Original Broadcast: This is Money
How well do you manage your money? Where would you rate your budgeting, saving, investing and pension efforts in marks out of ten? It's not often that we think about these things but mulling them over and making improvements where needed and patting yourself on the back when deserved, is a major step on the road to financial success. Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert dial down the noise of the news and dive into how we can manage our money better instead. They discuss tips on how to budget, how to boost your savings and returns, how easy or complicated investing should be, and why a pension is the best and easiest way to get rich. They also share an honest look at their own money management and finances, revealing what they do well, what they just about get by at — and the mistakes they make. Plus, when should you decide to get the professionals in and seek financial advice or financial planning? Simon and Georgie discuss that and the costs. And financial planner Dan Beecroft, of Charles Stanley, joins the show to talk about why people seek financial advice and the questions they ask.
Guests: Dan Beecroft
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
With just one month to go before the Budget, Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce discuss what you might consider doing to prepare for it? Give money away, use allowances (CGT, ISA, pension contributions) to the full, or leave the country? The team reminds us that 'don't panic' is often the best way forward. There's also a couple of interesting readers' questions, about ignoring a father's will and re-marriage to save tax.
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
A bad news Budget looks to be on the cards after Labour continued to pour cold water on optimism following its election victory. Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a gloomy speech saying the Budget was going to be painful, hot on the heels of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' own gloom-mongering. But having made a promise not to raise the rates of income tax, national insurance, VAT and corporation tax, where will the Government try to raise cash? Starmer said tax rises would target those with the 'broadest shoulders' but who are they — and are there really enough of the very wealthy to target or will the burden be more likely to fall once again on those in the rich middle? We look at what taxes could rise and what a capital gains tax, pension, inheritance or other raid could mean for people. Plus, Britain's biggest mortgage lender Halifax is upping what it will lend first-time buyers, Crane goes on the case of an Evri bungle and asks: shouldn't you be within your rights to expect a parcel to arrive? And finally, with the Oasis ticket scramble in full effect and ticket prices sky high, can you protect against a potential Gallagher brother blow up or anything else that would stop you going? (If, that is, you can get tickets in the first place, of course!).
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Last week, the consumer prices index measure of inflation nudged higher to 2.2%. But what does this mean for future base rate decisions — and then in turn, mortgage rates and savings rates? Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost discuss the latest inflation figures and what the rest of the year has in store for the economy. Meanwhile, experts predict a busier housing market this autumn - but what makes them so sure? And watch out if you plan on taking your kids out of school during term time — you could face big fines, with the first change to the system since 2013. Is it fair that parents get fined for taking children on holidays and should there be a better system devised? We look at the supermarket winners and losers over the last decade — just how bad have things been for ASDA. And our reporter Angharad Carrick takes a visit to west London Tesco to test its new anti-shoplifting measures. Is it any good? We also run the rule over Aliexpress... and the bargain items that are almost too good to be true.
Guests: Angharad Carrick
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Stock markets around the world saw huge falls this week, but is it a sign of more trouble ahead or just a storm in a teacup? Simon takes a look at what’s behind it all, and why investors should avoid the temptation to start tinkering with their portfolios once the horse has already bolted. His advice is to ignore the voice in your head that says you should get out now to stave off disaster — but also pay attention to its existence. Good news for motorists, as car insurance premiums have started to fall for the first time in two years. Or is it? They still remain at near-record highs, and are up a whopping 48% since 2022. This is Money's Sam Barker discusses why premiums went so high, who has been worst affected, and how to keep costs down. Staying on the topic of insurance, the UK has been gripped by riots in the past week and This is Money has been looking at what your compensation rights are if your home or car gets damaged. Elsewhere, Sam explains the latest tactic broadband firms are using to squeeze cash out of their customers - and asks why the regulator Ofcom appears to be looking the other way. Mortgage rates have been shifting fast this week, and Simon rounds up the latest deals. We also answer a question from a reader who wants to know what to do with his £80,000 redundancy pay-off.
Guests: Sam Barker
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Some relief for borrowers as interest rates start to edge down — has the economy turned a corner? Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce discuss this and the Chancellor's speech on Monday 29 July, looking ahead to the Budget in October. Also — are broadband and phone prices set to soar again?
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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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Original Broadcast: This is Money
All change, please. In a radical reshaping of the political landscape, Britain has elected a Labour government for the first time in 14 years. New prime minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have made bold promises of revival, growth and wealth creation. But many fear that Britain’s troubled public finances will also mean that promises not to raise taxes will prove empty. So, what has Labour said it will do, what important things have been left unsaid, what will it mean for the economy and your finances and is there a path to prosperity that doesn’t involve more tax pain? On this special election podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert look at what Labour’s election victory could mean for our money. The team discuss the manifesto promises on the economy and growth and at how robust the no tax rise pledges are. Can Labour’s housebuilding plans and planning shake up deliver more homes? What are its other plans to get growth going? Plus, the team look at the Tories’ 14 years in charge of the economy and the positives that can be drawn amongst the turbulence. And finally, what have we got to be optimistic about as we move into the next chapter of British life?
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
It’s manifesto week and Labour, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems have laid out their vision for the country – along with the Green Party, Reform and others. The economy, tax and people’s finances are a cornerstone of the all the manifestos, but what are the main parties proposing and what could it mean for you? Georgie Frost, Angharad Carrick and Simon Lambert take a deep dive into the manifestos to see what’s there. If the country votes for a change and we do get the widely predicted Labour government, what will it mean for your money – and does talking about growth mean there’s an actual plan to deliver it? After 14 years in charge, were the Tories bold enough in their manifesto to derail Labour’s run at power? And do the Lib Dems have the policies that could shake things up, including a plan to substantially overhaul capital gains tax? Plus, what did Reform say? All this and more go under the microscope, along with a look at what has really happened to our taxes in a decade-and-a-half under the Conservatives. And finally, away from the election, how much did the most desirable new King Charles £5 note go for at a special auction this week?
Guests: Angharad Carrick
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