Bank of England boss Andrew Bailey has joined the Office of Budget Responsibility in stating that the recent Autumn Budget is likely to lift inflation, as employers face higher costs from national insurance and the rising minimum wage. On this podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert, talk inflation, rates, mortgages and savings, plus farmers and inheritance and the question of the week.

President Trump is back. The US election finally came to a head this week and rather than the knife-edge result many expected, Donald Trump secured a decisive win over Kamala Harris. This podcast episode is a special double header: the team discuss that US election result and what it means for our finances in the UK plus interest rate cuts in the first half and then celebrate the tenth anniversary of the This is Money podcast in the second.

Rachel Reeves' maiden Budget this week saw the first-ever female chancellor make £40billion of sweeping tax rises in to plug funding gaps in the NHS and schools. While it left many of us with something to be miserable about when it comes to our money, there were also some important dodged bullets, as Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Helen Crane discuss on this week's podcast.

The row over taxing workplace contributions to our retirement pots stepped up a gear this week, as it emerged that part of such a plan would involve reimbursing public sector pension schemes for the extra cost .Public sector defined benefit pension schemes are far more generous, yet surely the answer isn't to drag the former down too? Plus, sneaky tax, rate forecasts and last minute lifetime Isas.

Whether you voted Labour or not, with any new government, there is a sense of optimism. Things can only get better… apparently. Simon Lambert is fed up. So he has put forward an alternative budget with less than two weeks to go. Do you agree with him? And what would you do?

It's important for Britain to pat itself on the back when it scores a success. Pension auto-enrolment has been one of those achievements. Now, reports say that we should build on this and deliver a plan to create financial resilience with rainy-day pots, help people save for a home and increase retirement saving. Would the ideas work? Plus, new tipping rules, making your parents your mortgage lender, NatWest piggy banks and Pokemon cards.

Where would you rate your budgeting, saving, investing and pension efforts out of ten? It's not often that we think about these things but mulling them over and making improvements where needed and patting yourself on the back when deserved, is a major step on the road to financial success. Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert dive into how we can manage our money better.

With one month to go before the Budget - what should we be doing to prepare? Give your money away, stick it in an Isa, use up your full CGT exemption, up your pension contributions... or just quit the country? This week, Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce take a look at last minute financial planning ahead of the new government's first budget on 30 October.

On this special episode, Sir Steve Webb, ex-pensions minister and This is Money retirement columnist, joins Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert to answer your questions. From how to invest for retirement, to the state pension and tax , this episode highlights what you need to know about pensions. Plus, with the Autumn 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.

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 punches above its weight. It is paid by only a small minority of estates, yet manages to be Britain's most hated tax. It can be avoided by giving more away in your lifetime but you must live for seven years after the gift, except for with this little-known loophole. Also on this week's show: noisy heat pumps, the British Isa meets its maker and our failure to support high streets that we moan about dying.

With a promise not to raise the rates of income tax, national insurance, VAT and corporation tax, how will Labour get extra cash in - and what could it cost you? Plus, Britain's biggest mortgage lender Halifax is upping what it will lend first-time buyers, Crane goes on the case of an Evri bungle and asks shouldn't you be within your rights to expect a parcel to arrive, and how can you protect your expensive Oasis tickets?

Gold has hit record highs this week and has rocketed so far this year. What's driving the price and how do you invest? This week, Tanya Jefferies, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce turn their attention on the precious metal - a notoriously volatile investment, seen as a safe haven.

This week, the consumer prices index measure of inflation nudged higher to 2.2%. But what does this mean for future base rate decisions - and then in turn, mortgage rates and savings rates.

What's behind the turmoil on the markets this week, and how can investors avoid the temptation to start tinkering with their portfolios? Simon's 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. Plus, car insurance premiums fall, mortgage rates are shifting and will your insurance cover you if your home or car are affected by the riots?

Does the knife-edge base rate vote put us firmly in the way down or mean that we may have to wait some time for the next cut? We look at how far and fast will interest rates fall and it means for you, your savings and your mortgage. Plus, which taxes could rise, will pension tax relief be raided, and is house prices rising again a good thing?

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? This week, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost talk about nimbys, but also neighbour wars - and what we can do about it.

When it comes to budgeting, saving, investing, and building your pension, are you clueless, comfortable, or confident? Research has claimed that being financially confident could add £67,000 to your lifetime wealth. But what does being financially confident actually mean and how can you get there? Plus, what Labour means for pensions and the stock market, can you set up your own investment trust and where is Britain's best customer service

All change, please.Britain has elected a Labour government for the first time in 14 years. So, what has Labour said it will do, what important things have been left unsaid, what will it mean for the economy and your finances and is there a path to prosperity that doesn't involve more tax pain?

You find a decent paying savings account, diligently squirrel away your money, watch it grow… only for the taxman to come along and swipe a chunk. And since savings rates have been much better in recent years, the amount HMRC is taking in in savings tax revenue has gone up significantly.

The economy, tax and people's finances are a cornerstone of the all the manifestos, but what are the main parties proposing and what could it mean for you? On this week's podcast we take a deep dive into the manifestos to see what's there. Plus, the verdict on 14 years of Tory tax policy and how much did the most in-demand King Charles £5 go for?

How much do you need in Premium Bonds to win the jackpot? And if you haven't maxed them out to the full £50,000, is it even worth bothering? On this week's podcast episode, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert look at what it takes to win the Premium Bonds. Plus, a tax manifesto, retiring in your 50s, King Charles bank notes and cheap EVs.

This is Money's consumer champion Helen Crane celebrated the 100th edition of her Crane on the Case column. Helen has won back more than £1.2million for readers and learnt a thing or two along the way about how to battle consumer problems and bad customer service. She reveals her tips. Plus, child benefit, savings tax, Scottish Mortgage and 50-30-20 budgeting

Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce delve into the economic state of affairs and what the upcoming election could mean for your money, when it comes to tax, pensions, property and everything in-between. We also talk Nationwide loyalty payments, the FIRE movement and a new regular series called Modern Treasures.

While Nectar and Clubcards now bring lower prices, the points collected still mean prizes for some loyalty scheme fans. What happens if a fraudster steals your loyalty card points? Plus, mortgages running into retirement, fake cash for sale on social media, and what should someone who is 77, worth £2.6m and doesn't want to pay too much inheritance tax do?

Should the MPC have been bold and made a cut? What does it mean for our mortgages and savings? And when will a move come - and in what direction? This week, Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce talk about the base rate decision and what happens next.

With not one but two mortgage spikes fresh in our minds, a flurry of rate rises has got home owners and potential buyers worried again. We look at what's happening in the mortgage market, why rates are rising and whether the Federal Reserve flapping its wings on the other side of the world pushes up our homeowning costs. Plus, should you save as much into a pension as possible, how to pass a pot on to grandchildren and do you need a passkey?

You can wait a long time for a FTSE 100 record high but for peak-starved British investors this week delivered a bonanza. The podcastteam look and what's moving the UK market, why it is judged to be cheap. Plus, top investment trusts for retirement, what to do about inheritance tax, state pension top-ups - and are you a backseat driver?

Inflation is steadily making its way back towards the Bank of England's 2 per cent target but opinions are divided on what happens next. Will the UK economy get stuck in another disinflationary trap, or will we see another spike as second round effects take hold? Plus, food prices, Woodford's return, new Isa rules and supermarket bag charges.

What does the future hold for state pension? While there's plenty of speculation it may become means tested, in reality it could be incredibly hard to implement. This week, Tanya Jefferies, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Lee Boyce talk state pensions - and how they compare to other countries.

On this week's This is Money podcast, Helen Crane, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost talk savings, just as we head into a new financial year, including keep on top of fixes, secrets from an Isa millionaire and the new British Savings Bond from NS&I.

Hot on the heels of the Budget plan that never appeared arrives Yorkshire Building Society's new deal, that's been dubbed a 99 per cent mortgage. But is it really one of those and does it have any redeeming features?And if it's cheaper than rent, is there anything wrong with taking a 99 per cent mortgage? Plus, gift card draining scammers, can your pension last retirement, and finally, where are the experts investing their Isa and how can you easily sort yours?

With another tax raid on the way for investors on capital gains and dividends, this is one of the most important tax year ends in years. On this special bonus episode of the This is Money podcast, Simon Lambert talks to Rob Morgan, of Charles Stanley Direct, to find out what investors need to do and why sorting your pension and Isa can save you a substantial amount in tax.

Will inflation keep coming back down towards target and the Bank of England soon seamlessly switch back to cutting rates? Or will central bankers be keen to hold onto higher rates, even if we get hit by a bout of disinflation? Plus, did Waspi women score a victory, an update on underpaid state pensions, the chaos at HMRC and meet the Scambaiters.

Jeremy Hunt bounced around delivering his Budget proudly declaring his commitment to tax cuts and supporting working families. But you don't need to be a financial expert to know that the Chancellor's version of events isn't quite the whole story. On this week's Budget special This is Money podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert look at the winners and losers and go searching for the devils in the detail.

The debacle over widespread errors in the state pension that This is Money and Sir Steve Webb uncovered, continues. This week, Tanya Jefferies, Lee Boyce, Angharad Carrick and Georgie Frost reveal the case where a letter was sent to the daughter of an 100 year-old man three years after he passed away, stating he had been unpaid state pension for two decades.

With the Budget tipped to be the Chancellor's last roll of the dice before a General Election, expectations over tax cuts are growing. But what taxes could Jeremy Hunt choose to cut and why - and is there hope that he will sort out the tax mess that Britain has got stuck in? The This is Money podcast looks at what could happen in the Budget, plus energy bills, student loans, and the new scams you need to beware.

Is this a bad one, why does the term 'technical recession' keep being bandied about and do these backward-looking figures mask things already getting better? Plus, who are the villains among big banks and building societies when it comes to sky-high standard variable rates, , the customer turned down for a switching bonus by HSBC because they had a Midland account 21 years ago and driving an electric car bargain.

The cost of a comfortable retirement has jumped over the past year - but what do you need to get one and will you get there? As the Pension and Lifetime Savings Association updates its annual look at how much income people need for a basic, moderate or comfortable retirement, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert take a look at what this all means for you. Plus, why we should get rid of stamp duty, tax traps and an interview with easyJet founder Sir Stelios.

This week, we discuss what another interest rate pause means for you - and what it means for savings and mortgage rates, along with investors.

Britain's disposable income has dropped substantially over the past 14 years compared to where it should be, according to a report this week. The Centre for Cities said that the average household's disposable income has fallen £10,000 behind where it would have been if pre-2010 growth rates had been maintained.

The Government wants us to get heat pumps fitted in our homes and it's offering a grant to so - but is it a wise move? Now Worcester Bosch is bumping that up by an extra £2,500 - if you pick one of theirs of course. But with the devices cost between £8,000 to £30,000 to buy and fit, would it tempt you? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Lee Boyce reveal all... and talk the 'boiler tax'.

After a good year for Premium Bonds when the only way was up for the prize fund rate, savers got a blow this week as a cut arrived. That edges the average return - which you may or may not get - from Premium Bonds further below the best savings deals, so should you save instead? Or would many Premium Bond holders be better off investing? We discuss that, plus bitcoin ETFs, car insurance and the no and low-alcohol beer boom.

New HMRC reporting rules have panicked online sellers this week - but should they really be worried? Plus, a sub-4% mortgage rate and our financial resolutions.

The Footsie just managed to keep its head above water in 2023 - but across the Atlantic stock market returns were sparkling. We look back at shares, bonds, gold and other investments this year and with experts getting their crystal balls out, run the rule over the forecasts for 2024. Can the Magnificent Seven keep delivering, will the bond market manage to have a quieter year, and could this finally be the time for UK shares?

The Bank of England has reached the peak with interest rates in this cycle. That's the firm view of the markets and most analysts, despite three members of the nine-strong Monetary Policy Committee disagreeing and voting for a rate hike this week. The team look at what next for interest rates both here and in the US - and whether markets are running away with themselves. Plus, heating vs heaters, the triple-lock and kettle boiling.

It's been a rollercoaster year for mortgage rates and after the inflation panic spike over summer, lenders have been slashing costs for borrowers. The best mortgage rates are now falling towards 4%, whereas not so many months ago they were rising towards 6% - and many deals climbed above that. So is the mortgage crisis over and how much further will rates fall?

After the CMA fired a broadside at consumer brands giants for 'greedflation' and warned Tesco and Sainsbury's over Clubcard and Nectar Prices, the podcast team head down the shops. Plus, will a new online fraud charter make any difference? The team discuss investing legend Charlie Munger and financial crisis Chancellor Alistair Darling, who both died this week. And finally, what makes a house price hotspot? We look at the UK's top 30 this year.

Was that an Autumn Statement to fire Britain on to growth, as the Chancellor claimed, or a damp squib? The podcast team dive into the details to reveal what the Autumn Statement means for you and the economy. From the Office of Budget Responsibility forecasts, to being allowed multiple Isas and the seemingly mad plan of allowing family homes to be easily converted to flats, we take the measure of Jeremy Hunt's plans.

The Autumn Statement arrives next week and the rumour mill has gone into overdrive. The idea of it being a simple update on the economy seems to have been abandoned and instead there is talk of an Isa overhaul, tax changes, and even inheritance tax being cut from 40 per cent to 20 per cent. The This is Money podcast team look at what could be on the cards as Jeremy Hunt stands up and delivers his Autumn Statement.

We all know pensions are important but most of us rarely engage with them. Yet, with a little bit of time and effort, you can get your work pension working as hard as possible for you - and at some point in the future you will be very glad you did so. We talk pensions, plus what happens if you get stuck in a mortgage with your ex, why is Lee so annoyed at a sneaky insurance tax that swiftly adds up and can M&S's sales and share price resurgence continue?

Are we finally there? When does a pause become a peak? And if we have reached the top of the interest rate cycle, what happens next? We look at the decision to hold rates again and what it means for savers, mortgage borrowers and investors. Plus, Crane on the Case vs TfL, high-flying investment trusts going cheap and finally, what have the Premium Bonds and a pop quiz on number one hits in 2000 and 2008 got to do with each other?

Wages are up, but inflation is… the same. What does it all mean for mortgage rates, the state pension, benefits and the economy generally? One thing we know won't be affected by the latest figure is income tax bands. Just how much is the big freeze - AKA fiscal drag - going to cost us?

Will there be a big house price fall, a pause before a general election next year, or will the property market rebound as mortgage rates come down? The podcast team discuss what's next for mortgages, house prices and the property market. Plus, why are investors buying low-yield gilts, how to save for retirement and the sneaky supermarket tricks we have had enough of.

This week, Angharad Carrick, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Helen Crane tackle energy bills and look at who might be paying more in the next three months. And when it comes to water bills, some firms are looking at whacking 44% rises over the next seven years. Why?

It's been called the most hated tax in Britain - but only four per cent of people pay it. You could be forgiven for thinking inheritance tax is something only the super-rich need to worry about. But thanks to rising house prices and an increasing desire to transfer wealth between generations, more and more people are being drawn into the net. So it might come as welcome news that Rishi Sunak is reported to be considering cutting the tax, or even scrapping it altogether, as a potential vote-winner ahead of the next election. What's wrong with inheritance tax, how could it be made fairer - and could the Government really just get rid of it? Simon Lambert, Helen Crane and Georgie Frost discuss.

It's expensive and paid for by current workers, but the triple lock has improved the state pension - and one day those workers should get that payout themselves. Yet, has it run its course and is it time for a better policy? Plus, the Facebook Marketplace wild west, vanishing savings deals, and what to do if you have viewed 40 homes for sale but can't make up your mind.

Every child could receive a pot of £1,000 at birth to be channelled into long-term investments in UK growth under proposals to revive a 'stagnant' economy. This week, Lee Boyce, Simon Lambert and Georgie Frost discuss the merits of the idea - and why parents should start building a pot for children as early as possible. Plus, a trio of great savings deals, are interest rates peaking, how far will house prices fall and why are used electric car values dropping like a stone?

According to new research, if you want a comfortable retirement, you need to build a pot of nearly £600,000. This week, Tanya Jefferies, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Helen Crane delve into pensions, as separate research shows more than half of people saving into one believe they will never put away enough to stop working when they get older.

Many people may be feeling in a state of financial flux. Savings rates have improved, gold is holding steady, property prices are flat-lining and stocks are sticky. Where would you put your money for the next five years? That's the question the This is Money team put to the experts - and our readers - with a mixed response.

The inflation spike took central banks, governments and many ordinary people by surprise but Britain's cost of living problem has proved more stubborn that most. The latest set of official figures on consumer prices index inflation seem to show that the UK may be making some headway on getting it down. The podcast team dig into the inflation data and look at why economists decide that real wage growth was something to worry about.

After months of mortgage mayhem some better news finally arrived this week with major lenders delivering a slew of hefty rate cuts. Cuts are the silver lining to a very dark cloud as mortgage rates are far higher than they have been. We look at what next, plus Premium Bonds, good customer service and carrier bags.

This week, the team talk through customer service gripes with HMRC and what a retired judge learned while acting as executor for his beloved late aunt. Base rate is now 5.25%, so what does that mean for mortgages and savings - and why do people want plastic lawn banned?

Energy firms have had their feet held to the fire this week. The industry as a whole has been blasted by the regulator Ofgem over poor customer service, while our investigation revealed that 200 customers don't think Ovo has been billing them properly. Lee Boyce, Helen Crane and Georgie Frost ask why things are going so wrong, and what people can do if they don't think they are being billed correctly.

Earlier in the week, the consumer prices index measure of inflation fell by more than expected thanks to a fall in transport and food prices. So what does that mean for the typical household and for potential future base rate rises? Lee Boyce, Sam Barker and Georgie Frost delve into CPI and what that means for mortgages and savers.

Banks have come into the firing line this week over current account closures and slowness to pass on base rate rises to savers. Nigel Farage claims his bank shut his current account over his Brexit views - the former politician has been vocal on Twitter about his treatment by Coutts, while the exclusive bank with a high net wealth clientele has fired back. So, can banks realistically do that to you? Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce tell you all the reasons your bank can close your current - and what to do if it happen to you.

There has been plenty of doom and gloom in recent months - and today, we go searching for cheerier news. The energy price cap will fall from the weekend, plunging to £2,074 - below the £2,500 set Energy Price Guarantee from the Government. So, what should you be doing to prepare - and what does that mean for your usage? Will we soon see the return of fixed tariffs? This week Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Lee Boyce discuss the new price cap, along with a sneaky move from a major energy supplier to stop quarterly billing.

The Bank of England's bumper 0.5 per cent rate hike this week was the 13th rise in a row. The Bank is hiking rates to try to crush inflation but at the same time this affects a much smaller slice of homeowners than it once did and rapid rise in mortgage costs is crushing a generation of homeowners. So, was another rate rise a wise move? How bad is the pain for borrowers? Is this not a patch on the 80s, or just as bad? Has the Bank of England even given its rate rises long enough to take effect?

The mortgage market is in chaos, with lenders pulling deals and rapidly hiking rates. At the same time savings rates are going gangbusters and there is barely a day that passes without a new best buy. The podcast team dive in and try to explain why the sudden inflation-driven chaos has kicked off and what borrowers and savers can do.

Supporters say UBI has the power to improve the economy and society, but critics say it's the start of a slippery slope to state dependency. So is universal basic income a good or bad idea? Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss it on this podcast episode. Plus, why aren't energy bills lower, what should you do if you are caught in the mortgage storm and which shares have done the best this year?

Forget 5 per cent savings rates. Forget 7 per cent. A new regular savings deal has landed paying a headline-grabbing 9 per cent. But, is it actually a good deal? And cash Isas are back with a bang with a record amount poured into tax-free accounts in March and April.

We had some good news this week about our energy bills - or did we? Ofgem's price cap is coming down - saving households around £400 a year on average. The last 18 months have been horrendous for households, so bad the Government had to step in in October and introduce a price freeze - but that was still double what the typical bill payer would have had to fork out a year previously. Are we finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and when will fixed tariffs be back? Plus inflation, mortgage and savings rate rises, the US debt ceiling and 'campervanflation'.

Almost five times as many people will soon be paying 40 per cent tax than in the early 1990s, when it was seen as a tax bracket reserved for the rich, the Institute for Fiscal Studies warned this week. We discuss tax and who counts as wealthy. Plus how much have you lose to inflation, Nationwide's new £100 bung would you buy food past its best before date?

And there it was, another interest rate hike. Another quarter point move up seems almost commonplace now but cast your mind back to the era after the financial crisis and we had to wait nearly ten years for the base rate to climb above its 0.5 per cent 'emergency level'. We discuss the latest rate rise and how high interest rates will go. Plus, the return of 100% mortgages, and how to avoid your family's inheritance turning into Succession.

We dig into the myriad problems with UK housebuilding and what can be done to build better homes that people want to buy and have near them. Is the answer just bringing back targets or is it more complicated than that? Plus, what to do if you can afford to buy but are worried about mortgages and house prices, will a new crackdown stop fraudsters and should you grab a 5% savings rate?

Poor old conservatories. Once they were all the rage and now we are being told they could knock £15,000 off the value of a house. Meanwhile, a home office in the garden is said to add lots of value, but who has ever longed for once of those in the same way they've dreamed of a swimming pool on a hot day? Yet, the pool is one of the main things that will apparently put off prospective buyers. We look at the things claimed to boost your property's value and those detracting from it. Plus, cheap bank shares, the other Woodford fund and 5% savings rates.

The average prize fund rate on Premium Bonds has reached the heady heights of 3.3 per cent - going head-to-head with top easy access savings deals. But what many savers may not realise is that their chance of winning a big Premium Bonds prize of £100,000 or £50,000 has got much better too. On this podcast, we talk Premium Bonds, food inflation, loyalty cards and member prices.

As if buying a home wasn't enough of a lottery, borrowers are now facing a major gamble on their mortgage. Whether buying or remortgaging, they need to work out how long to fix for and try to assess what might happen next to interest rates. We discuss that, house prices, UK shares and odd classics.

The Government is delaying a decision on hiking up the state pension age to 68 until after the next election - perhaps influenced by protests across the channel. Pension commentators said move would be 'incredibly unpopular', and likely 'political suicide'. Governments don't like to upset retirees because they vote in high numbers - but maintaining the status quo is incredibly expensive. Has something ultimately got to give when it comes to the state pension age and maintaining the triple lock? On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost is joined by Tanya Jefferies and Helen Crane to discuss.

Just when you thought the cost of living crisis was meant to be on its way out another round of bill hikes are hitting.From council tax to mobile bills, seemingly every organisation wants another piece of your bank account - and some of the rises are even higher than inflation. Is there anything you can do about it? Could a bit of switching, planning and another round of cutting back on energy usage, shave some money off?

A bung for the rich or a move that will help many more young professional savers aspire to a decent retirement? The podcast team delve into the Budget and joining them to explain the pensions element is a special guest, This is Money's retirement columnist and ex-pensions minister Steve Webb. Also in the Budget was news on the economy, a ray of hope on energy bills , and a big expansion of 30 hours free childcare. And finally, should you be worried by the Silicon Valley Bank collapse?

A banking crisis has seemingly emerged out of nowhere, in a system that we've been told is stable, well capitalised and far from its parlous state when the credit crunch and financial crisis struck. So, what is going on and why did both the Federal Reserve in the US and the Bank of England see fit to raise interest rates this week? Plus, why you should consider selling some investments, what to do with your savings and Pokémon card investing.

You'd like to imagine that when it came to the state pension, you'd be dealing with a more robust system than the ones that deliver the average customer service nightmare. Savers could be forgive for questioning whether that was the case after a string of recent blunders. On this podcast, we discuss a double header of state pension news, plus the best cash Isas and why transfers matter, Dividend Hero investing and whether you could afford your home now.

House prices have started to fall annually for the first time since the early months of the pandemic. Nationwide's latest index shows the biggest fall since 2012 , with higher mortgage rates and the cost of living crisis continuing to squeeze the property market. We discuss why this is happening, and whether it is a bad thing.

There's not long left until the end of the tax year - and that means it is time to sort your Isa if you haven't already. On this Isa saving and investing special podcast, Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert talk all things Isas - from finding the best saving rates, to how to invest and how to boost your chance of investment success if you already have a stocks and shares Isa.

We look at how likely those interest rate forecasts are to be correct and what this all means for the economy, mortgages, savings and first-time buyers. Plus how we exposed another round of state pension blunders, with Steve Webb joining the show, the best type of Isa for you and the tumble driers that slash costs.

Officially, the rise to 68 is set to happen between 2044 and 2046, but ministers allegedly want to bring forward the change to 2035 with the policy being floated for inclusion in the March Budget. The rumours are concerning for those aged between 43 and 54, but how likely this is to actually happen - and what can pension savers do to prepare for it? The podcast team also look at whether mortgage rates will go below 4%, why Premium Bonds are looking more attractive and why customers can't make up their minds about whether they love or hate John Lewis.

An astonishing idea for an Isa tax raid has been outlined by the Resolution Foundation, with the proposal that tax-free savings and investments should be capped at £100,000. No more aspiring to be an Isa millionaire, it would be £100k and out under this plan. The podcast team tackle that idea, plus a new top Avios deal, extra clothes to cut bills and we speak to Bank of Dave's Dave Fishwick.

We will all have a different image in our heads of what our retirement years might look like, but whatever that is it is important to think about another question: could you afford to do those things? The podcast team delve into a report that looks at putting a price on different retirements, discuss inheritance tax and whether it is grabbing too much of some people's homes and ask if cash can help with budgeting.

The New Year arrived with promises of inflation falling and a ray of hope on energy bills. But even if Rishi Sunak halves inflation, as he claims he will, it would still be running at 5 per cent and his promise to get Britain back to growth may prove harder than the simple maths that sees the rate of rises in the cost of living slow. The team delve into the prospects for the year ahead, look at what's on the cards for the property market, pensions and savers and if Premium Bonds are a must have.

Tumultous is a word that doesn't really do 2022 justice. Most people were looking forward to a year of calm as the Covid pandemic faded, but instead got turmoil and the cost of living crisis. Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert take a look back at the big financial events of 2022 and look forward to 2023 on this special year end podcast.

First we had the great resignation and now we may be seeing a new trend emerge 'unretirement'. Why do people want to take early retirement, why may some now be returning to work - and what would tempt more back to boost productivity and the economy? Plus, the stock market winners and losers of 2022, can a log burner really save you money and what are the used cars that went up in value the most this year.

With inflation looking as if it has peaked, the economy probably already in recession, households and businesses feeling the squeeze, have we nearly reached the end of the rate hikes? We look at how close we are to the end of the rate cycle and what it all means for mortgages and savings. Plus, what people can do to keep themselves warm but save on energy and what might happen next to bills

The risk of a severe house price downturn of that magnitude was flagged by Rightmove founder and property market veteran Harry Hill. On this week's podcast we discuss the prospects for the housing market, how the rapid rise in mortgage rates is affecting it and what prospective home movers or first-time buyers should do. Plus, Lee Boyce is back to talk Wooden Spoon, we discuss small building societies with big rates and get a guest appearance from Hagerty classic car specialist John Mayhead to discuss its Bull List.

Rising savings rates and fiscal drag pulling more people into the higher rate bracket mean that many more savers will now have to pay tax on interest - while Jeremy Hunt's tax raid on investors will see the capital gains tax allowance slashed to £6,000 and then £3,000. We explain what you need to know. Plus, Steve Webb makes a guest appearance to discuss a delayed state pension victory and the pension credit fiasco and finally, why are used car prices starting to fall?

Savings and mortgage rates rocketed but even as the Bank of England continues to raise rates have they already gone as high as they will? The This is Money podcast team discuss that, plus where will mortgage rates settle and the implication for both house prices and first-time buyers, alongside the new energy price cap and why it has jumped and how good are a bunch of oddball devices designed to warm the person not the room.

In a blizzard of hikes - through threshold drops and stealth tax freezes - Hunt worked his way through a painful Autumn Statement, where good news was thin on the ground. The silver linings came from the government sticking by the pension triple lock and uprating benefits by inflation but the focus was on painful years ahead. We look at what it means.

So many kites have been flown about potential tax rises that even taxing selling your own home and bringing back the 50p rate were floated as potential Autumn Statement ideas troubling Jeremy Hunt and Rishi Sunak's minds. The PM and Chancellor want you to think they are serious, but could this bout of tax hike speculation do lasting harm to the economy?

What can be done to improve things in the rental market and have we come down too hard on buy-to-let? That's the question asked on this week's podcast, as Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert debate the problems in the rental market. But before that, it's time for Rishi Sunak. Will he be able to soothe jittery markets, navigate Britain through a painful cost of living crisis winter, and somehow please the nation while taking money off people instead of dishing it out?

With Jeremy Hunt's stern reversal tax cuts and a firm commitment to not come up with any more cunning plans that might upset the markets, is Britain now on a firmer economic footing? Or will our quest for yet another Prime Minister spell more trouble ahead? Britain's economic predicament, the triple lock, house prices and how much energy we use are on the podcast agenda.

If you were asked to name a world-class place to surf, a field near Bristol isn't the first location that would come to mind. But this slice of the English countryside is home to The Wave, an artificial surfing lake that is one of just a handful in the world to use cutting edge technology and was the first of its kind. For this special bonus interview episode of the This is Money podcast, Simon Lambert visited The Wave to meet Nick, be shown around and hear the story of his more than decade-long journey to get waves breaking and people riding them.

When gilts hit the headlines it's a clear sign that trouble has not only been brewing but has been unleashed. Government bond yields only tend to break through into the mainstream when things aren't going well and they have been firmly in the spotlight since Kwasi Kwarteng's ill-fated mini-budget. But what is a gilt, why does its yield matter, what's that got to do with prices and why do we worry about such things? In this podcast we look.

Rocketing rates have sent the average two and five-year fixed rate mortgage through the 6 per cent barrier, so what happens next and how bad will things get? Plus, as savings rates jump should you fix, some middle-class tax cutting plans that should prove more popular than axing the 45p rate and a mystery rock star's valuable letters and tax question.

This week, Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce tackle what has been a truly remarkable one in the world of personal finance with a message of: don't panic. So, is the UK economy in crisis…again? How much is the Chancellor's 'mini' Budget to blame? And what can the Government do now?

Britain's new Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng delivered a blistering mini-Budget this week that was anything that small. A wave of tax cuts were unleashed. Some had been heavily trailed, such as NI and stamp duty, but there were also two rabbits out of the hat on income tax. The team discuss what the going for growth mini-Budget means for people, how much they may save in tax, and whether it will work or cause the UK economy even more problems down the line.

The Bank of England is tipped to raise interest rates by at least 0.5 per cent this week, but the pound fell to a 37-year low last week. That comes against a backdrop of inflation edging down slightly to 9.9 per cent - taking Britain out of the double-digit inflation club - with a colossal rescue plan to save households and businesses from spiralling energy prices about to kick in. The This is Money podcast team look at the pound, energy bills, inflation and interest rates, how all these issues connect and what could happen next?

To celebrate his 300th column, Steve joins Tanya, Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert for a special podcast episode to answer readers' questions. It's a dive into what you need to know about pensions, ranging from saving for retirement, to investing in your pension years and, of course, the state pension and triple lock.

Belts are already being tightened and as bills head even higher more people will look to save where they can.But are there some things that you should avoid doing or cutting back on at all costs? Editor Simon Lambert came up with his five false economies to avoid as inflation bites, but was he right to pick them? The team discuss them on this podcast episode.

Inflation is soaring and if predictions are correct, it would result in the CPI measure hitting 13% this autumn. That could result in a state pension rise of around £1,000 a year to £10,900 while even at the current level of 10.1% it would be upped to £10,600.

Inflation is up again with CPI now measured at 10.1%, the highest since February 1982, when Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister. Lee Boyce, Helen Crane and Georgie Frost discuss the higher than forecast inflation rate and what is driving it.

This week, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce are joined by a special guest: James Blower, AKA The Savings Guru, who gives his take on where savings rates are heading next. With the lesser known challengers paying the best rates, how do you know they're any good? And should you fix now or wait?

The idea of the Bank of England raising base rate by 0.5 percentage points at the same time as warning about a long and painful recession would have been unthinkable a year ago. But things have dramatically changed and central banks are desperately trying to get a grip on runway inflation that just seems to keeo getting worse. The podcast team discuss the rate rise and potential recession and what it means for borrowers, savers, the economy and our financial near future.

This summer has seen travel demand rebound and for many, it could be their first overseas jaunt since before the pandemic. For that reason, there may be some rusty holidaymakers out there. But fear not, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane and Georgie Frost are at hand to help get you in the holiday mood (kind of).

Financial independence and retiring early sounds great, but could you sacrifice enough of your spending to get there? The FIRE movement involves living a frugal live, saving as much of your income as possible - 50 per cent or more - and investing to build a pot to retire early on. Could you do this and would the This is Money podcast's Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert be able to stomach the hardcore budgeting and saving it requires?

This is Money's Simon Lambert recently came up with his ten money rules, ranging from learning to budget and saving a rainy day pot, to being generous when you can afford it and not being afraid to take risks. He runs us through his thoughts behind those financial lessons and Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce chip in with their ideas for some money rules to live your life by.

The economy is struggling, an inflation crisis is in full swing and the Bank of England is raising rates into a recession, yet at the end of a tumultuous week we are not just down one Prime Minister but a Chancellor too - and aren't quite sure if the new man in the job will be sticking around very long. We look at what the change in Prime Minister could mean for the UK's economy, businesses and households - and what a new Chancellor might do and the challenges they will face.

Many motorists will have received a dreaded charge in the post and in some cases, unjustifiably so. If that's you, it's time to fight back. Elsewhere, we talk about Halifax's mortgage move, whether it can pay to fix energy bill, highlight the five FTSE 100 firms with the biggest share price falls this year and how small business owners tackle telling their customers that price rises are afoot.

Isn't it a bit of an odd time to finally get rid of this, just as interest rates are finally rising and the base rate has jumped from 0.1 per cent to 1.25 per cent in six months? We discuss why the Bank of England is doing this and whether it is the right move, or could lead to risky lending and even higher house prices? Plus, inflation-fighting savings, current accounts to switch to, why investors aren't buying the dips, and can your neighbour build on your wall?

The base rate has gone from 0.1 per cent to 1.25 per cent in the space of six months, in a flurry of rate rises that would have been considered unthinkable a year ago. With inflation running at 9 per cent and expected to head north into double digits soon, the onus is on the Bank of England to show it has a grip and we aren't heading back to the 1970s. But is rapidly raising rates the right thing to do and how will it affect savers, borrowers and investors?

More state pension mistakes from the DWP and a warning we aren't saving enough in pensions is on the agenda of this podcast. The team discuss what you can do to make sure you are putting enough into your pension and why the self-employed need to pay particular attention. Plus, is it time to look again at Scottish Mortgage, big theme investing ideas and should we cut VAT on petrol?

Britain descended into holiday chaos this week, as airlines cancelled hundreds of flights, airports struggled to cope and even Eurostar ended up with a day of disruption. The team discuss where the blame lies for the disruption, what people's rights are if their flights are cancelled and what we can all do to protect ourselves.

Sudden Wealth Syndrome. It's a thing apparently and something that many of us probably wouldn't mind suffering from. That's the term used to describe those who suddenly - and perhaps unexpectedly - come into a very large sum of money. And doing so brings plenty of benefits but also its own problems. We have heard about the couple who won £184m on the Euromillions, but what are the challenges they face and how do you deal with that sum of money?

Inflation continues to surge, the Bank of England says there is little it can do to stall it but is raising rates any way, and at the same time is warning of a potential recession looming. It seems safe to say this isn't the Covid recovery year that many people were hoping for: the longed-for bout of calm and optimism has turned out to be a cost of living crisis instead. So, with inflation now at 9 per cent and set to rise further and central banks swiftly changing their tune on low interest rates, is a recession inevitable?

Rising interest rates and the cost of living crunch are putting a serious squeeze on how much buyers can borrow. Meanwhile, stories are emerging of lenders getting cold feet on some of the offers that ambitious buyers have had accepted and down-valuing properties. On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert discuss whether house prices can defy gravity once more.

More than 40 years after Margaret Thatcher introduced Right to Buy, the current Prime Minister is considering plans to revamp the scheme. Could it unleash a home buying revolution and help give a much needed boost to the Government, or is it a bad idea rehashing an old scheme?

Is there any point trying to save when inflation is so high? From what the best rates are and where you can get them, to why you should avoid your bank or building society's 'insult account' and how to turn a savings habit into an investing one that should hopefully get you a better return, we talk all things saving.

What can be done to help customers struggling with soaring bills? Will Rishi Sunak have to step in with more meaningful help than his £200 off now, pay it back later deal? Should wealthier customers subsidise the bills of the poorer? And how do we make energy firms get their act together? We tackle the energy crunch, plus how to save enough for retirement, the Great British Rail Sale wind-up, and Netflix gets a chill.

For many homeowners it's been the case for some years that each time they remortgage, their rate comes down. But with the Bank of England liftng base rate three times in a matter of months, inflation soaring to 7 per cent, and banks and building societies hiking mortgage rates, that is no longer the case. On this podcast we look at what borrowers can do, if rates will keep rising and how inflation fits in. Plus, social broadband, a buy-to-let rebound and fiding a good insurer.

This week marks the start of a new tax year and with it a National Insurance rise, a meagre state pension hike and the start of new 'no fault' divorce system. Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Helen Crane run through what these changes potentially mean for you and why they're important.

It's the time of year when we are urged to put our money into an Isa or pension, but faced with the choice which should you pick? On this podcast, Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert look at the perks of each, where the drawbacks are and how you can make an informed decision.

What are the essential things you need to know about a stocks and shares Isa and investing in general, whether you are just getting started or an existing investor looking to spruce up their portfolio? On this special Isa investing podcast, Rob Morgan, chief analyst at Charles Stanley, joins This is Money editor Simon Lambert to discuss how to be a smarter investor.

We look at the Spring Statement and whether tax fiddling, a 5p petrol duty cut and some money off solar panels really cut the mustard in the face of a cost of living crisis. Also what's going on with building costs and how to try to get the best quote from a builder, stick to a budget and protect against price rises and whether to go for an asking price, guide price, or dedmand offers over.

Is the BoE right to try to crack down on inflation now, or is it putting the Covid recovery at risk? And what does this mean for savers, borrowers and investors? We discuss the rate hike - if you can call a quarter point rise a hike - and how much more of this may be coming down the line. Plus, what are the best shares and funds to stash in your Isa in volatile times, do you have to pay tax on a £20,000 bitcoin profit, and would you swap your device trash for cash at Currys?

What would that £1million get you though, how much would you need to invest and for how long to get there - and is it enough f or financial independence? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss building your way to a £1million Isa and how achievable that might be. Also, mortgage rates and what to do if you need to fix, petrol prices and should you take an energy fixed rate deal?

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has created a tragic situation that goes far beyond worries about our finances but it will have an impact on them. On this podcast, Georgie Frost, Tanya Jefferies and Simon Lambert look at what that could be. From how the Russian-Ukraine conflict will affect out personal finances: from energy bills, to petrol prices and food, to the immediate volatility it has thrust on to people's investments, the team look at what is happening and what may happen next.

A free 'midlife MOT' course has been launched aimed at people who want to do a stocktake of their current finances, career and health. This is an idea championed by the finance industry and government. But is it any good? Investments and pensions editor Tanya Jefferies undertook the course by finance giant Legal & General and the Open University and tells Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce of her experience.

Where do you stand on smart meters? This seemingly common sense technological advance in how we are billed for energy has proved hugely divisive. Now things have stepped up a gear, as an Ofgem change will lead to smart meters being able to send half hour updates to energy providers - opening the door for electricity pricing to change at different times of day. Is this a good idea to help the transition to green energy or a problem in the making? Plus, how inflation could affect your spending, income and wealth and how to combat that, the weird world of rising used car prices and Bank of Dave the movie.

Thursday marked a big day for the pound in our pocket. First of all, it was announced the energy price cap was to rise 54%. Hot on the heels of that bombshell we had another rate rise from the Bank of England - piling pressure on borrowers.

Variable price cap-linked energy bills are expected to rise 50% and those with fixes ending face bigger rises, so are there any options to stem the bills shock? Plus, with editor Simon Lambert one of those people whose fix is imminently ending, what are the options that his energy supplier Octopus has presented him with, and which one is he going to take? Also on this week's podcast, the stock market wobble, UK shares and Nationwide finally raising savings rates.

Steven Bartlett is the latest star of Dragons' Den - and we recently caught up with him for a special bonus This is Money podcast episode. In this frank interview with This is Money's Simon Lambert, Steven tells us his story, the challenges he's faced in his business life, how he got ahead and his tips for anyone else wanting to start a business.

Turning 40 is a milestone birthday - and perhaps the one that gets people thinking most about where they are at in life. But what do you need to think about in terms of your finances, from pensions, to property, investing and saving? This special birthday podcast looks at people's financial life around 40 - and includes plenty of tips relevant to those who are much younger or older. Plus we look back at what economic life was like 40 years ago.

Banks and building societies have been busy upping mortgage rates, with Nationwide revealing a raft of rises, but savers are still waiting. Nationwide isn't alone, almost all its big building society and banking rivals have also been failing savers for years - and although they blame the low interest rate environment that doesn't stop them making bumper profits and paying out blockbuster wages to top executives. So, are they diddling savers or do they have any defence?

It's safe to say 2021 has been an eventful one for the economy and personal finance - and our podcast has covered it all. Georgie Frost takes a look back at some of the best bits of the show starring Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Tanya Jefferies and Helen Crane. Plus, as a special New Year's bonus, this week's podcast features an interview with entrepreneur, Diary of a CEO podcaster and new Dragon in the den, Steven Bartlett.

Christmas hasn't been cancelled but that doesn't mean that things haven't been left, right and centre, as the hospitality and entertainment industry once more bears the brunt of Covid. So, what can be done to help pubs, restaurants, cafes, music venues, theatres etc? And what happens in terms of getting your money back if your event is cancelled or you have to skip it yourself? Plus, would you invest in fine wine... or even music? The team look at how to do both. And finally, is a Christmas update on the PLSA retirement living standards research a cracker or a dud?

They finally did it! The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee raised the base rate from its emergency 0.1% level to 0.25%. Markets were cheered by the rate rise and economists were broadly welcoming too, yet the general consensus is that it will make little difference to the inflation Britain is suffering. So, why raise interest rates and was this the right move as the nation stares down the barrel of yet more Covid disruption?

We've all felt it, that moment when you look at your bank balance and think 'I've spent how much?' But what if you looked at an entire lifetime's worth of spending? What would the damage be and how painful would that number feel? According to a recent piece of research by Atom Bank, the cost of living an entire near 81-year lifetime in 2021 would be a whopping £1,543,834. On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss that and why a snapshot like this - vaguely precise as it may be - can help us understand how inflation works and how it can drive up prices.

Is it better to leave the heating on low all the time, or switch it on in smaller bursts? Is the electric blanket cheaper than a kettle-filled hot water bottle? Does an electric heater cost less to heat a room? We tackle the common energy questions people regularly ask. Plus reward points, crypto investing and the mystery of the missing doorbell.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed a raft of measure which had already been announced - and highlighted the threat of global inflation. Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce run the rule on the latest Budget and updated figures on inflation and base rate predictions, alongside where the economy is at… and potentially heading.

Going green used to be presented as a way to save money, but the stark reality that dealing with climate change will mean spending more is dawning. On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert, discuss green bonds and better alternatives and greener homes, their costs and whether there is also better options that we are being presented with right now. Plus, the triple lock, bitcoin at a record high and who gets a present from a skip?

A new report this week highlighted just how unlikely people are to win big prizes. In fact, unless you have a sizeable amount in bonds, you should expect a long wait for anything over £25. But does it matter that you'd have to wait ages to win £50 or more - or are those uninspiring regular £25 prizes a much more useful source of returns? We dig into Premium Bonds, looking at the odds, the study on big prizes, what our readers have told us, and also how many people hold.

With inflation on the rise, homeowners nearing the end of their mortgage deals could be tempted to lock in for longer - especially with murmurs of a base rate rise. It comes as rates continue to fall, even on tracker deals. What are the pros and cons on a two, five and even a 10 year fix, and does the flexibility of a tracker mean it could be a worthy option to consider?

Savings rates are on the rise but even if you do find a best buy, don't get complacent because there's inflation is running at steam. The problem is that while traditional monetary policy theory dictates that should lead to interest rates rising, we haven't operated under normal conditions since the financial crisis. We look at how long it might be before we get back to a normal situation of savings accounts consistently beating inflation. Plus why investing attack may be the best form of defence and could you live off grid?

The week began with an energy crunch, as households woke up to the problems sending gas prices spiralling - and the impact that could have on their bills. It ended with a needless rush on petrol, as people were told there was no need to panic buy fuel… and some promptly panic bought it. On this episode we look at what's driving the problems with our bills and get an update on the state pension fiasco.

The cost of living jumped by the largest amount on record to hit 3.2% in August - is it set to run out of control and prompt the Bank of England to raise interest rates? Meanwhile, a gloomy report has lead to some economists to talk about stagflation once more. What is it, is it a threat and does it matter?

If you're going to break one manifesto promise, then why not break two? Why not distract from telling pensioners they can't have their potential 8.8 per cent triple lock state pension rise by hiking taxes for everyone. Is the tax rise fair, will it fix social care, should the triple lock have been broken and what should you do if an investment plummets, on this week's podcast.

Among its many surprises, the coronavirus pandemic has delivered a property boom. In pretty much the exact opposite scenario to that almost all experts predicted, the property market has hit fever pitch over the past year and a bit, with more people moving and house prices soaring. We take a look at the property tribes and how they are driving the market - from those who love to move, to those chasing a quick buck, and those whose sole desire is to find the perfect place to stay put.

When it comes to state pensions, there has been plenty of talk in recent weeks about the triple lock and what could mean next month when it comes to an uplift. However, more than 2m receive less than £100 a week in state pension payments - is there a way to boost your pension?

As Britain's streets are filled with drivers whizzing deliveries around, there's a new top scam in town. Parcel and package delivery scams are the most common type of 'smishing' text messages, a report said this week. The podcast looks at the rise of parcel scams, the new car shortage driving used car prices up, crunch time for the triple lock and whether the bank account battle is back.

The lowest two-year fixed rate has been cut to 0.83 per cent and five-year fixed rates are available at 0.99 per cent. While these super low rates are only reserved for those with the biggest deposits, it's clear that the mortgage price war is back on. We look at what's driving mortgage rates down and how low home loans might go. Plus, house price snooping, fractional share dealing and emotional investing.

From October, millions of households can expect to pay even more on their energy bills. Ofgem is raising the energy price cap for the second time in a year, due to rising wholesale costs. Lee Boyce, Grace Gausden and Georgie Frost take a look at the price cap, what it means and how to potentially beat it.

Ministers want us to ditch gas boilers and line our houses with insulation to save the planet, but do the sums add up for cash-strapped homeowners? Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost take a look at the Government's aims, if green measures in your home can pay for themselves in the long-run and what it could take to pull Energy Performance Certificate ratings for homes higher.

The Government is planning a major crack down on fake reviews. Under the proposals, it will become illegal to pay someone to write, or host, bogus online ratings. How much weight should we put behind buying decisions when it comes to reviews and ratings, and what exactly are the plans to prevent this kind of consumer manipulation?

In a sign of the inflationary times, the cost of renting a car has rocketed to about three times the price of last year and it's being blamed on the semiconductor shortage. How can a lack of computer chips drive up costs so substantially at the car hire desk? And what on earth has this got to do with the price of a bag of crisps? On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Grace Gausden and Simon Lambert look at holidays and inflation and the points where supply and demand are intersecting to create very odd scenarios.

The triple lock has always been a hot potato but things have stepped up another gear as it could deliver a bumper 8% state pension increase due to a statistical quirk. Is it fair for pensioners to get a bumper increase based on a distortion caused by the pay pain suffered by workers in lockdown? Some say 'no', others say 'stick to the deal'. Also this week, the painful cases of those who cannot afford funerals for loved ones, the return of gazumping to the property market, and finally, the crazy NatWest banking rule that has forced a reader to have their employer's bank accounts mixed with theirs in online banking.

Yet more people caught up in the underpaid state pension have been unearthed - and tragically, in the two cases we highlight this week, they weren't alive to see justice. This week Lee Boyce, Tanya Jefferies, Steve Webb and Georgie Frost talk all things pensions.

House prices have bounced 10 per cent over the past year meaning that the £15,000 maximum saving of a year ago on a £500,000 home would now come on a property that potentially costs £50,000 more. But the false economy of buying as prices soar to save on tax would be double so for any buyer who then missed the deadline and ended up with an extra £12,500 bill.

Sneaker investing - those in the know don't call them trainers, apparently - has become a big thing in recent years and as values have risen, so has the volume of fakes. Can anything be done, does it matter and what's the attraction if investing in sneakers anyway? The This is Money podcast looks at flash trainers, a space trust, stamp duty and cheap cars.

As banks and building societies hint at better rates for those sticking by them and insurers are forced to stop stinging customers, we look at loyalty rewards and penalties. Also on the agenda is Britcoin, the Bank of England's mooted cryptocurrency. What is the point of a central bank digital currency, what's a stablecoin, and would the crypto investing crew be interested? Plus, on the housing market front, the team look at a new idea for the Bank of Mum and Dad and Lee gets into beach huts… are they a cheap property goldmine?

Yet another house price index has recorded record growth, as Nationwide says the average UK home is now worth £243,000. Most experts say this is down to people's changing lifestyles during the pandemic and the incentive provided by the Government's stamp duty holiday. But are there other forces at play? Fred Harrison, a British author and economic commentator, successfully predicted the previous two property crashes years before they occurred - and his 18-year property cycle theory says that house prices should continue to boom before crashing in 2026. We explore how accurate this prediction might be, and also look at the other factors shaping the housing market, including tantalisingly cheap mortgages with two-year fixed rates as low as 0.99 per cent

The team dig into the statistics, deliver a theory on how much you might need to hold to bag at least one prize a year, and look at whether Premium Bonds are worth having. Also, on the show, crypto corner, paying bills with commemorative coins - and what legal tender really means, why self-storage is the latest thing in short supply and who is investing's Czech Sphinx?

Inflation is bad news for the pound in your pocket and for savers, but wasn't the whole point of all that money printing and rate cutting to get a stronger recovery beat deflation? On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, George Nixon and Simon Lambert look at why inflation has become a hot topic, how it will affect savers and investors, and what it might mean for moonshot investing and bitcoin.

Will there be a surge of bookings, a last minute wait and see game, or a race to grab the few remaining staycation places during the summer holidays? On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Grace Gausden look at the state of play for the travel industry and holidaymakers - and how to protect your hard-earned cash if you do book.

This week saw the launch of new book - Never Go Broke: How To Make Money Out Of Just About Anything, co-written by This is Money personal finance editor Lee Boyce. In a podcast special, host Georgie Frost and editor Simon Lambert talk to him about the premise and are joined from Los Angeles by Storage Hunters TV star Jesse McClure, co-author of the book.

The expectation is that as lockdown eases and people are released into the hoped for freedom that vaccines bring, they will go on a spending spree. But will that definitely happen and will the economic rebound be strong enough to create a virtuous circle that delivers the much-talked about Roaring Twenties? Or will people be more cautious and adopt their newfound savings habit more permanently?

Once more into the property breach has stepped the Government, to get banks and building societies to offer more 5% deposit mortgages. But is this a wise move? Should we stop meddling in the mortgage and property market, as short-term assistance ends up meaning long-term pain as more credit is extended and house prices climb ever higher?

Was the blockbuster Coinbase stock market listing a coming of age for bitcoin and cryptocurrency or a top of the bubble moment? We look at the Coinbase float and what it means for the crypto and investing world, plus lower risk stable investments instead of rubbish cash Isa rates and the Spac craze. Tanya Jefferies also updates on the womens' underpaid state pensions scandal and the team look at controversial Barclaycard's credit limit cuts.

What is the future of the office? Will we ever go back full-time, or is a hybrid model more likely - and if you're tempted by a shed office, what should you look out for? On this week's podcast, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost discuss the future of work and the pros and cons of WFH life, including the 'shoffice.'

Financial scams are on the rise. The coronavirus lockdowns have seen a fresh burst of investment cons with fraudsters impersonating legitimate companies to steal tens of thousands of pounds. We discuss the rising tide of fraud, how to stay safe and what more can be done to combat it. Plus, mortgage prisoners, the Deliveroo float and VW's mini campervan.

The headlines are telling you the property market is running hot, that the stamp duty holiday extension is stoking the fires, and buyers are ignoring the economic slump to pile in. There's just one problem: your home is on the market and you aren't even getting any offers. Perhaps you are in a property coldspot. We look at how to take the temperature of your local property market, the best Isa investments of all time, green investing and whether cutting electric car grants was wise.

What's the point in an Isa? This is a regular grumble as savings rates are now so low that earning 1 per cent would be a big deal. But wouldn't you rather have all of a small amount instead of a small amount minus tax? And if you are investing, an Isa makes a lot of sense - embracing your gains and dividends in a nice tax-free wrapper. On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert talk Isas: from the classics, cash and stocks and shares, to the upstarts the lifetime and junior strands.

It seems that despite a tough lockdown being imposed and schools being closed, the UK has adapted to restrictions better than thought when it comes to doing business.We discuss the prospects for recovery and also the businesses that have pivoted and started-up over the lockdown year. Meanwhile, a growth stock wobble in the US has sent Scottish Mortgage sliding, but a rapid bounce back erased some of those losses. Should investors be worried or is it a buying opportunity?

The Budget this week was notable for two things: Firstly, The Chancellor decided to delay settling the coronavirus bill to another day and, secondly, the true scale of the women's underpaid state pension scandal was laid bare at £3billion. So, will Rishi's Sunak's third Budget in a year be what Britain's economy needs to achieve escape velocity as lockdown eases (and hopefully never comes back)?

Rumours are swirling ahead of the Budget that Rishi Sunak will extend the stamp duty holiday by three months? The idea is that this would help stop the collapse of chain after chain as buyers pull out, renegotiate or have to find more money if they miss the deadline. But wouldn't a three-month delay just kick the can down the road by another 12 weeks and lead to another cohort of buyers potentially affected? Would it be better to just make the stamp duty holiday a permanent vacation from a bad tax?

Since the stamp duty holiday came in last summer, there has been a property market mini-boom despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Is it losing puff yet and if not, when is it going to run out of steam and will we see the tax holiday extended?

Why didn't GDP fall in the final stretch of last year, is there any way we could we claw our way to growth, and how bad was the coronavirus year of 2020 for the UK? Also on the show, are we finally going to see an end to the scam refund lottery from banks for those conned into sending money to fraudsters? Why has Tesla bought bitcoin, what does it mean and what on earth is Elon Musk playing at with his crypto tweets at the moment?

Investing mistakes can be among those that are tough to swallow and own up to. Often the easiest thing is to brush them under the carpet and try not to think about it too much. But looking at where we slipped up and learning from it is an important part of long-term investing. We discuss what can go wrong and invite you to share your blunders.

The GameStop shares saga is remarkable, but should it have been allowed to get this far? Should the trading platforms have tried to nip this in the bud, should watchdogs protect small traders involved and other investors, or in a free market should we just let people get on with stuff? We discuss that and whether it is really a rallying point for a financially disenfranchised generation, or a get-rich-quick bandwagon being jumped?

In case you hadn't noticed, bitcoin went on bit of a tear recently. And as the price of the leading cryptocurrency soared again, so did the number of stories written about it. But the vast majority of those column inches focus on two things: bitcoin's price and should you invest? A question that's not so much asked is what should you do if you've reaped handsome profits on bitcoin or another cryptocurrency?

More than five years since pension freedom arrived a solution to take the pain out of investing in retirement is being lined up. Keeping a pension invested and drawing on it as you choose in retirement has proved a very popular option. It is also a very tricky one to navigate - but now some simple help is at hand, so will it crack the conundrum of pension freedom without the pain? This, Santander 123 cuts and big ticket inflation on the podcast.

It's probably been the gloomiest start to a year for as long as many can remember. So what happened? The UK stock market jumped, of course. Contrary as this may seem, there is some logic to investors buying into the hope that better times lie ahead. On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert look at what the fresh lockdown means for the economy and why investors are choosing to look straight through it and develop a new appetite for buying British.

Making predictions can be a mug's game and never has that proved more true than for any made at the start of 2020. It's been an astonishing year, when the lives and freedoms we took for granted were dramatically disrupted - and one where ordering people to stay at home triggered the biggest economic crash in the UK since the Great Frost of 1709. On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert look back over 2020 and by popular podcast listener demand combine it with the return of a socially-distanced Zoom Christmas taste test.

Is buy now, pay later the demon it's made out to be? Klarna, Laybuy and the rest of the delayed spending crew are coming in for lots of scrutiny at the moment. Shoppers love them and shops pay them, but there are concerns on over-spending and the cost of not meeting payments. On this week's podcast, we discuss the rise of the buy now, pay later firms, how they work, how they make their money on interest-free credit, and why there are worries over what on the surface looks like a great deal.

This week, a new in-depth report from the Wealth Tax Commission recommended a one-off 'wealth tax' on the richest households rather than hiking taxes for the masses. How would it work, could it be a good idea and how unpopular would it prove? Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost take a look.

'Be greedy when others are fearful.' Warren Buffett's investment adage was tested this year and those who followed it would be quids in. So, has the opportunity to go bargain hunting passed? Could our own humble stock market be one of the last places left where you can do it? Are we missing a trick and ignoring the fact the world has changed and there is no point talking about cheap value investments, just get on the tech train?

The car itself isn't going anywhere - just the way it is propelled - so how much difference will the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars make? Is the rise of the electric car inevitable anyway and even with Brexit is it more important what Germany, France and the rest of Europe choose to do, than what the UK decides? On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert talk electric cars: from what the shift to them means, to what they are like to drive, charge and live with.

There have been some clear winners and losers in the rebound from the stock market crash as coronavirus and lockdown hit. There have been some clear winners and losers in the rebound from the stock market crash as coronavirus and lockdown hit. So why did they rise so strongly, is this the much-heralded switch from growth to value investing and what does that even mean?

Murmurs from HSBC HQ this week warned that an overhaul of its business model could leave customers paying a monthly fee for their current accounts. This week, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost ask whether this is really a possibility, if banking actually is free anyway and what happens next.

When lockdown arrived in March it sunk the UK economy. The message was clear: Stay home. And people did just that; there was a dramatic shift to either working from home or shutting down businesses entirely. Now a second lockdown has arrived for England and the message is once again stay home, but things are very different this time: considerably more remains open. So, what happens now to the economy?

Lockdowns across Britain's major cities, the tier system and more businesses being forced to close their doors or operate far below usual business levels means the direction of travel has shifted dramatically from the summer's optimistic reopening of the economy. It's likely that the UK will emerge from recession with growth over this quarter, but is it on track to head straight back into another slump?

While the world worries about coronavirus, there is another decade-defining event going on - the US election. t's not normal circumstances though. The second wave of coronavirus and renewed lockdowns have the world's attention and the election, if not a sideshow, is definitely not as centre stage as we would usually expect. So, does that mean it doesn't matter for investors, or should be thinking about it and positioning themselves for the outcome?

The cornerstone of the Prime Minister's Conservative Party speech this week was turning Generation Rent into Generation Buy with state-backed 95 per cent mortgages. The idea is that this will help first-time buyers frozen out by the need for big deposits - and combining it with long-term fixed rates will reduce risk?

Lockdown Britain has produced a nation of savers, ONS figures showed this week, with people salting away almost 30 per cent of their disposable income on average. But for those hoping that we might finally have got the savings habit, there's a catch. Those figures cover April to June, a three-month period when most shops were shut, along with pubs, restaurants, hotels and B&Bs, and going on holiday was a near-impossible task. Deprived of the opportunity to spend, Britain put money aside instead - but is not spending the same as saving?

Despite some well-desrved scepticism, talk of a property market more buoyant than it's been in years, of viewings and offers flooding in and family homes in hot demand, doesn't seem to just be the usual estate agent guff. The stamp duty holiday and lockdown itchy feet have combined to make parts of the market a sellers' one, so as a buyer what can you do to get a decent offer accepted and avoid overpaying?

As if 2020 wasn't already proving to be a painful enough year, fraud has soared in lockdown. Cases are up 43 per cent in lockdown, according to Action Fraud figures, and the amount lost is up a staggering 286 per cent - meaning a victim loses £8,000 of their savings in average every minute. So could you fall victim to lockdown fraud?

The coronavirus crisis is still here, waves of job losses keep on coming and almost everyone is agreed there is more bad news to come.Yet, shares in the US and house prices in the UK are on the up. Is there anything behind this other than cheap central bank money and the belief that it will keep flowing and propping up asset prices? On this week's podcast Simon Lambert and Georgie Frost look at the parallels and differences between the British and American national obsessions of the property market and stock market.

A large chunk of workers are unaware that their pension savings are invested in the stock market. Why does that matter? Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost take a look. Meanwhile, there is a reported rift at the top of government over the state pension triple lock - what could happen to it?

Since the start of lockdown in March, more Britons have ordered supermarket shopping online to be delivered to their door to dodge the crowds and beat the queuing mayhem. This could be perfect time for Marks & Spencer, who will start its long-awaited tie-up with Ocado at the start of September, as the latter ends its 20 year long relationship with Waitrose.

We are in the worst recession in living memory for the UK with GDP plummeting by 22.1 per cent in the first six months of 2020. But strange as it may sound, does that matter? We knew things would be terrible as the coronavirus lockdown pressed the pause button on the economy and people's lives. The question is, what next?

Most personal investors are just ordinary people trying to grow their wealth over the long term - and like the population at large many of them care about the world around them. But while it has never been easier to be a DIY investor, how often do people really think about where their money is going and what it is doing? On this second This is Money investing special podcast, Simon Lambert is joined again by Rob Morgan, Charles Stanley Direct's pensions and investment analyst, to explore the world of socially responsible investing.

The Bank of England upgraded its view on the economy for this year, saying GDP will only fall by a worst-in-a-century 9.5 per cent rather than a worst in 300-odd years 14.4 per cent. It also hinted that negative rates could do more harm than good, so does that mean they are off the table for the UK? We discuss negative rates: what's the point, do they have any positives and beyond costing savers' interest how would they prove harmful?

After a great deal of fuss about air bridges and people being able to go on summer holiday, things suddenly changed last weekend. A swift about turn saw a 14 day quarantine period imposed for those arriving in the UK from Spain at just six hours' notice. So is this the end of summer holidays for 2020? We talk holidays, travel insurance, refunds, and whether even a staycation is safe.

Over the long-term investing in the stock market has proven to be the best way to beat inflation and grow your wealth. But how do you know when the time is right to start? What are the things to consider when working out what investments might suit you? And do you need to wait until you are wealthy before you become an investor?

The Chancellor has ordered an urgent capital gains tax review which could hit many homeowners and investors, depending on the outcome. On this week's podcast, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, and Georgie Frost look at what changes could be coming for CGT and why.

The showstopper was a big stamp duty cut, the important element was about keeping jobs afloat, and the rabbit out of the hat was a great British meal deal. But the question is, was Rishi Sunak splashing the cash in the summer statement enough to get the nation's confidence back in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, or will real recovery require more down the line?

The Chancellor's coronavirus rescue plan for the British economy has been bold and big, but one important part of the workforce feels somewhat hard done by. A chunk of the self-employed have been excluded from Rishi Sunak's support in a way that employees have not. Anyone who is self-employed and has made more than £50,000 in recent years gets no help whatsoever. Is this fair?

In an unpredicted turn of events, the coronavirus lockdown has been good for some when it comes to their bank balances, but others have not been so lucky. For many, lockdown has resulted in surplus cash to tuck away thanks to spending less on everyday life - but for others, the pandemic may have resulted in a loss in income. We dive into the figures to see what's going on and whether savings rates will continue to plummet.

The number of mortgages available for those with a 10% deposit has plummeted by 90% compared since the start of March - should we be concerned and is this triggering a mortgage credit crunch? Editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost take a look.

There has been a record rise in new investors in Britain during lockdown data suggests, with novices driving the change.What do you need to get started? This is Money editor Simon Lambert reveals to host Georgie Frost what first timers need to know on building a diverse investment portfolio.

before coronavirus we were all told public transport was a good thing, now with restrictions easing and Britain slowly going back to work, people have been told to actively avoid it. Does that mean the inevitable return of the car, or with the Government promising billions to create a new era for cycling and walking, is there a brighter and greener future for mobility? Could one of the keys be electric bicycles and scooters? We discuss that and more on this week's podcast.

It's nearly June, the sun is shining, and right about now people would usually be eagerly anticipating summer breaks they've booked, or planning where to go away. On this podcast, we talk holidays: where to go, when you might be allowed to, and the all-important financial side involving booking, cancellations and refunds. And finally, what about opting for van life instead?

This week, a government bond auction saw UK gilts sold at a negative rate for the first time, while Bank of England boss Andrew Bailey refused to rule out the base rate flipping below zero. Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost look at the weird world of negative rates - an upside down where investors effectively pay to lend the government money, banks are charged interest for depositing funds with the Bank of England, and you'd end up being stung rather than rewarded for saving.

A This is Money investigation has revealed a string of women who have been underpaid their state pension, but are they just the tip of an iceberg? On this week's podcast, our pensions agony uncle Steve Webb and Tanya Jefferies discuss their probe into the matter. Plus we discuss the reopening of the property market and whether house prices will fall and the furlough scheme extension.

In all but name it's now the Santander 1, 2, 0.6 account and that doesn't quite have the same attraction. The latest Santander 123 account rate cut, trying to turn a profit on mortgage holidays, how we pay for the coronavirus crisis and furlough scheme and the crash in car sales all feature on this week's This is Money podcast.

s this the stock market signalling the start of a coronavirus recovery, or have investors merely been piling in driven by Fomo - the fear of missing out? On this week's podcast, we look at the rally, what's driving it - beyond Fomo - and the history of false dawns in stock market crashes, known as the dreaded dead cat bounce. Plus, how Britain gets back to business, tips for brave holiday bookers and 40-year-old cars that are now classics. Fiat Panda, anyone?

Should you save cash and accept low interest rates, or invest and take the risk that you could lose money? This is the perennial dilemma for those with some money to set aside, who are looking to build their wealth. And it's not been made easier by a rollercoaster 20 years. On this episode of the This is Money podcast, we look at how the options fare over the long-term, plus house prices and the businesses fighting insurer Hiscox over coronavirus.

The economic destruction of the coronavirus crash was laid bare in a report from the Office of Budget Responsibility this week. But although the OBR forecast an astonishing 35% slump in UK output in the second quarter of this year - with a three-month lockdown - the other side of its chart showed a substantial bounce-back. What will we need to do for that recovery to happen - and what will it look like?

It can be tough to find good news at the moment but we go looking for some on this special podcast to celebrate spring having sprung. And amid the coronavirus gloom, there are some good news stories to tell, from how Britain has adapted to working from home, to the appreciation for our valued frontline workers and NHS staff, the entrepreneurs seeking opportunity in adversity and the ways people are finding to still stay social with friends and family.

Until a few weeks ago, it's unlikely many Britons had ever considered what being furloughed would mean, but now it's the topic on many workers' minds. It lies at the heart of the government's coronavirus jobs rescue scheme - as it seeks to stem redundancies and offers to pay 80% of their wages up to £2,500 a month. But is picking up the wage bills of big businesses a wise move, will it help save jobs and is the price worth paying because the cost of not doing it is worse?

The Government has told people not to move home while the coronavirus lockdown is on, and the property market has been frozen as estate agents are instructed not to do viewings and valuations and surveys can't happen. Amidst all this, many are asking the inevitable question: 'What will happen to house prices?'

Businesses and workers risk going bust on an almost unprecedented level, unless a coronavirus rescue plan that works can be cooked up, but how strange will that look? Helicopter money, people's QE and a universal basic income are three of the highly unusual measures suggested, but is that wise?

How did Rishi Sunak perform in his first Budget as Chancellor? Why did stock markets crash? And why did the base rate fall to 0.25%? On this week's podcast, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost, dissect what has been one of the most turbulent weeks in living memory.

We talk talk cash savings deals, the best services to invest, and how to overcome the fear that coronavirus-induced stock market falls have delivered. Elsewhere, we discuss the best new cars of the Geneva Motor Show that got cancelled but had its launches online and Lee Boyce cracks open a low-alcohol beer at Adnams brewery, in Suffolk, and asks: has the taste become better... and why?

On this episode of the Making the Money Work podcast, comedian Shappi Khorsandi joins Andi Peters and Simon Lambert to discuss how she built a career in comedy, her unusual life as the daughter of an exiled Iranian poet - and how she once hired Alan Carr to work in a charity call centre.

This week, savings have been in sharp focus with National Savings and Investments cutting rates on a number of its offerings, including popular Premium Bonds. On this week's podcast, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost look at what's behind the cuts and question: should savers head elsewhere and what is the point of tucking money away for little interest?

We talk to writers, comedians, podcasters and performers Tessa Coates and Stevie Martin about how you can make your money work if you work in the creative industry. From hosting their podcast Nobody Panic, to being in comedy trio Massive Dad, writing scripts and articles, and putting on Edinburgh shows, the pair have a lot of things to juggle. So how can you get ahead in the creative world? We find out.

This week started with rumours of a pension tax relief cut and mansion tax, saw the Chancellor fall on his sword, and ended with people none the wiser about whether a Budget tax raid is more or less likely after all that. The question is whose idea controversial plans were and whether they are now on the cards (or was it all just a bit of Machiavellian manoeuvring)? We delve into the Chancellor saga, what we know about the new man, and what could happen in the Budget.

Would you swap your car for an electric one? If the government gets its way, soon many more of us will have to. The proposed ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars was dragged forward by five years to 2035 this week. We look at the logic behind banning the sale of petrol and diesel cars, whether the move can be pulled off and why hybrids are now also on the naughty list.

Alastair Humphreys has cycled round the world, run the Sahara and been to the Arctic but he also wants to encourage ordinary people to have cheap microadventures. He joins Andi Peters and Simon Lambert on the third episode of the Making the Money Work podcast to tell us about funding the life of an adventurer, building a career out of his exploits and why you should go sleep on a hillside under the stars this summer.

It's Brexit Day. After 11pm on Friday 31 January 2019, Britain is officially no longer a member of the European Union. The big question is, what happens next? On this week's podcast, we discuss both what Brexit means immediately for consumers and travellers, and how things may pan out for the economy and our finances over the year ahead.

It's tax return time. The organised will have safely filed their tax returns long ago, but there are still plenty of people who don't yet feel the last minute has arrived. But what if you are meant to fill in a tax return and don't realise? That and why did new overdraft rules backfire, are challenger banks biting and what are the cars that hold their value best are the questions we tackle on this week's podcast.

Santander making more changes to its 123 current account, the rise of buy now, pay later firms, how easy it is to get retrospective planning applications accepted and reasons why an SUV might not be a wise car buy all feature on this week's podcast.

It's not just 'emergency' low interest rates that have hurt savers, banks and building societies undermining them with rock bottom rates on legacy accounts has also played a major part. The FCA's plan to rescue savers from low rates and the loyalty penalty, how house prices fared in the past decade and what happens next, and plans for the Budget feature on this week's podcast.

Does Woodford trump Brexit and the election, were you more concerned about the wealth gap, or do all those pale into insignificance next to the challenges of climate change? On this week's podcast, Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Tanya Jefferies discuss the money stories that shaped the final year of a tumultuous decade.

What does the victory mean for the pound in your pocket, the economy, Brexit and what plans are there in the Conservative manifesto that could affect your personal finances? We look at what could happen to your investments, pensions, tax, the property market, family finances, interest rates, social care and transport.

One of the biggest election issues is the battle over the economy and our personal finances - and there's a sizeable difference between Labour's tax and spending plans for Britain and those of the Tories. So what do all the election promises and plans mean for you? On this podcast we dig into the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat manifestos to find out.

Labour's election manifesto has been revealed and it involves a huge £82.9bn spending spree - to be funded by a similar tax rise. On this podcast, Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce run through the main financial points of Labour's manifesto, with a look at all the parties' plans due at a later date after the Tory manifesto lands.

It could be you. It probably won't, of course, but maybe, just maybe, it could be. That's the attraction of Britain's lottery for its millions of players and this week it reached its 25th birthday.We look at 25 years of the lottery and the story of a couple, Elaine and Derek, from Newcastle who won £2.7million shortly after the game started. So what did they do with the money - and what would our podcast team do with the money?

What's the best new or used electric car, would buying your insurance on the day you need it drive up the price, and does London's diesel-crunching ULEZ make sense? Those are the questions and more on this motoring special edition of the This is Money Podcast, where the team also take a look at buying used parts and the new VW Golf.

Insurance claims for burglary rise by a third in the winter months and sometimes it can be down to households not doing basic checks. This week, editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost take a look what you can do to protect your home. Plus, we talk claiming back money on credit cards and whether it is worth paying off a student loan?

What's the difference between loyalty and inertia when it comes to Britons and the banks, supermarkets, energy suppliers and other financial firms we use? That's the question editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost tackle in the podcast this week.

Neil Woodford's Equity Income Fund, which has locked in investors' money since June, will never reopen - the star fund manager has seen his empire come topping down. Editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost, ask: what is next for investors and what lessons will be learned?

If you want a good deal, an undervalued opportunity, or a fixer-upper to make money on buy a home at auction. That's the common theory, but does it actually work in practice? On this week's podcast, we switch off Homes Under the Hammer and go watch some real life homes go under the hammer at property auction.

It's crunch time for Brexit and things could go one of three ways, deal, no-deal, or kick the can down the road with another extension. This is Money looks at what the latest episode in the Brexit soap opera means for your money, from savings and investments, to mortgages and holiday money - and whether it is too late to protect your finances against no-deal?

Under auto enrolment a worker must pay 8 per cent of their salary into a pension. This includes their contribution, basic rate tax relief and what their employer puts in. But is that enough? This week we dive into the world of pension saving and the tricks you can use to save more. Also on the show we discuss wills - and how to get one if you don't have one, and what you need to think about if you are moving house to try to get your kids into school.

The best time to get a good deal on buying something is when other people don't want to. That should theoretically make now a decent time to try to buy a property, but will that work in practice? On this week's podcast, we look at what's going on in the property market and how to take advantage, plus energy saving myths, smart meters, offsetting your flights with carbon credits... and finding cheap plane tickets.

On this week's podcast, Simon Lambert and Georgie Frost look at whether radical plans to upend the UK's tax rules could become Labour policy. And whether a near half-price new car is still worth it.

We look at why savings rates have started to slip again, and how the mortgage price war, stuttering UK property market and even Donald Trump's trade spat with China fit in with that. Meanwhile, after one of the most tumultuous weeks in British politics - at the end of which we are still unsure whether a no-deal Brexit or General Election are on the cards or out of the question - the team look at how to protect yourself against the fallout.

Assistant editor Lee Boyce, reporter George Nixon and host Georgie Frost run the rule over data potentially highlighting the inter-generation financial divide. This includes ONS figures showing those in the 1980s have less disposable income than the generation before.

It's fair to say environmental issues have moved to the forefront of the agenda in recent times - a large chunk of households in Britain are becoming more eco-conscious. This week, editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost take a look at potential changes you can make to help the pound in your pocket turn a little greener.

This week, editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost look at a raft of economic data and what it means for Britain - including currency, interest rates and recession threats. We also take a look at how holidaymakers could save money on their currency and whether looking into a decade-long mortgage term is a wise idea.

If you think you're too savvy to fall victim to a pension scam - or any scam for that matter - you might want to think again. Almost half of 45-65 year olds would potentially fall victim to six common tactics used by fraudsters, Financial Conduct Authority research claims.

Changes in tax rules that will be introduced next year could hit the income of anyone who's self-employed - such as IT experts and business consultants. Editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost look at why it is being called a 'ticking timebomb' for contractors.

Out go Theresa May and Philip Hammond, in come Boris Johnson and Sajid Javid - will it result in your finances falling out of top gear, or going on a grand tour? That's the question editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost tackle this week, as we have a new Prime Minister at the helm, and a new Chancellor as his sidekick.

Could no deal really happen? What would it mean for your money? The Office of Budget Responsibility's verdict is that it would cost us £30billion, unemployment would rise to 5%, the pound would fall 10% and house prices would go down by the same amount. Do we ignore the experts at our peril? Listen now.

It's official: IHT is the country's most hated tax. That's according to the Office of Tax Simplification, who have been looking into the quirks of the system at the request of the Chancellor. What needs to change - and could a Labour plan, bubbling away in the background, really be the answer? Editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost take a look.

Neil Woodford, his business, its associates and the entire fund management industry have been thrown under the spotlight, but ultimately, will all this fuss and fiasco make any difference? On this week's podcast, Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Alex Sebastian look at what next for the investment world, what has changed and whether once the noise dies down it will simply be back to business as usual.

The bumper fees we pay to estate agents to sell our homes are a common gripe, so what's not to like about one that offers to do it for free? That's what Housesimple is offering, so, what's the catch and would taking up this kind of offer be a good idea? On this week's podcast, Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Will Kirkman dive into the murky world of selling houses and whether estate agents are worth their fees.

Two-thirds of savers are being told to abandon final salary pensions - and this is despite the Financial Conduct Authority saying that advisers should start with the standpoint this is not a suitable option. Are people getting the right advice about their gold-plated pensions? That's the question tackled by editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost this week.

Much is made of the difficulties faced by first-time buyers to get onto the property ladder, but less talked about is the problem facing second steppers and those looking to downsize. As growing families struggle to afford to move up the property ladder could intergenerational house-swaps be the answer?

Tesco Bank has ditched mortgages, while a string of other smaller players have shut their doors in recent months, and building society behemoth Nationwide issue its own caution on home loans this week? On this week’s podcast, we dive into what is currently a weird world of mortgages: where a greater supply of money to lend than demand to borrow means there are some very cheap deals on offer.

There are no shortage of cautionary tales that tell us it is better to be happy than rich, but does it matter if some people have an awful lot more money than others? We dive into the snapshot of Britain that arrived with a new study into inequality, explain how to work out how rich you are and where you stand among Britain's earners, and discuss how to make things better.

Many people say they would like to have a crack at a grand design of their own – or even a more modest one – but finding somewhere to build it is a problem. That’s why despite self-builders typically turning an immediate paper profit of 15 to 30 per cent not many of us take the plunge. Things could be about to change for the better, however, we look at how to build your own home and whether the plan to raise self-build’s profile will work or fizzle out.

Social care is a mounting problem for Britain but the issue is a can that has been kicked down the road repeatedly. This week a new suggestion emerged involving a hike in National Insurance contributions for over-50s.

We haven't glued ourselves to train carriages – instead, we dish out useful tips and tricks that are good for the planet as well as your wallet. We also reveal why the Toyota Prius topped a satisfaction survey - and the majority of the cars in top 10 list are eco-friendly.

TSB says defrauded customers will now always get their cash back, which has piled pressure on other banks to do the same. But will they – and should they have to? That's the question assistant editor Lee Boyce, reporter George Nixon and host Georgie Frost tackle in this week's podcast.

This week's podcast offers an easy-to-follow guide to all the changes to our taxes that have come into force. And do not miss the wonderful Simon Lambert rant about the lies he was told by Virgin Mobile as National Price Hike Day sends all our bills in the wrong direction.

On this week’s podcast we look at what led to the fraud investigation at London Capital and Finance, where thousands of ‘savers’ lost millions of pounds and explain the dark side of mini-bonds, savings accounts that look too good to be true and how to invest if you're still in your teens.

Brexit didn't happen today, but one event set in stone each year is the end of the financial year. That happens on 5 April, and it means the clock is ticking if you haven't sorted your Isa or pension. Editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost have an Isa special for your ears this week.

The Government wants to scrap gas boilers in new homes by 2025 – but what are the viable alternatives? And how much will they cost? This week, This is Money editor Simon Lambert, reporter Grace Gausden and host Georgie Frost explore the options.

The overall tax take is now equivalent to 34.6 per cent of Britain's economy, a level not seen since Harold Wilson was Prime Minister, how and why has that happened - and where's it going? Meanwhile, with all the shenanigans in Westminster this week you could be forgiven for failing to register we had a Spring Statement at all – let alone clocked its finer points. We fill you in on what you may have missed.

Put on your party hats – it's Isa season! After years in the doldrums could we have a proper Isa battle on our hands in 2019? Santander and Coventry Building Society have launched two best buy easy-access tax-free deals, and that appears to have put some wind in the sails of our man Lee Boyce. That and more on this week's podcast.

This week, editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost answer the question: what would you do if you gained a windfall, big or small? What does it mean to win big and what are the first things you need to think about if you’re lucky enough to come into some cash?

High property prices and increasingly complicated families are being blamed for the rise in disputed wills, but would you challenge one and what's the most common reason for doing so? Listen to this week's podcast, also featuring house prices, coffee habits, Lloyds shares and ambulance chasers

Inflation has slipped to 1.8%, while the Bank of England has downgraded growth and indicated interest rate hikes are on hold. But at the same time, wages are rising by more than inflation and unemployment remains low. So has the clock already started ticking on a slowdown in the UK economy, or is this just some pre-Brexit jitters that could eventually be followed by a bounce? We look at what next.

Investing has proven to be the best way to beat inflation and grow your wealth over the long-term, but how do you get started? And if you do already invest but feel you’ve lost track of your goals or ended up with a jumble of investments, how can you improve things? We bust the jargon, look at why people should invest, how to get started, what investments you can choose and how to find the right ones for you.

When savings is mentioned, the first thought that springs to mind for many is: rates are low, what's the point? Also, how do you save for your children, what about Isas, does higher risk equal higher reward and how do you save for a house? We take a look in the latest This is Money podcast special.

Inflation has closed in on the long-term target of two per cent - does that mean an interest rate rise off the table in 2019? And what does it mean for savers? Assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost talk about the latest inflation figures in the This is Money podcast - including why it has fallen, where it is heading next and what it means for savers.

Retailers sounded the alarm early when advent brought a string of warnings about a terrible November, but this week we started to find out what the crucial festive period really brought. On this week's podcast, This is Money's retail expert Emily Hardy, joins Simon Lambert and Georgie Frost to sift through the figures and look at who did well and who didn't.