For most of my adult life, money felt like something I could never quite get on top of. No matter how hard I tried to stay ahead, there were always credit card balances, house payments, and surprise expenses that would come along, seemingly out of the blue, and knock me down. I’d try one system after another — budgeting apps, envelopes of cash, even separate bank accounts for bills and spending — but every approach seemed to collapse under the weight of real life. My money was leaking in all directions.

My relationship with money was messy: no doubt about that. I’d pay off one overdraft only to fall into another. I’d start saving, then dip into it when bills mounted. I read every financial book I could find — some harsh, telling me to cut out every bit of joy, others full of wishful thinking that promised wealth if I just visualised hard enough. Nothing stuck.

And the truth is, it wasn’t just about numbers on a page. It was about feeling like I was never safe, never steady, never in control.

The turning point

Eventually I realized wishing for things to get better wasn’t enough. I couldn’t keep juggling half-baked systems and hoping something would click. I needed a structure that worked with my psychology, not against it.

That was when I started creating the framework that would eventually become what I now call the MAGIC formula.

The MAGIC formula

In chapter 7 of my book Simplify Your Finances, Multiply Your Wealth, I lay it out clearly. MAGIC stands for:

• Me – joy, hobbies, or treats. Without this, saving felt like deprivation.

• Anything/Ahead – life’s curveballs: car repairs, school trips, broken washing machines.

• Giving – supporting others, whether charities, friends, or small acts of kindness.

• Investment – long-term dreams: retirement, education, future projects.

• Current – essentials like housing, food, and transport.

It sounds simple, even obvious. But naming it MAGIC gave it both structure and energy. And unlike the typical “50/30/20” rule, it felt human. It recognised that joy, generosity, and future dreams matter just as much as bills.

Why MAGIC worked when nothing else did

MAGIC worked because it was both structured and compassionate. It gave every pound a home, but it didn’t punish me for wanting joy, security, or generosity.

And most importantly, it helped me see what so many of those other books overlooked: wealth doesn’t happen overnight. As I write in Simplify Your Finances, Multiply Your Wealth:

“There’s no sure-fire way to get rich. Even lottery winners have been known to blow through their money and return to their initial financial status in time.”

MAGIC reminded me that what matters is consistency, not perfection. Even setting aside a few pounds in each category made me feel calmer, clearer, and more in control. Over time, those small amounts grew — and so did my confidence.

What changed for me

This approach didn't suddenly make me a millionaire. What it gave me was something far more valuable: clarity and calm.

• I no longer felt guilty spending on small pleasures.

• Emergencies stopped derailing me.

• Giving became a joyful choice, not an afterthought.

• And for the first time, I saw a future beyond survival.

That’s the real magic: not chasing riches, but finally feeling safe, steady, and able to build a life I actually wanted.

Want to learn more?

I share the full MAGIC formula — along with the practical steps that helped me get out of debt, save consistently, and finally feel financially free — in my book Simplify Your Finances, Multiply Your Wealth. If you'd like a clearer path to money confidence, you can find it here.