It's safe to say it was a mixed bag for the property market last year, with a mixture of Budget speculation and stamp duty costs weighing on house prices, but with mortgage lending rules loosening helping first-time buyers. So, what will happen in 2026 - Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce discuss, and ask — will it be another stagnant year for house prices? Elsewhere, there's a warning that top cash ISA rates are set to fall. Can you really retire at 50? We reveal the top tips to do and what to plan for — and Georgie and Lee reveal their new year resolutions. And finally, have we reached peak coffee shop? Costa is struggling as owner Coca-Cola looks to offload it at a loss — but have we had enough of over £4 cups of coffee at chains?
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
We are almost at the end of a year that turned out to be rollercoaster ride for our finances. Investors have had a good year but there was certainly some twists and turns along the way. The economy started off strong and then began to stutter, interest rates came down by a full percentage point and inflation spiked again. Meanwhile, the most hotly anticipated Budget turned out to be not as bad as it could have been but has not gone down well with businesses and taxpayers. On this final 2025 episode of This is Money, Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert take a quick ride through this year and what it meant for our finances.
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
The Bank of England has cut interest rates for the fourth time this year. The base rate is now the lowest it's been since 2023 but a split vote means markets and economists are now questioning how much lower they will go. Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss what a 3.75% base rate means for borrowers, savers and investors — and, more importantly, where rates are going next. Plus, the social media savings tricks that Gen Z love — and what the rest of us can learn from them. Where has the highest household income and why how it is balanced matters. How to not get caught out by a counterfeit Christmas. And finally, another thorny question about a fence — but what's the answer? Merry Christmas from all of us at This is Money.
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Mortgage lenders are battling to offer borrowers lower rates - running ahead of the Bank of England making an expected cut next week. That's good news for anyone buying a home but it's even better for the 1.9million people who need to remortgage next year — many of whom will be facing a payment shock as they come off much lower fixed rates. So, will the mortgage cuts revive the moribund housing market — and what should you do if your fixed rate is running out? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert talk mortgages and the property market - including why experts say now is the best time in a decade to negotiate on a new build home. Plus, what does the Fed rate cut mean for investors, would you give a child or grandchild shares for Christmas, and finally, where are Britons trying to buy homes abroad — and why?
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
A guaranteed income for your retirement years, earned through your working life, with no need to worry about getting caught out by the vagaries of the stock market. Sounds good, doesn't it? That's what a public sector pension delivers - and it's a far better deal than the retirement funds most people in the private sector save into. So, why do we want to make the good thing worse, rather than the bad thing better? Shouldn't we be doing things the other way round? And shouldn't the government be doing everything it can to improve private sector pensions rather than chip away at their already inferior benefits? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert talk pensions - and the gulf between the public and private sector that is getting ever wider. Just how good is a public sector pension? Do many of those in line for them even realise how good they are? And how can we make the private sector catch up rather than trigger a race to the bottom? Plus, why the Budget was very bad news if you earn £52,000, can Argos be saved - and is reviving the caralogue the answer, why are food prices so high, and finally, have you got one of the names most likely to win the Premium Bonds?
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
The dust has settled on the Budget but while we now know what Rachel Reeves plans for our finances, many questions remain. The Budget featured a raft of tax rises — but also left out some moves that were widely rumoured to happen. On this special bonus episode, Simon Lambert is joined by Lisa Caplan, of Charles Stanley Direct, to find out what people are asking after the Budget — and the answers to those important questions.
Guests: Simon Lambert,Lisa Caplan
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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
Nvidia is the talk of the town after posting better than expected earnings results — has the chip maker genuinely eased fears of an AI bubble bursting, or just bought the market a bit more time? Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce discuss what it means for investors in Britain and how much weight this multi-trillion dollar company holds. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme deposit protection limit will rise 41% to £120,000 from 1 December and data suggests young people are too focused on saving for short-term goals and risk falling behind — does it matter? What is really likely to be in the Budget? With a week to go, we have a quick last-minute briefing on what Chancellor Rachel Reeves could be cooking up. There might finally be a crackdown on ticket touts for gigs and other events — Simon reveals just how passionate he is about it and why action is needed. And finally, find out what former England and Arsenal goalkeeping legend 'safe hands' David Seaman did with his £100,000 Aston Martin DB7.
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
This week we've had some worrying-looking unemployment figures and disappointing GDP growth. Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 soared within touching distance of 10,000, before hitting a Friday slump. Mix it all together and what does it show about the UK economy? Lee Boyce, Helen Crane and Georgie Frost discuss. Nationwide Building Society has promised to keep all of its branches open until 2030 while major banks exit the high street. Does it make business sense? The Royal Mint has launched some yellow gold coins that has investors excited, and what about gold's 'annoying little brother', silver - is it set to see prices soar? Lastly, we reveal the tale of a reader who had their flights to Dubai cancelled by BA at the last minute... before being quoted £20,000 one-way by Emirates to get away for half-term.
Guests: Helen Crane
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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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