Cash Chats UK Money & Personal Finance podcast

As we approach the end of the financial year and the start of the new one, banks and building societies are pushing ISAs hard. Newspapers are full of adverts encouraging you to max your allowance or open a new account. But is that the best thing to do with your savings? In this episode of the podcast, I've shared why most people won't benefit from an ISA - largely thanks to the Personal Savings Allowance. Plus, why they can be good for anyone with lots of money saved up, or if you're a first-time home buyer. More at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats81

Another mini-episode of the podcast with some hot deals that'll be gone before you know it. This week's featured deals: £10 back at Boots Free chocolates after £3 cashback £150 bank switch bonus ending soon Amazon Echo Dot/Fire TV bundle Craft beer sales More information and the links for these over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/category/vouchers-deals/

Does paying to watch normal TV represent good value for money? And if not, do you have to pay the Licence Fee? Over the next few weeks, quite a few bills are going up. One - from the 1st April - is the TV Licence, which will increase by £4 a year. It means you're paying the equivalent of £12.88 a month to watch live TV (and not just the BBC). With the rise of streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, it might seem like you could do without the BBC and other terrestrial broadcasters - potentially saving yourself £154.50 a year. So in this week's podcast episode I've taken a look at what you actually get for your money from the Licence Fee, and if you then choose it's not worth it, the circumstances which mean you don't have to pay for one. (Spoiler... I think it's well worth paying for one). Read more at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats80/

A new extra minipod with the best offers and deals you can get right now. This week: How you can get a Google Home Mini smart speaker for free, £5 or £15 A half-price sale on Chilly's reusable bottles Mother's Day flower discount codes Half-price Easter Eggs 4% off Netflix More info on all these deals at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/deals-index/

Are you still with the same bank you joined when you first got an account? Chances are that's the case, or perhaps you've switched once, maybe twice. If so, you're losing out. There's no reason you can't have more than one account, and there are definitely advantages to having more. This week on Cash Chats I've delved into my wallet to take you through each of my 14 current accounts - and why I've got them. The benefits include high interest on savings, cashback on bills, monthly rewards, free cash bonuses and fee-free spending overseas. You don't need as many as me, but two three in your wallet can make and save you some serious cash. In the episode I've also shared a few additional bank accounts you might want to consider which I've already had but switched away from. You can read more about today's episode and the best current accounts over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats79

In this week's episode, I want to take you through a simple money warm-up. You can make sure everything is working ok with your finances before you start doing anything good or bad with your money. It's not complicated and won't take you long, but at the end of this MOT you should know the true state of your finances. Find the links I discuss over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats78

Welcome back to Cash Chats! After a bit of a break, this is the first episode of 2019 and I've looked at stockpiling. In part this is due to fears caused by the impending Brexit, particularly in the event of a no-deal exit from the EU. Reports state prices will rise and the supply chain restricted. Both reasons to stock up now if you can. But that's not the only reason. Any period of time when you might not be able to leave home - illness perhaps, or severe weather - could quickly eat up your normal cupboard and freezer supplies. So it makes sense to have a bit more at home. But if you do this you need to follow a few rules to make sure you're not going to waste this food or spend more than you can afford. So enjoy this week's episode. Please do leave a review and subscribe over on iTunes – it really makes it easier for others to find the podcast. You can also now listen on Spotify! This week's further reading links https://becleverwithyourcash.com/how-to-stockpile-for-an-emergency/ https://becleverwithyourcash.com/tricks-to-help-your-freezer-save-you-money/ https://becleverwithyourcash.com/best-use-best-dates-whats-difference/ https://becleverwithyourcash.com/addiction-yellow-stickers/

We've all made that impulse purchase that turns out to be not such a great idea. Sometimes we realise too late and we're stuck with it. But if you know you don't want or need something soon enough, then you might be able to get your money back. Whether you can or not depends on where you bought it, and how you paid for it. Read more at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats76

With days to go until Black Friday, I've shared my top tips to help you bag a bargain in these huge annual sales. Now there's obviously some cynicism around Black Friday. That's understandable - it's a manufactured event to get people spending money they hadn't planned to spend and buy things they hadn't planned to buy. But if you do it right it's a great chance to save some extra cash. More info and notes at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats75/

I'm joined by Cora Harrison to see whether posh advents for adults are worth the money. Festive advent calendars have changed. When you open the windows you don't just get pictures of snowmen or angels. Even that late 80s upgrade of small chocolates seems traditional now. And the advent candle is long forgotten. Now it's all about luxury advent calendars for adults. For the last few years we've been inundated with all sorts of advents for grown-ups full of 24 bottles of gin, 24 tiny test size tubes of cosmetics or 24 random bits of jewellery. And these aren't cheap either. You can pay upwards of £300 for the top end versions, and even shops like Aldi have one going for £50. I've felt they're bad value for money and always avoided them, but that doesn't mean they don't have other appeals. For a start you get to try all sorts of different varieties - whether that's craft beer, cheese or Pringles (these all exist too). And some, like the M&S Advent, full of beauty products, claims to have a retail value well above what you pay. So this week on the podcast I've been joined by fellow blogger Cora Harrison. On her YouTube channel Cora has been unboxing dozens of different luxury advent calendars to see what's inside - and test whether they're worth the money. Have a listen to see what we think, plus a chance to win a Beer Hawk craft beer advent calendar. More at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats74/