Clare Seal: A Journey from Debt to Financial Wellbeing Advocate
In the world of personal finance, few stories are as authentic and relatable as that of Clare Seal. Best known for her candid reflections on money management, debt, and the pressures of modern living, she has built an influential platform centred on honesty and empowerment. Her transformation from an overwhelmed young woman facing over £27,000 of debt to a celebrated author, financial coach, and speaker has inspired tens of thousands of people across the UK and beyond.
Through her books, speaking engagements, coaching practice, and community-building work, Clare has positioned herself as one of the most accessible and compassionate voices in the financial wellbeing space. This article explores her life, her work, and the impact she continues to make.
The Early Life and Education of Clare Seal
Clare Seal studied Modern Languages and European Studies at the University of Bath between 2009 and 2013. Her background in languages and cultural studies shaped her early career path, but it was not until later that she would discover her true vocation in the world of personal finance.
During her twenties, like many millennials, Clare faced the realities of everyday financial challenges: the high cost of living, reliance on credit, and the pressure to “keep up” socially and professionally. These pressures gradually escalated, eventually leading her into significant personal debt.
The Breaking Point in 2019
By spring 2019, Clare Seal was carrying more than £27,000 in debt, spread across seven credit cards and an overdraft. With no savings and no financial safety net, she reached a moment of reckoning. Many might have hidden such struggles, but Clare made a bold and unusual choice: she created an anonymous Instagram account under the name @myfrugalyear.
Through this platform, she began documenting her journey to pay off debt, regain financial stability, and rebuild her confidence. The honesty of her posts struck a chord with thousands of people who were quietly experiencing similar difficulties.
Building an Online Community
Growth of My Frugal Year
What began as a small accountability tool quickly became a large online movement. Over time, Clare Seal built a community of over 120,000 followers who connected with her openness, humour, and practical insights. Her content covered:
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The reality of budgeting on a modest income
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Dealing with debt shame and financial anxiety
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The emotional side of money management
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Making financial goals achievable for ordinary families
Expansion Beyond Instagram
Her success on Instagram paved the way for broader opportunities. Clare began contributing articles to major UK publications, including The Guardian, the i Paper, Grazia, and Stylist, bringing her perspective on financial wellbeing to a wider audience. She also took part in media campaigns, becoming a trusted voice for organisations such as Experian, eBay, and Motorway.
Clare Seal as an Author
Real Life Money (2020)
Clare’s first book, Real Life Money, was published in 2020. It combined memoir with practical advice, offering readers both the emotional and the practical sides of tackling money struggles. The book resonated deeply with people who had long felt that mainstream financial guides were impersonal or unrelatable.
The Real Life Money Journal (2020)
Alongside her debut, Clare also produced The Real Life Money Journal, designed as a companion piece. This interactive guide gave readers the chance to actively work through their own financial habits, goals, and anxieties in a structured way.
Five Steps to Financial Wellbeing (2022)
In 2022, Clare Seal released Five Steps to Financial Wellbeing, a more structured framework to help readers rethink their approach to money. This book set out a clear process for building financial resilience while recognising the psychological and cultural aspects of money.
Clare Seal’s Work as a Financial Coach
In 2022, Clare became a certified financial coach. Her coaching practice includes one-to-one sessions, group workshops, and corporate clinics. Notably, she has run monthly financial wellbeing clinics for Havas Media for more than two years, receiving excellent feedback.
Her coaching style is distinguished by its humanity. Rather than focusing only on numbers, spreadsheets, and investments, Clare addresses the emotional and behavioural side of money. She highlights issues such as shopping addiction, financial anxiety, and the challenges of balancing parenthood with economic pressures.
A Realistic Approach to Money in Motherhood
Tackling Money and Parenting
Clare Seal often speaks about the intersection of finance and motherhood. She has openly shared her experience of raising a child while working to become debt-free and later saving for a house deposit. Her transparency makes her an approachable guide for other parents trying to manage the competing demands of family life and financial stability.
Brand Collaborations with Purpose
Clare’s collaborations are not limited to financial brands. She has worked with lifestyle and family brands such as Hipp Organic, Boots, Clarins, and Asda, bringing financial wellbeing into everyday conversations about family, health, and lifestyle.
Clare Seal in the Media and Public Eye
Journalism and Commentary
As a regular contributor to respected publications, Clare has been commissioned to write on a range of financial topics. Her ability to translate complex issues into relatable content has made her a go-to expert for journalists and editors.
Speaking and Workshops
Clare is also a sought-after speaker, delivering keynote talks and workshops in workplaces and at events. She creates spaces for conversations about money that might otherwise remain taboo, breaking down barriers to honest discussion.
The Financial Wellbeing Forum
Beyond her personal brand, Clare Seal founded The Financial Wellbeing Forum, a space designed to promote emotionally intelligent and inclusive financial education. The forum addresses systemic issues such as the gender pension gap and the impact of ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions on financial behaviour.
Recognition and Influence
Clare’s work has not gone unnoticed. By 2025, she was listed in the Sunday Times Alternative Rich List, a recognition not of financial wealth but of influence, community impact, and contribution to the national conversation about money.
She has also successfully launched the podcast Help Me, I’m Poor, which she co-hosts, blending education with entertainment to engage a broad audience in financial conversations.
Clare Seal and ADHD Awareness
In 2022, Clare was diagnosed with ADHD, a revelation that added another dimension to her work. She has since spoken about the concept of the “ADHD Tax” — the hidden costs and financial pitfalls often faced by neurodivergent individuals. By sharing her own experience, she has helped to destigmatise these challenges and provide practical strategies for those in similar situations.
Clare Seal’s Impact on Financial Wellbeing
Champion of Honest Money Conversations
Clare’s greatest contribution has been to normalise honest and compassionate conversations about money. By rejecting shame and encouraging transparency, she has built a platform where people feel supported rather than judged.
Empowering Everyday People
Her books, workshops, and social media presence empower ordinary people to take small, achievable steps towards financial health. She shows that financial wellbeing is not about perfection or wealth, but about security, self-awareness, and resilience.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Through her writing and speaking, Clare Seal is inspiring a new generation to rethink what it means to be “good with money”. Her focus on emotional wellbeing, motherhood, and inclusivity ensures that her message resonates across diverse communities.
Conclusion
Clare Seal’s story is one of courage, transformation, and unwavering commitment to helping others. From her breaking point in 2019, when debt seemed insurmountable, she has built a thriving career as a writer, coach, and advocate for financial wellbeing. Her journey from anonymous Instagram posts to bestselling books, respected media appearances, and influential brand partnerships demonstrates the power of vulnerability, honesty, and perseverance.
Today, Clare Seal stands as a trusted and relatable figure in the world of personal finance, combining professional expertise with lived experience. Her legacy lies not only in her books and coaching but in the community of thousands who now believe that a healthier relationship with money is both possible and within reach.
