Good to be back with another Q&A show to kick off the new year. This week we cover, ETFs, Pension contributions for high earners, tax relief for non-earners and lots more besides. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/QA3 02:21 First of all I have to thank you for the many years of enlightening listening that I have enjoyed. I thought it was excellent when Pete created the content, however it only improved with the addition of Rog. Yours is by far the best personal finance podcast that I listen to, and long may it continue. My question revolves around index funds & ETF’s. Many of the American podcasts cite the advantages of ETF’s over traditional index funds (unit trusts) however from what I understand this is due to tax considerations which apply in the US & not here. Please could you confirm if this is the case. I use a Vanguard index fund (unit trust) and wish to continue doing so, however am I missing out on not using ETF’s? Thanks again for all that you do for us, your listeners. Best wishes, Steve Horton 07:32 Love the podcast! I’m trying to understand what I can pay into my workplace pension. I’m close to £180k on my P60 & have no other income. My firm pay 6% into my pension, I then pay 6% which they also match. In addition I contribute another 2% so 20% in total, approx. £27k for a Pension Input Period. Feels like I have a relatively simple setup but I’m worried about breaching any limits around the £60k. Do I really need advice as I feel like I should be able to work this out myself! Thanks Steve D 11:26 I am 38 and 4 years ago came into a large sum of money (£600k). My wife and I were in decent shape with a manageable mortgage, life/CI insurance, decent pension balances. I opted to not employ a financial advisor, mainly because I was wary of fees. I am now questioning my decision. I have slowly been putting the money into my SIPP and ISA, keeping the rest in a GIA (invested in global index - Vanguard), paying  the tax on dividends and, with time, capital gains. Also been using my wife's allowances. My question is this, was I silly to not employ a FA? Would there have been an obvious non-risky way of protecting the GIA balance from the tax-man, which would have paid for the FA many times over? We’re still saving into the GIA with regular monthly direct debits, although modest amounts. Love your podcast/YouTube output, which I feel have made me a better citizen - more relaxed because I am sure that my finances are unlikely to have any nasty surprises! Keep up the good work. Stuart 16:32 I've been listening to your great podcast for years and have a simply question for you both. If I am retired with no earnings and taking money from my drawdown pot, can I still contribute £2880 into a pension and get the £720 tax relief off the government? Can I do this even if I might not even be paying tax? Nigel 19:33 I’m 57, self employed (so no employer contribution for me!) and have a SIPP and Stocks and shares ISA. Basic rate taxpayer. I plan to start drawing from these in a few years time. I’m wondering ( as there aren’t going to be many years for the compounding ) whether it’s still worth adding to my SIPP? I’ll get the tax uplift if I put money into my SIPP but then 3/4 will then become taxable but I don’t think there will be enough time to make a gain large enough to offset the tax I will then pay. Should I just bung everything into my ISA? Have I missed something? Thanks very much if you’re able to answer my question! Best LC 25:23 I made a mistake when starting my investment journey by choosing platform recommended funds which are currently not performing well. I have had them for 3 years, is it best to cut my losses and invest in to my choice of global multi asset fund which I've had for 2 years that has been performing well? Thanks, Marc 30:08 Matthew asks: 1. My wife and I are selling both our homes (bought before together) and moving into a rental for 1-2years in a new area before we buy. We will have £500k in cash for 1-2years. Are we best investing in government bonds? Premium bonds? High interest savings accounts? We’re both top rate tax payers and have no other assets. 2. My NHS salary will soon go over £100k and we are starting a family. You speak a lot about overpaying pension for tax reasons and it also helps keep the £20k childcare allowance. I don’t think I can overpay an NHS pension, or can I? Others seem to be getting cars on lease to avoid it. Any ideas?

Explore the world of pension consolidation, tackling the benefits and challenges of merging old plans. Discover why it's essential to understand your existing pensions and the hidden values they may hold. Learn about the complexities of defined benefit versus defined contribution schemes and the risks of transferring. Get practical advice on navigating the transfer process, and see how better management can lead to enhanced financial security. Plus, uncover strategies for informed decision-making to align pensions with your future goals.

Discover the essential steps of the financial advice process, including the vital difference between advice and planning. Learn about the importance of cash flow modeling and how it can enhance retirement options. Gain insights into the need for clear communication and transparency with your advisor. Explore how to effectively choose a financial advisor by focusing on trust and organization. Plus, hear a humorous analogy about shopping for window blinds to illustrate the importance of being prepared before consultations.

In this engaging Q&A, listeners tackle pressing financial dilemmas. One graduate is torn about whether to prioritize paying off high-interest student loans or saving for the future. Another listener uncovers a mysterious pension payout linked to a past employer, raising questions about pension accessibility. The hosts share insights on building emergency funds and balancing loan repayments, while also diving into tax strategies for high earners. This conversation unveils vital lessons in smart financial planning for young professionals.

The importance of being intentional in personal finance is front and center. Clear goals, supported by the SMART criteria, lead to greater financial success. Consistency is key in managing budgets and tracking net worth. The episode offers practical strategies for debt management and emphasizes a disciplined approach to investing. Additionally, the hosts discuss the significance of avoiding emotional decisions in volatile markets. Overall, it's about aligning actions with long-term goals and building wealth through intentionality.

In today’s episode of our Helpful Basics season, we’re going to be talking about Pensions and ISA, explaining how they work, comparing them and helping you to know which ones to use and when. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/HB7 Everything you need to Know 02:07 Paying money IN. 13:50 Taking money OUT. 22:40 What happens when you die. Everything you need to Do 33:07 Join your employer's pension, or stay in it, or open one if self employed. 36:50 Use ISAs for medium term savings. 38:17 Use LISAs for first-time house purchase or to supplement retirement savings. 40:17 Blend 41:15 Be intentional, review regularly. 43:56 Podcast review.

Dive into the essentials of self-employment and side hustles, exploring how these ventures are reshaping the economy. Discover the tax intricacies every freelancer faces, plus handy tips for mastering your finances. Learn the significance of budgeting and maintaining accurate records to facilitate business growth. The discussion also covers the importance of pension plans and insurance to secure financial futures, alongside effective marketing strategies to build your brand and network. Get inspired to take charge of your financial journey!

We have a slightly different episode because today I am speaking with the good people from a company called CheckMyFile all about credit files and credit scores - why they are important and how we can optimise them to our benefit. CheckMyFile: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/checkmyfile Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/HB5 01:33 - Pete chats with Beth. 04:15 - What is a credit record / credit report / credit score 06:50 - Purpose of a credit record. 08:52 - What makes a good / bad credit file 12:00 - Credit card to increase your score before buying a house - is that true? 13:26 - Important to be on Electoral Role. 14:28 - Bad debts, using debt responsibly. 18:15 - What can be done to improve your credit score? 21:24 - Credit is attached to person, not address. Financially linked people. 23:40 - Check your credit file. 26:35 - Is there a business equivalent? 27:43 - What is CheckMyFile and why should people use it. 32:00 - Pete and Roger chat and a podcast review.

In this episode we want to cover the helpful basics of a subject that underpins EVERYTHING to do with personal financial success - behaviour. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/HB4 Everything You Need To Know 02:06 We are really bad at making good decisions. 07:18 Many things are objective. 13:40 Our higher functions allow us to pre-think decisions. 15:56 Our goal is to be intentional. Everything Your Need To Do 19:05 Know yourself. 27:35 Set clear goals to keep you on the path. 32:33 Use all the tools at your disposal. 42:55 Pursue higher thinking. 52:40 This week’s reviews

It’s our first dedicated Q&A show! Roger and Pete answer six great questions from YOU - the listening audience. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/QA1