Muhammad is a solicitor apprentice in his first year of a six-year apprenticeship. In this blog, he shares why building money confidence early matters, reflecting on insights from our Financial Foundations series and how small, practical steps can support long-term wellbeing and stability.

Published: 15 May 2026
Author: Muhammad Ibrahim, Solicitor Apprentice

Starting your career is often the first time your financial habits really begin to take shape. As you move into work, earn your first regular income and take on new responsibilities, the way you manage your money now can help you build strong habits for the future. Developing good financial health early on provides greater control, reduces stress, and places you in a stronger position to lead with confidence as your career develops. It creates a solid foundation for long-term financial stability.

That’s why this year Shoosmiths is partnering with Wealthbrite, founded by Carla Hoppe, to support our solicitor apprentices and trainee solicitors in developing financial confidence from the start of their careers. Carla began her own career in law and saw first-hand how a lack of financial literacy can create unnecessary stress for junior lawyers, even when they are earning well.

Our first session in the programme was opened by Kate McCall, Shoosmiths’ Firmwide Training Principal. Kate shared how valuable a programme like this would have been at the beginning of her own legal career — when many people are navigating financial decisions for the first time.

The first session, delivered in May 2026, encouraged participants to step back from the detail of day-to-day money decisions and focus on the bigger picture of financial wellbeing. One of the key messages was that our attitudes towards money are shaped early in life. These attitudes form part of who we are and influence how we manage money on a day-to-day basis, as well as how we plan for the future. As someone at the very start of my career, it was interesting to reflect on how many of my own assumptions about money were shaped long before I started working.

We begin developing views about money long before we ever receive a payslip, and those views can shape our confidence when making financial decisions, both at work and in our personal lives. By understanding these patterns earlier in our careers, it becomes easier to take control of our finances and make choices that genuinely matter to us, rather than acting out of habit or comparison.

The session also challenged the idea that financial health is about budgeting perfectly or getting everything “right” from the outset. Instead, the focus was on clarity over complexity. Progress often comes from small, consistent actions and clear personal goals that cut through noise and uncertainty. When you understand what matters to you, financial decisions feel less overwhelming and far more purposeful, creating a stable base to support both your career and wider life ambitions.

The Financial Foundations series will continue over the coming months, with upcoming sessions exploring how to make sense of payslips and income tax, how to build financial resilience by planning for uncertainty and managing financial pressure, and how to use your pension as a long-term tool for choice and flexibility. Together, these sessions build knowledge step by step, supporting confident financial decision-making at every stage of a career.

As I start to put these ideas into practice, one thing that stood out to me is the importance of keeping things simple. Budgeting, for example, can be a useful way to understand where your money is going, rather than purely focusing on cutting back. I realised that having a clear plan for spending helps you see where your money is going and gives you the confidence to spend on what matters to you now, while still planning for the future. It’s not about saying no to treats or the things you enjoy, but about planning for them.

It’s also important to remember that you don’t need to change everything at once. Small steps, such as reviewing where you spend your money, setting a goal or taking a closer look at your payslip, can be enough to get started. These early actions help build confidence, reduce uncertainty, and leave you feeling more in control of your finances as your career develops.

My top three tips for building financial confidence early in your career

Drawing on insights from Carla and the Wealthbrite programme, here are three tips that really stood out to me if you want to be more mindful about budgeting, spending and your financial health for the future:

1. Create a spending plan - not just a budget
Budgeting can sometimes feel restrictive, but it’s really about creating an intentional plan for your money. Understanding what comes in, what goes out, and what you want to prioritise helps you make informed decisions rather than wondering where your salary has gone each month.

2. Avoid “lifestyle creep” as your salary grows
When your income increases, it’s easy for your spending to increase with it. Taking time to think about your long-term goals - whether that’s saving, investing, or building financial security - can help ensure that pay rises strengthen your financial future rather than simply increasing day-to-day spending.

3. Build a financial safety net early
Unexpected costs happen to everyone. Having a small emergency fund can make a huge difference when they do. Even saving small amounts consistently can help build a financial buffer that reduces stress and gives you greater flexibility and confidence.

Looking ahead

I’m really looking forward to the rest of the sessions in this programme and continuing to build my own understanding of financial wellbeing as my career progresses.

Developing these skills early in our careers is an important step towards building long-term financial resilience - and making sure we’re setting ourselves up for success, both inside and outside the workplace.

Explore more of our recent blogs for insights and inspiration. If you have questions, our FAQ page is a great place to start.

Still curious or need advice? We would love to hear from you – email us at joinus@shoosmiths.com and our team will be happy to help.