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Money, Life & Everything In Between
Honest, practical financial guidance for real people with real lives
Welcome to my blog — the bit of The UK Money Coach where I share thoughts, tips, and the occasional money-related rant that’s too long for Instagram.
If you're earning well but wondering why it still feels like a juggle... you're not alone.
This blog is for people who are doing a lot right — but still want more clarity, ease and confidence with money.
Some posts will be practical (think: how to budget without spreadsheets making you cry). Some will be mindset-shifting (like how to stop tying your self-worth to your salary). Some will just be real talk about the highs and lows of trying to build a good life in today’s world.
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula here.
Just simple, honest guidance to help you manage your money in a way that actually fits around your life.
Not sure where to start?
Try my first post → “This is Not Another Boring Finance Blog”, or scroll down for the latest.
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Raising a Family When the World Won’t Settle Down: What to Focus on Financially Right Now
There are times when the news feels louder than usual, and this is one of them. The recent UK election results have dominated conversations, not just because of who won where, but because of what they seem to say about the mood of the country. The Institute for Government has described the “fracturing of British politics” as something that is “here to stay”, while recent political coverage has pointed to significant gains for parties outside the traditional two-party centre g
Vignesh Sivagnanam
May 1314 min read
You Got a Pay Rise. So Why Does April Feel More Expensive?
It happens every April to a surprising number of people on good salaries. The payslip arrives, there's technically more money going in, and somehow… it doesn't feel like it. Maybe it's barely noticeable. Maybe the numbers look right but the bank balance tells a different story. If this sounds familiar, you're not imagining it. The UK tax system has become rather good at taking more from you without ever announcing a rate rise. And April 2026 is one of the clearest examples of
Vignesh Sivagnanam
Apr 85 min read
The Order to Fix Your Finances in Your 30s and 40s
If you've been meaning to "sort your finances" for a while now, you're not short of options telling you what to do. Budget more. Invest earlier. Clear your debt. Use your ISA. Get a pension sorted. All true. All useful. And yet somehow, the whole thing still sits on the to-do list. Part of what makes it hard is that nobody tells you what to do first . And in a world that currently feels anything but stable (energy prices twitching upward again, interest rate decisions coming
Vignesh Sivagnanam
Mar 157 min read
Too Busy to Sort Your Finances? Here's What to Focus On Before the Tax Year Ends
There's a particular kind of financial guilt that arrives around this time of year. It's not loud or dramatic. It's more of a background hum: the vague sense that you meant to sort something, that you're probably leaving money on the table, that you'll definitely get around to it... just not today. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. And here's the thing: you've still got time. The 2025/26 tax year ends on 5 April 2026 , which as of this week gives you just over six we
Vignesh Sivagnanam
Feb 238 min read
When the World Feels Chaotic, Here's What Actually Matters With Your Money
The news feels relentless at the moment. Wars continuing in Ukraine and Gaza. Political scandals dominating headlines. The Winter Olympics reminding us of peak performance while we're just trying to get through the week. Economic forecasts that feel more like warnings than predictions. And somewhere in the middle of all that, there's your own money. The ISA changes coming in April 2027. The mortgage rate that went up after spending months falling. The tax thresholds frozen un
Vignesh Sivagnanam
Feb 168 min read
How to Check If You Can Really Afford to Buy a Home in the UK
Buying your first home, or moving to your next one, is exciting — but it also comes with a big question: can you truly afford it? Most people type their details into a mortgage calculator, see what the bank says, and leave it there. The problem? That only shows what you can borrow . It doesn’t show whether the move works for your life, your goals, and your budget . In this blog, I’ll break down what affordability really means, the hidden costs that often get overlooked, and h
Vignesh Sivagnanam
Sep 15, 20254 min read
They Won’t Be This Little Forever — Some Thoughts on Summer, Spending and Slowing Down
Somehow, another school year’s already over. Another school year just ended, and it’s hit me harder than usual. Somehow, we’re already here again. Lunchboxes unpacked, suncream resurfacing, the end-of-term rush giving way to that strange in-between space that is early summer. And while the kids are buzzing, I’m... reflective. Because the truth is, this year — like so many before it — flew by in a blur. The days were long, yes. But the months? Gone in a blink. We spent most of
Vignesh Sivagnanam
Jul 14, 20254 min read
Cash ISA Cuts? What the Government’s New Proposal Means for Your Savings (and What to Do About It)
If you’ve been using a Cash ISA to stash your savings safely and tax-free, this latest news might feel like a gut punch. The government is reportedly preparing to cut the amount you can put into a Cash ISA each year — lowering the current £20,000 limit to around £4,000 or £5,000, unless you also invest in the stock market. It’s being pitched as a way to get more people investing in UK businesses. But for many people, especially those already doing their best to juggle short-t
Vignesh Sivagnanam
Jul 7, 20253 min read
How ISAs Help You Save for the Big Stuff (Without Giving More to HMRC)
If you’ve ever felt confused by ISAs, you’re not alone. Lifetime ISA, Cash ISA, Stocks & Shares ISA… They all sound a bit technical. Unless you work in finance or enjoy reading tax rules (no judgement if you do), you’ve probably put off figuring them out. But once you understand how they work, ISAs can become one of the simplest ways to protect your savings and grow your money without extra tax or hassle. If you're juggling nursery fees, home costs, or just trying to make you
Vignesh Sivagnanam
Jul 6, 20253 min read
High Income But Unhappy? Here’s How to Make Your Life (and Money) Feel Better
You’ve built a life that looks successful. But does it feel like yours? Work. Nursery drop-off. Calls. Groceries. Bath time. Budgeting. Repeat. From the outside, life looks successful — especially if you're earning a high income. You’ve got the income, the house, the holidays, the pension. The things you were told to aim for. But lately you’ve been wondering… “Is this really it?” “Why does this still feel so flat?” “Where did I go in all of this?” You’re not in crisis. But
Vignesh Sivagnanam
Jun 30, 20255 min read
Is Summer Already Bleeding Your Bank Account?
How to Set Boundaries With Your Spending (and Family!) It’s not just the cost of petrol or a few extra meals out. It’s that quiet feeling — mid-July, staring at your bank app — wondering how things have unravelled again. You knew summer would be busy. You expected the kids to want more. You even planned ahead this year. But it still feels like money is flying out the door faster than you can keep up. If you’re a parent who’s earning well but still feels stretched every summer
Vignesh Sivagnanam
Jun 16, 20254 min read
Overpay Your Mortgage in 2025? What UK Families Need to Know First
You’ve just wrestled the kids into bed, ignored a dozen WhatsApps from the school group chat, and finally sat down — only to find yourself wondering: “Should we start overpaying the mortgage now that rates are coming down? Or is our money better off going elsewhere — like savings, investing, or a proper family break?” If you’re earning well but feel like your money is constantly in motion — childcare, bills, birthdays, broken dishwashers — this post is for you. Because decisi
Vignesh Sivagnanam
May 30, 20254 min read
You Earn Well… So Why Doesn’t It Feel Like It?
Smart money moves for high earners who want more to show for it You’re earning well. Maybe even really well. There’s a regular salary (or two), childcare covered, mortgage paid, pension contributions going in. But still… it feels tight. There’s not much left at the end of the month. And if someone asked you where it all goes, your answer might be: “Honestly? I don’t even know.” I hear this all the time from clients — people who are doing so many things right, but quietly feel
Vignesh Sivagnanam
May 27, 20254 min read
Feeling the Budget Squeeze? 7 Smart Ways UK Families Can Save Money
Because budgeting shouldn’t feel like punishment. It’s a weird time to be a family with a decent income in the UK. You're earning reasonably well. You’ve done the right things — steady job, some savings, maybe even a pension ticking along in the background. And yet, somehow, it feels like you’re constantly one step behind. Like no matter how carefully you try to plan, the nursery invoice, the car tax, the surprise school trip and the rising grocery bill all seem to land at on
Vignesh Sivagnanam
May 17, 20255 min read
This Is Not Another Boring Finance Blog
Real-life money tips for real-life people If You’re Wondering Where All Your Money’s Going... You’re Not Alone So… here we are. My...
Vignesh Sivagnanam
May 16, 20256 min read
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