Growing up in a single-parent home, I saw firsthand how challenging money could be. My mother raised three daughters on a modest teacher’s salary, and those early experiences shaped my understanding of financial resilience.

We were fortunate to grow up in a generous Goan village, where kindness ran deep — even being offered a home to live in at no cost. Those moments left a lasting impression on me and deeply inform the way I approach money and financial planning today.

My story

Fresh out of university in 1999 with a degree in psychology — my first love — I moved to Mumbai, just as India’s financial landscape was undergoing massive transformation. Privatisation was picking up speed, and I found myself right in the middle of it, joining one of the country’s first bancassurance teams at a leading life insurance company.

There, I introduced clients to stock market–linked investment options. Many were naturally hesitant. They felt safer with traditional, low-risk products that offered guaranteed returns. That experience taught me something essential: real financial guidance goes beyond numbers and products. It’s about connection. It’s about helping people understand not just financial principles, but their own money mindset — so they can make confident, informed decisions.

Years later, during the 2008 recession, I saw how deeply emotional money decisions could be. A small number of clients let fear take over and exited the market at exactly the wrong time, cementing losses that could have been avoided. It was heartbreaking — and eye-opening.

By 2013, I had started my own financial planning practice, and that’s when I truly began noticing my own relationship with money. For the first time, I had to set my fees, invoice clients, and speak about the value of my work — and it stirred up feelings I hadn’t expected. Asking for money felt uncomfortable, even shameful at times. This had never been a problem when I was employed, but in my own business, it became a personal growth edge.

That turning point led me to dive deeper into the psychology of money — the same curiosity that sparked my journey in the first place. I began working through my own blocks, documenting the tools and insights on my Conscious Money YouTube channel. I realised how much of our financial behaviour is shaped by our habitual conditioning — rooted in early childhood, family dynamics, culture, religion, and the societal norms we rarely question.

Today, my approach is holistic. I focus on the external side of financial planning — investments, retirement, long-term goals — while also creating space to explore the internal side: beliefs, habits, fears, and values. When appropriate, I gently guide clients to reflect on what may be keeping them stuck. And when they're ready, we explore the deeper roots of their financial decisions — always with care and never with pressure.

I’ve seen how powerful it can be to transform your relationship with money from the inside out. Clients often welcome my suggestions for books, podcasts, and workshops. They appreciate that this isn’t just about spreadsheets — it’s about meaning, clarity, and emotional freedom.

Bringing my background in psychology into financial planning makes the work more rewarding for me — and for my clients too. I love seeing them gain new insights, shift old patterns, and experience more joy, peace, and contentment in their financial lives.

Qualifications and Credentials

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, St. Xavier’s College, Goa, India

  • Master’s degree in Business Administration, Leeds Metropolitan University, UK

Credentials

  • Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society (FPFS)

  • Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute

  • Member of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association

  • Registered on the FCA register (search for me by name)

Other passions

  • Yoga – I’m a big fan of Iyengar Yoga — though honestly, I enjoy most kinds. It’s one of the ways I slow down and take care of myself.

  • Cycling - You’ll often find me riding around London, especially along the river or one of the many scenic cycle paths. I ride a Brompton with an electric Swytch kit — it’s my favourite way to get around (and yes, I really don’t like driving).

  • Books – I’m a lifelong reader. These days, I’m especially drawn to books about psychology, money, and how the two intersect. I’m always on the lookout for new insights to share with clients.

  • Minimalism – I try to live lightly. That means reducing plastic use, composting food waste (thanks to the wormery in my garden), shopping local, and skipping car ownership. Living in London makes this easier — and aligns with my values.

  • Meditation - I meditate daily, and it’s one of the most important parts of my life. I often talk about it on my Conscious Money channel — it’s been a key part of both my personal growth and my work with clients. I usually take a 10 day silent retreat every year.

  • Food – I’m a huge foodie — I love cooking and rarely say no to a good cup of chai (especially with ginger).
    I used to have a London allotment but eventually had to give it up — growing your own food takes time, and I have huge respect for farmers because of it.
    These days, I bring the principles of permaculture into my home garden, where I still get my hands in the soil when I can.

  • Travel - I definitely have my bad habits, and I love to travel — though I’m trying to fly less when I can. I use my “love miles” to visit family and friends in India, which feels important to me.

    I’m not here to preach — most of the changes in my own life, especially around money and sustainability, have happened slowly and with a lot of trial and error. What matters to me is being thoughtful about consumption and it’s impact on our planetary boundaries.