Do you keep savings in your current account? It’s an easy trap to fall into, with a third of people admitting they do it in a recent poll. If you do keep a savings pot in a bank account you are likely to be missing out on a big chunk of interest you could otherwise earn. But even if they don’t do this, there’s two more mistakes people make – using convenient ‘insult’ accounts with their existing bank that pay pitiful interest and not using a cash Isa and losing out to tax. On this podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert look at how to make more of your savings and avoid handing over returns to the bank or taxman. Plus, are you playing into the hands of shoulder surfing fraudsters or phone snatchers, why are more larger detached homes hitting the market and how can you get Steve Webb to answer your pension question on next week’s podcast?

Inheritance tax is divisive, seen by some as double taxation. The discussion reveals strategies to minimize liabilities through gifting before death, with focus on the surplus income rule. Listeners learn about the importance of annual gifting limits and surviving the seven-year rule. Other intriguing topics include challenges with noisy heat pumps, the cancellation of the British ISA, and the declining fate of local high streets in the face of online shopping. It’s a mix of financial insights and pressing societal issues!

Explore the potential impacts of upcoming tax changes, focusing on how they might affect middle and higher-income earners. Discover Halifax's initiative enabling first-time buyers to borrow more, and the related risks and benefits. Uncover the complexities of pension tax relief in the context of the budget. Meanwhile, listen to entertaining tales of mishandled deliveries and misadventures in ticket purchasing, highlighting the quirks of service reliability and the infamous Gallagher brothers' volatility with Oasis reunion gigs.

Tanya Jefferies, a financial markets expert, Georgie Frost, a personal finance journalist, and Lee Boyce, a financial analyst, discuss gold hitting record highs amid economic uncertainty. They dive into the factors influencing this surge, the volatility of gold investments, and the implications for households facing rising energy bills this winter. The trio also tackles the legal intricacies of lending money to friends while intoxicated and the potential challenges of living next to a property converted for student housing. It's a fascinating blend of finance and real-life dilemmas!

Lee Boyce, a financial expert, and Georgie Frost, a commentator on economic trends, dive into recent inflation data and its impact on our finances. They discuss rising inflation rates and the consequences for mortgage and savings rates. The duo previews a bustling housing market this autumn and debates the fairness of fines for parents taking kids out of school during term time. They also analyze supermarket struggles amidst rising competition and explore surprising finds in low-cost shopping, particularly on platforms like Aliexpress.

Stock markets around the world saw huge falls this week, but is it a sign of more trouble ahead or just a storm in a teacup?  Simon takes a look at what’s behind it all, and why investors should avoid the temptation to start tinkering with their portfolios once the horse has already bolted.  His advice is to ignore the voice in your head that says you should get out now to stave off disaster - but also pay attention to its existence. Good news for motorists, as car insurance premiums have started to fall for the first time in two years. Or is it?  They still remain at near-record highs, and are up a whopping 48 per cent since 2022. This is Money's Sam Barker discusses why premiums went so high, who has been worst affected, and how to keep costs down.  Staying on the topic of insurance, the UK has been gripped by riots in the past week and This is Money has been looking at what your compensation rights are if your home or car gets damaged. Elsewhere, Sam explains the latest tactic broadband firms are using to squeeze cash out of their customers - and asks why the regulator Ofcom appears to be looking the other way.  Mortgage rates have been shifting fast this week, and Simon rounds up the latest deals.  We also answer a question from a reader who wants to know what to do with his £80,000 redundancy pay-off. 

Interest rates have finally dipped from 5.25% to 5%, a notable change for borrowers and savers alike. The housing market shows surprising resilience, with house prices possibly hitting previous highs amid rising mortgage rates. Consumers are advised on navigating this unpredictable landscape, especially regarding mortgage options. Recent pension tax relief reforms are shaking up fairness discussions. Plus, watch out for rising telecom prices that could put additional strain on household budgets.

Discover the secrets to building a solid financial foundation! Learn the importance of an emergency savings pot and how to transition from saving to investing. Explore the hurdles first-time homebuyers face and innovative solutions to overcome them. Delve into pension planning and investment strategies tailored for the self-employed. Plus, uncover frustrations around the UK's high tax rates. Tune in for practical tips to secure your financial future and grow your wealth long-term!

It's official - we're complaining about our neighbours more, new data shows. When it comes to noise, many appear sick of barking dogs, squeaky trampolines and loud music ruining the enjoyment of our homes. This week, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost talk about neighbour wars - and what we can do about it. And sticking to the property front, does it matter if you're a 'super' nimby? And if you do want to fight back against developments in your area, what's the sensible way to do it? We also look at the danger of pricing your home too high - and the Rightmove data that shows just how risky it can be. Grandparents and parents are digging depper than ever to send children to university. What do young adults need to know before they take out a student loan? Lee goes back to school to talk to kids about money and the working world - but what did HE learn from the experience? And from festivals to sporting events, why has having fun become so expensive?  

Do you feel financially confident? When it comes to budgeting, saving, investing, and building your pension, are you clueless, comfortable, or cracking on? A piece of research this week by Moneybox claimed that being financially confident could add £67,000 to your lifetime wealth – on average those with confidence were worth £145,000 on average, compared to £78,000 for the unconfident. But what does being financially confident actually mean and how can you get there? On this week’s podcast, Georgie Frost, Tanya Jefferies and Simon Lambert look at how to boost your financial confidence and whether the tips to do so could work. Plus, a week into a new government and with a planned pensions review looming, the team look at what Labour could mean for our retirement savings. Meanwhile, investors seem to be cheering Labour taking charge and this week investment giant BlackRock flagged Britain’s ‘relative political stability’ and cheap stock market, so does that mean good future returns? Investing a large sum was on the mind of a reader who asked This is Money an unusual question: I’m inheriting £10million, should I set up an investment trust? So, what is the answer to that? And finally, a new report has revealed Britain’s best places for customer service – did your favourite make the list?