Why First Wage exists

First Wage was created to help young people in the UK, students, graduates and people starting their first job, make sense of money without the jargon. Most of us are never taught how bank accounts, credit scores, ISAs or credit cards actually work, and it shows up as expensive mistakes later on.

Our goal is simple: explain the practical basics clearly, so you can make informed decisions about your own money.

Who First Wage is for

We write for university students, international students living in the UK, recent graduates and young professionals roughly aged 18 to 30 who are managing their first salary, building their first credit history, or trying to save and invest for the first time.

Our editorial philosophy

We aim to educate first and monetise second. Every guide is written to be genuinely useful on its own, whether or not you ever click through to a product we mention. We avoid hype, we avoid pretending every product is ‘the best’, and we try to show who a product is suitable for and who should avoid it.

How we review products

When we compare or review financial products, we look at publicly available information such as fees, eligibility criteria, interest rates and key features. We do not receive early access to unpublished product information, and we do not accept payment in exchange for a positive review.

How affiliate relationships work

Some of the links on First Wage are affiliate links. If you click through and take out a product, we may earn a commission from the provider, at no extra cost to you. This never influences whether we recommend a product, and it never means a product is guaranteed to be right for you. Full details are in our Affiliate Disclosure.

How we keep information up to date

Financial products, rates and terms change often. We periodically review our guides and note when they were last updated, but you should always check current rates and terms directly with the provider before applying for any product.