Rebel Finance School - what am I missing?

[SluggishLettuce]

After a few posts on here recommending RFS I started watching the YouTube videos and I just don't get it.

For those who are advocates, what did you like about it? I'm only a couple of weeks in but I find the Donegans nauseating and the presentations pretty poor. I was expecting something quite professional if thousands of people have been through the programme.

I agree with a lot of the underlying messages espoused so far (not all) so is it just a style preference? Does that mean it's not worth persevering as it'll always grate or has anyone else felt the same and got past it?

OP, you should ask for your money back. I hear they are really good about refunds.

Anything that helps people take charge of their investments and plan better for their futures cant be a bad thing. Poor presenting or not.

I've already said I'm not complaining -although the money back comment made me laugh.

Clearly it's a valuable course or I wouldn't have started it to begin with. I was persuaded by the sheer number of recommendations on MN.

I would have no problem providing feedback about disliking the AI pictures or format of the presentations as I don't think it's particularly contentious. But I'm also not sure it would make a difference if so many others like it. As said already, it may just be me.

Hey there everyone. Katie Donegan here. I’m sorry you didn’t vibe with our style. As some of the other comments suggested we like to have fun and to make a complex subject light and engaging. One style you might vibe with better is JL Collins book simple path to wealth. It’s excellent. Good luck getting your finances in order!

Thanks for the recommendation.

If you do an alter ego version (Katherine and Al, maybe?) where you're grumpy and boring, swear and are cynical then let me know!

I think it's a fun course. The presenters are really generous with their personal information which of course only works for them! I really liked things like the rolling returns depending on the year you started investing. I think it explains risk well.
The Excel sheets that come later are exceptional and they allow people with less money to do their own financial planning (the wealthy have always had access to advice).
I showed bits to my kids as I thought the info was well presented. Especially the bit about time diminishing risk and improving chances of returns to persuade my child day trading was a mugs game. I hope that they will remember when they get their first real jobs.

If it's you (sounds very like you) this response is typically open, informative and not snippy. I think your massive following, MBEs etc is due to your fabulous attitude.

@MBL curious about the spreadsheets, what topic was that please?

Hey ArtichokesBloom. What a beautiful message. Thank you. Yes it is me! Not sure how to prove it other than to say I love spreadsheets and pineapples forever ❤️🍍❤️

I'm up to week 9 and it's given me the confidence to choose my own s&s ISA rather than an off the shelf fund. Yes videos are long but the repetition is useful as some concepts are complex and jargon filled. Thank you KD.

I watched it this year with my 22yr old daughter. I already had S&S ISAs, SIPP and a GIA but am always interested in learning more & filling in any gaps. I had (wrongly) assumed it was going to be about retirement / drawdown etc, which it really isn’t. I came across RFS via ‘Meaningful Money’ FB group.
My eldest DD found it interesting and didn’t mind the style too much whereas my 20yr old couldn’t cope with more than 5 mins. Sadly, bc I do think it’s useful as they assume zero financial knowledge and begin with the very basics - which is needed because there’s so little financial education in the Uk. Hence why Martin Lewis is so popular.
The RFS style initially annoyed me as I want the info without the fluff but that’s a me problem. As I watched more, I grew to really like them and their quirkiness! I love their transparency and their honesty around mistakes they’ve made. I didn’t learn a huge amount but it was reassuring that I’m doing the right thing. They explain things very well and there’s certainly aspects that I’ve then used to explain to my DDs or friends.
In passing I mentioned it to a friend of mine who’s in her mid 50’s and had no clue about her workplace pension - turns out it’s lifestyled and in 80% bonds and was 50/50 since she was 18. So I do think they are doing a great service highlighting the need to check pensions, consider investments, create a gap etc etc and this is why ppl who have had little or zero financial education won’t hear a bad word against them. If you’ve never considered this stuff previously it must be revolutionary. Wish I’d had this in my 20’s or even 30’s!
You may find Pete Matthews, Meaningful Money useful. Or Ramin from Pensioncraft. Or Damien does Money. There really are some great ppl out there doing fab podcasts and YouTube videos (RFS included).

https://rebeldonegans.com/finance/fire/forecasting/

Allows adjusting savings in pensions to reach the year of retirement with a target level of income. It's an amazing resource.

I hear you 😆 🍍 📊

I think RFS is aimed at people coming to it with very little prior knowledge- if you already know a bit it might not be for you.

You might get more out of Pensioncraft which is the next stage on in terms of knowledge (despite the name it’s really just general investing)- they have a free podcast called Many Happy Returns which will give you a flavour of it.

I feel sorry for Martin Lewis in all this- he’s rightly very cautious about talking about investing given that it’s very hard to say anything which applies to everyone and he knows that there are people who do what he says without engaging their brains about whether it’s the right approach for them.

I agree @stayok Martin Lewis has no chance of explaining S&S in an hour (interrupted by adverts). It needs a slow and steady approach from the ground up and although he’s very good at what he does his style is fast paced & exact. Investing is a bit nuanced esp as he can’t advise. Telling people to switch energy tariffs is very different to investments. I watched his episode the other day and if I knew nothing I’d find that hard to follow. When ppl start they don’t know the difference between a platform, funds, indexes, shares, stocks, bonds, gilts, dividends, FTSE, MSCI etc etc. They tend to call growth ‘interest’ so there’s a lot to unravel. I think RFS do this very well. I heard Martin Lewis on radio 5 the other day say that RFS had been recommended and he’d explore further. So maybe there’s an opportunity there for some collaboration?

@MBL thanks so much for posting that it's really helpful

I recommend them as the stats are solid, the modelling useful and the coverage thorough. I wizzed though with it in the background and had plenty of take aways but seeing how many struggle with the info it reminds you that they are trying to suit a very diverse audience in terms of resources and capacity to engage with figures. That they adapt and invest their time and effort at no cost to those who engage with them is worth a recommendation and a dose of generosity. Some followers are a bit dependent but many pick and chose the parts that help - it’s an exciting topic when people realise how they can improve their futures and those of their children. I can forgive a bit of exuberance.

This is spot on. No one can pitch a programme like this perfectly for everyone. I am on week 5 and find the programmes a little long but can see I have quite a lot of knowledge so I’m only picking up odd tips whereas for others this is their first introduction.
I am looking forward to the next 5 weeks as this is where I need to learn more. Saving and pensions (my own) I get, it’s understanding investing and fees where I need help.

What are you getting interest on with SJP? If you’re talking about a pension it’s investment growth not interest.

Hi, it's not a pension.

RFS is 100% right about St James’ Place. You’re losing thousands with them, and they will take thousands off you in exit fees if you decide you no longer want to be robbed senseless. I can’t imagine there are many other areas in your life where you would willingly hand over large sums of money for nothing?

It might be worth looking at how various fee levels impact on returns over the years.

What product from SJP which pays 16% interest?

Suspect PP means 16% growth, which give that the MSCI world index has returned 17% is no great ad for SJP!

What is it if not a pension? Fascinated to know what product could possibly pay an annual 16% interest.

I am guessing a S&S ISA or other investment platform, most have returned at least that in the last 12m.

(Though the SJP advisor has convinced the poster that it's their unusual, special insights, worthy of hefty fees, that has produced the return not the stock market).

Yes “return on investment” or “investment growth” but not interest 😀