Financial guru Martin Lewis has imparted a powerful set of life lessons to new graduates, detailing five crucial things he wishes he had known after finishing university himself.
The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com delivered his advice while receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Sheffield University on 15 January 2026. Addressing the Social Scientists Faculty, he later expanded on his speech in a detailed social media thread, offering a blueprint for navigating early career and financial life.
The Four Pillars of Success and the Role of Luck
Lewis began by outlining his fundamental formula for achievement. He stated that success requires focus, talent, hard work, and, most critically, luck.
He urged graduates to understand that even doing everything right does not guarantee an outcome, and that failure is not a definitive label but a vital learning tool. The finance expert also cautioned that success itself can be stressful, advising careful consideration of how hard one wants to push. He concluded this point with a call for humility and generosity: "If you find success, and it pays, remember the luck part and give back."
Protecting Your Digital Footprint and Future Self
In his second lesson, Lewis issued a stark warning about online reputation. He highlighted that today's graduates are the first truly digital generation, with every moment potentially recorded and mapped indefinitely.
This permanent record, he warned, will be scrutinised in future job applications, first articles, political campaigns, or creative endeavours. His advice was to enjoy life but to be circumspect, ensuring present actions do not jeopardise future opportunities.
Essential Financial and Career Guidance
The remaining three lessons provided practical and philosophical direction. For the self-employed, Lewis offered a simple but vital rule: a third of what you earn isn't yours.
He explained that, unlike payroll employment, freelance income is paid before tax, so roughly £30 from every £100 earned should be immediately moved to a separate account for the tax bill.
On careers, he encouraged graduates not to fear changing path, noting he had done so himself. He described new graduates as "toddlers" in the world of work and advised a reassessment after a couple of years. "If you wake up miserable going to work, don't feel locked in to unhappiness," he urged, recommending fluidity and testing new waters.
A Final Message of Pride and Purpose
Lewis ended with a call for graduates to feel proud of their accomplishment. Countering critics of higher education, he congratulated them for joining the "special club" of university postgraduates.
He suggested a "frugal celebration" and encouraged them to take stock of their blessings. His closing thought was a challenge to use their privilege and education to improve their own lives, their communities, and the wider world.
