This is Money Podcast

What you need to do with your Isa and pension before the tax year ends

There's just a week to go until the end of the tax year and if you haven't sorted your Isa, pension or the rest of your finances it's time to get your skates on. On this episode, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss the important things you need to think about before 5 April... and ideally right now. From how your Isa allowance works, to parking cash and drip-feeding it, and why a pension can not only boost your retirement savings but also cut your tax bill, they explain what you need to know. And Simon has some extra tips on how to use as much of your Isa or pension allowance as possible, even if you don't have the ready cash. Also on this week's episode, what on earth is going on at NS&I and will it have to pay millions on compensation, how to become a tradesperson on a six figure salary, will interest rates really rise four times this year, and finally, what are the food items that have rocketed the most in price. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Isa investing bestsellers revealed - but is cash still king?

Isa season is in full swing as savers and investors race to beat the clock to fill up their allowance - but where are people putting their money? Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost take a look and reveal stocks and shares Isa bestsellers of 2026. And even before the current markets turmoil caused by the Iran conflict, Lee reveals just how much is pouring into cash. There are fresh warnings sounded over Britain's midlife pensions crisis - but it's not too late to build a healthy retirement pot. We reveal how and some of the rules of thumb it is worth remembering when it comes to building your nest egg. McDonald's launches trading cards with selected meals - and some of the rarest are already listed on eBay for HUGE sums. Lee does a live opening of three packs... can he bag a £10,000 gold Ronald card? And just what is the fastest way to make £10,000? Five experts - including Simon - have been given £500 each to put into betting, crypto, stocks, furniture and Vinted, alongside a share-picking monkey with a pin. Who will come out on top? ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Mortgage rates are spiking - how bad will it get?

Mortgage rates have shot up this week as the impact of the conflict with Iran for inflation and interest rates sinks in. Banks and building societies have been racing to raise their fixed rates - with some even pushing them up twice in the space of a few days. It comes in response to a sudden switch around in expectations for the Bank of England base rate, but will this flurry of hikes continue or are the concerns overdone. On this episode of the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert look at what's going on in the mortgage market - and what you can do about it if you are buying a home or need to remortgage. Plus, Simon has broken with the habit of a lifetime and actually fixed his energy bills for once. He explains why you should too - and how there are still potentially price cap-beating or matching deals out there. Helen outlines the nine biggest mistakes you can make with your pension - and what they could cost you. And finally, if you have a Nationwide current account and are hopefully in line for some free money from Fairer Share, this is what you must do in the next two weeks. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

What does the Middle East conflict mean for your money?

In the past week, news headlines have been dominated by the conflict in the Middle East. It has pushed up oil and gas prices, and as such, concerns over our household finances in Britain. Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Helen Crane discuss what the conflict means for investors, mortgage rates, price at the petrol pumps and energy bills - is there anything you can realistically do to keep a lid on the potential for runaway inflation? With the potential for inflation to spike, does that spell the end of a 'nailed on' base rate cut and what are your rights if you have a holiday or flight booked which is hit by the disruption? We also saw the Chancellor deliver the Spring Statement on Tuesday - growth downgraded, unemployment up and predictions house prices will rise by more than £40,000 between now and 2031. But with events in the Middle East, are the OBR predictions wildly out-of-date already? There is now more than £1trillion held in tax-free Isas. With a month to go until the end of the tax-year, thee has been a number of top deals launched - but are they worth opening? ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Why is the FTSE 100 soaring – and can its run continue?

The flying Footsie is on course for the best start to the year since 1998 and driving it are 20 stocks that have risen by 50% or more in the past year. Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost discuss what's going on for the flagship UK index and whether the run can continue. They also zoom in on Rolls Royce... its shares have soared by more than a thousand per cent in five years. Is it too late to join the party?  When it comes to Junior Isas, many parents worry that once their children get access, they'll fritter it away - but is that really the case? New analysis suggests not. And NS&I has cut the underlying rate on its Premium Bonds to 3.3%. Is it time to move your money? The Government is rolling out the next phase of making tax digital which will require some to file quarterly - is expensive chaos on the way? Lastly, can you save money with an EV versus a petrol equivalent? Or does the maths simply not add up? ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.