ABOUT
ABOUT JAMIE HARRIS
Hi, I’m Jamie Harris and welcome to PoundWise Journey.
I’m a thirty-something-year-old, neurodivergent guy from the UK whose life was going absolutely nowhere.
I launched PoundWise Journey in 2025 as a starting point for making some serious changes in my life, and to document my journey from being in debt to becoming financially successful. I’ll be sharing everything with complete transparency, the wins, the setbacks and everything I learn along the way.
I created this blog because I wanted a place where I could hold myself accountable. I hope that sharing my journey publicly will motivate me to stick to it, something I’ve often struggled to do when keeping things to myself.
My mission is to prove that anyone can achieve financial success, regardless of their background or circumstances. By sharing my journey, I hope to empower others to take control of their finances and to make lasting changes in their lives.
MY STORY
I was diagnosed with high-functioning autism when I was four years old, and I’m also currently in the process of being assessed for ADHD.
Most of my education took place at a special school. I did well academically, but I struggled socially and emotionally, and couldn’t mentally cope in a mainstream school. The school helped me build confidence and learn vital life skills, but they lacked the resources to challenge me academically. I was only given the opportunity to take four GCSEs, which limited my career prospects.
After I left school, I got a music diploma, but I was only accepted onto that course after passing an audition, it wasn’t based on academic grades. I later tried retaking my Maths and English GCSEs, but dropped out after three months.
Sticking with things has always been a challenge, even in my work life. I’ve had several jobs, most of which lasted less than six months. It wasn’t due to a lack of effort, I worked hard, but I’d eventually get overwhelmed and quit. I got into a cycle of finding work, saving money, burning out, quitting, and living on benefits and savings until I found another job.
On top of these challenges, I also made a couple of impulsive financial decisions that landed me in over £2,500 of debt, though at the time, they felt like the right thing to do.
After losing my mum in 2023, I moved in with my dad and step-mum to be closer to family. I’d been living across the city near my mum, and after she passed, I felt totally isolated, so moving back made sense at the time. I decided I needed something to look forward to, so I booked a trip to Amsterdam with my girlfriend. I was working at the time, which helped with the deposit, but I only lasted in that job for three months, so my credit card ended up paying for the rest of the trip.
After over a year of living at my dad and step-mum’s place, I fell into a deep depression. My usual struggles to hold down a job meant I wasn’t earning enough to save for my own place, and it started to feel like I’d be stuck there forever. I got desperate.
Eventually, I used my credit card to get some cash together for a deposit on a room in a shared house. It wasn’t much, but it was a place to call my own. I also bought a mini-fridge, a mini-freezer, a mattress, and an air fryer, some on my credit card, and some on my catalogue account. Altogether, my debt reached around £2,500. I brought it down to about £2,000 thanks to a short-term job, but as usual, that job didn’t last long either.
MY GOALS
I’ve let life pass me by for way too long and got stuck in an endless cycle that needs to end. I don’t want to be in the same position five years from now, as they say, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.”
This blog marks a turning point; it’s my public commitment to take control of my finances. I’m ready to take the necessary steps, and stay committed, even in times of failure.
My goal is to achieve financial mastery. I want to learn how to budget better, pay off my debts, build some savings, and most importantly, break the cycle for good this time.
And because I’ve committed to sharing my journey openly, that accountability will help me to stay on track. If I don’t stick with it after being so public, I’ll just look like an idiot.
I know it won’t be easy, and I’m not expecting overnight success. There’ll be setbacks, and moments where I want to give up, but I’m determined to persevere this time. This journey is about progress, not perfection. I might not have everything figured out yet, but I’m moving forward with purpose. No more excuses, it’s time to change my life.
FOLLOW MY JOURNEY
If my story resonates with you, or you’re facing financial challenges too, I’d love to hear from you.
Also, feel free to follow me on Instagram, and follow me on Pinterest.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, I look forward to taking this journey with you.
All the best,
Jamie Harris