How one smart saver turns impressive rates into global adventures
Flagstone client, Amanda, shares how she manages her money after setting up multiple businesses – and how the interest she earns from high-interest savings accounts helps fund her travels.
This article is not advice. If you would like to receive advice on your savings and investments, consider speaking to a Financial Adviser.
In conversation with Amanda Edwards
It’s difficult to capture Amanda’s varied life in the confines of a sentence. She started her career in finance. Pivoted to broadcast media. Became an HR director. Launched her own consultancy. Launched her own travel company. And then (after another stint in HR), qualified as a personal trainer.
It’s an impressively diverse history, where change was always around the corner. But throughout it all, Amanda maintained one constant habit: saving.
Amanda has saved all her life. But more than that, she’s always actively looked to make the most of her cash. Switching accounts regularly, monitoring rates tables, and remaining open to any opportunity to maximise her interest. It’s this instinct that brought her to Flagstone.
We spoke to Amanda about her goals and challenges, her experience with the platform, and how Flagstone helps support her latest adventurous chapter.
In your own words, can you give us a sense of your background?
Well, I’ve worked since I was 16 – firstly bouncing about doing admin jobs, before landing in HR at NatWest. I worked my way up until, in 2000, a friend asked if I could ‘temporarily’ cover HR at a broadcast radio company. I said yes, and, after staying there for ten years, I eventually worked my way up to become HR Director.
After those ten years, I decided to quit and travel for a bit. When I came back, I set up my HR consultancy, then my own travel company, before returning to HR while I qualified to become a personal trainer.
Throughout it all, I’d always saved, and – having earnt quite good money – I’d ended up saving quite a lot. Now my personal training pays for my day-to-day, along with a final salary pension from my time in finance. If I want a big, expensive holiday, that comes out of my savings.
So you’ve been successful throughout an eclectic career. What brought you to Flagstone?
I’ve had a financial adviser for a while and see him once a year for a review. When we met last year, we talked about my savings – I had money in premium bonds.
He advised that I move my money into a high-interest account instead. And that's when he recommended Flagstone.
It was all about interest rates – getting money back on what I’ve got. Interest rates have got better, and I wanted to take advantage of that.
I used to think, ‘I’ve got to have that sitting there in case I need it’. But then you think about it: am I really going to need that much money to hand? If I leave it in a current account, what’s the interest rate going to be? One point something?
The older I get, I don’t want to be working a lot. So I need my money to work for me. With Flagstone, I can just click ‘Best Rates’, and easily find the types of accounts I want. And then the interest pays for my holidays.
And what have been your impressions of the platform so far?
Firstly, I found the sign-up process really easy. It was easy to get into, easy to set up the account, and easy to transfer my money in.
And then, it’s so easy when my Fixed Term accounts come to maturity. The money just appears in my holding account, I get an email to say it’s there, and then I can just go back in and put my money back wherever I want. And I can also withdraw some of my funds if I want to take anything out for whatever reason – like my next holiday.
It’s always important to have control over your money. It’s your money. I’ve always been sensible, but any opportunity to earn more is always good.
Flagstone has really good interest rates, different accounts, different Fixed Terms. I can’t see any downside.
Speaking of different accounts, how have you found the range of accounts on the platform?
Really good. Really good. Because you’ve got everything on there, haven’t you? Instant Access, Fixed Term for however many years you want. You can do it all. It means I can plan for different timelines.
Perfect. And how do you tend to use the platform?
I tend to log in probably once a month, just to see how my money is doing. Most of my accounts are Fixed Term, as I don’t like that interest rates on Instant Access accounts can go down. Then you’re left scrabbling about. So I tend to stick to fixed.
In a few words, how would you characterise the platform’s appeal?
It’s easy to use, easy to search for whatever type of accounts you want, and it’s easy to put the money in, get the money out. It’s just an easy platform. I would genuinely recommend it to anyone.
And lastly, what’s next for you?
A trip to Zanzibar – paid for with my interest.
Turn your savings into something extraordinary
Amanda didn’t build her savings fund by settling for average. She moved, switched, compared – and made her money count.
Too many savers still leave their cash sitting idle in low-interest accounts, missing out on the potential it holds. The difference between 1% and 5% interest isn't just a few extra pounds – it’s the flight, the freedom, the future.
With Flagstone, you can spread your cash between hundreds of accounts from more than 60 banks – all in one platform, with one login. No need to chase rates across multiple sites.
Use our cash deposit calculator to see how much interest you could be earning.
