Kate is a software engineer working in tech. She lives in North London with her partner, and when she’s not at her desk she’s usually moving, whether that’s walking, playing sport, or fitting in golf or tennis when she can.
Before you started investing, what were your biggest worries?
Honestly, for a long time I was a bit careless with money. You get a good job and you’re thinking about travel and buying things. Then it suddenly hits you: I need to think about the house thing. I’ve lost so much time. I even did the maths in my head and thought, maybe by 2038 I’d be ready for a 10% deposit, which felt terrifying.
What kicked off your investment journey?
I went into research mode and asked friends and colleagues what they were doing. Some kept it all in cash, some used banks. But a lot of it felt complicated to track, and I wanted something I could actually trust and understand day-to-day.
Why Freetrade, what made it feel different?
The big thing was freedom and control. I don’t like trusting my money to someone else. Why rely on another person’s financial education when I want to be the decision-maker? I like that I can buy or sell when I want, and that it’s all in one simple app.
What did Freetrade enable you to do that you weren’t doing before?
Consolidation, first of all. Usually you’ve got your pension in one place and your ISA somewhere else. Having my money in one place gave me a much better overview of my finances, and it’s easy to switch between accounts and stay in control.
How has investing changed your relationship with money?
I’d say I have a better relationship with money now. Seeing markets move in real time teaches you a lot. You can be down one day and up the next. It helped me accept that losses are normal, and it pushed me to build rules: control your appetite, don’t get greedy, and take smaller wins when you’re not completely sure. That mindset is genuinely calming.
What’s the biggest emotional benefit you’ve felt from all of this?
The safety net. A few years ago, I felt like I couldn’t buy a house. Now I feel like I can. That shift is huge. I don’t have the fear of ‘I’ll be out of money’, and having that security is comforting. It also means I can help family when life gets hard. My grandmother was unwell, and being able to support her matters a lot. You’re not walking around with that constant fear that you’ll be out of money. It keeps me calm throughout the day, because I know I’m building something real, even if the market moves around in the short term.
The people featured in these interviews are actual Freetrade customers and were remunerated for their time. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invest. Always do your own research.
