Money Box

It can feel like new year, new you, with so much potential for change and improvement, but then reality can kick in. Around 1 in 3 of us will have made a financial resolution this year, but according to Hargreaves Lansdown, almost 20% of us won't even make it to the end of this week.So how do you make them stick? Felicity Hannah is joined by behavioural & data scientist Professor Pragya Agarwal, Laura Suter, Head of Personal Finance at AJ Bell and consumer rights expert Martyn James. Presenter: Felicity Hannah Reporter: Andrew Strachan Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast on Radio 4, Wednesday the 3rd of January 2024 at 3pm)

Explore important money topics discussed between Christmas and New Year, including consumer rights, managing debt, regifting, and booking travel. Learn about the risks and etiquette of regifting, the importance of creating a budget, the tradition of filing tax returns, and tips for finding holiday bargains and avoiding travel scams.

Professor Mairi Spowage discusses the Scottish government's budget, including higher taxes for higher earners. The MEI highlights the importance of studying core maths. Tips for saving money in 2024 are shared, along with festive music from the City of Lincoln Band.

Rising rental costs, high demand for rental properties, and the impact of rising interest rates on homeowners. Challenges faced by tenants in finding affordable housing. Delays in scrapping no fault evictions and the difficulties faced by tenants. Dealing with mold and damp in rented apartments. Actions for tenants with unresolved issues and protecting against bad landlords. The shortage of rental properties and the need to shift policy to support the rental market.

The podcast discusses the rise in household costs in the UK, warns about scams and fraud associated with gift cards, and explores the upcoming increase in energy bills. It also touches on topics such as measuring household inflation, lack of security surrounding gift cards, and the potential of smart meters in creating personalized energy tariffs.

Discover the rising cost of Christmas and how to keep costs down. Learn about the prevalence of fraud and scams during the holiday season. Get tips on cutting the cost of Christmas dinner. Explore cost-effective ways to cook Christmas dinner. Learn how to navigate financial constraints and cut back on Christmas spending. End with thanks to the guests and an ad for a podcast about Joni Mitchell.

Teenagers targeted with risky financial products through social media ads; need for stronger financial education. Increasing number of homeowners making mortgage overpayments; how much is needed to make a difference. Zero interest loans for electricity, gas, and heating oil. Importance of marriage allowance and fuel cost assistance. Interest-free energy loans and financial challenges. Popularity of credit unions and promotions for Money Box podcast.

Explore the changing landscape of banking in the UK, including the rise of digital banking and the decrease in cash usage. Learn about the history of banking and the challenges faced in building trust in the system. Discover the concept of open banking and its impact on customers. Hear about the benefits of credit unions as an alternative to traditional lenders. Dive into the story of Dave Fishwick, who created a community bank after being refused by traditional banks. Discuss the future of banking and the need for more community banks. Plus, hear listeners' opinions on the ease of banking and updates on previous episodes.

A cyber-attack on a company providing IT services to law firms has left property buyers in limbo. UK's largest lenders are extending mortgage offers for affected individuals. A national debt charity is calling for better identification of customers in problem debt. Charities are facing closures of bank accounts, hindering access to funds. People express frustration with bank account closures and lack of communication. The podcast also explores responsible lending and challenges faced by small charities.

This week on Money Box Live we're talking about Power of Attorney. What it means, who needs one and some of the pros and pitfalls.Presenter and Strictly Come Dancing star, Angela Rippon shares her experiences with the programme and Felicity Hannah is joined by a panel of experts to answer your comments and questions.Solicitor Gary Rycroft helps clients set up and manage the legal side of Power of Attorneys and Sandra McDonald is former Public Guardian for Scotland and author of 'Power of Attorney: All you need to know: granting, it, using it or relying on it.'Presenter: Felicity Hannah Reporter: Luke Smithurst Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(This programme was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday the 29th of November at 3pm).