How Money Really Works

S2 E1 - Freddos, Fuel Prices and Falling Governments

TITLE Season 2 Episode 1: Iran, Inflation, Bonds and Britain’s Political Meltdown DESCRIPTION How Money Really Works is back for Season 2. Hosted by journalist and foreign correspondent Peter Oliver alongside financial adviser Stephen Hope, the podcast breaks down the biggest economic and political stories in plain English and explains what they actually mean for your money, your mortgage and your future. In this episode: * How the conflict involving Iran is driving up fuel prices and inflation * Why interest rates may stay higher for longer * What bond markets and gilts actually are * Why government borrowing affects ordinary people * The growing pressure on Keir Starmer and what political instability means for markets * Mortgages, household finances and what could happen next Stephen explains inflation through the “Freddo Index,” while Peter looks at the political fallout currently gripping Westminster. As always, this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. FOLLOW US Instagram: @howmoneyreallyworkspod TikTok: @howmoneyreallyworkspod YouTube: @HowMoneyReallyWorks LIVE SHOW TICKETS Peter will be appearing live at the Fire Station in Sunderland for a special live recording of the WTF Sunderland podcast featuring former Sunderland AFC star Carlos Edwards. Tickets available here: Fire Station Sunderland Live Show Tickets [https://www.thefirestation.org.uk/spektrix/ChooseSeats?EventInstanceId=173601ALVLPGRKPMTDLRTHJNNPDTTNBBL] CHAPTERS 00:00 Season 2 begins 06:15 The lost episode and where we’ve been 10:40 Iran, fuel prices and inflation 14:30 What is inflation? 17:10 The Freddo Index 21:00 Why prices go up 24:30 Bonds, gilts and government borrowing explained 31:30 Why bond markets matter 36:30 Mortgages, interest rates and household finances 41:40 Labour leadership pressure on Keir Starmer 47:30 Angela Rayner, Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting 54:00 Bond markets and political instability 56:40 Ed Miliband, energy policy and net zero 1:03:40 Final thoughts and outro TAGS UK economy, inflation, interest rates, mortgages, bonds, gilts, Iran, fuel prices, Keir Starmer, Labour Party, Wes Streeting, Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband, politics, personal finance, economics podcast, UK politics, How Money Really Works

S1 E7 - Gong Xi Fa Cai, End of Season One

This week’s episode is… slightly stitched together. Peter is in Macau for Chinese New Year. Stephen is in Tenerife on half term. The tech did not cooperate. We move. Despite the “funk on the line”, this emergency episode still tackles some big themes: • Why every new AI launch seems to shake markets • What volatility actually means and why it is not the enemy • The behavioural mistakes investors make during uncertainty • Why Asia is outperforming while parts of the US tech sector wobble • What the Industrial Revolution can teach us about AI today • Diversification, time horizons and staying invested Stephen explains why missing just a handful of the best recovery days can dramatically change long term outcomes. AI may feel like a steam horse in the next field, but reacting emotionally is rarely the winning strategy. As always, this is financial education, not personal financial advice. Investments can rise as well as fall and you may get back less than you invest. Always take advice specific to your own circumstances. This episode also marks the end of Season One. Peter is finishing one book and starting another, and Season Two is already in development with some very special guests lined up. We will be back in around a month. Until then, Gong Xi Fa Cai. May you get rich. ---------------------------------------- WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@HowMoneyReallyWorksPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@HowMoneyReallyWorksPodcast] ---------------------------------------- FOLLOW HOW MONEY REALLY WORKS Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hmrwpod/ [https://www.instagram.com/hmrwpod/] TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@howmoneyreallyworks [https://www.tiktok.com/@howmoneyreallyworks]

S1 E6 - Politics, Power & Money.

Season 1, Episode 6 - Politics, Power & Money. Politics, power and money collide this week as we unpack three big themes shaping confidence, behaviour and markets. First, the renewed political noise around the Epstein-linked revelations in the UK, the spotlight on Peter Mandelson, and what this means for Keir Starmer’s authority. We look at why markets hate uncertainty, how leadership risk feeds into policy risk, and why bond investors pay attention when Westminster starts to wobble. Then, Peter joins from Shanghai to talk about how Starmer’s China visit was seen on the ground, what visa liberalisation actually changes for business travel, and whether warmer signalling can translate into real commercial advantage. We also get into the difference between headlines and long-term exposure, and why face-to-face meetings still matter in Chinese business culture. And finally, when trust feels shaky, where does money go. Gold, silver, crypto, defensive assets and the idea of a “digital hedge”. We talk about why these assets can rise fast, fall fast, and why diversification is usually the dull answer that keeps people sane. As always, this is not financial advice. It is a conversation about how money really works. Follow the show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hmrwpod/ [https://www.instagram.com/hmrwpod/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@howmoneyreallyworks [https://www.tiktok.com/@howmoneyreallyworks] If you have a question you want us to tackle, send it in the comments or through the socials.

How Money Really Works. Season 1, Episode 5

In this episode, Peter Oliver is joined by Frankie Francis, musician, venue operator and one of the people behind Sunderland Music City. They talk about the real economics of live music in the UK. This includes the impact of 20 percent VAT on venues, what government support helped after Covid, where it fell short, and how Brexit has changed touring for UK bands nearly ten years on. A practical, first hand look at why grassroots venues are still under pressure and what that means for artists, audiences and local music scenes. ---------------------------------------- FOLLOW HOW MONEY REALLY WORKS Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hmrwpod/ [https://www.instagram.com/hmrwpod/] TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@howmoneyreallyworks [https://www.tiktok.com/@howmoneyreallyworks] X https://x.com/HMRWpod [https://x.com/HMRWpod] YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuH_AxxJZ_ojBdLL3C2LpfA/ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuH_AxxJZ_ojBdLL3C2LpfA/] ---------------------------------------- FOLLOW FRANKIE FRANCIS AND SUNDERLAND MUSIC CITY Frankie Francis https://www.instagram.com/frankie____/ [https://www.instagram.com/frankie____/] Frankie and The Heartstrings https://www.instagram.com/frankiestrings/ [https://www.instagram.com/frankiestrings/] Sunderland Music City https://www.instagram.com/musiccity.uk/ [https://www.instagram.com/musiccity.uk/] ---------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER This podcast is for general information and discussion only. Nothing should be taken as financial, tax or legal advice.

S1 E4 – Prices Up, China Reset & Tax Pressure

How Money Really Works – Season 1, Episode 4 This week, we start with the pressure people are actually feeling at the checkout. UK shop prices are rising at their fastest pace in almost two years, even as headline inflation is supposed to be easing. We look at why everyday essentials still feel more expensive, what that means for household budgets, and how rising costs quietly change behaviour and financial decisions. We then turn to the UK’s relationship with China, as Keir Starmer heads to Beijing. Not alignment, not confrontation, but a reset. We discuss what that signal means for confidence, trade, visas, and long-term investment, and why calm diplomacy matters more to markets than political noise. Finally, with the self-assessment deadline days away and the tax year moving toward April, we break down what actually matters now. What happens if you miss the deadline, what penalties really look like, and why January closes the paperwork but not the planning. Important note: Nothing you hear on this podcast is financial advice. This is financial education only. You should always seek professional advice before making decisions about your own money. You can find us on: Instagram: @HMRWpod TikTok: How Money Really Works YouTube: How Money Really Works Podcast X: @HMRWpod If you enjoy the show, please follow or subscribe wherever you listen or watch. It really helps more people find us.