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2024 Finance Favorites

 

Dear Gentle Reader,

This was supposed to be my first video for 2025, but with work becoming a little hectic, I decided to share my thoughts in the form of a letter instead. I’m super excited to share with you my 2024 Finance favourites—a curated list of inspiring YouTubers, insightful podcasts, must-read books, and innovative finance apps that shaped my financial journey last year. Let’s dive in!

Favourite YouTubers

  1. Zoe Pritchard — Her monthly reset videos and intentional approach to managing finances are incredibly inspiring. Her candid discussions about the emotional side of money motivated me to plan a Christmas fund for next year—no more last-minute budget stress! And cash-stuffing videos? I find then relaxing and oddly satisfying.

  2. Zviko from KaBlazKeFinance — His short, sharp insights on investing in Zimbabwean stocks are invaluable.

  3. Demi Zhuang, Cara Nicole, and Nischa — These creators also deserve a shout-out for their amazing financial content.

Favourite Podcasts

  1. Money for Couples Podcast by Ramit Sethi — Honest, no-fluff conversations about creating a shared financial vision and guilt-free spending make this a must-listen. This podcast literally carried me in 2024.

  2. Friday Drink by Zfn Capital — Hosted by Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro, this podcast provides in-depth analysis of Zimbabwe’s financial landscape with a relaxed vibe. If you’re in the diaspora it might be a good way to keep in touch with whats happening back home in Zimbabwe. If you are a retail investor, their Market Views segment is insightful.

Favourite Blogs

  1. The Financial Diet — A standout for its blend of personal finance, culture, and society.

  2. IH Group’s Research Corner — An invaluable resource for investing in Zimbabwe.

  3. Letters in Finance — Yes, I launched my own blog in November! It’s been an exciting project, and of course, it’s already my favourite.

Books Lined Up for 2025

  • The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel: A must-read for understanding the emotional and behavioural aspects of money.

  • The Crypto Book: To deepen my understanding of digital assets.

  • Elon Musk: Insights into navigating challenges and building on a global scale.

  • The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham: Applying timeless investment lessons to markets in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and beyond.

Binge-Worthy Shows and Documentaries

  1. Get Smart with Money: Financial advisers share straightforward strategies to help people spend less, save more, and achieve their goals. Perfect for those looking to take charge of their finances.
  2. How to Get Rich: Ramit Sethi helps people across the U.S. redefine their relationship with money and achieve their richest lives. It’s practical, empowering, and a great mindset shifter.
  3. Money Explained: A deep dive into the world of money, covering everything from credit cards and scams to student loans and gambling. Super informative and eye-opening.
  4. Madoff: The Monster on Wall Street: A gripping account of Bernie Madoff's rise and the shocking Ponzi scheme that rocked Wall Street.
  5. The Minimalists: A thought-provoking look at how less can truly mean more—financially and emotionally.
  6. King of Stonks: A satirical yet thrilling story of a finance mastermind’s desperate climb to startup stardom through lies and schemes.
  7. Dumb Money: The fascinating GameStop saga that shows how retail investors turned the tables on Wall Street.

Lessons and Strategies

One of my favourite investment strategies this year has been cutting costs wherever possible. At the start of 2024, I made a significant change by reducing my rent expenses. I’m sharing this because rent is often a major area where people struggle with financial management. In fact, I’ve discussed this on my blog—highlighting the importance of reevaluating your current rental situation, exploring alternative options, and finding a more affordable solution if possible.


Another key strategy for me was optimising grocery expenses. Buying fruits and vegetables directly from the market, where resellers source their products, has been a game-changer. Not only does it save money, but it also ensures fresher produce.


Looking ahead to 2025, my focus is on planning smarter by covering certain expenses—like groceries and investments—on a yearly basis. I believe this approach will streamline my finances further and provide a clearer picture of my spending and saving patterns.

Favourite Finance Courses

  • Deriv Academy and FTMO Academy: Free and packed with practical trading lessons, especially on synthetic indices and gold trading strategies. I recently did a video on my YouTube channel sharing my review on FTMO, check it out on this link. 

Favourite Finance Apps

  • Trading:

    • Deriv: My go-to for trading synthetics, especially as a volatility 100 trader. It’s perfect for anyone looking to dive into synthetic indices.

    • Octa: Although I haven’t used it practically, I find its educational resources excellent for beginners exploring the trading world.

    • FTMO: A fantastic platform for traders looking to overcome the hurdle of capital limitations. Their academy, demo accounts, and challenges are great for sharpening skills. The account metrics section is particularly useful, and trading under their structured rules helped me manage my emotions better.

  • Investing:

    • Webull: I started paper trading here this year—it’s been a great way to experiment and learn.

    • Binance: Reliable for maintaining a USDT wallet and serves as an efficient alternative for transferring funds from Deriv to my personal bank account.

    • EasyEquities: My go-to platform for investing in South African stocks—simple and effective.

    • Luno: Ideal for investing in Bitcoin and other digital assets. While it’s not for trading, Binance complements this if you’re into that space.

  • Banking:

    • Wise: A lifesaver for receiving funds from the diaspora and sending money internationally with minimal costs.

  • Social:

    • Involio: This app is such a gem! It’s social in the sense that it centres on trending stocks, crypto, forex, and more. You can create a portfolio, make entries, and evaluate your strategies. It’s fun, interactive, and a unique way to stay informed.

That’s it for my 2024 Finance favourites! Let me know in the comments which resources resonated with you or if you have recommendations for me to explore in 2025. Here’s to an even more intentional financial journey ahead!

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