Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

Easy mode or hard mode? How the difficulty setting can impact your life. Also, courier companies that suck.

davidscothern.com/2025/12/21/p...

#financialindependence
#retireearly
#EasyMode

Part 321: Living Life on Easy Mode - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

Life isn’t a level playing field. Easy mode vs hard mode, privilege, autism, wealth inequality — plus an unhinged rant about Evri and couriers.

davidscothern.com

December 21, 2025 at 5:20 PM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

AI ethics, careers, and money aren’t separate issues. They’re all about who has power, who bears the cost, and what we decide “doesn’t matter” when systems optimise for convenience.

davidscothern.com/2025/12/14/p...

#AIEthics #FinancialIndependence #Careers #Work #Ethics

Part 320: Don't Worry, It Doesn't Count - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

We don’t need AI to be conscious to face an ethical problem. We just need to notice what we’re willing to do once we decide it doesn’t count.

davidscothern.com

December 14, 2025 at 5:39 PM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

This week, I look at how to maximise rewards when purchasing Lego. Also, a deep dive into a British staple; biscuits, and some awesome Indian food.

davidscothern.com/2025/12/07/p...

#financialindependence
#lego
#biscuits
#investing

Part 319: The Churn - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

Hello and welcome back to Mortgage Advisor on FIRE. Weekly Update Last Sunday, my grandma had a stroke. It’s not the first one she’s had, but it seems to have knocked her sideways. Strokes are awf...

davidscothern.com

December 7, 2025 at 3:58 PM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

FI, Time, and Stars.

davidscothern.com/2025/11/30/p...

#financialindependence
#retireearly
#Norway
#Investing
#StarTrek
#LEGO

Part 318: FI, Time, and Stars - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

A reflection on time, the Big Bang, and personal growth—how one moment in Norway sparked my FIRE journey and shaped my path to financial independence.

davidscothern.com

November 30, 2025 at 11:18 AM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

Down valuations, FSCS increase, and gym goblins.

davidscothern.com/2025/11/23/p...

#financialindependence
#retireearly
#gym

Part 317: Gym Goblins, Tram Tracks, and Down-Valuations: A Week in the Life - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

A weekly update covering cycling mishaps, gym etiquette chaos, and the growing issue of mortgage down-valuation in the UK. Includes expert insight on why lenders aren’t undervaluing property for the s...

davidscothern.com

November 23, 2025 at 11:44 AM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

This week, I look back on six years of Mortgage Advisor on FIRE. Also, a look at mortgages from around the world, and a deeper dive into Roko's Basilisk.

davidscothern.com/2025/11/16/p...

#investing
#financialindependence
#retireearly
#mortgages

Part 316: Six Years On - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

Six years into my FIRE journey, I reflect on leaving property behind, choosing a calmer investing strategy, navigating a career change, and what my updated wealth figures reveal about sustainable Fina...

davidscothern.com

November 16, 2025 at 9:53 AM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

This week, I discuss investing in Lego, the recent Fantastic Four movie, and there are the usual financial updates.

davidscothern.com/2025/11/09/p...

#retireearly
#financialindependence
#Lego
#investing

Part 315: Make It So - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

Weekly update covering investing in Lego for profit, Avios hacks, Bonfire Night, biking, bad movies, and the ongoing journey to financial independence.

davidscothern.com

November 10, 2025 at 10:53 AM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

Some thoughts on recent issues with conveyancing and EWS1. Also, a look at the concept of The Tenth Man.

davidscothern.com/2025/11/02/p...

#retireearly
#financialindependence
#conveyancing
#mortgages

Part 314: The Tenth Man - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

Hello and welcome back to Mortgage Advisor on FIRE. This week I look at mortgages, conveyancing, and the issues around EWS1. Also, The Tenth Man. Weekly Update Of all the weeks I’ve had, that was cer...

davidscothern.com

November 2, 2025 at 11:48 AM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

Thoughts on workplace culture, some big news at Hillsborough, and the usual financial updates.

davidscothern.com/2025/10/26/p...

#financialindependence
#retireearly
#investing
#swfc
#Chansiri

Part 313: Workplace Culture - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

Discover why honesty and transparency in workplace culture are vital for trust, wellbeing, and performance — and how employers and employees share a duty of care.

davidscothern.com

October 26, 2025 at 5:25 PM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

This week I share some thoughts on the power of having FU Money, and being able to walk away.

davidscothern.com/2025/10/19/t...

#financialindependence
#investing
#money
#wealth
#workculture

Part 312: The Power to Walk Away - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

A reflective look at how building savings and investments creates the freedom to walk away from jobs that don’t align with your values — and how financial independence isn’t just about early retiremen...

davidscothern.com

October 19, 2025 at 3:04 PM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

How data is badly handled, and thoughts on whether the average person can become wealthy through saving.

davidscothern.com/2025/10/11/p...

#FUMoney
#financialindependence
#financialfreedom
#retireearly

Part 311: Savings and Data - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

Exploring how reversion to the mean shapes sales, careers, and life — and why understanding statistics can change how we see success and failure.

davidscothern.com

October 12, 2025 at 12:04 PM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

Bonus post following my resignation from my employer.

davidscothern.com/2025/10/09/n...

#financialfreedom
#financialindependence
#FUMoney

New Chapters, Old Habits, and an Onion Bhaji - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

After stepping away from my role in financial services, I’m focusing on health, writing, and rediscovering balance. Here’s how a few lost kilos and a clear head are helping me prepare for what’s next.

davidscothern.com

October 9, 2025 at 12:07 PM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

Huge career update, and thoughts on work culture.

davidscothern.com/2025/10/05/w...

#financialindependence
#retireearly
#investing
#financialfreedom

Part 310: There was a button. I pushed it. - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

Hello and welcome back to Mortgage Advisor on FIRE. Big career news this week. Let’s just get into it. Weekly Update It’s felt like a bit of a struggle getting through this week, like trying to swim t...

davidscothern.com

October 5, 2025 at 10:17 AM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

This week, I go into a deep dive on spotting scams and false information, both in financial terms and in everyday life. Also, a fantastic experience with a mobile vet for our Poppy.

davidscothern.com/2025/09/28/h...

#financialindependence
#retireearly
#investing
#cats
#financialscams

Part 309: Financial Scams, More Trump Stupidity, and a Diabetes Scare - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

Learn how to avoid financial scams with practical tips and real-life examples. Protect your money from phone, email, and online fraud while keeping your financial independence on track.

davidscothern.com

September 28, 2025 at 1:31 PM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

When I need a boost to my ‘tism so I pop some more paracetamol.

#actuallyautistic
#trumpisamoron
#autistic
#MCRN
#TheExpanse

September 24, 2025 at 1:13 PM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

This week I discuss mortgage repayment types, and the concept of personal contracts.

davidscothern.com/2025/09/21/p...

#financialindependence
#mortgages
#retireearly

Part 308: Mortgages and Personal Contracts - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

Hello and welcome back to Mortgage Advisor on FIRE. This week, I discuss interest-only mortgages, personal contracts, and more… Weekly Update I had the first few days of the week off work as part of ...

davidscothern.com

September 21, 2025 at 8:22 PM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

Latest post looks at the decline of cinema, the usual financial updates, and my birthday.

davidscothern.com/2025/09/14/p...

#financialindependence
#cinema
#investing
#FI
#retireearly

Part 307: Birthdays and Cinema - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

Hello and welcome back to Mortgage Advisor on FIRE. This week I look at the cinema industry, and share some stories from my birthdays. Weekly Update This week saw me complete another trip around the ...

davidscothern.com

September 14, 2025 at 3:34 PM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

The death of expertise and the return of awful customer service:

davidscothern.com/2025/09/07/p...

#financialindependence
#expertise
#experts
#customerservice

Part 306: The Death of Expertise - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

Hello and welcome back to Mortgage Advisor on FIRE. This week, I share my frustrating experience trying to sort out my Halifax mortgage. I also discuss the Death of Expertise, and some more examples...

davidscothern.com

September 7, 2025 at 10:02 PM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

Our FI Bucket Lists, and things guaranteed to wind me up.

davidscothern.com/2025/08/31/p...

#financialindependence
#retireearly
#FIRE

Part 305: The FI Bucket List - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

Hello and welcome back to Mortgage Advisor on FIRE. This week, I discuss our FI Bucket Lists. Also, things guaranteed to wind me up, and some crazy gains over the last few weeks. Weekly Update Last w...

davidscothern.com

August 31, 2025 at 2:38 PM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

Another journalist gets FI wrong, The Peter Principle, and an old friend comes to visit.

davidscothern.com/2025/08/24/p...

#financialindependence
#retireearly

Part 304: Another Journalist Gets FI Wrong - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

Hello and welcome back to Mortgage Advisor on FIRE. This week I look at a recent(ish) piece in The Guardian criticising FI. Also, a great weekend with an old friend, and some thoughts on The Peter Pr...

davidscothern.com

August 25, 2025 at 4:22 PM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

Thoughts on debt and how not to use it. Also, jumping the shark, growing the beard, and nuking the fridge. Finally, the last word on sauces.

davidscothern.com/2025/08/17/p...

#financialindependence
#JumpingTheShark
#retireearly

Part 303: Sharks, Beards, Nukes, and Sauce - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

Hello and welcome back to Mortgage Advisor on FIRE. This week, I discuss everything in the title, and the true cost of a holiday when you use debt to pay for it. Weekly Update I’ve been exhausted all...

davidscothern.com

August 17, 2025 at 11:07 AM

advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

@advisor-on-fire.bsky.social

This week I discuss the ISA bridge, and go back to basics with some FI concepts. Also, thoughts on YouTube’s algorithms, and all the usual financial updates.

davidscothern.com/2025/08/10/p...

#financialindependence
#retireearly
#investing

Part 302: Back to Basics - Mortgage Advisor on FIRE.

Hello and welcome back to Mortgage Advisor on FIRE. This week, I take a step back and discuss the basics of FIRE. Also, thoughts on the ISA bridge concept, and a trip down the YouTube algorithm. Week...

davidscothern.com

August 10, 2025 at 12:59 PM