Saving Tool UK

After sporadic work, a few iterations, a lot of ideas, a migration from create-react-app to Next.js and around 70 commits, I purchased the domain and released SavingTool.co.uk to the world!

This was a proud moment for me, as I managed to limit the scope, not over-build, and properly finish something. I was really happy with it on release day!

Lots of friends and colleagues provided positive feedback. A great day.

First commit, which contained some notes about what I had decided to build.

I had decided to have a tax calculator and outgoings form, then follow the fabled "flowchart" (see r/UKPersonalFinance) to provide arbitrary tips on wise ways to reduce debts and build wealth (with many, many disclaimers).

This tool was going to be for my own benefit, but I knew others out there would find value in it. I decided to take the approach of building something I enjoy, for me, that I am proud of. If I can find ways of making a bit of dough in the future, without spoiling the spirit of the tool, that's all a bonus.

Some key decisions

• No database: no logins, no tracking - keep it simple and useful
• Don't worry too much about any possible legal/regulation/advertising rules: there are many websites with similar themes, just make sure you aren't offering financial advice and use disclaimers to be absolutely clear with users that they should do their own research and make their own decisions when it comes to money.

Note: I later decided to exclude reducing debts from the initial version, to avoid further complexity.

26 files with 12.6 LoC