AJ Bell Money Matters

Beating spring price rises and why more women should work in finance

On this episode Laura and Danni get you up to date on all the price rises that came in on April Fool’s Day – from broadband and mobile costs to council tax and the end of the energy support. They also give you some tips to help spring clean your money. Our guest this week tackles the tricky issue of the lack of women in the finance industry – still only 12% of UK fund managers are women. But Danni chats to one women who is bucking that trend: Hillary Blandy from Jupiter Asset Management, about what being a fund manager actually involves and what we need to do to get more women following in her footsteps. 

Childcare changes and the nation’s financial agony aunt Claer Barrett

On this episode Danni Hewson and Laura Suter look at the details of the big childcare promises in the latest Budget. The chancellor’s new proposals for free childcare hours from nine months and up have been cautiously welcomed by many parents, but we lay out how the scheme will actually work and the potential pitfalls.

Our guest this week is the Financial Times’ Claer Barrett, who has taken on the role as the nation’s financial agony aunt. The consumer editor of the Financial Times also has a new book out called “What They Don’t Teach You About Money” and explains why everyone should get more involved with their finances – which is obviously music to our ears. We’ve also got Claer’s rather unusual financial confession, and we also answer one of your money questions on the tricky issue of overpaying student loans.

International Women’s Day special

On this special episode of the Money Matters podcast, we are celebrating International Women’s Day and Danni and Laura discuss this year’s theme which is “Embrace Equity”. Our campaign, which aims to help women feel more confident in their finances and narrow the gender investment gap, has been going just over a year and Laura catches up with Baroness Helena Morrissey, who has been campaigning for diversity in financial services for decades. She asks what Helena thinks has changed over the decades and what work still needs to be done.

Danni chats to the award-winning journalist and bestselling author of crime thriller “The Khan” Saima Mir about why equal opportunities doesn’t always create equity and how her experiences as a British Muslim woman have made her into the powerhouse she is today. Plus, we’ve got Laura’s confessional, which is all about the perennial favourite, pensions.

How to save for a wedding and tips from The Thrifty Bride

Romance is in the air, as Danni and Laura grab the confetti and chat about the rising cost of getting hitched. With the average wedding now costing more than £18,000, the pair take you through different ways to save and where to get the best rates to help protect your cash from inflation.

Danni also chats to one woman who made it her mission to have her dream wedding without breaking the bank. Lauren Catton started the blog The Thrifty Bride in the run-up to her big day and has some great tips to help you have a blast on a budget.

What’s next for energy bills and how money worries affect mental health

On the latest episode of the Money Matters podcast Danni and Laura update you on where we stand with those energy bills. With government help being scaled back from April, they discuss what might happen as wholesale energy costs fall and take you through what to do if you’re struggling to pay your bill. With lots of pressures on people’s budgets at the moment, we know money worries can have a real impact on people’s mental health, so Laura catches up with Jenny Somerville, head of the charity Stop.Breathe.Think, which offers counselling support to under 21s across the UK.

How to improve your credit score and prepare for a recession

On this episode of the Money Matters podcast Danni and Laura go back to basics and talk you through what a recession is, whether the UK is in one and if there’s anything you can do to help prepare your finances for a downturn.

Danni also chats to Pearl Akintola from the credit reference agency Experian about credit scores, to find out what they are, how you find yours and what you can do to improve it.

Detox your finances – and your drinks

In the first Money Matters podcast of 2023 Danni and Laura discuss New Year resolutions and the pressure to get fitter, healthier and more motivated. January’s dark nights and wet weather might dampen the appeal of heading out for a run, but they’re perfect for getting your finances in shape. 

We run through five tips to detox your finances and become financially fitter for the year ahead. Danni also chats to Ellie Webb, founder of alcohol-free spirit business Caleño, about why the sector has exploded over the past couple of years and she also digs into the issues Ellie faced starting a business in a male-dominated world.

Why finances can frazzle friendships and the lowdown on inflation

On this episode of the Money Matters podcast Danni and Laura give you the lowdown on inflation. It’s been making headlines all year and prices just keep going up and up.  But exactly what is inflation, is there any sign things might ease in the new year and how does raising interest rates help to bring it down?

One thing’s for sure rising prices are making budgeting this Christmas particularly hard and squeezed finances can sometimes lead to arguments. Laura’s been chatting to bestselling author and financial journalist Laura Whateley about how to prevent money worries from frazzling friendships and undermining relationships.

Scummy Mummies and money worries

On this episode of the Money Matters podcast Danni chats to podcast sensations the Scummy Mummies about why money is still a massive taboo.  Comedy duo Ellie Gibson and Helen Thorn are currently on a UK tour and while their audience is happy to share stories about parenting failure, sexual misadventures and hangover woes, they very rarely mention money.

Both mums have had their own financial trials over the years and share their thoughts on the current cost of living crisis. And with high prices making it hard to budget this Christmas, Laura talks about how to both avoid and manage debt so it doesn’t clobber you in the New Year.

Budgets and bargains - how to navigate tax changes and survive Black Friday

The recent Budget will have a big impact on all our pockets. But fear not, Danni and Laura are here to tell you what all of the economic jargon and boring tax changes mean for your money. And Black Friday is looming, which can be a time to grab a great bargain – but also a tricky time to avoid overspending. To help you navigate (and survive) the big shopping day we’ve enlisted Karen Hasid, the mum behind the brilliant Instagram account @kakasheadoverdeals to talk us through the best ways to maximise your savings. She also has a cracking (but very relatable) entry for Laura’s Confessional.