This is Money Podcast

Can you do a financial podcast and not mention the Budget right now? No, not really. But you can give it a good shot at keeping Budget chat to the minimum.  On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert take breather from talking about Rachel Reeves and the endless cycle of madness that is the Budget 2025 build up to discuss some other stuff. Can they get through it without mentioning the Budget anymore than five times? Listen to find out. First up it's interest rates. Why did the Bank of England hold, will there be a cut next month and how far will they fall? Plus, how have rate expectations shifted and where exactly do mortgage borrowers and savers stand now? Next, it's house prices. Leading estate agent Savills says property values are due to rise 22 per cent in five years, but is that a lot or a little - and could homes actually be getting cheaper. Lee explains why savers are stashing so much cash and Simon sounds a clarion call for moving your money out of insult accounts. Then via a quick diversion avoiding sneaky speed cameras, it is on to the turf war. Is it ever okay to consider artificial grass and what will it do to your house price? Listen to the end for B***** mentions score.

07/11/2025 • 60:17

Despite repeated assurances that Labour would not break its election manifesto by hiking income tax, it appears it is now under consideration by the Chancellor in the Autumn Budget. Why is Rachel Reeves mulling over this U-turn, how much would it cost us, and would she really dare to do it?   This is Money's Angharad Carrick, Helen Crane and Georgie Frost discuss. Speculation over a 'mansion tax' in the Budget has also reared its head again. The team discuss whether it's a good idea to tax people with pricey homes, and how on earth HM Revenue & Customs would decide whether someone's house is worth more than £2million or not. Elsewhere, some good news in store, as Goldman Sachs has predicted the Bank of England will cut interest rates at its meeting next week. Does fading inflation and sluggish growth mean this is now on the cards, and would the Bank dare to make a move before the Budget beast is unleashed? The team discuss. They also look at why we're now paying three times the energy standing charges we were six years ago, and why some chocolate biscuits can no longer call themselves chocolate.

31/10/2025 • 36:39

The dream of becoming an Isa millionaire will be a common ambition among many This is Money podcast listeners. Most will probably dismiss it as fantasy but what if you could actually get there? Recently a long-time This is Money reader got in touch to tell us that he had managed just that... at the age of 36. Ollie Perry was happy to share his story, not to boast but to try to inspire others and to show that it isn't just wealthy boomers who can manage to make an Isa million. On this podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss his story and what we can learn from it.  How did he do it, are the big risks he took suitable for others, and what if you if prefer to get rich slower but with less chance of something going wrong? With a new top rate in town, Lee takes a look at the best buy savings deals on the market, Simon delves into why so many homes are seeing asking prices cut, and Georgie ponders why people are rushing to pay big money for retro tech that doesn't work.

24/10/2025 • 57:21

Rachel Reeves is in a sticky position ahead of the Budget.  Forecasts suggest she will need £30billion to balance the books - and having made such a fuss about the Tory 'black hole' and her fiscal rules, the Chancellor is in a bind. Problematically, the government also painted itself into a corner with Labour's election pledge not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT - which amount for two-thirds of tax revenue. So what can Rachel Reeves do? Should she fiddle at the edges and try to raise bits here and there, distorting behaviour with tax even more, or should she break that promise and hike one of the big three. On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert look at why the Chancellor is in a pickle and what leading economists at the IFS say she could do. And whether just because she could, does it mean she should? Plus, should you doom prep your finances, why are millennials becoming landlords and would you ride in a driverless taxi?

17/10/2025 • 62:02

AI hype is still driving share prices higher but there are a growing number of voices warning of a stock market bubble that might soon burst. The Bank of England added its name to the list of those raising concerns this week, as its Financial Policy Committee drew comparisons with the ‘dotcom’ boom 25 years ago that soon turned to bust. The red flags include a number of high profile, huge money deals involving OpenAI, with Oracle, Nvidia and now AMD, along with a massive data centre infrastructure splurge and questions over the robustness of credit markets. But why has AI gone from great investment hope to potential market super villain in a short space of time? What on earth is going on with US tech giants' 'I give you money, you buy my stuff' deals? And are there genuine parallels to be drawn with the dotcom boom, or the months before the credit crunch? On this podcast, Georgie Frost, Angharad Carrick and Simon Lambert, look at why people are worried about an AI bubble popping and what investors can do to protect themselves. Plus, could you claim some money back from the car finance compensation that the FCA announced this week? Could we really scrap stamp duty - and would that be a good idea? And why did some households manage to may nothing for their electricity last week?

10/10/2025 • 52:04

Britain's weather is famous for its ability to go from stunning to downright miserable in the blink of an eye. The nation's jobs market has a habit of doing the same. Not so long ago, workers finally had the upper hand and were celebrating a post-Covid jobs boom, where almost all roles were in-demand and some decent salary rises could be negotiated. Now, the chat down the pub is more likely to be about redundancies, recruitment freezes and endless rejections that can end with someone accepting a lower salary and position just to get a job. It will almost certainly swiftly also turn to artificial intelligence and its threat to employment, particularly the white collar kind. But can you AI-proof a career, are the machines really coming for our jobs and what are the roles that are in hot demand at the moment? On this podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert dive into the employment market and look at the list of the 30 most in-demand roles to see what they can uncover. Plus, is Rachel Reeves being irresponsible in allowing another pension tax-free lump sum rush to occur, if she isn't going to stage a Budget raid? Why is Lee not happy about his football club and cash? What did the team discover after a shout out to listeners to tell them about mystery flight delays? And finally, if you don't get unlimited Yorkshire puddings with a pub roast, can you really go to Trading Standards?

03/10/2025 • 56:45

It's the latest social media craze, allegedly... revenge saving. But what on earth is it and can it really encourage people to get into the savings habit? This week, Lee Boyce, Simon Lambert and Georgie Frost dive into the world of revenge saving. And while this new buzz-term does the rounds, we have a stab at making our version - the mind-trick savings method. We discuss why you shouldn't get hung up on saving large amounts, chasing high interest rates and to visualise money like a snowball going downhill. Meanwhile, we look at the little known government savings account that has seen £220m in bonus payments – could you benefit from opening one?  A current account with a 6 per cent savings rate but it’ll set you back a whopping £17 a month - can it really be worth it?  HMRC can now take money DIRECT from your bank account or Isa if you haven't paid taxes and Steve Webb answers a reader question: why can't I get my state pension on my 66th birthday?

26/09/2025 • 47:39

Pensions and inheritance are at the forefront of many people's minds ahead of the Budget. In her last Budget, Rachel Reeves announced she will pull pension pots into the inheritance tax net from April 2027. Meanwhile, there are concerns that pension tax-free lump sums and inheritance tax allowances could fall victim to another raid as the Chancellor tries to balance the books again. On this special episode of the This is Money Podcast, Simon Lambert is joined by Lisa Caplan, director of Charles Stanley Direct Advice and Guidance, a regular guest in our weekly Investing Explained feature. Lisa spends her days helping customers understand how to protect their wealth, make their pension last in retirement, and importantly enjoy their hard-earned money. She discusses with Simon the questions people are asking right now about pensions and inheritance tax - and the answers she gives.

25/09/2025 • 31:17

First-time buyers are borrowing big to try to skip the first rungs of the property ladder and buy bigger homes, a new report suggests. That comes alongside a slump in demand for flats, as buyers push for houses instead. So whether you are a first-time buyer or a home mover should you extend as far as you can to buy a home that will last you longer, or do you risk damaging your finaces by overstretching? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert talk property on this episode of the This is Money podcast, from mortgages, to house prices, why buyer tastes have shifted and why flats can be great. Plus, how does this all fit in to the fading buy-to-let dream and can investing in property still work out? Also on the show, why Britain has an inflation problem and what we can do about our sketchy public finances. And finally, there's a new savings account with a prize draw on offer - should you open one?

20/09/2025 • 49:14

Britain is suffering from an epidemic of people who are theoretically rich saying that they don't feel flush at all. If you're a higher rate tax payer on more than £50,000 then you are up in the top chunk of the country's earners, but chances are that unless you are well into six figures you don't feel particularly wealthy. And even many of those on £100,000-plus complain that they aren't comfortably living the lifestyles they expected when they dreamed of that kind of money. So, what's going on, what income does it take to make someone rich, does wealth matter more, or is it all to do with how much you have going out? As This is Money launches a new calculator that tells you how you compare, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss the state of the nation's incomes on this podcast. Plus, where are the best places to retire to and how does Britain score, how hard is it to take your mortgage with you when you move and are EPCs a swizz. Plus, listen to Lee speak to Ross Kemp for a special Me & My Money interview.

12/09/2025 • 51:39

As the founder and CEO of Octopus Energy, Greg Jackson knows more about Britain's household energy than almost anyone else.  In this interview with This is Money's Simon Lambert, he explains why bills are still so high, what we can do as a nation to try to bring them down - and the future of household energy. Greg explains what people need to know about solar panels, heat pumps, electric cars and agile energy deals - and what we can do for those who don't want any of those things. He also discusses an idea that he is passionated about, making renewable energy cheaper - and sometimes even free - for those nearer to the source, which he believes could help both individuals and businesses - and attract big technology firms to the UK.

10/09/2025 • 32:28

It’s September, it’s back to work, back to school and back to mild chaos. This week saw a delayed Budget announced, with a raft of speculation that will only mount over what bad news that could mean, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner forced to quite after underpaying stamp duty to the tune of £40,000, and long-term UK borrowing costs hit the highest level in 27 years. So, what on earth is going on? And aren’t we in the phase of the plan to get Britain’s economy back on track where things meant to be getting better not worse? On this week’s podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert do their best to keep the politics out of it while discussing the Budget, the stamp duty row and the gilts wobble. They explain what this all means for the UK’s national finances and our personal finances and look at whether things could really be about to improve. Plus, should the biggest take away from the Angyouela Rayner stamp duty situation be that it’s a terrible tax that needs to be reformed so bills are slashed for all, as soon as possible? And finally, if your pre-booked Uber fails to turn up, you miss a flight that the airline dragged forward by half a day, and end up paying £475 for new flights, should you be able to get someone other than you to foot the bill?

05/09/2025 • 65:03

Dubai is doing its best to draw in disillusioned young Britons, offering cut-price properties, visa incentives for entrepreneurs and of course, the prospect of paying no income tax.  Footballer Rio Ferdinand and his family have even announced they are making the move - but two young families This is Money spoke to say it isn't just for sports stars and influencers. They say it's easier to start your own business, they can get petrol for 50p a litre, and send their children to private school.  Helen Crane, Georgie Frost are joined by Money Mail editor and This is Money alumna and Money Mail editor Rachel Rickard-Straus to discuss whether the money incentives would ever be enough for them to do the same.  It comes as yet another planned tax hike is being rumoured ahead of Labour's Autumn Budget.  This time, landlords are being threatened with paying National Insurance on the income they make from rent - but who will the tax hike really hurt? Elsewhere, our savings expert Sylvia Morris is convinced NS&I will slash the rate on its ever-popular Premium Bonds this October.  Georgie is ditching hers, but should you do the same - and where can you get a better rate?   Finally Helen discusses helping a reader who was told she couldn't get her money back for an £883 ferry crossing her husband booked, as she had the wrong kind of death certificate.  

29/08/2025 • 39:02

We’re still a couple of months away from the Autumn Budget, but already the rumour mill is in overdrive. But while pensions, inheritance and even cash Isas have taken the spotlight in the past year, this week, a new tax target has emerged... property. This week, Helen Crane, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost look at the wild ideas being bandied about when it comes to reform on how we pay tax on homes. The Treasury shut down the idea of a ‘seller tax’ on homes above £500,000, but other plans appear to be on the table. This includes an annual property tax to replace stamp duty, replacing council tax with an annual local tax based on property values and a potential ‘mansion tax’ – AKA, levying a capital gains tax bill on properties sold over a certain value. Elsewhere, we warn over the rise of a sophisticated deepfake scam involving well known investment gurus – and how people were ensnared into a pump and dump ruse. We investigate the airport currency rip-off. Sure, most of us know we’ll get a poorer rate by leaving it until the last minute, but did you know the sneaky tricks being used? And sticking with the holiday theme, Lee transports you to the brocantes of France… and talks through the stats that show we have no idea how to tip abroad. 

22/08/2025 • 44:46

Down valuations are on the rise, so what happens if you and your mortgage lender don't agree on your new home's value? This week, Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce talk through the home valuation process and whether it is a fair system for banks, borrowers and sellers. How much more would you be willing to pay to be in a good school's catchment area?  New data suggests living near a good primary or secondary school is becoming pricier. Are you saving enough for your age? The adage is three to six months' worth of income - but for some age groups, it should be one to three years. Move over Swiftonomics, it's all about the Oasinomics - or as Lee describes it, Rkidinomics. How much have the Gallagher brothers added to the UK economy this year? And finally, supermarket self-checkout cameras - are they legal?  

15/08/2025 • 59:43

The Bank of England has cut interest rates again, but this time, the decision wasn’t straightforward.  Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Helen Crane ask what the division in the Monetary Policy Committee tells us about the state of the economy right now, and what the cut means for our money.  We also talk about plans to hit those in wealthier areas with bigger council tax bills. Why is the current system so unequal, and how could your area be affected? Helen discusses a water company who told an elderly couple they needed their pipework replacing at a cost of thousands - when in reality, all they needed was a new water meter (which is given away for free).  Finally, Lee explains who can claim from the car finance scandal - and what to do if you can't find the paperwork.

08/08/2025 • 43:58

While the average household pays £16,700 in direct tax on income, our audit shows  this is just the tip of the iceberg. We all pay a multitude of other taxes, from air passenger duty to environmental levies on our energy bills. Lee Boyce, Simon Lambert and Georgie Frost discuss what the total sum is - and that our tax rate is more like 57 per cent. And tax rises don't always bring in more cash for the Treasury coffers. As the Government weighs up introducing yet another tax - this time a wealth tax - we explore why despite the allowance being slashed the capital gains tax take is down and what it means for the Chancellor's plans. How much you need to feel wealthy in different areas of Britain? Does £1million still cut it? The six burning questions everyone is asking financial advisers right now… and their expert answers And we answer a reader query: Could I give £250 gifts to 400 people who then pay them to my daughters to beat inheritance tax on £100,000?

01/08/2025 • 58:01

A stark warning has been sounded that the state pension age could have to rise to 74 for those under-30s. The Institute for Fiscal Studies' pronouncement in the same week that the government announced a state pension review set the cat amongst the pensions. But would Labour - or any party - really hike the state pension age that high? Wouldn't it  be political suicide and spark protests in the street? The IFS warning hinged around the triple lock and balancing the books, but it's clear that the risk of the state pension age rising from its current timetable's maximum 68 is high. On this episode of the This is Money podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert, discuss what could happen to the state pension, when we might be able to retire and what we all need to do to get there. Pension saving is also under the spotlight and the team discuss how to make the most of your work scheme or a Sipp. Plus, a double tax hit on inheritances is on the way, as pensions are pulled into the net. Does the government need to change tack rather than plough on with a levy that will reach 64 per cent for many affected? The FTSE 100 finally broke through 9,000 this week, is 10,000 on the cards and why is the UK stock market doing well? And finally, buy and hold is the traditional investment mantra, so why does one bitcoin expert say you shouldn't do that and should trade it instead?

26/07/2025 • 43:52

How do you solve a problem like high house prices without sinking the economy? That's a conundrum that's kept politicians and central bankers awake at night for years. Now there's a new plan. Rachel Reeves unveiled a push for bigger mortgages this week, with the backing of the Bank of England, financial watchdogs, banks and building societies? Protections in place since the credit crunch-induced crash will be swept away. Are we forgetting the lessons from the financial crisis or adjusting the rules to meet a world that's different? On this podcast, Georgie Frost, Tanya Jefferies and Simon Lambert talk bumper mortgages and what next. Plus, the Chancellor has more plans, to get people investing, support the stock market and fire up the economy, will they work? As the FTSE 100 flirts with a close above 9,000, is it time to buy British? And what do you need to know about paying inheritance tax rather than the usual topic of avoiding it?

18/07/2025 • 62:31

The slashing of the cash Isa was considered a nailed on certainty in next week's Mansion House speech, but now it seems Rachel Reeves has had a change of heart. So, has the cash Isa allowance been saved for good, or is this just a victory for now - before the axe falls in the Budget? On this episode of the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce discuss what next for the cash Isa and whether there was any merit in plans to cut the allowance. Plus, why has Nvidia become the world's first $4trillion company, is it still worth investing in and have you got any chance of finding the next stock market superstar before it takes off? Should you combine your finances with your partner's and reveal all to them. And finally, it's the polarising question of our times: are you for or against Ring and other video doorbells?

11/07/2025 • 58:05

The show producer has not yet provided a description for this episode.

04/07/2025 • 58:10

The nation's favourite savings product has just got a little less generous. The prize rate on NS&I's supremely popular Premium Bonds will be slashed from 3.8 per cent to 3.6 per cent from the August draw - the fifth cut since March 2024. On this week's podcast, Helen Crane, Tanya Jefferies and Georgie Frost discuss why Premium Bonds are the Marmite of the savings world, and ask whether the latest cut will prompt devotees to jump ship.  We also look at where else they could stash their rainy day fund - and keep the tax-free benefits.  Elsewhere, the team ask why a Lloyds Bank customer was turned away from the counter when they asked to withdraw £600 in cash - and told they could only do it at the machine outside.  We also hear from a reader who has a moral dilemma. They are having £40,000 of work done on their home, and the builder has asked them to pay in cash.  It seems there may be some creative accounting at work - but our reader hasn't been told that in so many words, and it could of course be perfectly above board.  Could they get in trouble if it does turn out the builder is evading tax? Will the bank ask questions? And can you even take out that much money in one go?  Next, Tanya discusses the latest number crunching which reveals that opting out of your work pension in your twenties, even for five years, could leave you £40,000 poorer at retirement.  With younger people's budgets stretched in many directions, paying into a pension isn't always a priority.  So how can they ensure they save enough for a comfortable retirement, and is it possible to make up for lost time?  Finally, we look at what most people would spend the money on if they received an inheritance - or at least, what they say they would spend it on.

28/06/2025 • 44:34

The show producer has not yet provided a description for this episode.

20/06/2025 • 66:34

What would you do with £208million? Ahead of another Euromillions rollover, This is Money spoke to an adviser to those fortunate few who have scooped a jackpot to get some practical tips on what to do if you win big…just in case! Would friends and family be top of your list when it comes to how to spend it... or something else? Lee Boyce, Simon Lambert and Georgie Frost discuss. Simon turns his focus on The Big Winter Fuel u-turn and the spending review – 'pray for Rachel and all of us,' he says. We borrowed too much to buy our home - what can we do about our huge mortgage? And an auction expert revealed the four types of property that savvy buyers are snapping up right now.

13/06/2025 • 64:01

Tax is an increasingly taxing subject for many people who feel hard done by as Britain’s complicated system catches them out. From quirks of the system, such as the 60 per cent tax trap and child benefit removal, to the childcare cliff edge, frozen thresholds, and pensions soon to be dragged into inheritance tax, there’s a whole host of things to drive us mad. And, it’s getting worse. The Tories and now Labour have both chosen to ratchet up the things that trip people up to raise money, rather than sort out a tax system that most economists say is a total mess. So how far would you go to avoid your personal tax raid? And is tax changing people’s behaviour? Lee highlights how. On this podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert dive into how the British tax tail is wagging the dog. Plus, as the Switch 2 arrives and the video game industry goes from strength to strength, should you invest in video game firms? How much do you need for a comfortable retirement – and what does that get you? And finally, you put up an 8 foot fence for privacy, your neighbour has gone from non-plussed to threatening to call the council over a planning breach, what do you do? The team have some answers. And for all the listeners that Simon directed to the gem that is the comments section of the story, here’s the link. > Are we allowed an 8ft fence? Our neighbour says we've broken planning rules

06/06/2025 • 64:19

Banks have many tricks up their sleeves to try to attract customers and reward loyalty but Britain's biggest building society Nationwide appears to have hit upon a winning formula. Its Fairer Share payments are back for a third year, with a £100 bonus for qualifying members. Fairer Share has been credited with helping boost Nationwide's already strong position in the current account market. The payments were announced as Nationwide posted bumper pre-tax profits of £2.3billion in the year to April, up from £1.77billion last year, after recording its highest ever year for growth in mortgage lending and current account balances. But not all members are getting a Fairer Share payment and some aren't happy about that. Should they complain? After all, the criteria has been the same for three years now. On this episode of the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss Fairer Share and Nationwide's success. Plus, what are rival banks offering customers to tempt them in - and how should you evaluate the perks? How rich would you be if you'd bought Nvidia shares throughout the last two decades - or if you had a Delorean time machine to jump into and go back and buy some. Are we reaching the tail end of the low fixed rate mortage borrowers? And finally, should you let your talkative partner show people round your home for sale... or would it be bettet to let the estate agent do the job?

30/05/2025 • 64:01

The show producer has not yet provided a description for this episode.

23/05/2025 • 54:51

How long did you take looking round your home before you put an offer in for it? The average prospective buyer spends just 43 minutes.  Surprise, surprise, research suggests that it pays to take your time. This is week, Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce talk about what should be on your checklist before you take the plunge and buy a property. Should you go by vibes alone, or do you really need to kick the tyres?  And when you do buy, what happens if the seller leaves junk like a mouldy fridge, grimy washing machine and a stained sofa? We reveal all. Buy-to-let has taken a battering in recent years – but there are still pockets of Britain where investors are finding a decent yield.  Cash Isas are back in the spotlight with a review likely to come in July – how likely is it that they will be tinkered with?  And with news defunct furniture brand MFI will return after 20 years, what stores would you like to see make a comeback? 

16/05/2025 • 50:48

The show producer has not yet provided a description for this episode.

09/05/2025 • 54:38

When it comes to investing, it's stock markets that regularly hog the headlines but it's government bond markets that really matter. Share prices taking a prolonged tumble is one thing but if bonds take a hammering, the financial world starts to really the notice. A textbook example occurred a few weeks ago when in the aftermath of Donald Trump's introduction of US tariffs, stock markets took a dive and the President refused to budge. But when bond market ructions started to get investors and even central bankers worried, Trump appeared to take heed and introduced his 90 day pause. On this podcast episode, Georgie Frost, Tanya Jefferies and Simon Lambert discuss government bonds, the basics of how they work, why they matter and what impact they have on ordinary investors and our finances. Plus, the state pension top-up mess that refuses to go away, how to find the best Sipp to invest for retirement, and is a care annuity the answer to our care costs problems or just a treatment for the symptoms? And finally, there's been a mass stampede to cash Isas, what's going on - and is the tax-free saving allowance still likely to get chopped. Tell us what you think about the This is Money Podcast We are running a listener survey, to get your thoughts on what you like about the podcast and what we can improve. We would really appreciate if you could take a few minutes to fill it in - you can do so here. 

02/05/2025 • 59:06