STYLISA FoundHers September: Abigail Foster on Financial Freedom, Demystifying Money, and Why It’s Never Too Late to Learn

Shining a light on women who are breaking barriers and building with intention is what STYLISA FoundHers is all about, and Abigail Foster is doing exactly that. A qualified chartered accountant turned financial educator, Abigail is the founder of Elent, a business dedicated to demystifying money and helping people gain the financial confidence they were never taught at school. She’s also the author of The Money Manual, a refreshingly practical guide to personal finance. In this interview, I talk to Abigail about her journey from corporate life to purpose-led entrepreneurship, the misconceptions that hold so many back when it comes to money, and the real-life steps anyone can take to build a healthier relationship with their finances.

Abigail on the set of This Morning, where she discussed the importance of financial literacy.

Let’s start at the beginning. What inspired you to transition from a career as a chartered accountant to founding Elent, and how did your personal experiences shape this journey?

I always knew I wanted to help people manage their money better. While working as an accountant, I realised how many people, especially young people, were missing out on financial education. I wanted to change that and make finance accessible to everyone, not just those with a finance background. The transition wasn’t easy, but I was driven by the need to make financial literacy more accessible and empower people to take control of their financial futures.

Elent aims to provide the financial education many of us missed at school. What gaps did you identify in traditional financial education, and how does Elent address them?

Traditional financial education often focuses too much on theory and doesn’t cover the practical, real-world skills people need. There’s a huge gap when it comes to topics like managing debt, investing, and understanding your own payslip effectively. Elent aims to close these gaps by offering straightforward, engaging workshops that teach people how to manage their finances in a way that makes sense for them, no matter their background.

Your book, The Money Manual, has been described as a practical guide to personal finance. What motivated you to write it, and what key takeaways do you hope readers will gain?

Abigail Foster with a copy of her debut book, The Money Manual.

I wrote The Money Manual because I saw how many people, were struggling with money management but felt overwhelmed by the jargon and complexity of financial advice. My aim was to break down financial concepts into simple, actionable steps. I hope readers walk away feeling more confident and capable of managing their finances, whether it’s budgeting, saving, or investing for the future.

You’ve built a substantial following on social media by simplifying complex financial topics. How do you decide which subjects to tackle, and what has the response been like from your audience?

I focus on the topics that I know people need the most help with. For example, understanding debt, investing, and the “boring stuff” like payslips and pensions while navigating life changes. The response has been amazing – people appreciate the way I break things down into bite-sized chunks and make them feel empowered to take action. It’s great to see people share their wins and feel more in control of their finances.

Financial literacy is crucial, yet often overlooked in early education. How do you advocate for its inclusion in school curricula, and what progress have you seen so far?

I’ve been advocating for financial education to be part of the school curriculum for years. It’s crucial that young people learn how to manage money before they enter adulthood. There’s been some progress, with schools beginning to recognise the importance of it, but we still have a long way to go. I continue to push for more widespread change, especially through my work with Elent and in schools.

You’ve interviewed prominent figures like former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey. What insights did you gain from these conversations, and how have they influenced your work?

Abigail interviewing Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England.

Speaking to such influential figures has given me a deeper understanding of the wider economic landscape and how these institutions need to do more to be seen and trusted.

Elent offers resources for both individuals and organisations. How do you tailor your approach when educating different audiences, such as students versus corporate employees?

I tailor my approach by understanding the unique needs of each audience. With students, I focus on helping them build strong financial foundations and navigate life’s big decisions like student loans, budgeting, and saving for their first home. For corporate employees, I focus more on long-term financial planning, pensions, and investments. The key is to make the content relevant to their stage in life and financial journey.

In your experience, what are the most common misconceptions people have about personal finance, and how do you address them?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that personal finance is only for people with lots of money. In reality, everyone needs to understand the basics of money management, no matter how much they earn. Another misconception is that investing is too risky or complicated. I aim to demystify both of these topics by showing people that financial literacy is for everyone, and investing can be simple once you understand the basics.

Technology plays a significant role in financial education today. How does Elent leverage digital tools to enhance learning and accessibility?

Elent uses a range of digital tools to make learning about finance accessible and engaging. From interactive workshops to bite-sized video content, we aim to meet people where they are – on their phones or computers. We also use social media to engage with our community and share quick tips and resources that help people stay on top of their finances.

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for Elent and your mission to improve financial literacy? Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives you’re excited about?

I’m excited to continue growing Elent’s impact and helping more people gain financial confidence. We have some great partnerships and projects in the pipeline that will allow us to reach even more people. I’m particularly excited about expanding our work with schools and organisations to make financial education more accessible to everyone all over the UK and maybe who knows in the future further afield.

For those looking to take control of their finances, what practical steps would you recommend they start with?

The first step is always awareness, understanding where your money goes is key. Start by reviewing your income, expenses, and any existing debts. Then, set realistic goals: whether it’s building an emergency fund, paying off debt, or saving for a specific purchase. Having a budget is essential, but don’t overwhelm yourself. Start simple, track your spending, cut out unnecessary expenses, and focus on saving regularly. As your financial situation evolves, adapt your plan to include investing for long-term growth, but always make sure you’ve laid a solid foundation first.

Finally, how can individuals or organisations get involved with Elent or support your mission to make financial education more accessible?

We’d love to bring financial education into your workplace or school. Through our workshops and bespoke offerings Elent can help enhance the financial literacy of your employees or students. By embedding financial education into your environment, you’ll equip people with the skills they need to make informed financial decisions. If you're interested in collaborating or bringing Elent's resources to your organisation, get in touch, we’d be excited to work with you to make a positive impact.

A massive thank you to Abigail Foster , for being the latest Female FoundHer to become a part of the STYLISA FoundHers community. If you’re interested in finding out more about their work:

Discover Abigail Foster online: https://www.abigailfoster.co.uk

Discover Elent online: https://elent.com

Buy The Money Manual: https://lnk.to/TheMoneyManual

Connect with Abigail on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigailrosefoster/