This is Money Podcast

Inflation is back on target at 2 per cent. After the spike into double-digits that triggered talk of a cost of living crisis and sent interest rates spiralling, we are now back at the Bank of England's target level.So, is the great inflation panic over and is life about get easier?Or will we be feeling the after effects of high inflation for years to come?And what's going to happen to interest rates?On this episode of the This is Money podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert look at why inflation as come down and what happens next.Plus, the couple who didn't get a Natiowide fairer share payout despite having £100,000 saved.And finally, would you let your parents pay for you to go on holiday as an adult - or pay for your own adult kids to go with you? The team look into the family time vs freeloading debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hosts dissect the manifestos of Labour, Conservatives, and Lib Dems, looking at tax policies, capital gains tax reform, and the impact on individuals. They critique the clarity of Labour's plan for economic growth and discuss the changing tax landscape over 14 years. A high price for a new King Charles III £5 banknote at auction and financial advice service promotion concludes the episode.

Learn what it takes to win big in Premium Bonds, including insights on jackpot winners' investments. Explore tax manifesto proposals, retirement planning for semi-retirement, buying cheap electric cars, and collecting valuable banknotes. Discover how diverse investments can lead to financial success.

This is Money's consumer champion Helen Crane celebrated the 100th edition of her Crane on the Case column this week.Helen has won back more than £1.2million for readers over the course of all those columns and learnt a thing or two along the way about how to battle consumer problems and bad customer service.On this podcast, she discusses the big wins, the satisfying victories, the worst cases of bad customer service - and gives her tips on how to get what you want.Also on the show, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss whether working parents could be missing our by not claiming child benefit now that the rules have changed and more can get it.Plus, if you owe tax on savings interest but don't have to do a tax return how will HMRC find out?Is Scottish Mortgage worth backing as shares rebound but remain considerably down on their peak?And finally, Charles Stanley's Dan Beecroft jons the show to explain 50-30-20 budgeting and why people love this rule of thumb for spending and saving. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Prime Minister put an end to all the speculation this week by giving us the date for the general election: July 4.That comes as the latest inflation reading was 2.3 per cent, a little above forecasts making a base rate cut next month now unlikely.Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce delve into the economic state of affairs and what the upcoming election could mean for your money, when it comes to tax, pensions, property and everything in-between.Nationwide Building Society posted pre-tax profits of £1.77bn this week and as a result, it is dishing out another year of 'Fairer Share' loyalty payouts of £100 – will you qualify?And not only that, it is now offering £200 to switchers and an exclusive 5.5 per cent loyalty savings rate.How does early retirement sound to you? It seems it appeals to a lot of us because searches on Google for 'retire early' have increased threefold in the last decade.But how much would you be willing to sacrifice to achieve it? At the extreme end, we have the FIRE movement, advocating saving 70 per cent of your income.Special guest, former This is Money editor Andrew Oxlade had had enough – he explains why.Lastly, This is Money has a new regular series called Modern Treasures with valuation expert Dan Hatfield – Lee reveals all about the first one, all about first edition books, and gives details on how to get YOUR items valued for free. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Supermarket loyalty schemes have become even more of a big thing in recent years as the two giants Tesco and Sainsbury's have rolled out Clubcard and Nectar Prices.But while cards bring lower prices, the points collected still mean prizes for some loyalty scheme fans.So, what happens if a fraudster steals your points? This is Money's Angharad Carrick recently went on the trail of some stolen Nectar points and uncovered a story that delivered as many questions as it did answers.On this podcast, Ang, Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert discuss the mystery of the stolen Nectar Points and how our reader got short shrift from Sainsbury's, Action Fraud and the police when they had £230 nicked.Plus, are these loyalty cards any good and worth having anyway and why is the competition watchdog investigating them?Also on this week's show:Many more people are taking mortgages than run past state pension age but with work and retirement blurring and changing does this matter? Simon explains why he thinks it does but for another reason.Would you buy fake cash for a knockdown price off social media? It sounds daft, but this is a genuine thing - we look at how it is happening.And should a reader who is still working at age 77, worth £2.6million and doesn't want a big inheritance tax bill start giving money away - and splashing out on themselves and their family? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bank of England decided to hold the base rate for the sixth time in a row this week – but was it the right decision?Should the MPC have been bold and made a cut? What does it mean for our mortgages and savings? And when will a move come - and in what direction?This week, Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce talk about the base rate decision and what happens next.In the world of property, the number of homes being devalued is on the rise. So, what's going on? And what can you do if it happens to you.Bungalows are having a moment. They're not just for the elderly and downsizers, young families and first time buyers are also increasingly interested - pushing the price of them higher since the pandemic. .Energy firms have been trying to push smart meters on us for years. Have they uncovered a new trick to get us to make the swap?And finally, it's been good news for JD Wetherspoon - the no frills pub chain said it expects annual profits to come in towards the 'top end' of forecasts.Where do you stand on Spoons? Lee and Simon face-off with different pints of view on the pub giant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recent mortgage rate increases have homeowners and buyers worried. The team discusses the reasons for the rate rises and the impact on the housing market. They also talk about pension savings strategies, passing pensions to grandchildren, phone theft crimes, and transitioning to pass keys for online security.

FTSE 100 hits record highs with mining merger bid and tech star acquisition. Discussion on UK market, investment trusts, retirement planning, state pension top-ups, and inheritance tax. Light-hearted segment on backseat drivers' habits and car etiquette.

Discussion on changing inflation rates, impacts of rising interest rates, challenges faced by farmers, Neil Woodford as a 'finfluencer', ISA regulation changes, plastic bag charge conundrum, and promotion of Kathalon bag with financial news update.