Feel Better About Money

Big changes in global trade can feel...unsettling, and as President Donald Trump's tariffs move markets we’re here to help you stay steady. So what does all this mean for your savings, your investments, your pensions, your mortgages, and your bills? Amy Knight from NerdWallet and Fergus McDonald, from Evelyn Partners, join Holly and Lucy to give us the best tips for Trump proofing your finances!Guests: Amy Knight, NerdWallet & Fergus McDonald, Financial Planner at Evelyn Partners.Contact: Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What actually is inheritance tax, and will it affect you? Can it be avoided without breaking the law? And why are Britain’s farmers so furious about it? In this episode, Holly Mead is joined by consumer finance expert Sarah Pennells to demystify one of the UK’s most controversial taxes. From gifting and the seven-year rule to pensions, property, and the latest government changes, Feel Better About Money is breaking it all down.Guest: Sarah Pennells, Consumer Finance Specialist at Royal London.Contact: Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pensions payouts can be confusing, but good news! You don’t have to figure it out alone. With a third of people over 55 unsure about their options and many worried about tax implications, we’re here to make it all a little clearer. Former Pensions Minister Steve Webb joins Holly and Lucy to demystify the process, explaining when and how you can access your pension, the pros and cons of lump sums, drawdowns, and annuities, and how to make sure your money lasts through retirement.Guest: Steve Webb, Partner at Lane Clark and Peacock & Former Minister for Pensions.Contact: Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered her Spring Statement - but what does it really mean for your money? Holly Mead is joined by Jo Noble, Chris Etherington and Tom Selby to break down the key takeaways - from welfare cuts to tax crackdowns - as they look at what was announced, what was left out, and what may still come later this year.Guests: Jo Noble, Money Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times. Chris Etherington, Private Client Partner, RSM UK. Tom Selby, Director of Public Policy, AJ Bell.Image: Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Poor April! Next month has been labelled as 'awful'. Why? Because many household bills across the board are set to rise once again. So, what can we do to weather the storm? Consumer rights expert Martyn James joins Holly and Lucy to make it all feel a little less scary, with tips and tricks to help you save money.   Guest: Martyn James, consumer rights expert, journalist and broadcaster. Contact: Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s thought our money habits are learned by the age of seven. So how do you give your child the best money saving chances? This week Holly and Lucy are joined by family wealth planner Francesca Smith to discuss how to teach children the basics about money - how to make those conversations fun, as well as the apps, cards and accounts suitable for young savers.The Times and Sunday Times have also launched a new parenting hub, where you’ll find all the latest articles on school and university guides, advice on mental health, finances, as well as Jo Noble's ongoing series on the cost of raising a child. Find out more at thetimes.com/parenting.   Guests: Francesca Smith, Financial Adviser at FSWM and founder of the Frankie’s women’s network. Contact: Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the 1p savings challenge to the 50-30-20 budgeting rule, the internet is brimming with advice on how to save pennies and turn them into pounds - but do they actually work? To separate fact from fad, Holly and Lucy are joined by Beth Snow from Beth's Budget Diary to discuss saving tips and tricks that make a difference.Listen: Getting started with investing Contact: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Driving lessons and car insurance costs are rising, but there are ways to cut costs. Holly and Lucy dive into the rising costs of driving with Julie Daniels from Compare The Market and Seb Goldin from Red Driving School. They reveal smart ways to save - from cutting insurance costs to avoiding scams that target learner drivers. Contact: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holly and Lucy are joined by Kat Denham, champion champion for The Times and The Sunday Times, as they navigate the tricky world of bank accounts mishaps. From Frozen accounts, lost payments & dormant savings, Kat shares the best ways to protect yourself from losing money.Contact Holly and Lucy: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Romance scams are on the rise with victims losing an average of £10,000. And with AI making fraudsters more convincing than ever, how can you protect yourself? Holly and Lucy are joined by Simon Miller from fraud prevention service Cifas and Becky Holmes, author of Keanu Reeves Is Not in Love with You, to find out about the latest scam tactics, the warning signs, and what to do if you or someone you love is a victim. Contact: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many renters, it seems, are changing homes every year - we find out why. It's a rapidly changing rental market and the Renters Rights Bill could potentially be made law this year bringing more transformation. So Holly and Lucy are joined by Anna Ambrose, National Head of Lettings at Strutt & Parker estate agency to find out how to rent better, and why December is a key month to remember. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many people it seems prefer saving over investing their cash. But is that always the best way to grow your money? To dispel investing myths and to see whether investing can be made comprehensible to all, this week, Holly is joined by investment experts Tom Stevenson and Alexandra Jackson who answer questions gathered by Lucy from ordinary commuters. Did they ask what you would ask? Find out!Guests: Tom Stevenson, Investment director for Personal Investing at Fidelity International. Alexandra Jackson, Fund manager at Rathbones Asset Management.Contact: Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many, paying off a mortgage is one of their biggest financial goals. So, this week Holly and Lucy are joined by mortgage expert, Sarah Tucker from The Mortgage Mum and Leigh Macfarlane, a content creator documenting her journey to becoming mortgage free. They share practical tips and strategies to make your dream of financial freedom a reality.Contact: Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January is the peak time for many Brits to either book or start planning their next getaway. To help you get the best deals and savings, Holly and Lucy get expert advice from Claire Irvin, Head of Travel at The Times and The Sunday Times. She shares her top travel hacks to save you some cash on your next trip.Contact: Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January is the time of year when couples are most likely to split up. So, what's the best way to navigate through a divorce? And how can you deal with your finances when splitting up? Sara Davison and Matthew Taylor offer expert advice.Guests: Sara Davison, Divorce coach.Matthew Taylor, financial specialist, Stowe Family Law.Listen: Take charge of your finances in 2025Contact: Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New year, new you and new money resolutions. Holly and Lucy are joined by personal financial advisor, Myron Jobson, to navigate all the key dates in 2025 to stay on top of your finances. Guest: Myron Jobson, Senior Personal Finance Analyst, Interactive Investor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holly and Lucy are here to guide you through one of the most daunting tasks of the season, filing your tax return.Last Boxing Day over 12,000 people tackled their tax returns ahead of the January 31st deadline. If you’re among the brave souls diving into paperwork right now, don’t worry you’re not alone!Holly and Lucy are joined by tax expert Elsa Littlewood to share practical tips, insights, and a dose of humour to help you face tax season fearlessly and confidently.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holly and Lucy are joined by financial advisor Gianpaolo Mantini to discuss navigating tricky financial conversations during Christmas, tackling topics like debt, inheritance, and salaries.Guest: Gianpaolo Mantini, Chartered Financial Planner, Partner at Saltus.Contact Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hundreds of thousands of Britons now have a side hustle. So, this week, Holly is joined by tax expert Nimesh Shah who deep dives into the world of side hustles and shares tips and tricks to stay tax savvy as you boost your earnings with an additional income stream.Guest: Nimesh Shah, CEO at Blick Rothenberg Host: Holly Mead, Deputy Money Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.Contact Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the cost of gas and electricity going up, what is the best way to save on your energy bills? The Times' consumer champion, Kat Denham joins Holly and Lucy to help make sense of your energy essentials.Guest: Katherine Denham, consumer champion, The Times and The Sunday Times. And if you have a money problem that you would like Katherine Denham to investigate email yourmoneymatters@thetimes.co.ukContact Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The former Pensions Minister and pensions expert, Steve Webb, answers your questions and chats to Holly Mead about how to prepare for retirement. Guest: Steve Webb, Pensions Minister in the coalition government.Contact: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What would you do if you became significantly richer overnight? Stash it, invest it, put it in your pension or plan the trip of a lifetime...A financial windfall may seem like an uncomplicated blessing, but money gained of any size requires thoughtful management to maximise its full potential.Holly and Lucy look at what to consider with personal finance expert Sarah Coles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are first time home buyers possibly the most endangered species on the planet?Holly and Lucy welcome financial planner, Tracy Crookes to help you get house-buy ready! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a paid partnership with Lloyds Bank this bonus edition sees Holly Mead joins the Managing Director of Pensions and Investments for Lloyds Bank, Jackie Leiper, to discuss the differences that still exist in women's wealth, and discuss the issues surrounding investing and your long-term finances.The gender investment gap, what is it, why is it a problem, and what drives it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our aim is to help you understand money better. And that means understanding debt better. Is debt bad, or just a means to an end – like buying a house, a car, or a holiday? Should we be afraid of debt and if we have debts how best should we handle them? And we learn about how debt is seen by the banks, building societies and others, and how it forms part of what makes up your financial profile. All with the help of consumer rights expert, Martyn James. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves’ first budget raised taxes by more than expected, borrowed more than predicted, and brought higher taxes on employers than forecast. But now, Holly is at hand with a podcast pick-me-up! It is time to get down to brass tacks as she is joined by experts whose job is to help you understand money better - tax analyst, Chris Etherington, pensions expert, Tom McPhail and Times Money editor, Jo Noble. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holly Mead is talking about budgeting and the budget, as she looks at the many different aspects of money to help you make better financial decisions about pensions, mortgages, investments. With so many suggestions, rumours and supposed leaks about the upcoming budget, what should we be preparing for now and how? Holly talks about money to help you think it all through! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A weekly podcast for those who want to understand money better. A podcast about what is possible! The presenters, Holly Mead and Lucy Andrews, are experts in personal finance. Here, they talk about themselves, their friends, neighbourhoods, weddings, meals, and why it is often so very hard to save as much as you'd like. Each week, Holly and Lucy take a single subject and find compelling case studies, as well as tried and tested experts (many from within the Times Money team). Their aim is simple: to give you the insights and information you can use to make your money work better for you. Feel smarter; feel better about money. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.