This is Money Podcast

Sir Steve Webb has been This is Money's pensions agony uncle for the past eight years - and this week he celebrated an astonishing 400 columns. Every week, Steve, in partnership with This is Money's pensions and investing editor Tanya Jefferies, answers readers' questions about retirement. On this special episode of the This is Money podcast, Steve joins Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert to answer your questions about pensions. From how to invest for retirement, to the state pension and tax , this show highlights what you need to know about pensions. Plus, with the Budget on the way and speculation at fever pitch, Steve, Simon and Georgie debate what might happen - and share their views on what should happen. Don't miss this essential podcast that could set you up for a richer retirement.

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!