The Meaningful Money Personal Finance Podcast

Today we kick off a new season which we're calling Big Ideas. The thinking is that we'll deal with some of the big, overarching principles of personal finance, and show you how to put them into practice. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/2024/01/24/big-ideas-businesses-and-bricks/

The Simple Path to Wealth is the most distilled, purest book on wealth-building I've found and I still recommend it all the time. Now the author, JL Collins, has followed up with a new book called Pathfinders, which is full of stories of how people have taken the teaching in the Simple Path, and applied it to their lives. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/session522

Today, we're talking about Financial Planning Priorities and recounting some examples where we have made sure that people got things in the right order… Show Notes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/RS10

Today we're going to talk about Equity Release, and contentious subject for some but a useful tool in financial planning for older folks who are asset-rich, but cash-poor. We'll recount a couple of real stories from our own experience as advisers and then go over what you need to know and do about using Equity Release for your own financial planning or for your older family members, perhaps. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/RS9

Today we're going to consider the Shape of Retirement and how it doesn't have to be the traditional work-for-40-years-then stop model that has been the norm for most of the last century. We have some simple examples of how clients have done that and also some salutary warnings. Show Notes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/RS8

Today we're going to look at some real stories around pension planning, but not your usual run-of-the-mill pension planning! We're going to look at SIPPs and SSASs and how we've used them to move our clients' financial plans forward. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/RS7

Today we're going to be talking about preparing for death, which doesn't have to be as morbid as it sounds! But we have to face it, and preparing well for the day we shuffle off this mortal coil is an important part of being intentional about our finances. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/RS6

Today we're going to look at some work that we've done for clients in the area of estate and inheritance tax planning, and draw some lessons that might be useful for you in the same area. Show notes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/RS5

Today we're continuing in our Real Stories season and we're going to talk about Protection - talking about the life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection that underpins any financial plan. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/RS4

Today we're going to be asking the question How much is enough? And we'll go over some real stories of when we've helped clients answer that question. Show Notes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/RS3 Retirement Investing Cheatsheet: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/retirementinvesting

This week we want to look at one Real Story of a planning journey with a client that has seen some highs and lows. It'll demonstrate the power of a relationship with a trusted financial planner, and also what can go wrong when someone tries to get too clever. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/RS2 Investment Cheatsheet: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/investment

Today we begin a new season which will be a bit different, because we're going to cover some real stories from our years in the financial advice profession. The idea is that the first part of each episode will be going over one or more examples of real client situations and in a particular area of financial planning - all anonymised of course - and from those we can draw some lessons and other salient points for your information and action. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/RS1

Today I'm chatting with Dave O'Sullivan, a listener who got in touch wanting to share his decades of knowledge of and experience in the car trade. We're going to discuss some key points about buying a car - one of the biggest purchases most of us ever make. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/session511 Car Buyer's Guide: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Used-Car-Buyers-Guide-2023.pdf

Today I'm chatting with a colleague, a fellow financial planner, Alasdair Walker. It's a conversation between fellow nerds really, specifically about Alasdair's involvement with the UKPF Reddit community. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/session510

Welcome to another Inbetweenisode where my guest is a senior member of the team at LifeSearch - Alan Richardson. This will be super-useful episode for anyone who has a business of any kind. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/session509

Today I'm bringing you a conversation I had with my friend Justin King for his podcast, which is called the Retirement Cafe podcast. Many of you will doubtless listen to that show as well as this one, and if you don't you definitely should, especially if you're heading towards retirement. Justin asked me to interview him on his show about his book which was released on 12th September - the Retirement Cafe Handbook. I've read a pre-release copy and I'm not exaggerating when I say that it was an outstanding read. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/session508

In this final episode of Season 25, Roger and Pete answer some representative questions sent to us as the season has gone on. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/OS15

Today we need to finish off Season 25 - our finances OS season - by talking about the necessary things to get right in later life. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/OS14

Today we look at how to keep the finances ticking over nicely in retirement by conducting regular reviews. Specifically, we'll be looking at when and how. Show Notes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/OS13

Today we're going to talk about the DANGER ZONE That's period of time from when you retire to when all your available income sources are coming in, usually the time of your state pension. This is the period where you'll have the best health, so you'll want to enjoy that and spend your money accordingly. Show Notes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/OS12

We're on the home straight in this season now, and today, we're talking about the decisions we need to make at the point of retirement. It's probably the biggest transition of all in our financial lives, so this is an important episode. Show Notes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/OS11 Cash flow ladder graphic UK Personal Finance flow chart: https://ukpersonal.finance/flowchart/

Today we're going to look at the things we need to do as we approach retirement. We always say that retirement is THE point in time where everyone would benefit from taking professional advice, but at least we can give you the main things to be thinking about and to talk to your adviser about.

Today we thought we would take stock of where we've come in the season and also to help you with reviewing the transition points of the flow chart, as they apply to your life. A regular review is essential for being intentional with our finances, and it's at those review points that we can take a look at where we are and see if there's anything we need to change. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/OS9

So…this has been a lot of work! 500 episodes over ten and a half years, not to mention over 460 videos. Today we're going to throw out the usual structure of the show and hear from lots of different voices, some friends of the show but also quite a few listeners, which will be excellent! Show Notes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/session500

Today we'll continue to build on the foundations we've laid and also on last week's discussion of shorter-term goals. We're going to be talking about identifying, costing and building towards long-term goals. Show Notes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/OS8 UKPF Flow Chart: https://ukpersonal.finance/flowchart/

Today we start to build on what we've talked about so far. We've laid the foundation of debt elimination, creating an emergency fund and having the right protection in place. Now we can start looking to the future and set some goals… Show Notes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/OS7 UKFP Flowchart: https://ukpersonal.finance/flowchart/

Today, we continue to work our way through the UK Personal Finance Flowchart, using that as a guide to create our Finance Operating System. And specifically today we're going to be talking about completing our wealth foundation with insurance. This is such an important subject because there is simply no point building for the future without putting measures in place to make sure that our financial plans are not completely derailed if the future doesn't wind up like we expect. Show Notes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/OS6 UKFP Flowchart: https://ukpersonal.finance/flowchart/

Today we're continuing our tip-toe through the UK Personal Finance Flow Chart, and specifically, we're talking about paying off expensive debts. This is an essential part of getting your finances on a firm footing so that you can build for the future. Show Notes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/OS5 UKPF Flow Chart: https://ukpersonal.finance/flowchart/ UPDATE: Voluntary National Insurance deadline for filling gaps since April 2006 has been extended to 5 April 2025. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/deadline-for-voluntary-national-insurance-contributions-extended-to-april-2025

So far we've covered budgeting - the thing that underpins it all, and also the essential emergency fund - putting a buffer between ourselves and whatever the world can throw at us. It might seem logical now to go on to talk about paying down debt, but according to the UKPF Flowchart, there's a step before that, and we absolutely agree that this is in the right place - we need to talk about PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS Show Notes UKPF Flow Chart

Today we continue our dance through the UK Personal Finance Flow Chart, which is serving as our map for building a kind of Financial Operating System. Last week we went deep into Budgeting, and today we want to talk about the Emergency fund. Might not sound the most gripping of subjects, but it IS important… Show Notes UKPF Flow Chart

Today we're going to be starting our journey proper through the UKPF Flowchart and talking about the foundation of it all - Budgeting. Show Notes Meaningful Money Budget Tracker UKPF Flowchart

I've long been a lurker in the UK Personal Finance Subreddit. One of the key resources that they put out is the UK Personal Finance Flowchart, which is a masterwork, it really is. It's basically a do this, then that, operating system for your personal finances. We'll cover a section of the flowchart in each episode and expand upon it, adding some detail.

Today we have another quick inbetweenisode where I'm talking to Ted Moreau of a very interesting site called Pickafund which I think has the potential to really help a lot of people find the funds they want to invest in.

I this week's inbetweenisode, I have a chat with long-time friend of the show, and one-half of the genius Property Hub duo, Mr Rob Dix about his book The Price of Money, which will REALLY help you understand the current economic state of affairs and what you should do about it…

We've covered some ground in this season, trying to make all of our lives easier when it comes to our finances. And today we need to talk about making other people's lives easier - we're talking about simplifying your legacy.

Today we're getting into Roger's specialist subject - retirement planning - and how to simplify the approach to it so that you can make it as easy as possible.

As we haven't covered financial behaviour in a while, it's a good idea to revisit the subject, and in the process we'll offer some advice on how to maintain a good attitude and posture towards your finances.

Insurance is part of the the foundation on which all wealth is built, so it's important not only that we have the right insurance, but that have it set up as simply as possible.

I have a ten-point checklist for an annual financial review, but even that might seem a bit daunting, so how can we simplify the process of keeping on top of your finances? IN this episode, Roger and I do our best to help…

Today we're continuing our season about Simplifying Everything and talking specifically about simplifying your investments. We certainly see a lot of complexity here when clients come to us. And while not everyone has a super-simple situation - sometimes complexity happens by accident - in almost every case, there's a level of simplification that can be achieved, and usually quite easily and quickly.

Today we're talking about simplifying pensions, an area of personal finance which is fraught with potential complication.

Today we're focusing on an area of personal finance dear to Roger's heart - budgeting! Everything starts and ends with the budget; income and outgoings. So we're going to look at ways to simplify things and make it all easier to manage.

We're getting into the season in earnest today, talking about Simplifying Your Planning. What do we mean by planning - we mean the reasons why you're saving, investing, insuring - the goals you set and the mechanisms you put in place to achieve those goals. We see people over-complicate this, and hence their financial arrangements follow suit.

This season we're going to be talking about the power of simplicity and suggesting ways you can simplify your financial situation. There are so many benefits for you, for your family, and in all kinds of ways - which we'll get to in due course.

Today I'm chatting with Dan Sherrard-Smith, founder and CEO of MotherTree, a fascinating website which helps us calculate the impact of our investing on the environment, and helps us to figure out how to improve that. This is obviously very timely, so I think you're going to enjoy my conversation with Dan.

I'm joined today by Youssef Darwich, CEO and Co-Founder of Nosso, an interesting app which allows families to invest together for the benefit of children, but also does quite a bit more than that. I thought it was interesting, so I wanted to speak with Youssef to find out more…

Happy New Year! Many of us will be glad to see the back of 2022, but there's plenty to look forward to in 2023 and I wanted to give you a bit of a heads-up as to where we're going here at MeaningfulMoney in the next 12 months, and… to ask for your help.

It might be easy if you're the kind of person who listens to personal finance podcasts, to put money itself on a pedestal and give it an importance it shouldn't have. Today we're going to be talking about keeping money firmly in its place.

Today we're going to talk about Strategies For avoiding scams. It's a pretty messed up world out there and scams seem to continue to proliferate and that's why so many people hesitate to do online banking, or invest in anything other than their high street bank. So let's try and help you spot the bad guys and keep yourselves, your data and your money safe.

Today's subject is one that came up quite a bit when we asked you - dear listeners - for subject ideas for this season. We're going to talk about Strategies For preparing for separation or divorce.