Original Broadcast: This is Money
ISA season is in full swing as savers and investors race to beat the clock to fill up their allowance — but where are people putting their money? Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost take a look and reveal stocks and shares Isa bestsellers of 2026. And even before the current markets turmoil caused by the Iran conflict, Lee reveals just how much is pouring into cash. There are fresh warnings sounded over Britain's mid-life pensions crisis — but it's not too late to build a healthy retirement pot. We reveal how and some of the rules of thumb it is worth remembering when it comes to building your retirement nest egg. McDonald's launches trading cards with selected meals - and some of the rarest are already listed on eBay for HUGE sums. Lee does a live opening of three packs — can he bag a £10,000 gold Ronald card? And just what is the fastest way to make £10k: Five experts — including Simon — have been given £500 each to put into betting, crypto, stocks, furniture and Vinted, alongside a share-picking monkey with a pin. Who will come out on top?
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Donald Trump has been hijacking the headlines this week, with his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos a major talking point globally. With plenty of geopolitical drama afoot, what does a weakening US dollar mean for UK investors with money tied up in US and global funds? Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce discuss. One of the world’s biggest investment firms, Vanguard has spurned the Chancellor's efforts to drive up investment in the UK, as it plans to cut its LifeStrategy exposure to the UK — why, and what should you do? Nationwide has bumped up what it will lend on mortgages to six times salary — it means borrowers can potentially borrow £50,000 more. Is this a step in the right direction or the path to trouble? Are you saving enough for retirement? Our analysis shows what you need in your pot at every milestone age to be on track — and what to do if you’re off target. This is Money reporter Harvey Dorset tries out a £5,000 smartphone — so what do you get for such a huge outlay? Lastly, Lee speaks to actress Joanna Page about her finances — the Gavin and Stacey star reveals what her mum and nan taught her about money.
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Life isn't what it once was for star fund managers. The investment industry once thrived on big names but these widely recognisable figures are few and far between nowadays. Two that remain are Terry Smith and Nick Train but their Fundsmith and Finsbury Growth & Income investors have had their patience tested by five years of underperformance compared to just sticking money in a cheap market tracker fund. Both managers defended their approach this week, while offering their investors an apology of sorts. So, is it time to swap your star fund manager for a cheap index fund, or are the stock pickers likely to be proved right in the end? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss the cult of the fund manager and whether it's had its day. Meanwhile, The Chancellor wants to get more of us investing but MPs have looked into her plans to cut the cash ISA limit and said it's unlikely to lead more people to the UK stock market. That's exactly what most investment experts told the Chancellor before the Budget, so is there any chance of change of heart? Parts of the London property market have been having a quiet house price crash; Georgie, Helen and Simon discuss what's going on and what kind of properties are affected. The team also ask if cashback is worth it — and look at the deals that could cost you money. And finally, if you want a cheap electric car runaround, what are your best options and what would it cost you?
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
The slashing of the cash ISA was considered a nailed on certainty in next week's Mansion House speech, but now it seems Rachel Reeves has had a change of heart. So, has the cash ISA allowance been saved for good, or is this just a victory for now — before the axe falls in the Budget? Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce discuss what next for the cash ISA and whether there was any merit in plans to cut the allowance. Plus, why has Nvidia become the world's first $4 trillion company, is it still worth investing in and have you got any chance of finding the next stock market superstar before it takes off? Should you combine your finances with your partner's and reveal all to them? And finally, it's the polarising question of our times: are you for or against Ring and other video doorbells?
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Helen Crane consider reducing interest rates — are they opening up a divergence between central banks in the U.S., the UK and Europe? What are the implications for mortgages and savings? They consider how investments fared in the pandemic crash and rebound, and what the implications might be as a result of Trump's trade wars. And they review Nectar's stolen points problem.
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Crypto has been a little quiet of late. Out of the spotlight, minding its own business. But Donald Trump gets voted back in as US president and boom — bitcoin surged beyond $90,000 for the first time. The rest of the crypto market has also seen a boost, so what's going on? Where is it likely to head next and what do you need to be aware of if you are cashing out your gains? Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost delve into bitcoin and friends to give their verdict. The number of ISA millionaires has soared, with a 228% jump of investors joining the club in just two years. And there are 25 of them who hold an average of £8.9million. Just how do you build such a big pot? Britain's first ISA millionaire, Lord Lee, gives his three tips. Fresh from her Budget speech, the Chancellor has announced plans to use our pension savings to boost economic growth by creating megafunds. Just what are they? We tackle an tricky question about IHT and giving away a home. And finally, Lee's Collecting Corner is back ... this time he reports from a trading card, and reveals two Paddington-themed treasures sent in by readers... a 50-year-old stuffed toy, and a limited edition signed print snapped up at a charity shop for just £30.
Guests: Lord Lee
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
On this special bonus episode of the This is Money Podcast, Rob Morgan, chief analyst at Charles Stanley Direct, joins Simon Lambert to answer the big questions that have emerged from last week's Budget. They discuss, amongst among other things: pensions and inheritance tax — who will be caught out? What can investors do — should they spend their pensions before other savings? What has happened with capital gains tax — and who will it catch? What are the best ways to keep a CGT bill down? How can savers and investors beat the frozen threshold stealth tax? And what are the financial planning basics people should make sure they get right?
Guests: Rob Morgan
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Gold has hit record highs this week and has rocketed so far this year. What’s driving the price and how do you invest? Tanya Jefferies, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce turn their attention to the precious metal — a notoriously volatile investment, but yet seen as a safe haven. Energy bills will be back on the up, with the new Ofgem price cap announced for October. Is it worth fixing before the hike comes in? And one in four are expected to struggle this winter with their energy bills — just as the new Winter Fuel Payment is taken away for millions of households. We bust some myths on inherited state pension and ask how DWP can be dishing out incorrect information and also question whether annuity deals have peaked. Plus, we run the rule over two juicy reader questions. Firstly, what are your rights if you drunkenly lend money to a friend? Secondly, what can you do about a property next door being converted into an HMO with six students?
Guests: Tanya Jefferies
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Building up a savings pot and then investing to grow your wealth and provide a decent pension for retirement is the key to long-term financial success. But there's lots to consider at each step — and most people will want to buy a home along the way. So what do you need to think about when sketching out your lifetime finances and then trying to achieve your goals? Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert take it step by step and look at each element of saving, investing, buying a home and building a pension. How much should you have in an emergency savings pot? How do you move from saving to investing? How can first-time buyers get ahead in tricky times? How much do you need to save for retirement? They look at all of these things and more.
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Do you feel financially confident? When it comes to budgeting, saving, investing, and building your pension, are you clueless, comfortable, or cracking on? A piece of research this week by Moneybox claimed that being financially confident could add £67,000 to your lifetime wealth – on average those with confidence were worth £145,000 on average, compared to £78,000 for the unconfident. But what does being financially confident actually mean and how can you get there? Georgie Frost, Tanya Jefferies and Simon Lambert look at how to boost your financial confidence and whether the tips to do so could work. Plus, a week into a new government and with a planned pensions review looming, the team look at what Labour could mean for our retirement savings. Meanwhile, investors seem to be cheering Labour taking charge and this week investment giant BlackRock flagged Britain’s ‘relative political stability’ and cheap stock market, so does that mean good future returns? Investing a large sum was on the mind of a reader who asked This is Money an unusual question: I’m inheriting £10 million, should I set up an investment trust? So, what is the answer to that? And finally, a new report has revealed Britain’s best places for customer service – did your favourite make the list?
Guests: Tanya Jefferies
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