About Freedom Isn't Free

Who's Behind This

Hi, I'm Michael - a UK-based software engineer and long-term index fund investor. I started Freedom Isn't Free to share what I've learned about building wealth through simple, evidence-based strategies. No jargon, no hype - just the fundamentals that actually work.

Read the full author page for editorial principles, the platforms I actually invest through, and the wider motivation behind the site.

I am not a financial adviser and Freedom Isn't Free is not regulated by the FCA. Everything on this site is educational - please read our full disclaimer before making any financial decisions.

Our Philosophy

Financial freedom doesn't come for free - it requires planning, discipline, and informed decision-making. This site is built on the principle that anyone can achieve financial independence by:

• Living below your means and building sustainable savings habits
• Investing consistently in low-cost, diversified portfolios
• Understanding the fundamentals rather than chasing trends
• Thinking long-term and avoiding speculation
• Continuously learning about personal finance and investing

What We Cover

Our content focuses on practical, evidence-based personal finance topics:

• Budgeting and saving - Building a strong financial foundation
• Investing strategies - Index funds, dividend investing, and long-term wealth building
• FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) - Principles and strategies for early retirement
• UK-specific guidance - ISAs, pensions, student loans, and tax-efficient investing
• Risk management - Understanding what to avoid and why
• Financial philosophy - The psychology and principles behind smart money decisions

Our Approach

We believe in:

• Simplicity over complexity - The best financial plans are often the simplest
• Evidence over hype - Historical data and research matter more than trends
• Low costs - Minimizing fees to maximize returns
• Patience and discipline - Long-term thinking beats short-term speculation
• Education - Empowering you to make your own informed decisions

Inspiration

This site draws inspiration from proven investing philosophies, including:

• John Bogle's index investing principles
• The FIRE movement's focus on intentional living
• Benjamin Graham's value investing concepts
• Modern Portfolio Theory and diversification

Community

Personal finance is best learned together. We encourage you to explore communities like:

• r/Bogleheads - Low-cost index investing
• r/FIREUK - Financial independence in the UK
• r/UKPersonalFinance - UK-specific financial advice

Acknowledgements

This site wouldn't exist without a few people who made a real difference at the right time:

• Sam Lin - for handing me £1,000 and ordering me to open an ISA and invest it. That single push started everything.
• Stanislav Dreiling - a superb manager at the start of my career who encouraged my technical growth and helped me spread my wings building impactful solutions for our clients.
• Jairo Kasmierchcki - an incredible mentor at a critical point in my career. He answered endless silly questions and helped me grow technically into the person that could build a site like this.
• Michael Christian and Claromentis - for taking a punt on me early in my career and hiring me into a great little Brighton-based SaaS company. They told me when they offered me the role that it would be a great place to grow, and it certainly was.
• Ross Symns - for putting David Graeber's Debt: The First 5,000 Years in front of me. Whatever critical lens this site reads with starts there, whether either of us intended it or not.

Important Note

The content on this site is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not financial advice. Please read our full disclaimer before making any financial decisions.