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Description
A weekly podcast for those who want to understand money better. A podcast from The Times and Sunday Times about what is possible.
Presented by Holly Mead, an expert in personal finance, the podcast explores how money shapes our lives - from friendships and families to weddings, homes, and the daily challenges of saving and spending.
Each week, Holly takes a single subject such as pensions or tax to test out with tried and tested experts, many from the Times Money team. The aim is simple: to give you the insights and information you need to make your money work better for you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
48 Episodes
Reverse
Many of us will have heard the horror stories about people being refused a mortgage or a car loan because they’ve unknowingly racked up a poor credit rating. But how do these mysterious records of what we borrow, pay back and spend really work? Can an unpaid mobile phone bill really resurface in your credit history and scupper you just when you’re trying to get the finance together to buy your first home? Holly Mead is joined by Sarah Williams of online advice blog Debt Camel to dispel some of the myths — and to explain ways to improve your credit score. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Weddings, a celebration of love which often come with a serious price tag. In this episode Holly speaks to Chiara Brown from The Times Luxx and Zoe Burke from Hitched.co.uk about what drives up costs 2025. We ask whether all things 'W' really cost more than they might do otherwise, and whether micro-weddings, eloping or a spot of DIY could help you say ‘I do’ without the debt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Premium Bonds have had their prize rate cut again the third time this year. With 24 million people holding £130bn in them, are they still Britain’s favourite savings product, or just ‘lottery-lite’? Holly Mead is joined by The Times’s George Nixon, financial planner Rosie Hooper, and NS&I’s Andrew Westhead to ask why it's happening and whether Premium Bonds still deliver more than just excitement! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From solar panels to heat pumps, we’re told eco home upgrades will slash our bills and save the planet – but do they really add up? Holly Mead is joined by The Times’ Melissa York and Octopus Energy’s Nigel Banks to explore which improvements deliver real savings, how you can earn money from your energy, and why the benefits are sometimes about more than just pounds and pence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Results day is around the corner - and so are student finance deadlines. Whether you're heading to uni, supporting someone who is, or just confused about how student loans actually work, this episode is for you. Holly Mead and accountant Arlyne Chinyanganya break down what student loans cover, how the interest on them really works, and whether paying them off early ever makes financial sense. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why does money cause so many relationship rifts? In this episode of Feel Better About Money, Holly Mead is joined by The Times’ Rachel Mortimer and financial psychotherapist Vicky Reynal to look at why love and money are so often at odds, and how couples can find common ground. They look at how the financial 'blueprints' from our childhoods shape our attitudes to money, and how to make it work when two people have completely different approaches to spending or saving.Guests:Rachel Mortimer, Deputy Money Editor, The TimesVicky Reynal, psychotherapist and author of Money on Your Mind: The Psychology Behind Your Financial Habits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
100% mortgages are back, but is it a financial fix or a gamble? Following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Mansion House speech, Holly Mead and Sarah Tucker from The Mortgage Mum, break down what the proposed mortgage reforms could mean for first-time buyers. With permanent 95% mortgage deals and new 100% mortgages making a comeback, are we seeing real help for generation rent - or are we risking a return to 2008-style lending? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is the last minute holiday deal dead? Prices are up, planes are full, and algorithms are setting fares. So how do you actually save money if you’re booking a getaway at short notice? Holly Mead is joined by The Times travel editor Cathy Adams to unpack summer travel hacks - which destinations offer the best value? Is the package holiday always a good deal? And is it really possible to outsmart dynamic pricing?Guest: Cathy Adams, Travel Editor, The Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fired up to retire early? You’ll need more than just a dream. Holly is joined by financial planner Kirsty Stone to unpack what's known as the FIRE movement - short for Financial Independence, Retire Early - and whether it's a realistic path to freedom or just a social media fantasy. Does early retirement bring happiness?Guest: Kirsty Stone, Chartered Financial Planner, The Private Office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1Thinking about starting a family? You might want to check your finances first. Holly Mead is joined by family finance expert Matilda Long to break down the real cost of raising a child in 2025, from prams and formula to the spiralling price of childcare. They dig into the numbers, explore how government support stacks up, and share practical tips on budgeting, benefits, and making smart spending decisions as a parent.Guest: Matilda Long, Nous. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Cash ISAs are the UK’s favourite savings product, but just what are they, and how best to use them? And are they about to get a government makeover? With nearly £50 billion poured into them last year alone, reforms could impact millions of savers. Holly, Cameron and Laura unpack the possibilities for your savings strategy, and yes, now might be the time to start devising that strategy!Guests: Laura Suter, Director of Personal Finance, AJ Bell, and Cameron Smith, financial educator. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Online shopping is easy - until your parcel goes missing, turns up damaged, or never arrives at all. This week, Holly is joined by consumer journalist Vix Leyton to share delivery horror stories and explain your rights when things go wrong. Can couriers really leave your parcel anywhere and call it a day? And if they do, what can you actually do about it?Guest: Vix Leyton, Consumer Journalist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ever wonder how to turn an idea into a thriving business or take your side hustle to the next level? This week, Holly is joined by Hannah Prevett, the journalist behind How I Made It, the Sunday Times column profiling successful entrepreneurs. Together, they unpack what it really takes to start and sustain a business that actually lasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on Feel Better About Money, Holly and expert guest Matt Morris are tackling a topic we've all heard of, but really, just what is it? Cryptocurrency - what you need to know about how is it used. Why is it breaking records right now? And might we be paying for pizza by crypto in the future?Guest: Matt Morris, Director at Carr Consulting & Communications. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ever been ghosted by a brand after a bad buy? You're not alone. In this episode of Feel Better About Money, we dive under the cushions of luxury sofas gone wrong, and hear about rejected refunds on financed cars, and overseas purchases gone bust. The Times Consumer Champion Kat Denham joins Holly and Lucy to reveal how to fight back when companies say no, and what your rights really are. Plus, some big news from Lucy as she signs off from the show, off to a brand new job!Guest: Katherine Denham, The Times Consumer Champion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The number of single person households in the UK is on the rise and in a big way! And yet, it costs more than ever to live alone. Just how does that happen? What is the so-called singles tax? And how much is it costing those of us who are 'un-partnered' as it is now described? This week Holly and Lucy are joined by Sarah Coles from Hargreaves Lansdown, who has a wealth of insights from their research into this issue, and offers clear advice on what we can do about it. Essential listening! Guest: Sarah Cole, Hargreaves LansdownContact: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What are your rights when your flight is delayed or cancelled? Holly and Lucy unpack what compensation and support you’re legally entitled to when travel plans go wrong with expert insight from Rory Boland, consumer travel editor at Which?. Plus, we hear Rachel Mortimer's real-life holiday horror story and explain how to actually get your money back.Read Rachel's story in full at The Times.Guest: Rory Boland, Editor and Consumer Travel Expert, Which? Contact: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does a Bank of England rate cut mean for your money? Holly and Lucy break down how the latest change to interest could affect your mortgage, savings, debt, and pensions with expert insight from consumer finance lawyer, and mortgage advisor Funmi Olufunwa.Guests: Funmi Olufunwa, Financial Lawyer, educator and mortgage advisor.Contact: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lucy and Holly look at the financial pros and cons of going electric on the road. James Court from Octopus EV and Erin Baker from Auto Trader unpack the true costs of owning an electric car - from tax perks and lower running costs to charging infrastructure and government policy. What should buyers know before making the switch? And is it smart to invest now, given that petrol and diesel are being phased out by 2030? Guests: James Court, Director of Public Policy, Octopus Electric Vehicles.Erin Baker, Editorial Director, Auto Trader UK. Contact: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Lucy and Holly ask why a new generation of investors is turning to one of the world’s oldest assets: Gold. Joined by Brian Byrnes from Moneybox together they unpack gold’s historical role in the economy, its incredible performance, and how it compares to trendier assets like Bitcoin and tech stocks. Is gold still relevant in a digital-first world? Why are younger investors increasingly drawn to it? And does it have any downsides? Plus, we hear from young financial coach Laura Ann Moore, on how it fits into own long-term investment plan.Guests: Brian Byrnes, Head of Personal Finance at MoneyboxContact: Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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