Great feedback this thank you! I like the challenge of finding a way to get the channel to a point i do not need them. But this comment and the amount of engagement it is getting is very reassuring. Tune in next week for me pushing Manscaped and Raid shadow legends..
Sponsorships are evil. As a premium RU-vid member I’d like to think I contribute financially with my view sufficiently, to then still get shown ads is borderline unethical. I’m struggling to understand why RU-vid sells ad-less experience but allows creators to embed them within ‘content’
@@XeonSXI think the difference is that RU-vid markets RU-vid premium as something that removes ads, i.e. improves the watcher's quality of life. However having RU-vid premium makes little difference to the individual creator revenue, so videos sponsorships are a necessity for RU-vid channels of all sizes
How your face lit up when you looked at the letter from Victim Support speaks volumes Damo. The fact that it's so important to you shows clearly how making a positive impact on others is your North star.
You aren’t giving advice, you are sharing basic knowledge. That basic knowledge is the reason I, a 23 year old in the UK now has £2500 in my isa, sorted my pension out and am diversifying the small pot of wealth I have while still trying to get out n live. My mental health isn’t great but there is light at the bottom of the tunnel and I think that speaks volumes with how gloomy things in this country are at the moment. How this motivates you, keep up on your thing champ ❤️
Good on you. My Dad advised me to get into the work pension as soon as I started work. I started my Isa last year which, last week, was showing lower than I put in. This dosnt matter as I’m investing for long term and have a mix of mostly dividends stocks and a few ETFs and some growth stocks. I’m reinvesting the dividends for compounding. I wish self invested Stocks and shares ISAs were available when I was your age as I sure as hell wouldn’t be working now, but I am making up for it now. I’ll be analysing the stock over time and concentrating the investment on the best outcomes in the future. I have got my goals sorted and am working towards that. You may have dark times and always get help when you do but remember you are working for a brighter future. Best of luck.
Good on you...make a note to check back on this comment in 10 years and 20 years from now and see how far what you've done already sets you up for. You've set the foundations for an extremely bright financial future.
Here here mate. 28 and I’ve never been so financially comfortable, and it’s all down to this fella. Mad to think how some chap that makes videos in the comfort of his own home is basically the reason as to why I’ve set myself up financially for a healthier and happier financial future.
Funny isn’t it, a guy who advises in making the best use of money, finds giving to, and helping others is the most fulfilling thing. Your character and Integrity will always help your success Damien. Helping kids understand the financial world and saving them from future stress related to debt is a great aim and badly needed 👏👏👏👏👏
This is my first time commenting on a RU-vid video on any channel. Your channel was the first that I ever watched on finance. Because of you I started investing... at 55. Now, my daughter invests through a Vanguard ETF. My son and his girlfriend also invest in ISA's. This is because of your last video 'Will We Ever Be Able To Retire'. You are impacting lives positively. Thank you. Please continue with your life changing work.
Hello from your namesake. I’m 59, paid off the mortgage but just a very tame private pension. Damien has inspired me to really think about investments and savings. His talent is to demystify with humour, to entertain and educate simultaneously. With apps and the internet it’s so easy! Thank you Damo!
For a few years after retiring I volunteered as a maths tutor in my local school. I worked with gifted kids who don't get maths, the kid who will make a great mechanic, but needed to get through GCSE to start an apprenticeship, or just needs a Maths GCSE to get into sixth form. Sunak is correct, there is a massive deficit of Maths skills in our secondary school kids. But he is wrong about dealing with it. By secondary school it is already too late, kids are frightened or have no interest. We need to enthuse kids during primary school if we are ever to move forward. I applaud what you want to do to change society for the better through financial education, and wish you luck.
The education system is failing children. I come from two loving parents who were petrified of money. They didn’t buy their council house because they were scared and financially naive. As a result I grew up with the same fear. I’m in my 50’s now and I have an ISA and follow the markets daily. The impact people like yourself can have should not be underestimated or taken for granted. The children of the UK, from every social level deserve to be taught finances. I suspect there will be resistance to this aspiration by those who don’t want a savvy generation who begin to build personal wealth but real change is never easy nor speedy. Keep going Damien. You’ve got this.
Thank you Dave for this comment and for sharing your story. I am happy to hear that you were able to find your way to this knowledge that should be given to everyone and not gate-kept. I also expect to meet resistance but the main benefit of this channel is I can speak directly to you and not be silenced, so when I find it I will shine a light on it for all to see.
I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for the profound impact your words have had on me and many others. Your wisdom and guidance have been a source of inspiration and encouragement in life. From the very beginning, I have watched you grow and evolve, and your advice has been invaluable to me in navigating my day-to-day challenges. Your authenticity shines through in everything you do, and it truly resonates with your genuine followers, myself included. Thank you for sharing your insights and wisdom with the world. Your words have the power to bring about positive change and inspire others to be their best selves. Please continue to share your light and keep up the great work. Your true words mean more than you know and make a significant difference in the world we live in today.
The pension default fund video was probably the simplest most impactful one you’ve done for me. I sent it to loads of people at my office; our default option had way too much fixed income/cash.
As a 31 year old, self employed cabinet maker I have watched many RU-vid videos about wood, and not commented - ever. However I have found your videos so inspiring and educational I just wanted to say thank you. Since going self employed 3 years ago, the work sorts itself out, that's what I have been trained to do. Different ways I can invest profits/manage money however, that's all new! I genuinely look forward to each new video you release, thanks again - a new subscriber 👍
Your content tackles personal finance without making it egotistical. Your approach is to say how do we, as a society, become more financially secure rather than how do I get richer. It's compassionate, it doesn't apportion blame but does provide solutions. Love your message and what you are doing.
Im an experienced investor who has been managing their own money for 40 years. I see the value of your channel as helping others to learn about personal finance - because lets face it the education system provides no help to young people on money matters
I think you're spot on about schools - I'm an accountant and financial advisor and have done some voluntary sessions in schools on financial education, it's so important and it's great to see someone with your reach speaking up for it - good luck!
Some truly inspiring goals! I wonder what happens if all of your viewers ask themselves how they can change the world... Damien needs to start a political movement. The common sense party! 👌
As a Damien Talks Money ambassador (Self appointed, you don't get a say) I think that this is probably the most important video I have watched of yours. The business model of creating content for free to educate those who are in that gap of institutional financial education will in my opinion be one of the most powerful things you will (will) achieve. I actually hope that by doing this for free, the reward will come both in a huge amount of "giving back" feel good, and importantly from momentum in what is absolutely filling a very sad gap. The values that you describe and that your channel shows are sadly missing in the financial world, but you very much show how it should be, and could be. I am teaching my kids about finance currently, and now I have a bunch of their friends who have come around to go through my thoughts. But as soon as you step outside of your own children, you see how important it is that you approach this in the right way. I really look forward to seeing what you come up with, and having that as a much better upgrade on what I am trying to do. Your overall business model sounds fantastic to me. Best wishes.
I did economics up to A level (80s) and didn't know what an index fund was until a few years ago. The work that you and others like you (Pete Matthew) have done for the average person is immense. More power to you.
I can still have nightmares about the income and substitution effect (A level Economics 1985 lol)....all my personal finance pre age 53 years (I'm 56 now) came from my wonderful mum and dad.
This is exactly what I am trying to do in South Africa! Your inspiration is Crossing Borders Damian. Continue with what you are doing and your impact will stretch far and wide into the world! Cheers mate! 🍻
I follow several personal finance youtubers and Damien’s videos always get a like from me before they even properly start. Thank you for your great content, Damien.
Yes! I always make sure to like his videos even if I don’t finish them because the effort he puts into them is top quality, 100%. Well deserving of all the work he puts in.
You probably won’t see this as there’s nearly 600 comments as I type this but just a thank you for the content you produce. Following guys like yourself and a couple of others on here for the past couple of years had allowed me to self educate myself on these crucial aspects of life. I work in finance so probably pick most of it up sharper than most but the level of understanding I feel I now have is going to stand me, my family, friends etc in good stead in the future. Thanks again and all the best with what’s to come
Damien. Rest assured, You are BRILLIANT! Changed my life in terms of money, money management and above all pensions and my future. Oddly, although 'many decades old', single etc... yes that too...i buried my head in the sand. Discovered your channel and you turned my financial life around. Not a day goes by without me thinking about income, pensions and how i can help others. Thank You. Yes every success in the future. And like many thousands [millions] of followers, a massive Thank You. What a journey! Continued success. And yes your [re]action to the assault on you. Incredible. Thank you.
Thanks for this. I don't quite know how to approach teaching my children without switching them off, so what you describe would be fantastic. Keep up the great work 👍
120 comments that all sound positive in an hour of release. That should tell plenty of feedback on what you are doing Damien. You’re doing great work and are one of the best financial content channel on RU-vid. Keep going and doing what you are doing.
Your videos helped me a lot! I have finally started investing at 42 years old and now getting more motivated to start my martial arts youtube channel. I had been too worried on not knowing enough about youtube rather than just getting going & improving over time. Thank you!
Recently found your channel. You’re going to help people more than you can imagine. The world needs more genuine people with a an eye on the smaller things that become big steps.
I'm Kenyan and the most financially knowledgeable of my friends and colleagues. I always refer my British colleagues to your channel and many have changed them have improved their financial status by following your advice
Video's like this restore a bit of faith in humanity for me. I know that you are rewarded through RU-vid & sponsors, but your plans for impact are set in a way that you bring your (growing) community up with you. Thank you
You’re right. In school they’re taught to death Henry VIII but nearly nothing about life and finances. The meagre bit my girls was taught was very very basic, dull and dry. Great plan 👍
I'd suggest making videos for people who have a spouse who is bad with money. Often folks who seek this out are already mindful. We need a series for the people who don't want to hear it, or are made nervous an avoid it. An just are not usual viewers. Those are the people who would really benefit so yeah we need a perfect series to show that one person we each know that NEEDS a lesson. Wife, son, maybe a brother.. or a friend.
I'm 26. I reworked my pension funds and upped my contribution after listening to you; something I'd not considered looking into before - should make a massive difference by the time I retire!
I'm a teacher and I've been advocating at my schools to do exactly this. We're sending kids to uni and to work with absolutely no knowledge about money. Love the content.
Brilliant message Damien, you are a beacon of hope for so many of us searching to make progress in the financial maze. Keep doing what you are doing so well and please stay the generous, humble Brummie we love. 💙
Your videos teach people what you normally only learn if you’re in the know! Completely changed my financial life for the better and now my favourite channel 👏
Hi Damien. You absolutely make an impact. Im 37 this year and dont have a big pension pot or much savings, despite having a good job. Ive been watching you for about a year. In that time ive started investing in a stocks and shares isa and combined my pension pots and moved them into "better" funds. My pensions were actually lower than my initial investments this time last year. As of now my isa is up 19% and im adding monthly and don't intend to dip into it for the best part of 20 years if i can help it. My pension has clawed back the losses and is up for the first time in years. Me and my partner have a baby on the way and i know that at least im now well on the path to retire at a decent age and be able to support them down the line. I watch your videos every time they come out and they are always very interesting and extremely useful. Thanks for what you do.
Absolutely agree with this. I started investing because of Damien and now have a S&S isa for medium term, a LISA for a house as a first time buyer, and a SIPP to which I regularly contribute small amounts for later in life because I hadn’t ever really contributed to a pension before. All of this is beacuse of Damien.
And this is exactly why pension schemes concentrate on sub-optimal, low volatility (but generally low growth) funds because the majority of people do not understand how equity investments work, or that they are likely to recover in the longer term. It is also why a large proportion of people would normally choose an annuity over ongoing investment and drawdown - because they are easy to understand and also offer a guaranteed income for the rest of their lives. You are fortunate, you have plenty of time for your investments to grow and you are already onboard and learning about your approach to investment and growing your pension. I was well into my 50s before I started to learn more about pensions and investments and, even if they existed, I was not aware of you tube channels and financial education. We do now have excellent educational and informational resources available and also easy to use and low-cost investment platforms that allow us to apply that knowledge within government approved, tax-efficient savings schemes. The Internet has been transformational in so many ways.
This is incredible to read. Thank you guys for sharing!! Jack congrats on becoming a parent soon. Take a look at Junior ISA and Junior Sipp for the little one. Damo
Arrogant, not a chance, you lit up and spoke with honesty and passion when talking about your future plans to help educate our future heroes, I as a father who needs help himself understanding investments and money in general which is how I found you, and would adore content that could go hand in hand to bring the conversations with our kids into an arena that we all enjoy.
Your style of delivery as well as your content are what make you such an invaluable source of financial content and inspiration. For that I thank you and is also the reason why I spread the word to my family and friends, especially the youngsters who are just starting on their financial journey. Cheers Damien👍
I enjoy your videos because I like hearing what you have to say, your opinions etc. I also like the video format, it's got a good vibe to it, kinda like sitting down with a mate for a chat about finance stuff. If you do get sponsorships, please ensure it's inline with your values and what your videos stand for rather than have the sponsors dictate the format and message, and most importantly, that it's something you have used yourself and deem worthy enough to tell us about. We don't want rubbish stuff! (You can tell when other youtubers do this, and they often get called out on it). Keep up the good work Damo! We'll be here supporting you 😊
I watch all your videos and never comment, but watching this. I wanted to say, you're my favourite finance youtuber. I am so focused on your content and i'm constantly checking to see when you've got a new video here or on the Money Making Pod. That's how valuable your content is, and it has educated me massively. And i take financial action in my life everyday, optimising, investing via Vangaurd, saving to invest in property and just genenrally being financially and economically aware, because of content creators like you and Pension Craft. THANK YOU, never stop this!
Never forget Damo that a big part of your success so far is your character - you're very "personable" and funny so people feel they can connect with you. Whatever we do in life, however much you do educate people, its ALWAYS good to have a laugh (so don't get too serious). And ffs Cobweb! 😅
Your videos have allowed me to change mine and my partners future! Love your idea to design a scheme of work for the national curriculum!! The same for pension knowledge too. There are so few channels with this amount of transparency and genuinely good intentions. Its an absolute joy to consume your content and it's life changing. Thanks Damien, legend!
You're an inspiration, Damien. I genuinely look forward to each video you upload...you have a unique insight and special way of addressing key points head on. Thank you!!
You do not come across as arrogant, your integrity completely shines through. I’m proud to watch you grow in confidence as you do more for yourself, your family and this community. Thanks for being so open.
Your poster notes took me all the way back to 1998 in Scotland. I lived there before moving to Manchester. It was colder, I hardly spoke the language etc! I wallpapered all the room walls with poster notes. It had empowerment messages. A big paper note was attached right in front of my bed that read " where there is a will, there is a way", it was my motto lol that message used to get me up from bed to practice English everyday for one hour 😊 To Invision my life in the UK and pursue every dot I wrote down😊 Now I lost the energy, I want to pursue dreams I left behind because I wanted to secure my family financially first and myself 😮😮😮 Where there is will, there is a way 🎉
We’re all with you, Damo, and personally I’m in compile agreement that something needs to be done re educating the young on financial matters. I suffered financially from being brought up with just my mum, who also didn’t really have any money sense behind her. I now have two kids at home and work in education and it’s shocking how little real world knowledge is passed down to them. Our finance department at work could also do with some guidance 😅
It’s so great to hear what you did with those donations mate. You’re making real change in many ways. I’ll keep watching no matter which avenue you go down. Cheers mate!
Hi Damien, the information you provide has had a big impact on me. A year ago, I knew absolutely nothing about investing or stocks and shares ISAs, and very little about pensions. With your help and a couple of other RU-vidrs, It's enabled me to research and understand the financial lingo much better, and has given me the 'confidence to invest every month, switch my workplace pension out of the default fund and save more tax efficiently. I really can't thank you enough for all your awsome videos and podcasts. P.S. Also thanks for sharing your update on victim support, it's great to know our donations have helped other victims like you - can't believe that was a year ago now, blimey.
The only financial advice that I got a school (1970s) was how to fill in a cheque. One teacher mentioned compound interest, but did not explain what it was.
I started watching your vids in 2020, and we both left our jobs around the same time, I remember. You went into the videos and I went into music with my girlfriend. Today, I am so happy to see your videos and your progress. You have stayed true to your values the whole way and I am thrilled for the future of you and your channel. We struggled for the last two years, I took a bunch of odd jobs between gigs, had some financial troubles along the way, but eventually we found our way back. I took a remote job, and she went into the medical field, and we're actually somewhat enjoying our 9-5's, thankful for them at least. The financial content for children you mentioned got me really excited, especially because now we have a son on the way. I want to share my (dorky) love for finance with him and I hope you realize the effect you have made on people already. You are a true inspiration and I'm here for whatever comes next. Cheers!
Just a little thank you from me Damien, you made me take the step to review my workplace pension fund. In a short space of time the two non-default funds Ive selected have outperformed the default fund by 60%. Im 35 and whilst I appreciate this level of return may not be consistent, itll make a big difference between now & when i retire. Im fortunate enough to have a job that has allowed me to focus on frontloading my contributions, my pot sits at £500k & these changes will be huge for my family, my only frustration is not looking at this sooner. Thank you again.
Thank you Damian for the knowledge you bring to us. Been watching for years now. I check out each of your videos and appreciate your down to earth content, your sense of humour and the way you present information. I'm also very impressed by the format of this video, which is simply a frank, long conversation. You're an excellent presenter, yet it always feels like I'm watching a mate chatting, not a RU-vidr. There aren't tons of cuts and irritating editing choices here either that so many other RU-vidrs rely on, such as constantly zooming in and out every ten seconds (which I find so distracting). Please keep doing what you do, it's appreciated!
One of my favourite videos of last year was your collaboration with Sasha. Would love to see more like that, both the content and introduction to other great finance youtubers
I'm a secondary school Maths teacher. In fact, we basically teach ZERO financial content. We teach the basics of bank statements and compound interest, and nothing else. Meanwhile we're teaching them how to factorise and solve quadratic equations lol.
You are a legend. You didn’t deserve what happened to you, what a top bloke for donating to charity too. The world would be a much better place if we had more people like you.
14:20 onwards: this gave me goosebumps, you’ve got a vision grander and more fulfilling than what any count of views or money alone can deliver. Your family is incredibly lucky to have you in their life, and we are 100% behind your mission
Great video Damien, this definitely comes across as a more personal and sincere message to everyone viewing which I really enjoyed after watching several of your other videos. I find your content does create an impact to others, such as myself (particularly the recent one on pensions and default funds) by giving people the confidence to take control of finances or even just a gentle nudge is making a positive impact to not only themselves but there immediate family, as a recent father myself this video really hit home. A well deserved thanks from me & even the future me! 👍
A fair few years worth of fantastic content but you’re just getting started Damo. You’re head and heart are in the right place and I can’t wait to see you bring this vital content to more and more people.
Damien, I think there are a few things that make you and your content special. For me the first thing is that you are a very clear minded thinker and then what I personally really find very interesting is that you don’t try to dumb down the analysis that you are sharing and it’s is really powerful. I’m 52 and quite well educated in general, but you have helped me more over the last year to understand about investments and pensions than almost anywhere else. You are 100% right that education for everyone and all age groups is absolutely critical. I can tell you that I’ve learned about stocks and shares ISAs and pensions from you and I’ve made changes, so thank you, I think what you do is very important and I wish you every success for the future and I’ll definitely be watching your channel into the future.
I worked for a large blue chip organisation and they spent a lot of money annually on teaching new staff (specifically apprentices but it was available to all employees), how to manage money. I couldn’t comment on how valuable it was (I’m sure yours will be incomparable) but more to the point they shared business strategy’s with BT, vodaphone and other large companies.. I’m sure if you got a case study together and with your credibility in the finance community they would snatch your hand off 👍 great to see someone true to their values and question where you are going (it’s inspired me to evaluate my business/plans also) Best wishes
Good luck Damien and thanks for the update about your case. Really pleased you picked Victim Support as a charity to help and am glad they have acknowledged your support in a way that has helped you back.
I don’t tend to comment on videos in general but wanted to say as a viewer of your content for nearly 4 years, thank you. Your content has certainly made a difference to me. You are relatable, at a similar stage of life to me and just make finances easier to understand, I feel like I can prioritise my future instead of being in denial (like a lot of my generation) and stop thinking it’ll all work itself out as I get older or retire. I am just approaching 30, gave birth to my first child this year and over the last few years I have focused on getting my finances in order, clearing debt, reducing my mortgage term and last year I looked into my pension fund before your video (which I’m proud of myself for thinking about it) and changed it to a more high risk fund. I’ve started investing this year too and all these steps I prioritised because of your content. I’m not blessed with a support system to support me as a new mum or financially if hiccups come up etc so I am working hard to make sure myself and my family are okay through the years. Keep doing what you are doing. I support your financial podcast too, love all your content and just wanted to share this with you 😊
If I could like this more than once, I would. You are a credit to yourself, and it is so refreshing to see someone else thinking more about lifting everyone up rather than punching down.
I'm so excited for your future content on educating kids about finance. As a Dad of 2, all I want in life is to ensure my kids have the best future possible and to be able to remove financial stress from their lives is probably one of the greatest gifts I could give them. I've set aside £50 per month for each since the day they were born but I'm sure there are better ways I could grow their pot of money and I would love to teach them about money so that they have the interest, skills and tools to save on their own.
You don’t come across as arrogant at all, you come across as someone who genuinely cares about others and wanting to financial stable and secure, one of the most sort after and stressful things in life, second to personal health. I discovered you when the RU-vid algorithm sent me to your video about waves across the UK and where you sit in relation the top 1%. A single line in that video about investing into ETFs in a S&S ISA, firstly made me realise I wasn’t as financially literate as I thought, and secondly sent me down a rabbit hole that has now resulted in my opening a S&S ISA, investing in my own funds, and also doing the same for my children, to try and make sure they are financially secure when they hit my age. That is because of you. Keep doing what you’re doing. It is genuinely life changing advice. Thank you Damien.
You’re spot on about the lack of financial education in schools. I’ve recently retired from working as an IFA and find the lack of financial education baffling. In today’s world it’s more important than ever that our population understands how pensions, investments etc work as defined benefit pensions become rarer and the state pension age gets higher. I’d love to share my thoughts and experience with you having worked as a financial adviser for the last 30 years. You’re doing a great job.
Love your content Damien. At 20 I had £7 in the bank now at 23 I have a portfolio of £35k. A lot of that is down to you and similar people putting out useful information that allows anyone to understand the basics steps they need to take to manage their personal finance. I look forward to seeing the platform you create and wish all the best.
You helped me turn my life around financially in my 60s, so the difference you're making for younger people is unmeasurable. I really admire you for stepping outside the tradition that we must pay dearly for any information that helps us financially. What a positive impact you're having on so many lives, Damo!
Your channel has been amazing, I started off looking for help with my finances and I got hooked on dave Ramsey and from there you have broken it down in simple ways for the UK, eg work place pensions, getting ns&I bonds for emergency fund, , isa trading, your content has been easy to understand, being very relatable.
There's some great YT finance channels around now but this is the only one I know I can sit through, learn something new or have something put into a new perspective, and it not feel like I'm being lectured or spoken down to. You'd absolutely smash it by taking this kind of content to businesses and schools. Rooting for you!
As a father who tried to ensure his kids got a basic financial education, and an ex-pension scheme trustee who loved the one to one sessions with members to decode the scheme gibberish into 'plain speak', your aims really resonate with me. Kudos to you Damien, we all need guidance in these areas, and too many people still feel embarrassed to talk about money & finance as if its some kind of taboo.... What you do, what you have created is of real value, please never doubt that. You are moving the needle, and as is always the way there is more to be done....... good luck to you my (youtube) friend 👍
