This is Money Podcast

My property is my pension. That was the popular saying when buy-to-let was all the rage and every other person you met fancied their chances as a minor property mogul.But life has got much tougher for landlords, with a series of tax grabs and tougher mortgage rules hitting.So does buy-to-let still stack up as a way to build your wealth?It certainly requires a lot of money upfront, even more now than ever before, and while the taxman will take a big chunk of your buy-to-let investment pot in stamp duty, he’ll give you money back if you invest in a pension instead.Simon Lambert, Sarah Davidson and Georgie Frost take a look at buy-to-let and the property market in this week’s podcast, including how it compares to investing in your Isa or a pension.They also look at investing in property without buying it directly yourself, and whether houses are too expensive now for good profits in years to come, or if there are some areas where an investment still makes sense.Also, tackled on this week’s show is whether interest rates will definitely rise in May and what’s behind the tough times on the High Street.And finally, ever wondered whether you could stick a hypercar on finance. We explain how much that costs and why further down the ladder a lot of those supercars you see are going on the never never. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s not long before the door slams shut on your chance to use this year’s Isa allowance.It’s always best not to leave Isa saving or investing until the last month of the tax year, but many of us will do so.If you do end up fixing your Isa against the deadline, it’s definitely wise not to leave it to the last week – or even the final few days.So, here is our special Isa podcast – with a comfortable three weeks to spare before the 5 April tax year end. In it, Simon Lambert, Rachel Rickard Straus and Georgie Frost dive into everything you need to know about Isas, from cash, to stocks and shares, and Innovative to Lifetime.The podcast tackles the basics and also tips for those who are experienced Isa savers or investors.It also looks at why investing is the best way to get inflation-beating returns over the long term, how savers can eke some precious extra interest from accounts, and why an Isa is worth having. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have a housing crisis. That’s the message, loud and clear, and it was reiterated by the Prime Minister this week.What’s the answer? Build more homes.Or is it? Because once you start digging into the subject, this housing crisis is a pretty ill-defined problem - and it’s not clear that a lack of homes is causing the problem of too high house prices.Many people suspect that actually it’s too much cheap money that made homes so expensive.On this week’s podcast episode, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost get stuck into the housing crisis. They look at what the problem is meant to be, what made homes so expensive, what the plans are to solve the issue, and whether building more homes will make house prices cheaper.And there’s even a defence of the dreaded Nimby in there.Also on this week’s show we discuss why we are calling for action on the state pension top-up fiasco, how your driving licence might get Brexited, and the jobs that desperately need more people.And finally, what should you do in an interview when dealt tricky questions, such as ‘tell me about yourself’.Or even, ‘what fruit are you?’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this excerpt from the This is Money podcast, Simon Lambert outlines why he thinks interest rates should rise and Rachel Rickard Straus explains why savers need to switch to better deals and not just rely on rates going up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toys R Us and Maplin were sunk this week, investors are nervously watching Carpetright and Mothercare, and restaurants from Jamie Oliver’s, to Byron, and now Prezzo are closing their doors.This week’s shop closures could see more than 5,000 jobs lost.It looks like a slow motion crash on the High Street.But at the same time the economy is doing okay, and sales in the housing market are reasonably buoyant, so why the trouble?In this week’s podcast, Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Rachel Rickard Straus take a look at Britain’s high street woes and whether it is company debt, consumer confidence, overexpansion gone wrong, or a failure to keep up with the times that is sinking well-known names.Also on the show, we take a look at what Warren Buffett learnt from his ten–year tracker fund bet – and the twist in the tale of how he won it.Plus, how the value of your old £10 note changed through its lifetime and the things most likely to go wrong on a new car. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just how does the mythical and bizarre world of credit ratings really work? How can you improve your score and what does the figure even mean?On this week's podcast, personal finance editor Rachel Rickard Straus and consumer affairs editor Lee Boyce join presenter Georgie Frost to discuss this and how one unknown fraud marker on a Cifas file left a reader with a 'do not employ' status when looking for job.Rachel describes how she saw a tourist defrauded at a cash point and what it made her realise.Lee explains why he is fed-up with car insurers taking motorists for a ride and how he beat a 67 per cent annual rise.Whisper it: but there could be a cash Isa season this year. For years, banks and building societies scrambled to offer attractive rates – and 2018 could see the tax-free accounts finally en vogue once more.Pensioner bonds – remember them? Well many are seeing the three-year versions of the accounts mature. But there could be a tax sting in the tail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Interest rates are going to rise in May, if you believe economists, but will things get better or worse for you if they do?A few years ago, Mark Carney told us to enjoy the low inflation world while it lasted, but now wages are forecast to rise and keep inflation sticky, so interest rates are potentially going to inch up.Rising rates are often painted as bad news but for many a world in which they go up will look more enjoyable.What would be even more pleasurable is being paid more, so is Britain really finally about to break out of its low wage growth trap and get a pay rise?On this week’s podcast, Simon Lambert, Rachel Rickard Straus discuss why we don’t get paid enough, what we can do about it and how to look on the bright side of rising interest rates.Contrasting news on the struggles of first-time buyers, at the same time as they are at their highest level for a decade, is also on the agenda.Plus, there is good financial news for unmarried couples, the new car tax madness that is about to bite and the energy saving myths that apparently mean you shouldn’t turn the heating up to make your home warm up quickly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Buy, sell, or hold? When stock markets take a tumble, it's decision time.Investors got a shock this week, when the prolonged period without a stock market correction – dubbed the Big Calm – came to an abrupt end.Many were not surprised by the fact that shares fell, after all warnings that a correction must arrive have not been in short supply. But what did catch them off guard was quite how hard they fell and that the only catalyst was the threat of slightly higher interest rates.On Wall Street, the Dow Jones dived 4.6 per cent on Monday, and then after a brief bit of mid-week respite, it tumbled another 4.2 per cent on Thursday.In the UK, shares also fell but not by as much, although some with more high-octane portfolios will be nursing bigger losses.So, is this just a healthy correction, or is it the start of something bigger?On this week’s podcast, Simon Lambert, Alex Sebastian and Georgie Frost look at why shares fell, what investors should do when markets correct, and whether there is any way to dodge a crash.Tying into that stock market storm was the Bank of England’s indication that although it was holding rates this month, they would now rise faster and sooner than expected.We look at when that next rate rise is likely, and why the Bank has changed its tune. There's also a warning on debt from former Bank boss Mervyn King.Also on this week’s show, we discuss the young people falling victim to temptation to launder cash as money mules and the petrol delivery service that comes to you.Listen to the show, tells us if you like it at [email protected] or with a comment and please subscribe and tell your friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chancellor asked for ideas for inheritance tax to be simplified this week, but should we even have a death tax at all?It is highly unpopular, and some who argue against it say that taxing someone when they are alive and then their estate when they die amounts to double taxation.In contrast, others argue for a lower inheritance tax-free threshold and an even higher tax rate than the current 40%.So how do you solve a problem like inheritance tax? On this week’s podcast Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost look at how it works, why it is unpopular, and how you can avoid it.Simon suggests his plan to simplify it and get more people paying by removing those fiddly reliefs and slashing the rate to 20%.But we also consider the argument for taxing inheritance (and unearned property wealth) more heavily.Later on the podcast, we discuss the problem of interest-only timebomb mortgages and whether homeowners are burying their heads in the sand.Also on the agenda is what’s wrong with M&S and investing in emerging markets and why they could still be a good long-term bet, even after funds rose almost 30% last year.And finally, the team dive into the cryptocurrency world again to look at how to play it safe if you are going to buy bitcoin or one of its smaller rivals.Well, as safe as possible with something prone to swing around by daily double-digit percentages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could you get duped into sending a fraudster thousands of pounds?Many people think of course they wouldn’t, but then it happens to them.In this week’s podcast Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost look into the disturbing rise in fraudsters targeting ordinary people’s finances and how you can protect yourself – we also ask if the banks do enough to help.On the other side of the table from those looking to take your money, are the people who promise to make it for you – fund managers.And there has been one name that keeps cropping up in This is Money’s reader comments as someone who doesn’t get his fair dues, Terry Smith.We dive into his Fundsmith fund, why it has been so successful and having had it explained to him first hand by Mr Smith himself, Simon outlines the Fundsmith investing philosophy.He looks at whether investors need to be wary of putting too much faith in an approach that has done well if conditions change, or whether the top global funds run by managers such as Smith, Nick Train and the Baillie Gifford team are worth sticking with come what may.Also up on this week’s podcast is the best car of the year as named by What Car? – and it’s a diesel – and Lee’s once in a lifetime trip to the home of Ikea in Sweden, where he learnt some very interest facts about the flatpack furniture store you either love or hate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The collapse of Carillion this week brought how Britain runs itself into the spotlight, but it also left many workers wondering about their money.And it's not just their wages that are a concern, the safety of people's final salary pensions is a major worry when a company collapses. In this week's podcast, Simon Lambert, Rachel Rickard Straus and Georgie Frost look at how safe your pension is and what backs it up. They also discuss whether it is wise handing over so much of the UK’s public service and projects to private companies looking to turn a profit for shareholders - and what happens to people's finances when that goes wrong?If you’ve always wanted to understand the business of the private finance initiative (PFI) – this week’s show is a must listen.Alongside that we discuss the continuing madness of the cryptocurrency boom, including the alternatives to bitcoin and how ripple rose 84% in 24 hours.We also reveal the savings rate postcode lottery and ask that all important question, should you spend your money now and enjoy it or save it for the kids' inheritance?Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planning on relying on the state pension to keep you afloat in retirement? After listening to this week’s podcast, you might want to have a rethink.On this episode, presenter Georgie Frost, consumer affairs editor Lee Boyce and personal finance editor Rachel Rickard Straus discuss what’s in store for the state pension.Will it still be around when they come to retire? A report this week suggests something will have to change to make sure it is, whether that be everyone paying more in National Insurance, the retirement age rising again or a means-tested state pension.The team also discuss getting hold of our state pension forecasts – and if they’re at all reliable.And what about those who are already retired?The trio then discuss a growing trend of retirees extracting money from the value of their homes to pay off credit card debts.But it’s not all gloom.Lee has news of a 50p coin that could be worth considerably more than that – and that you can only get hold of by going on a lovely day out.Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

House prices are coming off the boil, but it is London and the South East that are suffering, while some regional cities do well.But what happens next?Simon Lambert takes a look at the house price forecasts for 2018 and whether property will rise, fall or flatline in the year ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From savings rates, to property prices and the prospects for the UK economy, this week we take a look at what will (might) happen to our finances in 2018.Predictions – as we all know – are a mug’s game, but as it is the start of a new year, it’s time to have a look at what could happen in 2018 in the world of money.Inflation is forecast to subside, while interest rates are only tipped to rise very gently. That would be a boost to people’s finances if wage inflation can get back up above the rising cost of living.A further boon could come from savings rates, which it is suggested could continue to rise.In the property market, house prices are predicted to be flat across the UK, but that will mask a continuing divergence in fortunes between regional cities, where sales are buoyant, and London and the commuter belt, where the market has suffered.Elsewhere in the economy, car sales are falling, consumer borrowing is rising but at a slower pace, and there will continue to be worries we aren’t saving enough for retirement.That’s what’s meant to happen.But will it?Simon Lambert, Sarah Davidson and Georgie Frost gaze into their crystal balls.Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Facts are either right or wrong, right?...wrong?In this special episode of the This is Money podcast Tim Harford, presenter of the BBC series More or Less and all-round Undercover Economist makes a second guest appearance.We talk about facts and stats - checking them, debunking them, reporting them, baffling with them, battling over them.But that's just the start.Tim argues that we think of facts as being either the truth or lies, but that actually factual claims can form part of our identity.We talk about the importance of factual claims made by those in positions of power - but also of trying to keep some facts out of the political domain altogether.We also discuss the impact of social media on the way in which we consume news and facts. And whether we're too dependent on numbers altogether.Don't believe us? You'll have to listen and see. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever really thought about what it is that creates the modern economy? These are the things that surround us and we interact with, or depend on, everyday but rarely think about.From credit cards, to shipping containers, batteries and double-entry book-keeping, there are a lot of things that are more interesting than you may think.And for this special Christmas edition of the This is Money podcast we have a treat for you. Tim Harford, author of Fifty Things that Made the Modern Economy, presenter of the podcast of the same name, and Undercover Economist makes a guest appearance.He joins Simon Lambert, Rachel Rickard Straus and Georgie Frost in the studio to talk about what it is that shapes the world around us, why it matters, and how what are commonplace things now were dreamed up and then completely changed the way we live. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s time for the annual This is Money Christmas taste test – and our look at how the supermarket business is faring.This year, the contenders are Sainsbury’s for the mass market, Waitrose for the upmarket, and Lidl for the discount challenger.But which will come out on top across a range of Christmas food and who delivered the cheapest bill?Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce take on Georgie Frost’s festive feast to find out in this week’s podcast and discuss whether the big supermarkets are doing better after some difficult years, if the rise of Aldi and Lidl will continue, and how Tesco and Sainsbury’s shares compare.And mingled with the Christmas food is a look at the important money news of this week, including whether higher inflation spells more rate rises, how the property market is suffering due to the reversal of the north south house price rise divide and the worst day ever to go shopping. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a decent year for investors and major stock markets around the world are trading near record highs.Things may continue to go up, but it always pays to have a Plan B just in case they don't and stock markets take a tumble.Simon Lambert, of This is Money, explains how you can build a disaster plan into your portfolio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could you train your brain to get richer? Behavioural economics tells us that we regularly behave irrationally – and nudge theory has been used by governments and organisations around the world to try to make us better people.But could you take matters into your own hands, tackle your own temptations and make yourself wealthier, or just happier?On this week’s podcast, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost look at some tricks you can deploy – and whether you can actually turn that old chestnut about not spending money on coffee into hard cash in your bank account, pension or Isa.Also on this week’s show, we discuss why Britain is bottom of the world pension league and whether that is actually as bad as it seems.Plus, we look at why NS&I’s new income bonds are proving such a hit with readers.And finally, just in case all that brain training doesn’t go as planned, Simon outlines how you can prepare an investing plan B for when the market inevitably crashes one day.Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bitcoin has risen more than tenfold this year and doubled in just seven weeks. But can it keep rising as adoption gets more widespread, does blockchain's promise justify the price, and does any of this matter as to whether it is in a bubble or not?In this excerpt from the This is Money podcast, Simon Lambert and Georgie Frost discuss Bitcoin's astonishing rise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain’s car industry is crying foul, as not a single new diesel car avoids the Budget tax hike because the test they have to pass hasn’t come in yet.Car makers claim that new diesels are fine, but can we believe them? Meanwhile, campaigners want extra taxes and a serious crackdown on diesel drivers, but it’s ended up with councils leading the way with a piece-meal approach.Who should we believe, has the drive to get rid of diesel gone too far, and is it employing bad science? This week, Simon Lambert, Tanya Jefferies and Georgie Frost drive into the murky world of diesel cars.And also on the show, we look at a victory for those with small annuities and how to invest for income with ETFs.Former hedge fund manager Lars Kroijer explains why you should stop trying to beat the market and just be a passive investor.Or if that’s not for you, how about joining the bitcoin boom? We look at what on earth is going on with the cryptocurrency rollercoaster and the gold Rolls-Royce that you can buy for £117,995 but it must be paid for in bitcoin.And you might be surprised quite how little bitcoin you’d need to have bought at the start of 2017, to buy that Roller now.Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chancellor axed stamp duty for first-time buyers in the Budget up to £300,000, but his own watchdog claimed it would drive up house prices.So is the Office of Budget Responsibility right? Simon Lambert says its logic is flawed and that we need to be even more radical on stamp duty - maybe even making the seller pay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was billed as a make or break Budget, so did the Chancellor pitch it right? Philip Hammond pulled a George Osborne-sized rabbit from the hat at the end with the abolition of stamp duty for first-time buyers, but was that enough to make us to forget the gloomy economic news and the gags?On the plus side, the Budget brought an income tax cut for most, the promise of more homes being built, and no more stamp duty for most first-time buyers.On the negative side, economists say we are due another lost decade, Philip Hammond’s own financial watchdog said he would drive up house prices, and cough sweet jokes might be catching on.This week, Simon Lambert, Rachel Rickard Straus and Georgie Frost pick apart the Budget to try to find out who the winners and losers will be.From an up to £5,000 tax saving on a first home, to railcards for the under-30s, zero mentions of the word saver, and whether Just Eat can really solve the productivity puzzle, they round up what you need to know.Plus, what exactly was Simon’s stamp duty idea that drew 296 reader comments – of which about 295 were calling him an idiot? Listen to the podcast to find out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yes, it’s another Budget. On Wednesday, November 22, Philip Hammond will stand up and deliver his second Budget of the year and this is his chance to ride to the Conservatives’ rescue.After the last Budget mess, the snap election that went wrong, the unexpected rise of Corbynism, and the Brexit arguments that just won’t go away, the Chancellor will be hoping that he’s the one to get everything back on track.So what could he deliver – and what should he?From help for younger people, to stamp duty cuts, pension tinkering, building more homes and just fixing the roads, Simon Lambert, Rachel Rickard Straus and Georgie Frost take a run through what might come up and what it would mean for you.And they outline what they would like to see.The problem for the Chancellor, as he shifts the Budget to the autumn for the first time, is that there is a tension between his desire to do something and his lack of wriggle room due to Britain’s finances.How will he solve that problem? Listen to the podcast to see what we think – and tell us your thoughts in the comments.Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever dreamed of retiring early, or at least choosing to work on your own terms?There is a niche but growing movement that’s all about financial independence - it’s not necessarily about stopping work completely, but it is about having the choice to do so.So, could you achieve financial independence, how hard would it be and how long would it take?And why would you even want to retire early?On this week’s This is Money podcast, Simon Lambert, Laura Whitcombe and Georgie Frost stick it to The Man and dive into financial independence.They look at a reader’s question on whether he could reinvest profits from his business and property to retire by 50.They also discuss just how much of your income you might need to save to get there and whether that sacrifice is worth it.Also on the show:• How to invest your pension in retirement• We ask NatWest about its dreadful savings rate• The good news on savings rates that are risingAnd finally, as the UK’s worst places for using a mobile have been revealed, how can you avoid becoming someone who has to lean out the window to call people? Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How quickly does the Bank of England think that the base rate will rise after its first move up? Simon Lambert looks at the figures and outlines the good, the bad and the awkward, in this excerpt from the This is Money podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It finally happened. The Bank of England raised interest rates for the first time in more than a decade this week.But what was the point of that rate rise? It was certainly a curiosity, coming alongside a decidedly downbeat Inflation Report.Was it to dampen inflation, to send a warning sign to borrowers, or just to put a tiny smile on beleaguered savers’ faces?On this week’s podcast, Simon Lambert, Rachel Rickard Straus and Georgie Frost look at why the Bank raised rates and what it means for you.They also dive into the really crucial question: how high will the base rate go from here and how fast will it rise?There’s also some ideas to get richer whatever happens next with interest rates, a jargon-busting look at what on earth is the bank of England talking about in its reports, and tips on how to find the best savings account… while one of the worst is shamed.And it’s not all interest rates, we’ve also got the state pension trap for those trying to boost payouts and the intriguing question of whether someone has to pay tax on an astonishing £3,995,000 profit on Bitcoin.Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you have a will? If not you should probably get one. But if you do have one, do you understand what’s in it?According to Will Aid, MORE THAN HALF (54%) of parents with children under the age of 18 don’t have a will. That’s 54 per cent minus one person now, however, after This is Money editor Simon Lambert finally got his act together and sorted his out.So what do you need to know about getting a will, what’s easy, what’s complicated and what are the things you don’t want to think about but have to? Simon explains what he found out when he got his.Also on this week’s show, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce discuss the best way to help bank fraud victims – and whether enough is being done to get people’s money back and warn potential victims.Plus, we find out how to invest like one of the most successful investors ever, Warren Buffett, from the Buffettology fund manager who has spent the past five years beating the UK market by doing just that.The cars most people want to ditch through scrappage are also revealed, as we look at the question of whether people are getting themselves a good deal or just being lazy.And finally, it’s time for a last ditch round of ‘will interest rates rise next week?’ Find out which one of our podcast trio says they will by giving it a listen.Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inheritance tax is one of the most hated around.Despite the fact that most people will never leave enough wealth to have it charged on their estates, we really don't like the idea of 40% above a certain amount going to the taxman.But IHT is also a tax that can be avoided. How? Listen to this week's podcast to find out, as Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Sarah Davidson discuss all things inheritance.They look at how it works, ways to avoid it and the traps you could fall into.They also have some ideas about what we should do about it.If Chancellor Philip Hammond is listening - and we sincerely hope he does tune in – then he can get some feedback on an idea he was credited with this week: taking some money off the old, to give to the young. What started out as rumours of a lower tax rate for the under-30s, ended up as an apparent Budget plan to cut pension tax relief for older savers and somehow boost what’s on offer to younger people.Our story on this has been the most read of the week and the idea has faced a huge backlash. Why is that, could this work or is it just more shuffling of the deckchairs?Also, up for discussion is the latest economy news, from inflation, to wages, a state pension increase and a November rate rise that may or may not be nailed on.And finally, do you have a favourite motorway service station? It turns out that some of the This is Money team are sad enough to have one – so if you’re like us you’ll be glad to know an astonishing 112 British service stations have been ranked. What is Georgie’s top motorway service station? Listen to the end to find out. (Now, there’s an invitation.)Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behavioural economists believe a gentle nudge in the right direction can make you richer and over recent years they have managed to win the ears of governments around the world – including the UK’s.This week one of the thinkers who helped spread the word on behavioural economics, Professor Richard Thaler, won a Nobel Prize for economics.In the old world of economics textbooks, people behaved perfectly rationally and made the right choices. In the real world, of course, we don’t. We make irrational decisions that fly in the face of economic theory all the time.Yet, our irrational behaviour can be an asset. It means that we can be nudged into making the best choices.Professor Thaler’s catch-all advice is whether you’re a business or a government, if you want people to do something, make it easy.In Britain, one example adopted by the Government has been pensions. Instead of getting people to opt into a pension, we’re now automatically enrolled and then offered the chance to opt out. It’s now easier to have a pension than not to. Unsurprisingly, more people now save into pensions.On this week’s podcast, Simon Lambert, Rachel Rickard Straus and Georgie Frost take a look at Professor Thaler’s work, his prize, behavioural economics and the whole nudge idea. Does this all really work?Also, on the show we look at the ONS’ new price per square metre map of UK house prices and whether it tells us anything new – and we pick up on an interesting report from estate agent Savills on how to get homes built and sold for less than the market price.With mortgage rates suddenly taking a step up we look at whether now is the time to fix, how to find the best deal and what you should do if you’re already on a fixed rate but think you may miss out on the cheapest deals by the time it finishes.Also on the agenda, we lift the lid on a new batch of ‘better’ savings rates coming to the market and dive into why shares, bonds, property and other asset prices rise.And finally, Simon tells us about the new Great British Entrepreneur’s Challenge in which This is Money and entrepreneur Andy Yates are looking to find a start-up and help it grow.Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Households are being pushed into having smart meters fitted by energy giants trying to meet their own targets.But despite delivering accurate billing many are unhappy at having the meters fitted. So what's the problem with them?Lee Boyce, Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert, discuss smart meters on this excerpt from the This is Money podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forget coughing fits, pranksters and tumbling letters for a minute. Along with a car crash speech for Theresa May, the Tory party conference also brought a few policies that might make a difference to our financial lives.Student fees, housebuilding and an energy price cap all came up on the agenda.But was this just tinkering around the edges, or a solid plan to improve three highly controversial areas?Last week, the This is Money Podcast asked what Labour would do to the UK economy and your finances, so this week it seems only fair to ask the question of the Conservatives.Listen to the podcast to join Simon Lambert, Laura Whitcombe and Georgie Frost on a tour through those Tory policies – and whether they have any chance of working – alongside the rest of the money news you need to know about this week.Also on the agenda this week, we talk pensions, discussing why a reader’s state pension has been cut even for the years they were contracted in and whether we need to be worried about final salary schemes paying out what they are meant to.'Open banking' and whether banks should be allowed to scan your spending habits to then alert you to better deals is also discussed, along with the things you should avoid doing to your home if you ever want to sell it.And finally, in some breaking news we bring you the information you’ve all been waiting for. How much did the top new £10 note sell for at the Bank of England auction?Was it £700, £3,400, or £7,200? Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this excerpt from the This is Money Podcast, Simon Lambert, Rob Hull and Georgie Frost discuss how new car buyers can get the best deal from the car scrappage schemes being offered by dealers. The This is Money Podcast brings you everything you need to know about money each week, in partnership with NS&I Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour didn’t win the last General Election but leader Jeremy Corbyn believes it could do next time. In case that comes around anytime soon, the party this week laid out some plans at its conference.Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell also revealed that the leadership would be doing war game planning should a Labour victory cause a run on the pound or a stock market slump.Depending on your point of view, this may sound amusing, scary or exciting. But what does it actually mean and should we be worried?Corbyn's plans are pretty radical and would herald a sharp turn in the country's economic direction but should we be worried about the economy as it is now?Perhaps the rumoured Bank of England rate hike is a sign that things are absolutely fine.On this week’s This is Money podcast, Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce take a look at whether the UK’s pint glass is half empty or half full – and whether that means you will get richer or poorer.The team also look at whether the unloved UK is a contrarian investing opportunity and how people taking advantage of pension freedom can make their pot last and enjoy a richer retirement.And for those who enjoyed the driving theory test quiz of a fortnight ago (and the towing a trailer-based knowledge bashing that came with it), it’s question time again: This week, how much do your household appliances cost to run each year?Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the team ask the million dollar question: are interest rates really about to rise before the end of 2017?Are house buyers in property 'paradise' after a recent index showed a fall in monthly house asking prices - and should homeowners fix their mortgages for the long term?Brexit has thrown up many potential problems and could private expat pensions be one of them?And note mania is back - last week saw the new polymer £10 note launched. We tell you what serial numbers to look out for to potentially make a tidy profit.Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is Money has had a string of questions from readers looking to give their cash to children or grandchildren but who also wish to protect it from being squandered or lost in a relationship break-up.Whether the money is for a house deposit or to avoid inheritance tax, or for any other reason, it’s a major modern concern - especially as the sums involved can be tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds.On this week’s This is Money podcast, Simon Lambert, Rachel Rickard Straus and Georgie Frost discuss why people are worried and what they can do – if anything.Can you really control money once it has been given away?Could partners – or even theoretical future partners – get their hands on it?And why give it away in the first place if you’re going to worry about how it’s used?Also, on the agenda is the 10-year anniversary of the run on Northern Rock – when customers feared for the bank’s future and queued up outside branches to withdraw all their cash. It was the birth of the financial crisis in the UK followed by the credit crunch.How did the decade that followed change our financial lives and who have been the winners and losers?With interest rates held again we look at whether they could still rise this year – as Simon has bravely predicted – and why you shouldn’t be suckered in by a stunning looking 7.75% fixed-rate bond claiming official FSCS protection that you found on Google.If it looks too good to be true it surely is – right? That’s the rule. But if someone told you that you could buy into something that’s up 70% in two years at a discount - and it still looks reasonably cheap - you’d walk away wouldn’t you? But that’s the deal with emerging markets investment trusts. Why?And finally, we see whether Simon, Georgie, or Rachel could pass a driving theory test today using the quiz we put to our readers. It sets off more discussions about towing a trailer than you’d ever expect on a money podcast.Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Car scrappage schemes are back. After waiting in vain for the government to launch an official scrappage scheme to get dirty diesels off the road, car makers have taken matters into their own hands.But is this an altruistic move to help replace more polluting cars with greener ones, or are they just trying to flog more cars?These new scrappage schemes have coincided with falling sales of new cars, so you could be forgiven for being cynical, which if we’re going to be honest is exactly what This is Money editor Simon Lambert and deputy motoring editor Rob Hull are.But there’s another important question to tackle, are these scrappage schemes a good deal?Simon, Rob and host Georgie Frost take a deep dive into them – and the murky world of cars sales and finance.What you probably won’t be buying if you take advantage of a scrappage scheme is an electric car – but wait a few years and your next one could be. There’s been a string of news on this and in a show that goes more than a little electric we take a look at what the future holds.Will it be Nissan’s new £20,000 Leaf that wins out, Jaguar’s plan to offer every model with an electric or hybrid version, or could it even be a Dyson car that storms the market?If you’d prefer to go a bit off the beaten track and electric motorbike with a detachable battery you can charge in your office might even be the answer. Rob spent a week with a Super Soco to test out that theory and reports back here.And what about your house? This week we told the story of Darren Widdowson, from Northamptonshire, who decided to try generating his own electricity with solar panels and a battery storage unit from Ikea. He now pays just £4.50 every month for electricity to power his home and electric car.Also on this week’s show we look at the case where This is Money’s Tanya Jefferies won £7,000 back from HMRC for a couple who paid to bump up their state pension and then discovered that wasn’t possible and we ask if Neil Woodford, once one of the best performing fund managers in the UK, has lost the Midas touch.And finally, would giving your house a nice name add to its value – and exactly what are the rules on this? We explain what you need to do if you fancy calling your home Trevor, Nigel, or Dunroamin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hasta La Vista PPI!Arnold Schwarzenegger has been drafted in as a last-ditch attempt to get the millions of us who still haven't claimed compensation for mis-sold PPI to do so.In this episode of the podcast, top financial broadcaster Georgie Frost join Lee Boyce and Rachel Rickard Straus of the This is Money team to talk about Arnie's new PPI advertisement campaign and more.They have a good old chat about the big money stories from the past week and what it all means for you.We've all heard about PPI a million times, but with half of those eligible still yet to claim, could you still be owed a little windfall?Lee gives his back to basics guide on what you can do to check – and how you could still be owed some cash even if you've had a claim declined in the past.Then Georgie makes a case for banning the word 'loyal' when used to describe customers who stay with the same utility or insurance provider for year after year.Are they loyal, apathetic or unaware that they could get a better deal elsewhere?Either way, we explain how you can help family and friends to save hundreds of pounds every year (and perhaps even take you on holiday with the proceeds… you never know).Rachel and Lee also go head to head over cashback websites. Rachel says you can't argue with free cash, Lee finds some arguments against it…All this and plenty more in another packed episode of the unmissable This is Money Podcast. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ten years ago last week the greatest game of hide and seek was about to come to an end. Banks had been lending money to people who had no way of ever paying it back to buy houses they would never be able to afford. But rather than writing off the debts, they packaged them up into complex investments, pretended they were safe and selling them to investors who had no idea of what they were buying. The bad stuff was carefully hidden among a few quality loans and everyone was happy – for a while. It was insane. It was global. It was the financial crisis. Then came the credit crunch where the grease that turns the wheels of economies dried up. Banks collapsed. Governments went bust. Over the past week commentators have been recounting where they were and how they saw it coming. But they didn’t see it coming. Few did. This week, Simon Lambert and Georgie Frost offer up one of the best, honest and understandable accounts of what really happened after BNP Paribas shut down three hedge funds specialising in sub-prime mortgage debt, marking the beginning of the financial crisis when the global economy stared at the precipice. This episode really is a must listen. Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are banks doing everything that they can to track down fraudsters who con you into transferring them money?They repeatedly tell us that they are, but one man says that’s not true.He got scammed, took matters into his own hands and got £20,000 back. How did Gideon Roseman do it? He used his experience as a barrister to follow the money.So, if he can, why don’t we see more banks doing that?This is Money’s fraud expert Lee Boyce, who has won thousands of pounds back for readers, discusses whether banks are really doing everything they can.Also on the agenda in this week’s podcast with Simon Lambert and Georgie Frost is the exchange traded fund (ETF) that lets you invest in cows, coffee and gold all in one place (but would you want to?)And what you need to know about those bargain-priced ‘Cat D’ second-hand cars you see for sale. What does it mean, why is the system changing and are these previously damaged motors worth taking a punt on if the price is right?If you like the podcast please subscribe, leave us a review, share it, or just tell your friends the old-fashioned way by word-of-mouth. As someone once said, every little helps. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will a diesel and petrol car ban even work?If you believe the Government, in 23 years’ time new diesel and petrol cars will be banned. From 2040 the future is electric.But as these controversial plans were rolled out this week, the first question on many people’s lips was: where’s all that electricity going to come from?Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost discuss the prospects for electric cars now that we’re all going to have to learn to drive in near silence. They answer all the questions - with the help of Simon’s adventures in a top-of-the range electric Tesla:Can the power supply and grid cope?How long do electric cars take to charge?What’s it like to drive an electric car?Will carmakers deliver but the Government stuff it up?And is the booming car industry about to bust?Also on the show we look at how to build a pension if you’ve got to 45 and still don’t have any savings, what to do about Japanese knotweed and whether reading fiction can help you be a better investor.And finally…In one of the more intriguing questions This is Money has been sent recently by a reader – can you sue the council if it moves a school catchment area and harm’s your house’s value?Enjoy. If you like the show also please subscribe at your favoured podcast outlet and leave us a review or like us on iTunes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The state pension age will rise once more, it emerged this week - with those in their 40s set to lose out. But is it fair to continue to raise the state pension age in line with life expectancy, especially for those who cannot work through their 60s?Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Rachel Rickard Straus discuss how we handle the thorny and expensive issue of the state pensions.Also on this week’s show:The end of sneaky card chargesTips to avoid the car hire company rip-offs Attempts to solve the work productivity puzzleAnd it’s been a big week for news about gender equality – from the first female Doctor Who, to the FTSE’s most in-demand boss Carolyn McCall taking the top job at ITV, and then those BBC pay revelations. Is there still a lot more work to be done to promote women in business?Should stories about women getting top jobs even mention that they are women or mothers?The last ten minutes looks at how we can get more women to the top in business.Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mumblings of potential big house price falls have emerged again recently to delight the crashists.The 40% number was even mentioned - and that's not happened in a while.The property market is clearly slowing down - and prices are falling in London - but is all this talk of a crash overdone?After a report emerged from an LSE professor a fortnight ago, This is Money readers have been reliving the old house price crash article dream - and the debate in the comments has been as heated as ever.So what's behind all this? Is the warning too dire, or just a dose of realism? Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce join Georgie Frost in the studio to delve into the figures, Britain's history housing boom and bust and ponder just how overpriced homes are.Also on this week's show, we look at whether the gig economy works or needs an overhaul and more protection, and why Jaguar decided to launch the E-Pace - the new car it expects to ramp up its sales ambitions - into the air at high speed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you pop into the bookies and bung a quid on Elvis Presley still being alive – he died in 1977 - and he shows up as the support act to his heir apparent Ed Sheeran at Wembley Stadium next year, you’ll win £2,000.Put that pound into a top paying savings account over the same period and you’ll earn just over 1p. This is why stupid savings gimmicks are becoming a thing.It works like this. The provider, bank, building society or app, pays a derisory interest rate but offers a 300% boost to your returns if an improbable event takes place.Not quite as unlikely as a resurrection but not that far off.First there were the Brexit bonds, where your 1% return will be tripled if you bet correctly on the pound / euro exchange rate once Britain leaves the EU and, depending on how you see this bet panning out, all of our successful businesses leave Britain. Now football fans are being targeted. If Manchester United win the FA Cup next year AND the English Premier League, unabashed Newcastle-based Virgin Money will bung you a bung in the form of 2% bonus on the savings rate. Other football clubs are available. As are better savings accounts. Also on the show, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost explain robo investing – the cheap and easy new way of saving money without having to interact with expensive human advisers. And the latest wave of frauds filling an inbox near you are a terrifying as ever. Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nurses have had their pay cut every year for the last five years. Students are coming out of our universities with the highest level of debt in the West – higher on average than the USA. Rents are totally out of control. What then are the prospects for our youngsters and for our public sector workers? Is austerity really going to end? It’s complicated and there’s only one person who can explain this in simple, understandable English - Simon Lambert, who, with Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce, get to the bottom of the great public sector pay debate. Perhaps using more taxpayers money to give nurses and firefighters a pay rise will boost the economy? They also turn their attention to… The ‘absolutely hideous’ university fees students face in Britain. Nine grand a year for 4 hours a week and a lifetime of debt. A possible imminent interest rates rise and how one prepares for a battering on your costs of living.And with the dream of home ownership for graduates now pretty much over, rents are in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. What to do?Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you mean you’ve never seen The Big Short?It was nominated for five Oscars, won one and features Brad Pitt, Christian Bale and the part-time stripper with five houses and a condo.Watch it. Now! It’s all true. It’s about the financial crisis and it might all be about to kick off again. The Bank of England this week issued its Financial Stability Report and it’s terrifying. We’re in debt again folks. Last time it was houses and condominiums, this time it’s cars and credit cards, house prices and wages. People are buying cars on credit like they take out mobile phone contracts.Car companies have turned into money lenders, egged on by the banks. Yep the bank again. Did they learn nothing?Meanwhile, the Bank of England needs to combat inflation by raising interest rates. How on earth can they do that in this climate?Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce do their bejesus to explain. Also on the show, there’s some brilliant stuff on…Cash forever!Can ATMs survive? And what’s your favourite ATM fact? The one that makes Batman appear, maybe?Will the sneaky fund management industry finally reveal what charges they’re really skimming off?The future of final salary pensions and the triple lock. And the Queen’s beard. Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘If you've ever wondered how you get triangles from a cow,’ sang British music legends Half Man Half Biscuit, ‘you need butter milk and cheese and an equilateral chain saw. ‘It’s obvious when you know the answer!But what about the stuff you think you know the answers to… but do you? Really? The Big Money Questions. That’s the name of our fortnightly video presentation with Rachel Rickard Straus and a host of exceptional guests from the worlds of economics, business, the City and the bookshelves. In a departure from our usual round-up of the week’s money events, this week we introduce you to an audio version of the show. The question: What are stocks and shares? And related…What’s the difference between a stock and a share?Is that different from a bond?Why do they exist?Why are they different prices? What makes the prices move? How do you know if it’s worth buying them?Dividends? Huh? Forget the cheese - this stuff is whey too important to ignore.Listen, learn, enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wherever your heart lies in the debate about Britain’s role in the world, your head cannot escape the fact that we import a lot of what we consume. From the oil and gas that heats our homes and powers our cars to the hops that add flavour to our pints of beer. And that’s fine when you have a strong currency. Thing is, for roughly a year ours has been devalued by about 20% and it affects the price of just about everything. Prices are going up – the official inflation figures released this week show that in black and white in Excel. But wages aren’t going up. They might be in France and Italy but not in Britain. It means……well permit Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and the undisputed king of financial common sense, Simon Lambert, to explain exactly what it means. Also on the show. Personal debt is spiraling out of control and set to get worse as our low wage economy bites and interest rate rises now look more likely than they have for a long time. For heaven’s sake don’t let the crooks take what little money you have! We review the latest scams and show how easy it is to glean personal information from your Facebook updates. Which card should you use when holidaying abroad? Not Simon’s that’s for sure. There’s a novelty savings account on the market. You get a bonus if you bet correctly on whether sterling will be higher or lower than 1.15 to the pound in two year’s time. Are the overheated markets the result of investor boredom? And finally, Mobile operators are this week spewing over themselves to claim victory in the Europe-wide harmonisation of roaming fees. It’s nothing to do with them. It’s revolting. Merci the EU for that one. Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was meant to be an election about Brexit but it turned into one about new young voters and what they wanted. They wanted change.What they got was a minority Government, a coalition between the Conservatives and Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). But there are five more years until the next election and anyone 14, 15, 16, and 17 years old now will be able to vote in the next one. As well as some 13 year olds. They’re now part of the discussion like never before. Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Rachel Rickard Straus discuss how this is likely to affect our finances now and over the next five years. Can this Government even implement anything from their manifestos?How will they tackle impending debt and housing crises?What the hell will Brexit look like?Can they tackle the intergenerational inequality that the new voters clearly crave?Rachel explains the financial and economic plans in the DUP manifesto and how that’s likely to clash with Tory plans.You don’t get stuff like anywhere else.Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you pay more tax for better health, housing, communications, green spaces, roads, social care, railways, education, defence? Or not? The consensus seems to be that we would if only people felt they could trust the people who spend it on our behalf. It’s a complex and fascinating issue for a country living way beyond its fiscal means - allow Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Rachel Rickard Straus to explain. Also on the show…A regular minimum payment to all men, women and children in Britain is the panacea for the fair, just and healthy society we’ve all been waiting for.Isn’t it?Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.