‘I learned to take control of my money in my midlife’

‘As a child, I only ever saw my dad managing the family’s money and I grew up believing only men could,’ says Anne Jeffery, 59, from Essex, who works part time for the NHS.

After her husband borrowed money against their mortgage to launch his own business, adding costs she wasn’t aware of to their debt, Anne realised things had to change. ‘I spent years burying my head in the sand, but being almost 60, I had to take control of my finances for myself.’

Anne saw a financial planner who helped her carry out a money MOT. She also joined a Facebook group, run by financial coach Catherine Morgan (themoneypanel.co.uk), where she talked about money with like-minded women. This led her to review her mortgage, which saved her £300 a month, and to start investing. By moving her current account to challenger bank Starling, she became more mindful of her spending and analysed where her money was going. ‘My bank sends me a notification every time I spend, which is a great insight into my habits,’ she explains. ‘I feel so much more in control of my cash now.’

Although her husband’s business is now doing well, this sense of control is not something Anne would now give up: ‘I feel better for knowing more about managing money myself.’

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