This is Money Podcast

Will the younger generation be worse off than their parents?

Is the younger generation going to end up worse off than their parents? A new survey shows young people aged 18 to 29 say the events of 2026 have left them feeling particularly pessimistic about the future, and the number who believe they will be worse off than their parents has doubled in the past year. Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce discuss whether the idea the next generation will have it better than previous ones is now bunkum. Elsewhere, what do you want to see less of on the high street? And how can they improve? A student loan interest cap kicks in later in the year... for some. Simon explains what it means. And do you use a dodgy fire stick for watching TV, films or football? We discuss whether the net is closing in on their illegal use. Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us  020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Are we about to become a nation of investors?

A new government-backed campaign to get Britain to become a nation of investors is about to kick off. The message that you can be making more of your money will be spread in adverts that we know will feature a squirrel... but not much more about. It's a campaign being led by the Investment Association, the fund management industry body, and backed by 20 financial firms, ranging from investing platforms to wealth managers. So, will it make a difference - and why are we being told to invest? On the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert dive into the reasons for investing, the easy ways to do it and why it doesn't have to be an all or nothing affair. Also in this episode, will the Bank of England really raise interest rates, Crane on the Case tackles a terrible tale of a holiday refund that should have been made, we look at the supermarket tactics to ge you to spend more... and Helen takes us down memory lane to a Midlands supermarket in the 1990s. And finally, how much would an A4 sheet of paper worth of a new home cost you - and why on earth would you want to know? Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us  020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Is the generational wealth gap narrower than we thought?

Many younger adults think they are substantially less well-off than their parents. But while there are inequalities, new research suggests the wealth gap may be far narrower than previously reported - and it is largely down to the cash those in their twenties and thirties have stashed in their pensions.  On this week's episode of the This is Money podcast Lee Boyce, Helen Crane and Georgie Frost discuss why official figures got it wrong, and whether property versus pension is a pointless comparison.  The team also ask what will happen to interest rates [https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-11885727/When-rates-start-fall-Base-rate-forecasts.html] and mortgages due to the fact that - for now at least - a ceasefire in Iran appears to be holding.  Elsewhere, Lee reports on a ferocious best buy battle at the top of the fixed cash Isa [https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/saving/article-1583864/Best-savings-rates-Isas-Cash-Isa-accounts-fixed-rate-Isas.html] tables, where even the high street banks are getting involved.  And finally, another Chinese pretender to Amazon's retail throne has entered the UK.  Is Joybuy any good, how did it fare when our reporter put its delivery service to the test - and do we really need another place to buy bargain toilet rolls online?  Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us  020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Can plug-in solar panels save out energy bills - plus what's the fuss about private credit?

A solar revolution is on its way to Britain and can help save us from volatile and high energy bills, if you believe Ed Miliband. Plug-in solar panels are popular across Europe but currently rules in the UK mean that we can’t buy them and, as it says on the tin, simply plug them into our home’s electricity supply. But changes are afoot that will mean we could soon be buying individual panels that cost £400 and simply plugging them into a three-pin wall socket, where thanks to the magic of an inverter they would put power into your home. And we might even be able to nip down to the middle of Lidl to buy them, with the discount supermarket among those talking about offering them – in its famous middle aisle. In Germany, Ikea sells panels and there and in other European countries they are popular, so could they transform our homes? How long would it take to get your money back – and what’s the prepper angle on the interest in all this? Georgie Frost and Simon Lamber talk plug-in solar panels and energy bills on this episode of the This is Money podcast. They also discuss summer holiday flights and what the massive disruption triggered by the Iran war will do to prices and demand – and how to target a cheaper break. Plus, with the government announcing its new town locations, where do property experts think the best one will be. And, there are rumblings in the finance world over private credit, with the Bank of England among those warning about what’s been dubbed shadow banking. What’s going on, could it trigger a financial crisis and should you be worried? Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us  020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

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. Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us  020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.