This is Money Podcast

How do you solve a problem like student loans?

Student loans look like another mess that has reached a tipping point in Britain's shonky financial system. There are three different types of student loan plan that graduates could currently be on and one of them offers a particularly bad deal. Those who took out Plan 2 student loans, between 2012 and 2022, suffered fees being hiked to £9,000, face interest rates of RPI plus 3 per cent, and have seen the repayment threshold above which they lose 9 per cent of their income bounce around at the whim of governments. Meanwhile, lots of graduates are staring down the barrel of decades of a big extra chunk coming out of their wages, but then never actually clearing the debt before it gets written off after 30 years. As the reality bites of the student loans they signed up to at 18 - for an average post university debt of £50,000 - without properly realising the consequences, many late 20 and 30somethings are increasingly angry. Do they have a point and what can we do? On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert talk student loans, what might happen, what we could do - and who should pay for university. Plus, what does the Bank of England holding rates mean for borrowers and savers. For those who aren't losing their spare cash to a student loan and have got on the property ladder, should you overpay your mortgage? The man who got his mortgage paid off in four years - and how he did it. What on earth is happening to bitcoin and why is it crashing? And finally, what are the rules on flexible Isas and putting money back in?

Is a ground rent cap a good idea for leaseholders and why is it controversial?

The Government has announced plans for a cap on ground rent - is it a welcome policy that will finally fix a broken system or does it risk creating new problems along the way? Helen Crane, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce discuss the plans first revealed on TikTok by the Prime Minister, what's potentially changing and when. Watch out - HMRC is about... Stamp duty investigations are on the rise - is it all Angela Rayner's fault? And how do buyers find themselves in the crosshairs?  'Metal madness' is still in full swing with gold and silver on a tear up with some huge gains this week, but also some hefty falls. What's going on? NS&I has made some cheeky rate cuts but a cash Isa season seems to have erupted early - where can you find the best rates?   And lastly, wood burners. Are they an environmental no-no, or can they help save money on your energy bills?

Is the weaker US dollar bad for investors and why is Vanguard reducing UK bias?

Donald Trump has been hijacking the headlines this week, with his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos a major talking point globally.  With plenty of geopolitical drama afoot, what does a weakening US dollar mean for UK investors with money tied up in US and global funds? Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce discuss. One of the world’s biggest investment firms, Vanguard has spurned the Chancellor's efforts to drive up investment in the UK, as it plans to cut its LifeStrategy exposure to the UK - why and what should you do? Nationwide has bumped up what it will lend on mortgages to six times salary – it means borrowers can potentially borrow £50,000 more. Is this a step in the right direction or the path to trouble?  Are you saving enough for retirement? Our analysis shows what you need in your pot at every milestone age to be on track… and what to do if you’re off target. This is Money reporter Harvey Dorset tries out a £5,000 smartphone - so what do you get for such a huge outlay? Lastly, Lee speaks to actress Joanna Page about her finances – the Gavin and Stacey star reveals what her mum and nan taught her about money.

Should you swap your star fund manager for a cheap tracker?

Life isn't what it once was for star fund managers. The investment industry once thrived on big names but these widely recognisable figures are few and far between nowadays. Two that remain are Terry Smith and Nick Train but their Fundsmith and Finsbury Growth & Income investors have had their patience tested by five years of underperformance compared to just sticking money in a cheap market tracker fund. Both managers defended their approach this week, while offering their investors an apology of sorts. So, is it time to swap your star fund manager for a cheap index fund, or are the stock pickers likely to be proved right in the end? On this podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss the cult of the fund manager and whether it's had its day. Meanwhile, The Chancellor wants to get more of us investing but MPs have looked into her plans to cut the cash Isa limit and said it's unlikely to lead more people to the UK stock market. That's exactly what most investment experts told the Chancellor before the Budget, so is there any chance of change of heart? Parts of the London property market have been having a quiet house price crash, Georgie, Helen and Simon discuss what's going on and what kind of properties are affected. The team also ask if cashback is worth it - and look at the deals that could cost you money. And finally, if you want a cheap electric car runaround, what are your best options and what would it cost you?

Tips to sort your finances and what's going on with pubs?

What are the financial foundations you need so that you can then start living a richer life? On this episode of the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss what they think are the essential building blocks for taking control of your finances. From budgeting to protecting your family, what are the things you absolutely must do?  They share what they've done right... and what they have done wrong and still slip up on. Meanwhile, the new year has seen the row over pubs and business rates blow up, with the Prime Minister and Chancellor rumoured to be about to have to do another U-turn.  What went wrong, why didn't they listen straight after the Budget and are publicans right to feel aggrieved? Bank shares have been on a tear, but is there still time to invest as Lloyds breaks through the symbolic 100p mark for the first time since its financial crisis plummet? And what would it take for you to turn your home into a zero bills house - and is it worth the cost?