In our “How I Handle My Finances” series
Our objective is to understand how individuals in the UK manage their finances through spending, saving, and investment to cover expenses and reach their aspirations.
This week, our conversation is with Mark Wilkinson, aged 54, residing in Esher along with his spouse, Emma, 47, and their French Bulldog named Frankie. Having once been an internationally renowned DJ, Mark fell gravely ill during his thirties and faced bankruptcy. However, he later transformed himself through retraining and is currently a multimillionaire known for being an author, motivational speaker, mental attitude coach, and corporate advisor.
Monthly budget
My monthly income:
My earnings stem from multiple sources and fluctuate regularly. Each month, approximately £10,000 derives from my “12 Months to Remix your Life” coaching initiative. An additional £5,000 monthly comes from delivering keynotes and conducting corporate trainings. Around £4,000 per month is generated through affiliations and collaborative efforts. Furthermore, I receive roughly £2,500 every month from rental properties.I aim to ensure a steadily increasing monthly income over the next few years. It seems prudent from a financial standpoint to diversify my sources of revenue. My spouse, Emma, runs a thriving events business, making us an excellent duo. We feel content, fit, and prosperous.
My monthly outgoings:
For housing finance, you pay £2,200 as mortgage fees; for local government taxes, it’s £300 monthly; grocery expenses total up to £800 per month; energy costs including both gas and electricity amount to £300; your utility bill for water comes at £50 each month; internet services along with mobile phone charges sum up to £150; insurances of various types cost around £400 annually; leisure activities such as eating out and ordering food from outside come to about £100 every month; interests related to personal pursuits like going to the gym or spending time on self-improvement add another £400 to this list; clothing purchases and general shopping tally up to £300; vacations and trips abroad account for an expense of £1,000; entertainment through subscription-based platforms amounts to approximately £100; saving towards retirement contributes further by adding £400 more. Additionally, I consistently allocate funds into my Stocks and Shares ISA plan.
Discussing finances is crucial, as it enables us to effectively manage, expand, and appreciate our resources. Without open conversations about money, individuals may continue to silently grapple with financial challenges or limit their aspirations due to fear of societal judgment when pursuing greater prosperity.
I spent my childhood in southwest London within a family with limited means. Financial resources were scarce, which made me acutely conscious of monetary pressures at an early stage. Despite their efforts, my parents could only stretch what little they earned to cover necessities. This experience likely sparked my interest in gaining a deeper understanding of finances as I matured.
During my teenage years, I spent time working in record stores where I developed an interest in music. This passion led me to become a renowned global DJ, earning around £3,000 per night during my twenties. However, I made numerous financial blunders throughout my twenties and thirties since nobody had actually instructed me about handling finances—my approach was simply “make more, spend more.”
I used to be an avid over spender, always splurging on luxury items like branded attire, sports vehicles, and upscale accommodations. Though I was extravagant, I lacked any real fiscal sense.
At age 33, I reached my lowest point when my body gave out entirely. What once involved performing at sold-out venues globally turned into excruciating collapses. The diagnosis came: ankylosing spondylitis—a condition marked by ongoing inflammation of the spine leading to persistent discomfort and rigidity.
I experienced unrelenting and disabling pain. Walking and sleeping became extremely difficult. This led me into a depressive state and I also lost my source of income.
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It all began to fall apart. I couldn’t find work, and my performances dwindled. Living paycheck to paycheck with zero savings, coupled with a lack of financial knowledge and plenty of pride, left me vulnerable. Soon, the money I owed, accumulated through years of extravagant spending, started catching up as I had no incoming earnings to cover them.
At the age of 39, I filed for bankruptcy, which was utterly crushing. Financially, I ended up losing everything—my home, my standing in society, even my sense of self-worth.
Nonetheless, my descent into adversity marked a pivotal moment in my journey. Following my illness and financial ruin at the age of 40, I delved into coaching and self-improvement. Over time, I devoured more than 200 books on personal growth and earned certifications in coaching, leadership, behavioral safety, and emotional intelligence.
I became more serious about managing my money and began tracking everything meticulously while also setting up several revenue sources. I released a book titled
Life Remix: Exploring Deeper Than the Dance to Confront the Melody
In 2021, they initiated a venture encompassing coaching, mentorship, corporate training, and success coaching services.
This year, I’ve published yet another book.
Wealth Redefined: The 14 Steps to Cultivating an Abundant Mentality
, alongside co-author Paul Grant.
My earnings now surpass those from my days as a DJ, and my current income is steady, significant, and centered around helping others. This transformation didn’t occur quickly. It dawned on me that prosperity isn’t solely tied to one’s salary; rather, it hinges on one’s perspective, financial stewardship, and sense of purpose.
We reside in a spacious three-bedroom half-detached home.
in Surrey that was priced at £765,000 when we bought it six years ago.
I possess a modest yet expanding real estate collection. My holdings include ten properties; two are located in southwest London, with the remainder situated in southern Wales. One serves as my primary residence, while the others function as rental investments generating additional income for me.
The income from the rented properties amounts to roughly £2,500 each month.
This amounts to approximately £30,000 annually before deducting expenses. For me, it’s not about owning numerous properties; rather, it’s about maintaining intelligent, easily managed assets that ensure long-term stability and independence. Additionally, I enjoy offering comfortable living spaces for deserving individuals who seek shelter.
I aim to broaden my real estate holdings in a strategic manner, prioritizing sustainability and equilibrium rather than merely accumulating more properties constantly.
When it involves saving
And when it comes to investments, I maintain diversification. I consistently contribute to a stocks and shares ISA and invest an additional £400 each month into a personal pension, although I intend to withdraw from the latter shortly. Retirement in the traditional sense doesn’t appeal to me, and relying solely on the state pension wouldn’t suffice for my lifestyle anyway.
I’m driven more by providing services and adding value rather than being focused on monetary rewards. Ideally, my next target salary is £50,000 per month, and once I achieve this objective, I plan to set the bar even higher by doubling it.
Can I be considered a millionaire? If we look at my net worth, then indeed the answer would be affirmative. However, what truly matters to me is feeling affluent through my outlook, connections, and sense of direction. To me, genuine economic liberty signifies having the capability to lead life as per one’s own choosing and assisting others in achieving this too.
I aim to reliably make more than £1 million annually. Achieving this would provide me with complete independence, significant influence, and the opportunity to contribute substantially on a larger scale.
For me, success means starting every day with enthusiasm, happiness, good health, and engaging in work I adore. If I can continue this journey while also assisting others to achieve the same state, then I consider myself truly content.
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