My Backstory
At 14, my parents went bankrupt. Their small business taken, any savings depleted, exhausted from years of effort and commitment, with nothing to show for it but debt and worry. No home, no pension, no savings, no safety. Three boys to look after and an uncertain future. I had small hints before that money was tight, those trips at school my parents couldn’t afford, the sports events we couldn’t attend, the holidays my friends would go on every summer, but this was the moment everything changed.
So I got into banking. Not because I loved finance - because I needed to understand how money actually worked. And I wanted to learn the things nobody had taught me. One of the only goals I can ever remember setting myself before adulthood, was to own a home by age 30. A goal I thought that would bring financial security to me and my future family. By 26 I met that goal, not through inheritance or luck, but consistent behaviour.
Now over 10 years in UK finance and banking, working for some of the UK’s biggest banks across consumer lending, motor finance & mortgages, I have seen what happens to consumers who don’t understand the products they’re sold. The lack of financial education in my life caused great strain and stress and led to poor decision making. If I can use what I have learned to help others make better decisions with their money - then a decade in banking was worth it.
Why The Money Brief Exists
Here's what I've learned after 10 years working in UK finance: the information is out there. But it's buried under jargon, hidden in terms and conditions, scattered across 50 different sources, and written for people who already understand it. The people who need it most - the ones trying to buy their first home, wondering what the base rate means for their mortgage, checking if their pension is okay - they’re left to figure it out alone. And I want to help.
The Bank of England changes rates - and you're left wondering what that actually means for your mortgage. Markets drop - and you've no idea if your pension is impacted. Cryptocurrencies move 15% - and you don't know if that matters or not or what it is.
You're not financially stupid. You're financially underserved. And that's not your fault. That is why The Money Brief exists, to serve the underserved and help make sense of it all.
What is The Money Brief
Every week, I will be reading the publications, reviewing the latest data and articles to take the hours of financial noise — rate decisions, market moves, crypto developments, economic data, banking changes — and turn it into the 5 minutes that actually matter to your life.
No jargon. No assumed knowledge. Just: here's what happened, here's why it matters, and here's what it could mean for you. It’s your weekly financial briefing from someone who actually wants you to understand it.
What to expect from The Money Brief
Every edition of The Money Brief will cover:
Rates & Mortgages: What the Bank of England is doing, and what it could mean for your payments.
Markets & Pensions: Market forecasts & movements, key changes that might impact your pension.
UK Economy & Cost of living: Inflation, price and policy data - how it hits your pocket.
Crypto Corner: Regulation developments, market movements, what's happening in this crazy new asset space and is it worth understanding.
One key takeaway: A useful insight or message to take into your week.
A taste for this week - One quick insight
Before I let you go - one thing worth knowing this week.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) - ‘An organisation that monitors the financial health of 190+ countries’ - downgraded the growth forecasts for 2026 across all the G7 countries, with the UK seeing the steepest cuts amongst the top nations. 1.3% growth now down to 0.8% (-0.5%). What this could mean for you:
More inflation to come - Prices are likely to keep climbing - food, energy, petrol, the weekly shop. Inflation (the rate at which prices rise) is expected close to 4% this year, which means your money buys a little less each month. You’re not imagining it getting more expensive. It is.
How Far your money goes - Your pay packet won’t stretch as far. Even if your salary stays the same or slightly rises, unless the growth is greater than inflation (4%), rising prices mean you’re effectively earning less in real terms. That weekly shop, those direct debits, the tank of fuel. It all adds up to less left over at the end of the month.
Rising interest rates - When growth slows and inflation rises, the Bank of England has a tough choice - and that could mean interest rates stay high or even rise. If you're on a variable rate mortgage or your fixed deal ends in the next 6-12 months, your monthly payments could go up. On the flip side, if you have savings sitting in an easy access account, rates staying high means your money is still earning relatively well. Small silver lining.
Unemployment Rising - The forecast suggests unemployment could reach up to 5.6% - roughly 1 in every 18 workers. When the economy slows, businesses cut costs, often meaning fewer jobs, slower hiring and less room to negotiate pay rises. If you’re job hunting or hoping for a raise this year, the market could be tougher than expected.
Recession Risk - You’ve probably heard the word ‘recession’ a lot lately. In simple terms, it means the economy shrinks instead of grows. Businesses earn less, fewer jobs created and everyone feels a bit poorer. Global growth has been downgraded to 1.3%, which is sluggish. That doesn’t guarantee a recession, but it raises the risk. We’ll be watching the data closely in the coming weeks and breaking down what it means if it happens.
Thank you for reading…
That's it for this first one. If any of this resonated — or if there's something you've always wanted someone to explain about money — just hit reply. I read every message.
The first full brief lands next week. I'll see you then.
Ellis
The Money Brief. Not financial advice. The Money Brief provides news and commentary for informational purposes only. We are not FCA-regulated. Crypto and investments can go down as well as up. Always consult a qualified adviser before making financial decisions.