Junior ISAs: would you trust your 18-year-old with this money?

Junior ISAs: would you trust your 18-year-old with this money?

Most parents want to give their kids a financial head start. But Junior ISAs come with a catch. At 18, the money becomes theirs, no conditions. So would you still save the same way if you knew you couldn’t control how it’s used? In this episode, Tom is joined by Octopus Money adviser and parent Molly to break it all down. How Junior ISAs work, when they make sense, and the trade-offs most people miss. Got ideas for upcoming episodes? Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2448811/open_sms] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448811/fan_mail/new]

The midlife money squeeze: How to support kids, parents and your future

Midlife can feel like a financial juggling act: supporting children, helping parents and trying not to fall behind yourself. In this episode, Tom talks to Faith Archer about how to navigate it without running out of money or energy. They explore: *  How much support is too much  *  Where people get boundaries wrong  *  What a 100-year life means for your finances  *  The most common false assumptions about later life  *  Where to focus if you want long-term impact  And importantly, how to build a plan that works for you, not just everyone else. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448811/fan_mail/new]

What is the neurodiversity tax?

Money isn’t a level playing field. For many people experiencing neurodiversity, managing it comes with extra stress, admin and time: a hidden cost often called the neurodiversity tax. In this episode, Octopus Money adviser Chantelle Elmi shares her story of growing up with dyslexia and finding her place in one of the most complex professions out there. We talk about what the neurodiversity tax really means, how financial advice can be more inclusive, and why good money systems should work for every brain. Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2448811/open_sms] with suggestions for future episodes. Important information: This podcast is for general information only and isn’t personal advice. All investments carry risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you put in. Past performance isn’t a reliable guide to the future. References to tax or Inheritance Tax are based on current UK legislation, which can change, and the value of any tax relief depends on your individual circumstances. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448811/fan_mail/new]

Risk, confidence and why more women should invest

For this International Women’s Day episode, we’re joined by Erin Platts, CEO of Octopus Investments. We chat about why women still face more barriers to investing, even though they often outperform over time. Erin shares lessons from a career in banking, venture capital and tech, and we dig into what risk really means, how confidence gets built, and why representation matters when it comes to wealth. Got ideas for upcoming episodes? Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2448811/open_sms] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448811/fan_mail/new]

Tax year end: What to do before 5 April

The tax year ends on 5 April, which means that many of the tax-free limits on how much you can pay into things like ISAs and pensions start again from zero. In this episode, we explain what tax year end actually means, walk through ISAs, pensions and general investment accounts, and share a simple way to decide whether you should act before the deadline. Practical, clear and designed to help you make one smart move before 6 April. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448811/fan_mail/new]