Part 299: Financial Lessons for the 21st Century

Hello and welcome back to Mortgage Advisor on FIRE. This week I put forward some financial lessons for the 21st century. Also, Fork Theory, and finally, yes, that story coming from the Coldplay concert.

Weekly Update

Another week done on the journey to FI, and another week of warm and humid weather.  I don’t generally mind hot weather; it’s the humidity that gets me.  Walking along the seafront in Malta with a scorching sun, and a breeze blowing in from the mediterranean hits differently than a similar temperature and the sticky, humid climate we have in the UK.   

The Coldplay Couple

I couldn’t let this slide without mentioning it, but the recent story about the CEO being caught cheating via Kiss Cam was hilarious.  Don’t get me wrong, cheating is a shitty thing to do, but the way they’ve been caught and the way the internet has come together to rip the piss out them is hilarious.

Anyway, here are some of the funniest posts I’ve seen about it:

Diabetes UK Step Challenge

It’s been hard work keeping up with the step challenge but I’m hanging in there.  Between July 1st and September 30th, my goal is to complete 1,700,000 steps.  Assuming that the steps are averaged out over the full 92 day window, it comes to roughly 18,500 steps per day.  Unfortunately for me, Covid kicked my ass at the start of the month meaning that I was playing catch up from day two onward.  For the last couple of weeks, though, I’ve been smashing it.  

So far I’ve raised £100 and I thank everyone who has donated.  I don’t know who some of the people are because they’ve donated anonymously, so if you’re reading this – thank you, again.

Hitting such a high number of steps each day takes some planning.  Normally I’ll wake up and go on the treadmill a bit before work, and then do some more on my lunch, and then after work.  All in all, we’re talking approximately three hours of walking to reach the daily target.  

I don’t think this is sustainable for 92 consecutive days, so that plan was, and still is, to go slightly above the target each day and bring the required daily average down from that point on.  As I write this my daily target is a little over 19,200 steps, and so I aim for 20,000 each day.  Once the daily requirement is under 19,000 I’ll then aim for 19,000, and so on.  This allows me to build in some slack for days when I’m ill or too busy to complete the goal for that day.

If you would like to donate to Diabetes UK, you can find my donation page at the link below:

https://step.diabetes.org.uk/fundraising/davids-fundraising-page1055

Fork Theory: A Powerful Metaphor for Autistic Burnout, Stress, and Overwhelm

When discussing neurodivergence, metaphors matter. They help us explain what often feels unexplainable to others with how our brains process the world, how our energy fluctuates, and why we sometimes hit a wall without warning. You may have heard of Spoon Theory, which I’ve discussed in this blog several times, which describes energy limitations in chronic illness. But today, I want to talk about something that hits even closer to home for many autistic people, including myself: Fork Theory.

What Is Fork Theory?

Imagine that every time something stressful or irritating happens like a loud noise, an interruption, or a change of plan, you are handed a metaphorical fork. One or two forks might not be a problem. But as the day goes on, those forks pile up. You can’t put them down, and eventually, carrying them becomes overwhelming. That’s when you drop them all, or rather, you shut down, melt down, or hit burnout.

Where Spoon Theory focuses on energy depletion, Fork Theory focuses on stress accumulation.

The Day-to-Day Forks You Don’t See

For neurotypical people, many of the things that hand out “forks” don’t register. But for autistic individuals like myself, these forks show up constantly:

This can include a group WhatsApp message going off while I’m in a deep work session, or a Teams notification.  It can be the sound of a dishwasher or washing machine whilst you’re working from home.  Other examples include a last-minute change to a plan, a strong smell nearby, or an itchy tag on your clothes.

Individually, none of these things seem overwhelming. But Fork Theory explains that it’s not the fork you see, it’s the twenty others I’ve been handed already.  You might not be familiar with Fork Theory but I’m certain you are familiar with a similar idea; “The straw that broke the camel’s back.”

There are lots of ways to describe this concept, including a French phrase I quite like;

“La goutte d’eau qui fait déborder le vase.”

My French is rusty, but it relates to the drop of water that causes the vase to spillover.  

Whether we are talking about Forks, Straw, or Water, the concept I’m describing is one we are all familiar with, whether consciously or not.

Forks and Financial Advice: The Hidden Cost of Stress

In my role as a mortgage and protection adviser, managing client expectations, regulations, and tight deadlines is part of the job. But throw in sensory overload or unexpected social demands, and the job doesn’t just drain spoons, it can start to throw forks in my direction.

Understanding Fork Theory has helped me explain to colleagues (and myself) why some days feel unmanageable even if “nothing big” happened. It’s the tiny, cumulative stressors that tip the balance. And it’s also a reminder to build in buffer time, quiet space, and recovery rituals, because you can’t advise clients properly when you’re reaching for a spoon and grab another fork instead.

Fork Theory and Autism: Why It Resonates

Many autistic people find Fork Theory more relatable than Spoon Theory. While spoons reflect physical or energy limits (very real for many), forks reflect emotional and sensory limits. This includes 

1- Social fatigue from masking or navigating unpredictable interactions.

2 – Sensory overload from environments that are too loud, bright, or busy. 

3 – Executive dysfunction, where the effort of choosing, planning, or starting tasks creates stress. 

4 – Emotional labour, like managing your tone, body language, or facial expressions to appear “neutral”.

Fork Theory validates the invisible toll of these daily experiences.

How to Use Fork Theory

If you’re neurodivergent, Fork Theory can be a tool for self-awareness and communication. You might say: “I’m carrying too many forks today to handle a noisy pub.”, or “That conversation gave me more forks than I expected and I need to reset.”

And if you’re neurotypical and reading this? Consider it an invitation to ask, “What forks might someone be carrying today?”, especially if their reactions seem out of proportion.

Fork Theory is one of those simple metaphors that can be life-changing once you’ve heard it. It doesn’t fix the problem, but it gives us a language to talk about emotional bandwidth, sensory stress, and overwhelm without needing to justify or defend it.

So next time someone reacts in a way you don’t understand, or needs space when everything seems fine, remember: you can’t always see the forks. But that doesn’t mean they’re not there.

This Blog

Thank you to those who voted.  I was surprised that the results were so evenly spread.

What I’m Doing

Listening: Six Conversations We’re Scared to Have by Deborah Frances-White

Watching: Squid Game (Netflix).

Reading: Mickey 7 by Edward Ashton.

We’re finally getting around to watching the second season of Squid Game.  We had to rewatch the first season as it was so long ago that we saw it.  It’s such a well made show even if the premise is batshit crazy.  It’s one of those things that would never happen in the real world on that scale, due to the number of people that would have to be involved.  Between the engineers who built the compound, to those who work on the IT systems, the guards, drivers, and all the people involved in the gambling, you’re talking about thousands of people before you even get to the contestants.  

Although I am enjoying it, it’s very much a show where you switch off your brain and enjoy it.  

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Financial Update

Assets

Premium Bonds: £19,000.00.

Stocks and Shares ISA: £115,789.47.

Fuck It Fund: £500.29.

Pensions: £98,639.64.

Residential Property Value: £239,368.00. 

Total Assets: £473,297.40.

Debts

Residential Mortgage: £177,949.31. 

Total Debts: £177,949.31.

Total Wealth: £295,348.09.

Next week is Week 300.  It’s a bit of an ask, but I’m hopeful there’s a surge in the market and I somehow hit £300k total wealth by then.  

Financial Lessons for the 21st Century

Twenty years ago, if you wanted to check your bank balance, you’d probably walk to a high street branch, call a number printed on your card, or wait for a paper statement. Today, your phone buzzes every time you buy a coffee. You can invest in a global index fund in under five minutes, or accidentally blow £200 on Amazon with a thumbprint.

In some ways, money has never been more convenient. But it’s also never been more complex. Rising living costs, digital distractions, job insecurity, and the slow erosion of traditional safety nets mean that managing your finances in the 21st century is a completely different beast.

The old advice of “get a job, save a bit, buy a house, retire at 65” feels like it belongs to another world.

So, here are the financial lessons I believe truly matter today.

1. Income Is No Longer a Guarantee of Stability

There was a time when a good job meant a predictable, secure life. That time has gone.

Even professional roles come with risk now; redundancy, restructuring, or AI displacement. I say this as someone who was made redundant after more than a decade at a major bank, with excellent performance for most of that time. No job is “safe” anymore, and we do ourselves a disservice if we pretend otherwise.

Lesson: Diversify. If you can, build additional income streams and investments, a side hustle, freelance work, or rental income. You don’t need seven incomes to feel secure. You need resilience.  You need layers of protection.

2. Inflation and Interest Rates Are Back, and They Matter

For much of the 2010s, we lived in a world of low inflation and rock-bottom interest rates. Debt was cheap. Saving didn’t feel urgent. Then came the cost of living crisis, and suddenly, everyone had to relearn how inflation quietly steals your future.

We also watched interest rates rise in a way many had never experienced before. Mortgage costs soared. People stretched to their limits began to crack, particularly those who maxed out their affordability on mortgages and went for short term fixed rates.

Lesson: Don’t assume calm markets or cheap borrowing are permanent. Pay attention to your real rate of return after inflation, and keep an eye on interest rates, especially if you carry debt.

3. The Real Flex Isn’t Luxury. It’s Freedom

In the early 2000s, wealth was flashy. Expensive cars, designer clothes, status symbols. Now? Wealth looks like time. It looks like being able to say no. Like working fewer hours or choosing peace over hustle.

Financial independence isn’t about escaping work entirely.  It’s about being free to work on your terms.  This is where the concept of FU Money comes from.

Lesson: Align your spending with your values. Chase freedom, not just figures.

4. Mental Health Is a Financial Factor

This isn’t talked about enough: your mental health and your financial health are not separate. Burnout, anxiety, depression, or autistic masking; all of these things affect your ability to earn, spend, save, or even care about money.

In my own case, navigating an adult autism diagnosis changed the way I view stress, structure, and income. When you’re in a state of emotional exhaustion, your financial goals can feel meaningless. Recovery time isn’t a luxury, it’s a cost worth budgeting for.

Lesson: Plan not just for survival, but for sustainability. Build in buffers. Respect your limits. Rest is financial strategy.

5. Autonomy Is the New Currency

If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that control over your time and energy is priceless. Whether you’re autistic, neurotypical, introverted, or just burnt out, the ability to shape your workday matters more than any promotion.

Whether that means switching to part-time, choosing remote work, or walking away from toxic environments, financial planning is what enables you to do it.

Lesson: Build your life around autonomy and not appearances. Financial independence gives you options. Options give you peace.

6. AI and Automation Are Changing the Game

We’re now firmly in the age of AI. Whether you work in finance, healthcare, customer service, or education, parts of your role may soon be automated. But rather than fear it, we should focus on what can’t be replaced: empathy, creativity, adaptability, relationships.

As a mortgage adviser, I’ve seen how clients value honesty, clarity, and human understanding; all things algorithms can’t quite master (yet). But it’s naive to think change isn’t coming.

Lesson: Keep learning. Adapt. Build financial habits that don’t depend solely on your labour, like investing. And lean into what makes you human.

7. No One Cares About Your Retirement More Than You Do

Final salary pensions are nearly extinct. The state pension age keeps creeping upwards. And with longer life expectancy, 20–30 years of retirement isn’t unusual; it should be expected.

Yet many people in their 30s, 40s or even 50s still don’t have a clear plan. Relying on the government or your employer is a gamble most people can’t afford.

Lesson: Start investing early, consistently, and automatically, even if it’s a small amount. Learn the basics of pensions, ISAs, compound growth. The earlier you start, the less it hurts.

Old Wisdom, New World

The 21st century hasn’t rewritten all the rules of money. But it has changed the context dramatically.

We still need to live below our means. Still need to save and invest. Still need to manage risk. But now, we also need to factor in things like emotional bandwidth, unstable job markets, and existential questions about how we want to live.

The best financial plan today isn’t just about growing wealth, although that is still important, it’s about designing a life that makes sense in this unpredictable, overloaded world.

If that means retiring early, great. If it means working part-time in a job you love, that’s just as valid. The goal isn’t to escape life; it’s to reclaim it.

I hope you found this post helpful, feel free to share it. The more we talk honestly about money, the better we all do.  Please leave a comment, and share this blog if you can.  That’s all for this week, thank you for reading.

DISCLAIMER

The views and opinions in this blog are my own, and do not represent the views or opinions of my former, current, or future employers, nor should they be considered advice.

If you want personalised financial advice, seek an appropriate professional.  If you are in financial difficulty, seek advice via the resources below:

StepChange

MoneyHelper

Biolink 

You can now find all my social media pages by checking out my Biolink:

bio.link/davidscothern.