Episodes

  • Is the FTSE 100 finally having its moment in the sun?

    Is the FTSE 100 finally having its moment in the sun?
    Apr 26 2024
    You can wait a long time for a FTSE 100 record high but for peak-starved British investors this week delivered a bonanza.

    Four record highs were racked up by the FTSE 100, with only Wednesday's slight dip spoiling what would have been a perfect run over a week.

    The return to new highs on Thursday came as a mega-mining merger bid arrive from BHP for Anglo American - and that was followed swiftly by one of the UK's few tech stars Darktrace announcing it had accepted a bid on Friday.

    Are these the catalysts that fund manager Nick Train was talking about when he said it could take a big takeover to shake UK stocks out of their slumber and get the world investing in Footsie companies again?

    On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Tanya Jefferies and Simon Lambert look and what's moving the UK market, why it is judged to be cheap and whether you should invest.

    Plus, the top investment trusts for retirement investing and the latest twist in the state pension top-ups saga.

    Should we cut inheritance tax - or at least sort out the mess - as the take soars?

    And finally, are you a backseat driver? See if you can pass the test.
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    52 mins
  • Is there a risk that inflation falls and then spikes again?

    Is there a risk that inflation falls and then spikes again?
    Apr 19 2024
    53 mins
  • State pension boosted by 8.5% from this week - will it ever become means tested?

    State pension boosted by 8.5% from this week - will it ever become means tested?
    Apr 12 2024
    Older people received another boost to the state pension this week taking the full rate to over £11,000 a year.

    This year's increase of 8.5 per cent was thanks to the triple lock commitment - a guarantee the state pension will rise each year by the higher of CPI, wages or 2.5 per cent.

    What does the future hold? While there is plenty of speculation the state pension may become means tested, in reality it could be incredibly hard to implement.

    This week, Tanya Jefferies, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Lee Boyce talk state pensions – and how they compare to other countries.

    And sticking on the theme, there is another delay for the Government’s new online state pension top-up service. When will it launch?

    NS&I has a four day IT meltdown that makes it a struggle for customers to log-in – and it suggests to one that she may have a ‘time drift.’ What does this bizarre explanation mean?

    Crane is on the Case once more, this time Eon is in the firing line after it insisted a part-time dance teacher used £95,000 worth of energy… in a month.

    And who on earth would hold an American Express card in their wallet with an APR 704.6 per cent? Lee has the answer.
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    55 mins
  • Beware fixed-rate savings trap… and secrets from an Isa millionaire

    Beware fixed-rate savings trap… and secrets from an Isa millionaire
    Apr 5 2024
    There's a warning for savers who's fixed term deals are coming to an end - don't take your eye off the ball now or risk having your returns wiped out in a matter of months.

    A year ago, there was a flurry of savers choosing fixed-rate bonds as they improved drastically. But if you don't act, the chances are it'll rollover into an awful rate.

    On this week's This is Money podcast, Helen Crane, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost talk savings, just as we head into a new financial year.

    Also on the savings front, NS&I reveals the rate of the new British Savings Bond - is it worth it? And an Isa millionaire reveals all to This is Money on how he built up a seven-figure pot.

    Helen tackles another reader problem – this time, it's a case of the unwanted and unneeded Sim card costing a pensioner couple hundreds of pounds.

    And on the utilities front, Lee reveals how Ofcom saved him from a 75 per cent rise in his monthly broadband costs, and why you should check if you're out of contract with your mobile phone.

    Mortgage approvals are up - but house prices nudge lower. What's going on?

    Meanwhile, research shows a record third of all homes are being bought by first time buyers – and they make up 89 per cent of buyers in one Berkshire town.

    Lastly, entrepreneur Tim Armoo runs the rule over five money-making fads doing the rounds on social media – are any of them worth your time?
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    59 mins
  • Is a 99% mortgage really that bad?

    Is a 99% mortgage really that bad?
    Mar 29 2024
    The row over small deposit mortgage is the gift that keeps on giving.

    Hot on the heels of the Budget plan that never appeared arrives Yorkshire Building Society's new deal, that's been dubbed a 99 per cent mortgage.

    But is it really one of those and does it have any redeeming features?

    And if it's cheaper than you rent, is there anything wrong with taking a 99 per cent mortgage?

    On this week's This is Money podcast, Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert talk tiny deposit mortgages, negative equity and buying vs renting.

    Plus, gift card draining scammers, can your pension last retirement, and finally, where are the experts investing their Isa and how can you easily sort yours?
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    46 mins
  • How to sort your pension and Isa before the tax year ends

    How to sort your pension and Isa before the tax year ends
    Mar 25 2024
    There is less than a fortnight to go before the end of the tax year and that means it's time to sort your Isa, pension and finances before it's too late.

    With another tax raid on the way for investors on capital gains and dividends, this is one of the most important tax year ends in years.

    On this special bonus episode of the This is Money podcast, Simon Lambert talks to Rob Morgan, of Charles Stanley Direct, to find out what investors need to do and why sorting your pension and Isa can save you a substantial amount in tax.
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    34 mins
  • Will the Bank of England cut rates as soon as people think?

    Will the Bank of England cut rates as soon as people think?
    Mar 22 2024
    The Bank of England held interest rates again this week as inflation dropped once more. So, are we out of the woods yet?

    Will inflation keep coming back down towards target and the Bank of England soon seamlessly switch back to cutting rates?

    Or will central bankers be keen to hold onto higher rates, even if we get hit by a bout of disinflation?

    On this week’s podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert look at what next for inflation and interest rates and what it means for your money.

    Also on the episode, should the Waspi women who saw their state pension age rise rapidly be compensated for the poor communication and how much of a victory was this week’s Parliamentary Ombudsman Waspi report a victory for them?

    As that happened, more news emerged on underpaid state pensions – as exposed by our Tanya Jefferies and pension columnist Sir Steve Webb, and the team update us on that.

    Plus, what’s going on with the chaos at HMRC and who is to blame for the failure to keep up with our increasingly tricky tax system.

    And finally, meet the Scambaiters – we find out what they do and why.
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Are you about to have to pay for your bank account?

    Are you about to have to pay for your bank account?
    Mar 15 2024
    53 mins