Original Broadcast: This is Money
There's just a week to go until the end of the tax year and if you haven't sorted your ISA, pension or the rest of your finances it's time to get your skates on. Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss the important things you need to think about before 5 April — and ideally right now. From how your ISA allowance works to parking cash and drip-feeding it, and why a pension can not only boost your retirement savings but also cut your tax bill, they explain what you need to know. And Simon has some extra tips on how to use as much of your ISA or pension allowance as possible, even if you don't have the ready cash. Also, what on earth is going on at NS&I — and will it have to pay millions on compensation? And how to become a tradesperson on a six-figure salary, will interest rates really rise four times this year and, finally, what are the food items that have rocketed the most in price?
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Mortgage rates have shot up this week as the impact of the conflict with Iran for inflation and interest rates sinks in. Banks and building societies have been racing to raise their fixed rates — with some even pushing them up twice in the space of a few days. It comes in response to a sudden switch around in expectations for the Bank of England base rate, but will this flurry of hikes continue or are the concerns overdone? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert look at what's going on in the mortgage market — and what you can do about it if you are buying a home or need to remortgage. Plus, Simon has broken with the habit of a lifetime and actually fixed his energy bills for once. He explains why you should too - and how there are still potentially price cap-beating or matching deals out there. Helen outlines the nine biggest mistakes you can make with your pension — and what they could cost you. And finally, if you have a Nationwide current account and are hopefully in line for some free money from Fairer Share, this is what you must do in the next two weeks.
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
How will the Iranian conflict affect your finances? Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce are joined by Helen Crane to discuss the potential impact on your investments and energy bills, and your price-at-the-pumps and mortgage. And, on a lighter note, Lee looks at rates nudging upwards on Cash ISAs.
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
The flying Footsie is on course for the best start to the year since 1998 and driving it are 20 stocks that have risen by 50% or more in the past year. Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost discuss what's going on for the flagship UK index and whether the run can continue. They also zoom in on Rolls Royce — its shares have soared by more than 1000% in five years. Is it too late to join the party? When it comes to Junior ISAs, many parents worry that once their children get access, they'll fritter it away — but is that really the case? New analysis suggests not. And NS&I has cut the underlying rate on its Premium Bonds to 3.3%. Is it time to move your money? The Government is rolling out the next phase of making tax digital which will require some to file quarterly — is expensive chaos on the way? Lastly, can you save money with an EV versus a petrol equivalent? Or does the maths simply not add up?
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Student loans look like another mess that has reached a tipping point in Britain's shonky financial system. There are three different types of student loan plan that graduates could currently be on and one of them offers a particularly bad deal. Those who took out Plan 2 student loans, between 2012 and 2022, suffered fees being hiked to £9,000, face interest rates of RPI plus 3%, and have seen the repayment threshold above which they lose 9% of their income bounce around at the whim of governments. Meanwhile, lots of graduates are staring down the barrel of decades of a big extra chunk coming out of their wages, but then never actually clearing the debt before it gets written off after 30 years. As the reality bites of the student loans they signed up to at 18 — for an average post university debt of £50,000 — without properly realising the consequences, many late 20- and 30- somethings are increasingly angry. Do they have a point and what can we do? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert talk student loans, what might happen, what we could do — and who should pay for university. Plus, what does the Bank of England holding rates mean for borrowers and savers? For those who aren't losing their spare cash to a student loan and have got on the property ladder, should you overpay your mortgage? The man who got his mortgage paid off in four years — and how he did it. What on earth is happening to bitcoin, and why is it crashing? And finally, what are the rules on flexible ISAs and putting money back in?
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
What are the financial foundations you need so that you can then start living a richer life? Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss what they think are the essential building blocks for control of your finances. They share what they''ve done right... and what they have done and still regularly do wrong? The new year has seen the row over pubs and business rates blow up, with the Prime Minister and Chancellor rumoured to be about to have to do another U-turn. What went wrong, why didn't they listen straight after the Budget and are publicans right to feel aggrieved? Banks' shares have been on a tear, but is there still time to invest as Lloyds breaks through the symbolic 100p mark for the first time since its financial crisis plummet? And what would it take for you to turn your home into a zero-bills house — and would it be worth the outlay?
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
After the endless speculation, the Budget finally arrived this week. Rachel Reeves seemed happy with her statement and Sir Keir Starmer has been out singing its praises, but was the Budget a diamond in the rough or a dud? On this Budget 2025 episode, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert dive into a Budget that many have commented is the most chaotic they can remember. After all the rumours, worries and waiting, how good or bad was it? Some of the expected financial pain didn't arrive but there were plenty of tweaks to tax our pocket and our patience. Did the Chancellor cut the right balance between getting more money in and supporting the economy, did she articulate a clear plan, or are we back to drifting about aimlessly in the tax and spending doom loop doldrums? And most importantly, what will all the measures mean for your money?
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Can you do a financial podcast and not mention the Budget right now? No, not really. But you can give it a good shot at keeping Budget chat to the minimum. Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert take breather from talking about Rachel Reeves and the endless cycle of madness that is the Budget 2025 build up to discuss some other stuff. Can they get through it without mentioning the Budget any more than five times? Listen to find out. First up it's interest rates. Why did the Bank of England hold, will there be a cut next month and how far will they fall? Plus, how have rate expectations shifted and where exactly do mortgage borrowers and savers stand now? Next, it's house prices. Leading estate agent Savills says property values are due to rise 22% in five years, but is that a lot or a little — and could homes actually be getting cheaper. Lee explains why savers are stashing so much cash and Simon sounds a clarion call for moving your money out of insult accounts. Then, via a quick diversion avoiding sneaky speed cameras, it is on to the turf war. Is it ever okay to consider artificial grass and what will it do to your house price? Listen to the end for B***** mentions score.
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Despite repeated assurances that Labour would not break its election manifesto by hiking income tax, it appears it is now under consideration by the Chancellor in the Autumn Budget. Why is Rachel Reeves mulling over this U-turn, how much would it cost us, and would she really dare to do it? Angharad Carrick, Helen Crane and Georgie Frost discuss. Speculation over a 'mansion tax' in the Budget has also reared its head again. The team discuss whether it's a good idea to tax people with pricey homes, and how on earth HM Revenue & Customs would decide whether someone's house is worth more than £2 million or not. Elsewhere, some good news in store, as Goldman Sachs has predicted the Bank of England will cut interest rates at its meeting next week. Does fading inflation and sluggish growth mean this is now on the cards, and would the Bank dare to make a move before the Budget beast is unleashed? The team discuss. They also look at why we're now paying three times the energy standing charges that we were six years ago, and why some chocolate biscuits can no longer call themselves chocolate.
Guests: Angharad Carrick,Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
The dream of becoming an ISA millionaire will be a common ambition among many This is Money listeners. Most will probably dismiss it as fantasy but what if you could actually get there? Recently a long-time This is Money reader got in touch to tell us that he had managed just that... at the age of 36. Ollie Perry was happy to share his story, not to boast but to try to inspire others and to show that it isn't just wealthy boomers who can manage to make an ISA million. Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss his story and what we can learn from it. How did he do it, are the big risks he took suitable for others, and what if you if prefer to get rich slower but with less chance of something going wrong? With a new top rate in town, Lee takes a look at the best buy savings deals on the market, Simon delves into why so many homes are seeing asking prices cut, and Georgie ponders why people are rushing to pay big money for retro tech that doesn't work.
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