Writing on portfolio tracking, done honestly

A Portfolio Tracker Without a Bank Login: Why CSV Beats Open Banking

Why UK investment platforms rarely support native Open Banking APIs, how third-party screen scrapers introduce fragility, and the technical mechanics of zero-credential CSV ledger processing.

The ISA Bridge & UK Early Retirement Drawdown Guide

For UK FIRE investors, early retirement is split across two phases: the pre-pension ISA bridge and the lifetime pension pot. Here is the mathematical framework for calculating bridge capital to age 57.

Why Portfolio Spreadsheets Break (And How to Fix the Math)

Almost every UK DIY investor starts with Excel or Google Sheets. But as portfolios mature across multiple accounts, subtle mathematical flaws compound into critical reporting errors.

The 'Do Nothing' Benchmark: Measuring True Portfolio Alpha

During bull markets, almost every investor makes money. The 'Do Nothing Test' mathematically proves whether active decisions beat a simple passive global index.

TWR vs XIRR: Which Return Metric Actually Reflects Your Wealth?

Institutional fund managers use TWR to isolate asset selection from client deposits. For DIY investors who control cash-flow timing, XIRR often tells a more complete story of compounding wealth.

End-of-Year 2025 UK Portfolio Review: Strategies for Higher CGT and Lower Allowances

With higher 24% CGT rates and the annual exemption frozen at £3,000, unmanaged taxable accounts create substantial tax drag. Here is a technical playbook to audit returns and restructure assets before 5 April.