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The Guardian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
James Trickey: Don't Count on Me review – accountant takes calculated risk in fringe debut
There's a bait-and-switch to begin newcomer James Trickey's show, which starts with our host in sunglasses raving to techno music. The music stops, the shades are removed and then, in deadpan: 'I'm a chartered accountant.' It's a fun pivot, from suave to schmuck. It's also a misdirection, because Trickey then re-ascends to high status for the rest of the show, delivering his debut set in unusually imperious style at a time when, for fringe wannabes at least, self-deprecation is the norm. You've got to admire the chutzpah; high status is harder for a rookie to pull off. It comes at the expense of warmth, though: I found Trickey's maiden fringe set reminiscent of Jack Whitehall's way back when. He's technically excellent, plenty of good jokes, sometimes a bit facile, his mannerisms occasionally feeling borrowed. His is an expertly constructed example of the genus 'debut fringe show', deploying his day job and field of expertise (accountancy and mathematics) as a lens through which to explore who he is, where he's come from – and where he's going. That's a lot to get through, and Trickey packs plenty into the hour, ranging across his parentage – old white dad, Cambodian mum – his passion for tomato puree, and the kids' trust fund he's establishing based on Subway loyalty points. The latter prompts a section on probability and expectation, consisting of a weak rap/rhyme set-piece and reflections on the gamble he's taking by quitting accountancy for standup. Earlier, we get some material making hay with our host's dual heritage ('Am I being racially excluded from the racist banter?'). One or two of those jokes are funnier in principle than in practice. The tenuous idea is apparent behind a routine justifying racism based on the GDP of the country being abused, but it raises a wan smile at best. The joke about how seedy it looks when ageing white dad takes young Asian son to school is not a pleasant one. Technique may be running ahead of judicious selection of material, then, but Trickey has certainly got it, and his gamble in taking up comedy looks odds-on to pay off. At Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh, until 24 August All our Edinburgh festival reviews
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Investment Banker Says 'Once You've Got $20,000 Saved, Everything Changes.' Here Are 3 Tried-And-True Ways To Do It Quicker
If you feel stuck living paycheck to paycheck, Nischa Shah wants you to know you're not alone, but you're also not powerless. 'There's a real reason why once you've got about $20,000 saved, everything changes,' says Shah, a chartered accountant and former investment banker with almost 1.8 million YouTube subscribers. In a recent video, she broke down why this specific savings milestone is a game changer, and what people can do to get there faster. Don't Miss: The same firms that backed Uber, Venmo and eBay are investing in this pre-IPO company disrupting a $1.8T market — $100k+ in investable assets? – no cost, no obligation. Why $20,000 Is A Turning Point According to Shah, the first $20,000 you save shifts your financial mindset and momentum. 'Before you have any money saved, you're living from a place of scarcity,' she said. 'You're constantly making decisions based on fear. Fear of running out, fear of not having enough, fear of what happens if something goes wrong.' Once you have even a modest emergency fund, the psychological benefits are immediate. Shah cited Vanguard research showing that $2,000 in emergency savings results in a 21% boost in financial well-being. Three to six months of living expenses saved brings another 13%. Beyond peace of mind, Shah says $20,000 is when your money finally starts working for you. 'Compound interest is one of the most powerful forces in finance,' she said. 'Once you hit $20K, your money doesn't just sit there anymore. It starts earning returns. And then those returns start earning their own returns.' Trending: 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can The result? Saving becomes easier and faster. That first $20,000 might take 19 months of diligent saving, Shah said. But the next $20,000 can take just 17 months, and the third even less. 'Your money is doing more of the heavy lifting whilst you're doing the same amount of work,' she explained. It's not about access to exclusive investments either. 'The investment strategy isn't any more sophisticated than someone with $1,000 can use. The only difference is the scale,' she said. How To Reach $20,000 Faster Not there yet? Shah shared three tried-and-true methods to speed things up. 1. Get Clear On Where You Stand 'Most people have no clue how much they're actually spending each month or what they could realistically save,' Shah said. Her first tip: figure out your monthly inflow and outflow. Assess your financial position and start building an emergency fund based on your real habits.2. Automate Your Savings Shah recommends using tech to make saving effortless. 'There are loads of apps now that can analyze your spending, figure out what you can afford to save, and automatically move that money aside,' she said. Some even round up your purchases and save the spare change. 3. Increase Your Income 'Sometimes a job switch or even just asking for a raise can boost your income more than years of small saving tweaks,' Shah said. If your job doesn't pay well and you're there strictly for the paycheck, she advises being bold: 'Don't be afraid to push for more. And if you're not getting it, look elsewhere.' Reaching $20,000 marks a point where your financial discipline and long-term thinking truly take shape. 'You've built discipline to get there,' Shah said. 'You've basically proven to yourself that you control your money, not the other way around.' Read Next: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Investment Banker Says 'Once You've Got $20,000 Saved, Everything Changes.' Here Are 3 Tried-And-True Ways To Do It Quicker originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GWA promotes Joseph Findlay and Matthew Taylor to partner
Greaves West & Ayre (GWA), a UK-based chartered accountancy practice, has promoted Joseph Findlay and Matthew Taylor as partners. Both Findlay and Taylor became part of the firm in 2019 and achieved their qualifications as chartered accountants in 2022. Joseph Findlay offers considerable expertise in tax planning, concentrating on succession and inheritance tax, capital gains, and income tax. He delivers advisory support to a varied clientele, including owner-managed enterprises, individuals, and charitable organisations. Joseph said: 'Having set out to become a chartered accountant following university, my goal has always been to assist local businesses and individuals which Greaves West & Ayre has been doing successfully for over 100 years. 'I am delighted to be joining the partnership and look forward to contributing further to both the firm, and the wider business community.' Matthew Taylor primarily works within the tax division, focusing on compliance, financial forecasting, and business restructuring. His specialisation also includes inheritance tax, estate planning, lifetime gifting, and trust management. Matthew added: 'I joined Greaves West & Ayre because I wanted to assist clients with all aspects of accountancy, tax planning and business consultancy, which this firm offers. 'I have enjoyed supporting the partners in advising our clients and I am looking forward to taking the next step in my career and being a direct point of contact for our clients and their businesses.' GWA partner Colin Frame said: 'Joseph and Matthew are great examples of our approach to recruiting and training. 'Both of them joined the firm as trainees, and through their hard work, with support from our wider team, they have earned this promotion. 'As partners, they will continue their professional development for many years. I wish them many congratulations.' "GWA promotes Joseph Findlay and Matthew Taylor to partner" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I'm a money expert – how spending ‘buckets' are payday lifesaver & why tax code error could mean you're owed cash
FROM tax codes to savings "buckets", the financial world can be mind-boggling for the average worker trying to make the most of their hard-earned cash. But money expert Abigail Foster has shared an extract from her new book with Sun readers to teach you how to spend and save like a financial wizard. 4 The chartered accountant who has worked with some of the biggest businesses in the UK believes money doesn't have to be intimidating and financial literacy can change lives. Abigail says: 'Money is more than just numbers in your bank account or cash in your wallet. 'It influences nearly every decision we make, from our daily coffee runs to the long-term goals we set for ourselves. 'Imagine a world where financial knowledge is common, where people understand the basics of budgeting, saving, investing and managing debt, no matter their background.' So in a bid to help the nation, Abigail, author of The Money Manual, has shared some of her best money tips - including the exact steps you should follow on payday and how to borrow wisely. What you should do on payday Allocate to essentials Once your money lands in your account, allocate funds to your essential spending, such as rent, mortgage and bills. Even if these are set up as direct debits, take a moment to mentally or physically track what's been paid and what's coming out. Automate your savings Pay yourself by setting up an automatic transfer to your savings or investment account. By automating it, you ensure that you're building wealth before spending on non-essentials. No matter what the amount, this habit will give you peace of mind and financial stability. Martin Lewis urges workers to check the tax code on their payslips for a simple mistake that could cost you hundreds of pounds Track your spending Use a budgeting app, spreadsheet or even a notebook to keep tabs on where your money goes. Tracking helps you stick to your plan and adjust where needed. Create 'spending buckets' Divide your remaining money into categories, like entertainment and birthday gifts, so you know exactly how much you can spend in each area. This prevents the 'leftover' money from disappearing into thin air. Stress-test your budget Consider what would happen if an unexpected expense or a dip in income occurred. Building a buffer into your budget for unplanned costs gives you extra security, helping you stay on track when things don't go as planned. Check you tax code regularly It's important to check your tax code regularly because it tells your employer how much tax to deduct from your pay. An incorrect tax code can lead to either underpayment, potentially resulting in a future tax bill, or overpayment, meaning you're missing out on money you're entitled to. Your tax code should be clearly displayed on your payslip. What your tax code means Abigail Foster's guide to understanding your tax code Tax codes are one of the most important details when it comes to how much tax you're paying, as they tell HMRC how much of your income is tax-free each year. The numbers in your tax code represent your personal allowance. For example, the code 1257L – the most common tax code – means you can earn £12,570 before income tax kicks in. If your tax code is 1250L, this means you have a slightly lower personal allowance (£12,500). Maybe you've claimed tax-deductible expenses, or HMRC is recouping underpaid tax from previous years. If you see 0T, that means you've used up your personal allowance or don't have one, and you'll pay tax on all your income. The letters in your tax code give HMRC extra information about your tax situation. Here are some common ones: L – Standard tax code for people entitled to the basic personal allowance. T – Emergency tax code, used when HMRC doesn't have full information about your income (such as when you change jobs). It means you might pay too much or too little tax until it's corrected. S – For residents of Scotland who have different income tax bands. C – For residents of Wales, reflecting Welsh income tax rates. M1 – (month 1) – A 'non-cumulative' tax code, meaning tax is calculated on a monthly basis rather than taking into account what you've already earned this year. It's often used when you start a new job. D0 – Income taxed at the 40% tax rate D1 – Income taxed at the 45% tax rate Marriage Allowance Marriage Allowance is a tax break for married couples or civil partners, allowing one partner to transfer up to 10 per cent of their personal allowance to the other. It's particularly useful if one partner earns less than the personal allowance threshold. N – If you transfer 10 per cent of your personal allowance to your spouse. M – If your spouse has transferred 10 per cent of their allowance to you. For example, if your partner doesn't earn enough to use their full personal allowance, they can transfer a portion of it to you. This can reduce your tax bill and leave you with more money in your pocket. How to avoid the scammers Keep up to date with scams by looking at Which? for scam alerts, Citizens Advice – Scams Action and even your bank, who should be keeping you up to date with any prevalent ones. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated with AI, allowing them to create ads that appear as though they're endorsed by specific people. The key rule here? If it's unsolicited, it's probably a scam. I never DM first, and neither will any reputable financial expert or institution. Phone providers will never ask for a code over the phone. If you receive a call with this request, it's a red flag. Hang up immediately and call the phone provider directly to report the incident. Borrow wisely Borrowing for things like education or a home can be smart, while debt for short-term wants can become a burden if not managed well. Credit cards can be useful and a good way to increase your credit score. Look for one that offers perks such as cash back, points, insurance or travel perks. The key with a credit card is that you pay the balance off each month and keep your spending low. For example, if your credit card limit is £1,000, spending £100 a month and clearing it, will help your credit rating. A perk of using a credit card is Section 75 protection. It means that the credit card company shares liability with the retailer if something goes wrong with your purchase, whether the product is faulty, doesn't arrive, or the company goes bust. In these cases, you can claim your money back from the credit card company. I would always recommend using a credit card for anything expensive, such as a new phone or computer, as you're protected in case something goes wrong. 4 How to pay off debt The snowball method This method taps into the 'reward' centre of your brain. Once you've covered the minimum payments, throw any extra money at the smallest debt. The idea is to knock out the smallest debt quickly, giving you a sense of accomplishment that propels you forward. Once that debt is cleared, you move on to the next smallest, and so on. The motivation from these small wins can be powerful. The avalanche method This method focuses on tackling the debts costing you the most. After making the minimum payments, focus on the debt with the highest interest rate. This approach saves you more money in the long run because it reduces the amount you're paying in interest each month. The downside is that it might take longer to clear the first debt, but the financial benefits make it worth the wait. Typically, high-interest debts come from things like credit cards or payday loans. If you're grappling with these, you might also consider 0 per cent balance transfer cards as an option to stop interest from piling up while you work on paying them off. Just be cautious of any fees or conditions associated with these offers. For larger debts, like mortgages or personal loans, keep an eye on early repayment fees. Some lenders penalise you for paying off loans too quickly, so check the terms before making extra payments. Keep an eye on inflation Knowing how inflation works and how it impacts your life can empower you to make informed decisions to protect your finances. Broadband services, for example, are part of the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation 'basket', and providers are often allowed to increase fees each year, sometimes above the general rate of inflation. So, while inflation might be reported at 3 per cent, your broadband bill could go up by 6 per cent or more. Since these price hikes also push inflation higher overall, it becomes a vicious cycle. There are campaigns to cap these increases, but in the meantime, you can take control by: Shopping around for competitive rates to see if another provider offers a better deal Locking in a fixed-rate contract to avoid unexpected price hikes Reducing services you don't need to streamline your bill. .
