

The Martin Lewis Podcast
BBC Radio 5 Live
Martin Lewis answers your financial questions, offering valuable money-saving tips.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 8, 2025 • 33min
Can salary sacrifice cut student loan & savings tax cost? A Bridesmaid refund! And, state pension tax?
Dive into financial wisdom as salary sacrifice strategies for lowering student loan repayments are explored. Discover how increasing pension contributions can shift tax brackets and affect savings allowances. A heartwarming bridesmaid dress refund story highlights consumer rights, while Martin discusses the future of tax on state pensions. Plus, he shares his exhilarating experience on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and hints at his interest in Celebrity Traitors. Have a burning question? You can ask him anything!

Dec 4, 2025 • 1h 3min
Are Credit Scores real or nonsense? How to make yourself more attractive to lenders
Discover the truth behind credit scores and why they might not be as real as you think. Learn how to make yourself more appealing to lenders by understanding key factors like income and affordability. Explore the latest changes in energy tariffs and what they mean for your bills. Hear stories of financial maturity from listeners and gain insights into building credit, correcting reports, and the importance of managing payments wisely. Get practical tips to enhance your financial standing and get ready to ask questions for future discussions!

Dec 1, 2025 • 31min
Question Time: Time to ditch Premium Bonds? Do student loans cost more for middle earners? Credit on a low income?
Martin Lewis tackles hot financial topics, like whether it's time to ditch premium bonds and the hidden costs middle earners face with student loans. He breaks down how the ISA limit functions and discusses upcoming changes that could impact savers. Plus, there's a deep dive into the Online Safety Act and why it hasn't effectively reduced scam ads. Learn how savings interest is taxed and ways to manage your tax liability on earnings. With plenty of listener questions answered, there's financial wisdom for everyone.

9 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 28min
Budget 2025: Instant reaction special!
In a rapid-fire breakdown of the latest budget, Martin Lewis reveals impactful changes like the state pension increase and freezing of student loan thresholds. He discusses a significant shift in energy levies away from bills and the introduction of new surcharges for electric vehicles. A surprising end to the two-child benefit limit is on the horizon, while potential ISA reforms are also highlighted. With tips on switching tariffs and navigating fiscal changes, it's a must-listen for anyone interested in personal finance!

Nov 24, 2025 • 29min
Question Time: Time to stop using my LISA? Are cashback & switch bonuses taxable? Are investments protected up to £85,000?
Dive into tips on getting hotel refunds for flight cancellations and understand the protection limits on investments versus savings. Discover whether it's wise to pause your Lifetime ISA contributions ahead of upcoming budget changes. Learn about the non-taxable nature of cashback and switch bonuses. Martin even shares his favorite music choices and how AI can help decode convoluted policy terms. It's an informative yet personal journey through financial queries and practical advice!

Nov 20, 2025 • 56min
Millions can now reclaim student loans! | Savings safety limit to rise | Will energy prices go up?
Discover ways millions can reclaim overpaid student loans and the surprising nuances of repayment plans. Learn about rising savings protection limits and how they impact your finances. Martin predicts energy price cap changes and explores whether fixing tariffs now is wise. Tune in for light-hearted listener stories about the cheapest returns and a discussion on retail gift aid for charitable donations. Plus, insights into the complexities of energy billing and calls for social tariffs to better support vulnerable consumers.

Nov 17, 2025 • 27min
Question Time: Will my new husband need to pay for my daughter’s uni? Do high interest savings beat cash ISAs?
In this engaging discussion, listeners find out whether high-interest savings accounts are better than cash ISAs. Martin explains how a partner's income can impact maintenance loans for students, revealing the complexities of tuition fees and living costs. He also shares tips for saving on university expenses, like exploring welfare funds. And in a whimsical twist, Martin humorously declares his preference for spaghetti hoops over alphabetti spaghetti. It's a mix of practical advice and light-hearted banter!

Nov 13, 2025 • 1h 9min
A wallet workout to gain pounds! Earn £100s in minutes perusing your purse or (digital) wallet
Discover how a wallet workout can help you identify the best debit and credit cards to maximize your savings. Learn about cashback options like Lloyds Ultra and how to pick travel cards wisely. Martin discusses essential checks, from your driving licence photo to ensuring your organ donor registration is current. Find out why it's crucial to evaluate foreign transaction fees and whether cash or card is better for small purchases. Plus, tips on fighting price hikes with O2 and managing overdrafts effectively.

Nov 10, 2025 • 31min
Question Time: Is paying via PayPal a bigger risk? How to do a budget? Has the government ever told Martin to stay schtum?
In this engaging discussion, Martin dives into budgeting pitfalls and offers tips on detailed categorization to keep track of expenses. He shares practical methods like the jam-jar approach for allocating monthly funds. The conversation also touches on the complexities of payment protections, especially with PayPal and Section 75 rights. Plus, listeners learn how an 18-year-old can start building credit responsibly. Martin even clarifies the impact of marriage on wills and whether the government has ever asked him to stay quiet. Tune in for insightful money advice!

Nov 6, 2025 • 1h 5min
Martin’s Savings Interest Masterclass: increase what you earn by up to 50%!
Discover how to supercharge your savings with expert insights on cash ISAs, fixed savings, and the best regular saver accounts. Learn about the importance of financial education in schools and the three crucial rules before saving. Martin dives into the pros and cons of fixed versus variable rates, explains how to navigate tax on ISAs, and shares strategies for maximizing bonuses from banks. Plus, hear listeners' stories about job satisfaction and get the lowdown on the Lifetime ISA and Help to Save programs!


