In this episode of The Finance Han Podcast, I’m joined by Sammie Ellard-King and we’re talking about the financial truth bomb nobody wants to hear: most people won’t ever be able to afford to stop working. Brutal, but fixable.

Sammie Ellard-King is a legend in the personal finance space. He's 220k+ followers deep, host of The Money Gains Podcast, and British Banking Awards’ Content Creator of the Year — safe to say, he knows what he's on about.

We break down why saving alone won’t cut it, how to actually prep for retirement without killing your vibe, and the mindset shifts you need now, not later.

Whether you’re spending like it's Hot Girl Summer, or just trying to survive until payday, this episode is your reminder: Hot Girl Retirement is a vibe too, and future you will seriously thank you.

Here’s What We Cover:

• The harsh reality of the average UK retirement pot (spoiler: it’s terrifying).
• Why saving money alone won’t set you (financially) free and what you should be doing instead.
• How to stop working for forever and ever and ever (without needing a six-figure salary).
• The mindset shifts that can change your whole financial future.
• How to balance living your life now while still taking care of future you.
• Why investing isn’t as complicated or as scary as it’s made out to be.

Where To Find Sammie:

💻 Up The Gains Website

🎥 YouTube

📸 Instagram

🎙️ The Money Gains Podcast (Spotify)

🎙️ The Money Gains Podcast (Apple Podcasts)

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📸 Instagram

⏰ TikTok

📧 Email: thefinancehan@gmail.com

In this episode of The Finance Han Podcast, I'm unpacking one of the UK’s biggest financial love affairs: owning a home. Is it the ultimate goal, or just a super expensive flex?

I dive into the emotional pressure, the money side, and the cultural obsession Brits have with “getting on the property ladder.” We’re talking deposit drama, mortgage myths, and why renting isn’t the financial failure it’s made out to be.

Whether you’re saving for your dream home or side-eyeing Rightmove listings while crying into a glass of wine (we’ve all been there), this one’s for you. It’s time to ask the big question: Do you actually want to own a house or do you just feel like you should?

Here's What I Cover:

• The UK is high-key obsessed with home ownership - and it’s not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about identity.
• Owning a home is still seen as a major status symbol (even if it’s mouldy with a dodgy boiler).
• Renting isn’t failure - it can be freedom, especially if you’re figuring things out or love flexibility.
• Buying a house can be a smart move, but it’s also a massive financial and emotional commitment.
• The cost of buying goes way beyond the asking price - think fees, interest, maintenance… it adds up.
• The rental market has its flaws, but it can also be the right choice for your current season of life.
• Your money should serve your life plan, not society’s outdated checklist.

How much will a mortgage really cost you? Use Martin Lewis' Calculator to find out.

☕️ Help The Podcast & Buy Me A Coffee

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📧 Email: thefinancehan@gmail.com

I sat down with Beth of Invest The Rest to chat all things investing - from figuring out what the hell an ETF actually is to building a strategy you can stick with even when the market throws a wobbly.

Beth shares how she started investing during the COVID rebound, why she leaned into diversification early on, and how she learned to trust her plan and not the panic.

And although we recorded this before Trump’s latest tariff drama, it’s honestly proof that solid investing principles still hold up, even when the headlines are screaming.

Whether you’re nervous to get started or questioning if now’s the right time, this one’s a reassuring deep breath. You’ve got this. 💸

Here’s what we cover:

• Investing can feel intimidating — especially when you’re not a finance bro.
• Starting in a market rebound might feel like luck, but staying in is where the magic happens.
• You don’t need to know everything to start. Seriously.
• ETFs = the low-effort, high-impact friend you want in your portfolio.
• Diversification: boring name, brilliant outcome.
• Market dips suck. Being emotionally prepared makes all the difference.
• “Time in the market” always wins over trying to time it.
• Your investment thesis is your anchor when things go wobbly.
• Trust your own research — not TikTok “gurus.”
• You don’t need £1,000 to start. You just need to start.

🎧 Chapters:

• 00:00 – Busting the Big Investing Myths
• 01:51 – Baby Steps: How Beth Got Started
• 03:29 – Strategy Talk (Without the Overwhelm)
• 05:48 – What Even Is an ETF? + Why They’re Great for Beginners
• 08:26 – Market Trends: What’s Actually Going On?
• 10:31 – Why Diversification Isn’t Just a Buzzword
• 14:48 – What’s Do all those Words & Numbers Mean?!
• 20:22 – The FOMO Trap: You’re Not Too Late
• 21:35 – Your Investment Thesis = Your Anchor
• 23:39 – Final Words for First-Time Investors

🎙 Guest: Beth from Invest The Rest

Follow: @_invest.the.rest_

☕️ Help The Podcast & Buy Me A Coffee

📸 Instagram

⏰ TikTok

📧 Email: thefinancehan@gmail.com