What caught my eye this week.<\/em><\/p>\n W<\/span>elcome back and Happy New Year! I hope you got just what you wanted for Christmas, and that you continue to get what you want for the rest of the year.<\/p>\n Well, just so long as what you want includes a sufficiently severe enough case of investing obsession to keep you coming back to Monevator<\/em> throughout 2025.<\/p>\n Of course if you\u2019re reading this article \u2013 and it\u2019s not because you were sloppily Googling for old Mr Motivator<\/em> videos to kickstart your fitness goals \u2013 then you\u2019re probably already a bit of an investing nerd.<\/p>\n And that makes you unusual. Indeed I can\u2019t remember a time when most people were less interested in shares.<\/p>\n If I allude to Monevator<\/em> when meeting new people then I usually get more questions about crypto, side hustles, or buy-to-let than anything about the stock market.<\/p>\n In contrast, 20 years ago there were investing programmes on daytime TV and realms of coverage in the business pages.<\/p>\n That\u2019s mostly all gone \u2013 and TikTok<\/em> videos about YOLO-ing into MicroStrategy shares are a poor substitute.<\/p>\n To the extent that this all reflects a sober move towards passive investing<\/a>, I can hardly complain.<\/p>\n I might be a stock picking nutter but that\u2019s not what I believe most people should do.<\/p>\n And while my co-blogger The Accumulator<\/em> can bore for Blighty on the 4% rule<\/a> \u2013 seriously, don\u2019t get trapped with him in the kitchen at a party\u00a0 \u2013 index fund investing is largely set-and-forget. There\u2019s not much to make a TV show about.<\/p>\n However I don\u2019t believe the eerie quiet really reflects a nation secretly growing rich on their global trackers.<\/p>\n The Financial Times<\/em><\/a> just published data from Abrdn (sadly that\u2019s not a typo) showing Britons have the \u2018lowest appetite\u2019 in the G7 when it comes to stock market investing:<\/p>\n Okay, we are doing well for investing in pensions. So perhaps there is a bit of slow and steady compounding in retirement accounts crowding out the enthusiasm for shares I recall from the past.<\/p>\n Moreover, the FT<\/em> explains the sky-high US allocation to directly owning equities partly reflects that it has so many more very wealthy people. In contrast those of moderate means prefer to invest in housing.<\/p>\n Not that the US becoming so much richer than us is a comfort. But it is another story.<\/p>\n However you interpret this data, I think it\u2019s a shame so few directly invest in equities.<\/p>\n Investing in the stock market made me financially independent in 20-odd years without a rockstar income.<\/p>\n And while there was certainly plenty of hard saving and a bit of luck (or even \u2013 cough \u2013 skill) in the mix, I still believe snowballing your way to financial freedom via the stock market is an aspiration open to everyone, not just the rich.<\/p>\n If you do too then let\u2019s spread the word to more of our countrymen and women in 2025.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll do my bit with this website. But how will you get your friends and family to tune in?<\/p>\n Besides regularly sending them Monevator<\/em> articles, I mean.<\/p>\n Let us know in the comments, and have a great weekend \u2013 and a great year.<\/p>\n p.s. A quick thanks after dozens of new Monevator members<\/a> signed up following my Christmas post<\/a>. I\u2019m a bit flummoxed as to why this call to action did so well, to be honest. But my hunch is the stream of generous comments from existing members played a part. Social proof is a powerful force and reading so many people saying nice things probably reassured a few more into joining us<\/a>. So thank you!<\/em><\/p>\n Amateur activist \u2013 Monevator<\/a> [Mogul members<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n From the archive-ator: The most important goal for every retiree \u2013 Monevator<\/a><\/p>\n Note: Some links are Google search results \u2013 in PC\/desktop view click through to read the article. Try privacy\/incognito mode to avoid cookies. Consider subscribing to sites you visit a lot.<\/em><\/p>\n IFS\u2019s Paul Johnson says higher mortgage rates here to stay \u2013 This Is Money<\/a><\/p>\n Post-Christmas blues as bosses try to reverse hybrid working \u2013 Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n Over-60s taking out student loans they\u2019re \u2018unlikely\u2019 to ever repay \u2013 i Paper<\/a><\/p>\n Premium Bonds saver scoops \u00a31m on first-ever prize draw \u2013 This Is Money<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThere aren\u2019t enough jobs for everyone\u201d<\/em>, says recent law graduate \u2013 BBC<\/a><\/p>\n British start-up attacks LSE as it reveals plan to delist\u2026 \u2013 Telegraph via Y.F.<\/a><\/p>\n \u2026after UK market sees \u00a3145bn of companies go in takeover frenzy\u2026 \u2013 T.I.M.<\/a><\/p>\n \u2026 though London is not the only shrinking stock market \u2013 FT<\/a><\/p>\n Selling heat pumps across Germany\u2019s political divide \u2013 Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n Best packaged bank accounts \u2013 Be Clever With Your Cash<\/a><\/p>\n Six ways to take control of your pensions in 2025 \u2013 Which<\/a><\/p>\n Get up to \u00a31,500 cashback when you transfer your cash and\/or investments to\u00a0Charles Stanley<\/a>. Terms apply \u2013\u00a0Charles Stanley<\/a><\/p>\n Beware of offers to open betting accounts in your name \u2013 Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n Is it worth shopping around for gas and electricity again? \u2013 Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n First Direct switch offer: get \u00a3175, plus cashback \u2013 Be Clever With Your Cash<\/a><\/p>\n How to return unwanted festive gifts \u2013 This Is Money<\/a><\/p>\n Monzo makes viral \u20181p challenge\u2019 official with \u00a3668-a-year feature \u2013 T.I.M.<\/a><\/p>\n Open an account with low-cost platform InvestEngine via our link<\/a> and get up to \u00a3100 when you invest at least \u00a3100 (T&Cs apply. Capital at risk) \u2013 InvestEngine<\/a><\/p>\n Homes for sale in remote parts of Britain, in pictures \u2013 Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n Global diversification is still working \u2013 Cullen Roche<\/a><\/p>\n Three improvements for 2025 \u2013 Fortunes & Frictions<\/a><\/p>\n IHT raid on pensions puts millions at risk of poverty in later life \u2013 T.I.M.<\/a><\/p>\n The millionaires living the \u2018underconsumption\u2019 life \u2013 Yahoo Finance<\/a><\/p>\n This couple retired in their 30s in 1991 and have no regrets \u2013 CNBC<\/a><\/p>\n Secrets of an airline points millionaire [Search result]<\/em> \u2013 FT<\/a><\/p>\n Are millennials right to accuse boomers of hoarding? \u2013 Slate<\/a><\/p>\n Labour\u2019s pension reforms are based on flawed analysis [Search result]<\/em> \u2013 FT<\/a><\/p>\n Spend to live, save to die \u2013 A Teachable Moment<\/a><\/p>\n Forward motion, not retiring \u2013 We\u2019re Gonna Get Those Bastards<\/a><\/p>\n 12 things that probably won\u2019t happen in 2025 \u2013 A Wealth of Common Sense<\/a><\/p>\n Marketing, masquerading as investment expertise \u2013 Fortunes & Frictions<\/a><\/p>\n 30 years ago Tomorrow\u2019s World<\/em> predicted 2025. How\u2019d it do? \u2013 BBC<\/a><\/p>\n Scientist\u2019s \u2018ruthlessly imaginative\u2019 predictions from 1925 mostly came true \u2013 Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n Forecast mostly gloomy, but that\u2019s a good thing [Search result]<\/em> \u2013 FT<\/a><\/p>\n On dividends and stock price fluctuations \u2013 Dividend Growth Investor<\/a><\/p>\n MicroStrategy mania exposes rare fault line in ETF industry \u2013 FT<\/a><\/p>\n Ten cheap US wide-moat stocks for 2025 \u2013 Morningstar<\/a><\/p>\n Stock picking hedge funds post highest average returns since 2020 \u2013 Reuters<\/a><\/p>\n Owning one BTC is better than being a millionaire \u2013 Bitcoin Magazine<\/a><\/p>\n The Black Swan<\/em> by Nassim Taleb \u2013 \u00a30.99 on Kindle<\/a><\/p>\n The Simple Path to Wealth<\/em> by J.C. Collins \u2013 \u00a30.99 on Kindle<\/a><\/p>\n Number Go Up: Inside Crypto\u2026<\/em> by Zeke Faux \u2013 \u00a30.99 on Kindle<\/a><\/p>\n Side Hustle<\/em> by Chris Guillebeau \u2013 \u00a30.99 on Kindle<\/a><\/p>\n Insects flourish in restored habitats on solar energy farms \u2013 Bird Guides<\/a><\/p>\n UK needs to ban full hybrid cars by 2030 says motoring body \u2013 Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n Hakai\u2019s last post [another great indie site goes R.I.P.]<\/em> \u2013 Hakai<\/a><\/p>\n Nine stories that prove not all hope is lost for the climate \u2013 Vox<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018Godfather of AI\u2019 shortens odds of it wiping out humanity \u2013 Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n Can France become an AI powerhouse? [Search result]<\/em> \u2013 FT<\/a><\/p>\n AI-powered OnlyFans<\/em> rival launches in London with \u00a33m funding \u2013 T.I.M.<\/a><\/p>\n Morris Chang and the origins of TSMC \u2013 Construction Physics<\/a><\/p>\n Better Man<\/em> and the origin of Robbie Williams \u2013 Roger Ebert<\/a><\/p>\n Leonid Radvinsky and the origins of OnlyFans<\/em> \u2013 Reuters<\/a><\/p>\n Four questions \u2013 Humble Dollar<\/a><\/p>\n UK\u2019s biggest ever dinosaur footprint site unearthed \u2013 BBC<\/a><\/p>\n 77 mind-blowing facts from The Atlantic\u2019s<\/em> 2024 \u2013 The Atlantic<\/a><\/p>\n America has lost control of bird flu \u2013 KFF News<\/a> [h\/t Abnormal Returns<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n Why thousands of Hongkongers have moved to the Midlands \u2013 BBC<\/a><\/p>\n Repetition tricks the mind into thinking a thing will last forever \u2013 Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cChurchill sent Keynes a cable reading, \u2018Am coming around to your point of view\u2019<\/em>. His Lordship replied, \u2018Sorry to hear it. Have started to change my mind\u2019<\/em>.\u201d Like these links? Subscribe<\/a> to get them every Friday. Note this article includes affiliate links, such as from Amazon<\/a> and Interactive Investor<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nA land of unbelievers<\/h3>\n
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Predictions and forecasts mini-special<\/h3>\n
Naughty corner: Active antics<\/h3>\n
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Robot overlord roundup<\/h3>\n
Origin stories mini-special<\/h3>\n
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And finally\u2026<\/h3>\n
\u2013 Philip Tetlock, Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n