards and credit card rewards is getting to try out experiences that I otherwise probably wouldn’t be willing to spend real money on. Most of these experiences come because of credit cards I have that offer various statement credits for certain activities. That’s not to say these are completely free experiences – most of these statement credits come from cards that charge high annual membership fees, so […]
Self-employment brings freedom, but it also brings responsibility. Independent creators handle branding, marketing, client communication, and delivery on their own. Visual quality plays a big role in how that work is perceived. Whether someone runs a freelance business, sells products online, or builds a personal brand, strong visuals often shape first impressions. Photography tools are no longer optional for self-employed creators. They support credibility, consistency, and efficiency. Poor…
Welcome to our financial review for 2025! Below, we’ll detail how we each got on this year, including progress towards our FIRE goals. For more detail on the spending side of things, see our Annual Spending post. Mr Way Despite our spending being quite high this year, it’s really reassuring to see the FIRE fund numbers ticking upwards. We’ve managed to max my Stocks & Shares ISA this year, as we continue to try to replenish it after it took a hit from our house purchase. 2026 should see that process complete, at which point we’ll return to splitting ISA contributions 50/50 between the two of us. The Numbers Here’s an overview of how my personal numbers look, in comparison to previous updates. AccountMarch 20December 20December 21December 22December 23December 24December 25 Stocks & Shares ISA£70,400£108,069£141,578£133,721£94,904£136,105£180,106 Workplace Pension£17,200£25,630£34,357£32,425£37,029£47,351£58,946 SIPP£3,800£5,802£7,269£6,914£7,638£9,033£10,529 Total£91,400£139,501£183,204£173,060£139,571£192,489£249,581
I live in Maryland but have a cell phone number from Pittsburgh. Every single day, I get calls from a 412 area code because my number is a 412 number. I know it’s a scammer. Scammers do this because they are trying to simulate a local caller on the off chance I answer it because I think it’s a neighbor or local service provider (police, sheriff, dentist, doctor, etc.). If they get you on the phone, they use urgency and fear to try to get me to fall for their trap. Sometimes it’s to steal information, sometimes it’s only to confirm what information they have, and sometimes they just need to check that the phone number is live. If you get these calls and want to know how to deal with them, here’s what you need to do to protect yourself: Table of Contents1. Silence Unknown Callers2. Turn On Carrier-Level Spam Blocking3. Delete Your Information from Data Brokers4. Call Your Bank Directly5. Protect Your Identity6. Tell Your Friends & Family 1. Silence Unknown Callers The most important thing you can do is ignore these calls and send directly to voicemail. Use voicemail as your screener. If they are legitimate call, they’ll leave a message and you can call them back. You can also opt for Filter Unknown Senders if you’d like the iPhone to do the screening for you. This one step alone will reduce your headaches tremendously, which is why this feature exists! 2. Turn On Carrier-Level Spam Blocking If you’re racked by FOMO and don’t want to silence all unknown callers, many carriers now offer call filtering through an app that will flags known scam numbers and automatically silence high-risk calls. Install the one for your carrier so you get some protection: Verizon Call Filter T-Mobile Scam Shield AT&T ActiveArmor U.S. Cellular Call Guardian FCC list of Call Blocking Tools & Resources 3. Delete Your Information from Data Brokers Data breaches have put your name on lists being circulated on the dark web. You can’t do anything about those lists but sometimes your information gets passed onto a large network of publicly facing data brokers that sell this information. Here’s a guide to how to delete your information from data brokers, including links to the opt-out pages. It is a pain and a huge time sink to do this, but it’s worth it. 4. Call Your Bank Directly Let’s say you skipped #1 and you answered the phone to talk to them. (oops 😳) They tell you they’re from your bank and they are lucky enough to get your bank right. Or they know because they have your data from the dark web and know that you have a Chase card. Just hang up and call the bank directly at the customer service number on the back of your card. It does not matter what the caller ID says – it’s lying. It will match whatever Chase customer support’s number is even when it’s
Unlocking the secrets of the cash flow statement is essential for anyone seeking to master their finances and make smarter business decisions. In this comprehensive guide, you will discover the 9 Essential Cash Flow Statement…
When things go wrong at HMR what can you do? As a consumer expert I advise on how to complain effectively and how to use consumer law but there are areas where you may need to complain and I enlist the help of a specialist. I have asked Mahmood Reza to explain just how and when to complain to HMRC. About Mahmood Reza Mahmood is an accountant, tax advisor, educator, author of I Hate Numbers, […]
Today’s Animal Spirits is brought to you by Innovator: This episode is sponsored by Innovator. Learn more at https://www.innovatoretfs.com/pdf/ddq_product_brief.pdf On today’s show, we discuss: Trump wants to ban institutional investors in housing, but would it lower costs? Experts are skeptical Slowest Labor Market in Years Leaves Job Seekers Stuck US Housing Outlook: Affordability weighing on demand. Supp…
Maximizing your retirement savings means not just contributing regularly, but also knowing how and when to withdraw those funds effectively. As one of the pillars of Canadian retirement planning, Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) are designed to offer significant tax benefits, provided you follow the right strategies. Navigating RRSP withdrawal rules and taxes is crucial, as improper withdrawals can lead to hefty tax bills that erode your hard-earned nest egg. Withdrawals from your RRSP are […]
We are off a … well. The year has certainly started. 2025 Highlights in Health Brain therapy – This year’s one big improvement was getting hold of myself when an RSD cycle was starting. The solution, silly as it sounds, was redirecting my thoughts from dwelling on the negative thing that happened. Not arguing with […]
Automated online businesses don’t mean doing nothing at all, it means setting up a system once and allowing technology to handle the rest of it. Automated online businesses use tools, platforms, and workflows that keep earning even when you’re not paying attention to your business or actively working. With the right setup, these businesses can […]
Even the best financial plans need room to breathe. Life changes. Priorities shift. Unexpected things happen. And none of that means you’ve failed. In today’s episode, I walk you through how to normalize detours, reassess your financial foundation, and realign your plan with the season of life you’re actually in, not the one you thought you’d be in. I also share personal updates about seeing my book “in the wild” from airport bookstores […]
Sammie Ellard-King I’m Sammie, a money expert and business owner passionate about helping you take control of your wallet. My mission with Up the Gains is to create a safe space to help improve your finances, cut your costs and make you feel good while doing it. Share to Facebook A building society just announced something that sounds too good to be true. Hanley Economic Building Society is letting people buy homes with zero deposit. […]
What’s top of my mind: I’m back from my blog break. No one can say, if they have any truth in them, that I’ve been writing too much over 2026! Things have been busy with Mum, with two stints in hospital. I’ve also been going to her old place a lot, with Evan29 and Georgia31 […] The post Wednesday W’s #130. appeared first on Burning Desire For FIRE.