Kew Tree Wealth

16/12/2025

"My child left the house as an 11-year-old and came back sounding like a 14+ year-old!”

That’s what one parent said after Sunday’s financial education session at Caffe Mamma in Richmond. (Thanks Jose and Staff!)

Vicky McKeown and I spent valuable time with local kids decoding the mystery of payslips — tax bands, pensions, student loans, and why the top line salary you’re quoted is rarely what actually lands in your bank account.

The breakthrough moment? Watching 11-year-olds confidently calculate income tax at different salary levels.

One of them then asked:
“So… what does the government actually do with all this tax!?”

Exactly the kind of question we want young people asking.

When money makes sense early, confidence grows — and good habits tend to stick for life.

This was our final Financial Education session of 2025 — but it’s very much not the end of the story.

In 2026, we’re planning to expand these workshops so more young people can access practical, real-world financial education. If you’re connected to schools, youth groups, or community spaces that care about building life skills early, we’d love to hear from you.

Watch this space!

Gary McKeown

21/10/2025

Does buying a home always make financial sense? Or is true wealth sometimes about something else entirely?

Back in 2004, I bought my first UK property — a 2-bedroom flat in New Cross, Southeast London — for £160,000. Like most first-time buyers, I was extremely nervous about such a big commitment. The fact that it had sold for just £82,000 three years earlier only added to my fears:

"Am I overpaying?"

A few years later, I sold it for £226,250 — a tidy gain on paper. But here's the truth: it never really felt like home.

Then came my last property purchase 11 years ago – our current Richmond family home. This was the complete opposite.

Financially, it's probably gone backwards once you factor in inflation, purchase costs, and the money we've poured into making it a home. But what it's given us in stability, comfort, and connection can't be measured on a balance sheet.

It's where our family has grown, celebrated milestones, and made memories — including my late dad's 80th birthday surrounded by loved ones.

So, when friends, family or clients ask me: "Should I buy or keep renting?"

My answer is always: it depends.

✅ Yes — run the numbers.
✅ Yes — understand the market.

But don't forget: your home, your peace of mind, your memories — those are part of your wealth too.

The truth is: ownership doesn't automatically equal peace of mind.

For some, a large mortgage can become a source of stress — tying up capital and limiting flexibility.

For others, owning a home brings deep satisfaction — a sense of stability, roots, and pride in building something lasting.

And for many today, the bigger challenge is simply getting onto the ladder at all — with rising prices, higher borrowing costs, and limited supply making ownership feel out of reach. Renting, for them, isn't a lack of ambition — it's a reflection of reality, and often a smart, flexible financial choice for the moment they're in.

So, whether you buy or rent, the real measure is this:
Does it give you the freedom and stability to thrive — in the way that matters most to you?

24/09/2025

🌱Financial Wellbeing 101 for Children🌱

Last Sunday we packed out Caffe Mamma in Richmond with local secondary pupils — and the energy was fantastic.

What the children told us:
⭐ 100% would recommend this session to a friend
🚀 100% left feeling more confident managing money
🎯 Favourite topics included Budgeting, Saving & Investing
🏫 Most said they receive little to no financial education at school

The Price is Right game created a real buzz — with plenty of laughter when kids realised how far off, they were on the price of everyday items like milk and eggs! It was a fun reminder that financial learning doesn’t have to be dry.

And the best part? They didn’t want to stop. Students were asking for more — How do ISAs work? Which bank gives the best savings rates? — showing just how curious and ready they are to take control of their money.

🙌 Huge thanks to the parents for entrusting us with this. The curiosity, smart questions, and appetite to learn from these young people was inspiring.

This is just the start. With such high interest, we’ve added an extra session: Sunday 19th October 4–5pm.

Our aim is to help build a community of financially confident kids in Richmond & the surrounding areas— because money confidence is a life skill every child deserves. 🌱

Special thanks to Jose of for partnering with us.

Gary McKeown Vicky McKeown

15/09/2025

4 myths about financial planning…

What people often think (and even my wife used to think...)

1️⃣ It’s only about pensions when you’re close to retirement
2️⃣ It’s too expensive
3️⃣ It’s only for the wealthy
4️⃣ I can easily do it myself

The reality:

1. It’s not just about pensions!
People often say, ‘I’m fine, we have a pension.’ But financial planning is much more than that. We sit down with families to look at the bigger picture — from saving for children’s education, to moving house, balancing career choices, or supporting parents later in life. A pension is just one piece of the puzzle.

2. It must be expensive!
Cost sometimes puts people off, but the numbers tell a different story. Research by the International Longevity Centre found that on average, those who took advice were £47,000 better off over 10 years.

3. Planning isn’t just for those who are loaded!
The same Research found that people who were “just getting by” ended up gaining the most from advice. — the proportional gains were higher for everyday families than for the wealthy.

4. I can easily do it myself!
Sounds good until real life kicks in. Even recently, a very high-profile figure made a £40,000 mistake on stamp duty because the rules are complex. If that can happen to someone in the public eye, it shows how easy it is to slip up without proper advice.

At Kew Tree Wealth, planning isn’t about selling you products. It’s about giving you clarity and confidence with your money — so you can focus on family, career, and the things that really matter.
Vicky McKeown Gary McKeown

08/09/2025

🌳 Financial planning is often misunderstood…

Many people think we only take care of savings, investments & pensions. Of course, we do — but that’s just the start.

At Kew Tree Wealth, we help our clients build strong, resilient financial lives by also supporting:

✨ Life & retirement planning
✨ Cashflow modelling
✨ Protection
✨ Estate & legacy planning
✨ Tax planning
✨ Behavioural coaching

It’s not just about numbers on a page. It’s about clarity, confidence, and creating a financial future that lasts.

Vicky McKeown Gary McKeown

02/09/2025

🌱 Back to school, back to money confidence.

Due to the success of Kew Tree Wealth’s previous Financial Education session – and significant interest from parents – we’re running another Financial Wellbeing 101 for Children:

📅 Sunday, 21 September
🕓 4–5 PM
📍 Caffe Mamma, 110 Kew Rd, Richmond TW9 2PQ

A fun, interactive workshop designed for secondary pupils to learn how to be the MD of their money.

✨ Free to attend – open to all secondary students in the community, but places are limited.

👉 Reserve your child’s place today (send Gary McKeown or Vicky a DM) and give them a head start in building lifelong financial confidence.

19/08/2025

Legacy Isn’t Built on Numbers — It’s Built on Presence.

Last week, Ciara met one of the most talked-about figures in tennis.

We were at the Mouratoglou Academy, where my daughter and I had the chance to meet Patrick Mouratoglou himself.

For those outside the tennis world, Patrick is one of the sport’s most recognisable coaches. He’s worked with icons like Serena Williams, Holger Rune, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Beyond coaching, he’s built a global brand — from academies to media to training programmes — all driven by passion, purpose, and performance.
But what stood out wasn’t the fame. It was the presence.

By the time Ciara stepped onto the court, Patrick had already signed hundreds of items and taken dozens of photos. Yet when her moment came, he was fully engaged — smiling, listening, making her feel like the most important person there.

That left a lasting impression. It reminded me how powerful it is when someone shows up with care and consistency, regardless of how many they’ve already served or how much success they’ve achieved.

Of course, some might see this as clever personal branding. But with a reported net worth north of $20 million, 600k+ YouTube subscribers, and the ability to charge $7,500 for a 90 minute private lesson, he doesn’t need to do this. I believe it’s because he genuinely loves what he does. And it shows.

That struck a chord with me. When I stepped away from the boardroom and into financial planning, I gave myself three boxes to tick:

✅ Do something I enjoy
✅ Do something I’m good at
✅ Do something that helps others

Different courts. Different clients. But the same fulfilment — when passion, purpose, and value align.

At Kew Tree Wealth, we hold to the same principle: show up with care, consistency, and a long-term view. Whether it’s helping a family build a lasting legacy or guiding a professional toward financial wellbeing, we’re fully present — no matter how many conversations came before.

Because financial planning is BEYOND numbers.

It’s about people.
It’s about legacy.
It’s about showing up.

Vicky McKeown Patrick Mouratoglou Kew Tree Wealth

11/08/2025

Ever feel like you're doing all the right things with your money — but still unsure where it’s leading?

Plenty of people are doing many of the right things with their money:

🔹 Contributing to their company pension
🔹 Paying down their mortgage
🔹 Saving into cash accounts or even ISA’s

But here’s the truth:

Without a plan that ties it all together, you might just be laying bricks — without ever building your house.

Because financial wellbeing isn’t about doing a few good things in isolation.

It’s about knowing whether they all work together to get you where you want to go.

At Kew Tree Wealth, we see your financial life like a house under construction:

🧱 Bricks = your investments (pensions, investments, savings)
🪟 Framework = your income and cashflow — the shape that holds it all together
🛡 Foundation = your long-term security (protection, insurance)
🏡 Roof = your legal shield (Wills, Power of Attorney, legacy planning)
📐 Blueprint = the long-term plan that brings it all together

But when I speak to individuals and families, I often hear:

“I don’t know how much I really spend each month.”
“I’ve no idea if I’m on track for retirement and as such when or if I can retire with confidence”
“I’ve never thought about what would happen to me or my family if I couldn’t work.”

These are not just financial questions — they’re life questions.

Because a strong financial plan isn’t just about chasing better investment returns or paying off your mortgage…

It is about building confidence in your numbers - and purpose in your plan.

Let's build something meaningful, not just profitable.

Because laying bricks is not the same as building a home.

Vicky McKeown

04/08/2025

3 Amazing Destinations. 3 Timeshare Promotions. 3 Priceless Lessons.

There is no such thing as free breakfast- especially when it comes with a 90-minute sales pitch and a staggering 26% interest rate. It may be served with a smile and a complimentary cocktail, but you’re always paying — in time, attention, or hidden costs.

Last week, our family was in Cancun, Mexico, where Vicky and I sat through our third timeshare presentation. The first two we attended were in Malta and Euro Disney. This was over 10 years ago, when the kids were younger and our finances tighter. We never thought there’d be a third... but the kids were tempted by a discounted dolphin experience at the resort. Unfortunately, it didn’t fit our travel budget, so we sat through the presentation to subsidize this activity.

Across all three presentations, we never had any intention of signing up. We were just there for the perks:

✔️ Discounted holidays
✔️ Resort credits or gifts
✔️ A light-hearted trade-off for some family savings

What did all 3 presentations have in common?

They start like a holiday postcard… but quickly become a financial trapdoor.

A friendly chat about dream holidays soon turns into a calculator-heavy, high-pressure session — orchestrated by multiple salespeople. The goal? Convince you to make a hefty on-the-spot down payment or sign up for an eye-watering finance plan.

On this occasion, the sales team ‘generously’ dropped the base price from $64,000 to $14,900 in a “once-in-a-lifetime” offer… When we still hesitated, they proposed a down payment of “only” $5,519, with the rest financed over 36 months at $379.69 fixed per month. They misleadingly quoted a 16% interest rate... but the real APR? A staggering 26%.

To be clear, timeshares might work for some.

The concept isn’t inherently bad, especially for those with excess savings (who don’t need financing) and who have both predictable & flexible travel plans. But committing to a 30+ year travel package on the spot? That’s a big decision and for us (and many others), it simply wasn’t the right fit.

💡 3 lessons we took away:

1. Emotions are powerful — but clarity is stronger.
- High-pressure decisions rarely lead to long-term satisfaction.

2. Your dreams should match your numbers.
- A holiday fantasy is great — but only if it fits your budget and lifestyle.

3. There’s always a cost — even when something feels “free.”
- Time, attention, and long-term commitments are all part of the price.

In the end, we got our $50 discount & a few extras for sitting through the pitch. But after a proper chat about cost vs. value, the kids chose jet skis over dolphins — at a lower price with more smiles & fewer strings attached.

Whether it’s a holiday deal or your long-term financial plan, knowing what you truly value helps you stay in control — of your money, your decisions, and your peace of mind.

28/07/2025

📢 Which MD persona are you? And who would you like to be?

Our first kids’ money workshop was such a hit that we’ve created something fun to keep the learning going... 🎉

👀 Swipe through our new Money MD carousel—designed to help children understand the difference between needs, wants, saving, investing, and giving.

Each persona has a story to tell:
🎯 Norman = Needs
🎮 William = Wants
🐷 Simon = Saves
📈 Ivy = Invests
🎁 Georgia = Gives

And guess what? This carousel was created by our very own, 13 year old Ciara.

Thanks again to Caffe Mamma and all the families who supported this amazing event. We love seeing young people get curious (and confident!) about managing money.

Send us a direct message if you want to learn more.

22/07/2025

We had an incredible time delivering our first Kew Tree Wealth financial education session to a brilliant group of young people this weekend!

Vicky and I were blown away by their enthusiasm, curiosity, and confidence when talking about money.
It's clear there's a real hunger for this kind of learning—and we’re excited to keep it going.

Big thanks to Café Mamma for hosting us!
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💡 Do you know the difference between Saving vs. Investing? 💡

📚 A fantastic group of 17 young people were keen to learn more about managing their money, so they joined us for our first-ever Kew Tree Wealth Financial Education Session! 🎉

Through engaging activities, we explored:

✅ Budgeting skills
🎯 The difference between Needs vs. Wants
💰 Crucially, how Saving vs. Investing shapes smart financial choices

The highlight of the session was introducing our special Money MD Personas:

🏠 Norman (Needs)
🎮 William (Wants)
🐷 Simon (Saves)
📈 Ivy (Invests)
🎁 Georgia (Gives)

It was incredible seeing how quickly the kids connected with the idea that they are the Managing Directors of their own money!

There's not enough financial education in schools—but young people are hungry to learn, and we're proud to help seed these essential skills early.

A huge thank you to Jose at Caffe Mamma for kindly allowing us to use their function room—the perfect setting for an inspiring afternoon! 🌟

22/07/2025

💡 Do you know the difference between Saving vs. Investing? 💡

📚 A fantastic group of 17 young people were keen to learn more about managing their money, so they joined us for our first-ever Kew Tree Wealth Financial Education Session! 🎉

Through engaging activities, we explored:

✅ Budgeting skills
🎯 The difference between Needs vs. Wants
💰 Crucially, how Saving vs. Investing shapes smart financial choices

The highlight of the session was introducing our special Money MD Personas:

🏠 Norman (Needs)
🎮 William (Wants)
🐷 Simon (Saves)
📈 Ivy (Invests)
🎁 Georgia (Gives)

It was incredible seeing how quickly the kids connected with the idea that they are the Managing Directors of their own money!

There's not enough financial education in schools—but young people are hungry to learn, and we're proud to help seed these essential skills early.

A huge thank you to Jose at Caffe Mamma for kindly allowing us to use their function room—the perfect setting for an inspiring afternoon! 🌟