AJ Bell Money Matters

Negotiating the cost of living crisis

For this special episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni and Laura have put together a crack team of experts to help you navigate the current cost of living crunch.

Rising interest rates might bump up your mortgage, but Gemma Bennett from Mortgage Mum is on hand with some tips on what to look out for. We also talk to Tash Jackson from Energy Helpline about those price cap changes, and if there's anything you can do to keep bills down.

Katie Royals from The Twenty Percent joins us to talk issues particularly affecting younger listeners, including changes to student loan repayments. And Sara Williams from the blog Debt Camel explains the importance of budgeting and how to know when to ask for help.

Changing careers with rugby legend Katy Daley-McLean

In this special episode of the Money Matters podcast, Danni chats to rugby legend Katy Daley-McLean. Katy discusses life after captaining the England women’s rugby union team to World Cup glory, and why becoming a mum played a big part in her decision to retire. She also talks openly about getting to grips with her finances as she juggled childcare and coaching Sale Sharks Women, and why she’s not ruled out a return to the international stage. 

While Katy’s story is unique, her decision to change career to spend more time with her daughter will resonate with many women. Laura talks through some of the financial issues to consider if you too are making big changes because of family circumstances.

What does hybrid working mean for women’s cash and careers?

Laura and Danni delve into the pros and cons for women of hybrid working. Will working flexibly help you get back on your career path while juggling childcare responsibilities?

Laura talks to Jill Cotton, who thinks working from home has made a big difference to the jobs she can do and the money she can earn. So what are your rights if your company wants you back in the office? Danni catches up with Clare McCartney from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development to find out.

Dealing with divorce and managing money

This week, Danni speaks to Sara Davison, also known as 'The Divorce Coach', who explains how she had to follow her own advice to manage her unexpected divorce.

Plus Laura hears some top tips on how to prepare yourself financially for a divorce from chartered financial adviser Fiona Sharp.

Get financially fit for 2022

On this special episode Laura Suter and Danni Hewson are joined by Money Matters team member Jenny Owen. They talk through tips to help you make the most of the New Year by taking a fresh look at your finances.

From simply writing down your incomings and outgoings to cancelling rogue subscriptions, tracking down lost pension pots and finally signing up and using those cash back reward schemes, there’s something to get everybody financially fitter. Small steps can make a big difference, especially when life is so uncertain and prices keep going up. Plus, Laura hears a few of the team’s personal finance confessions.

Finances and relationships

On episode five of the Money Matters podcast, Laura and Danni talk about how your financial situation can impact your relationship. This Christmas, there’s more pressure than usual to make the festivities go with a bang – but if that bang sends you way over budget, it can create tension. Particularly if one of you earns more than the other, or if one’s a saver and the other a spender.

We hear from Peter Saddington from Relate about what couples can do about this, and why it’s important both partners have equal power over the family finances. We also get your top tips for enjoying the season without the financial hangover.

Get sassy with your pension planning

In episode four we meet Rachel Peru and Annie Stirk: the ladies who created 'Silver and Sassy' to help change people’s perceptions about women of a certain age. They talk candidly about navigating pension minefields, and the importance of thinking about the life you want to live when you retire. We also talk to AJ Bell’s senior technical consultant Rachel Vahey about some of the pinch points you need to look out for, and ways to help maximise your pension pot.

Money doesn‘t need to be a taboo subject

In episode three we meet maths teacher Bobby Seagull. Hear why he thinks it's society holding back our financial education, how it's changing and his golden hour for financial management success. We also talk to two students and hear how they navigate their first financial responsibilities, how they got financially educated and the taboos we all still face when it comes to talking about money. 

If you'd like to watch the recording of our  podcasts and interviews, head over to the Money Matters video hub where you'll find all recordings of our podcasts to watch back. 

Georgia Taylor-Brown and financial planning for the self-employed

We talk to Georgia Taylor-Brown about her Olympic triumphs and what it's meant for her financial future being self-employed. You'll also get pension tips for the self-employed, as well as what you should think about if you're planning a family, and how saving for your pension could save you tax.

If you'd like to watch the recording of our podcasts and interviews, head over to the Money Matters video hub where you'll find all recordings of our podcasts to watch back.

Understanding the investment gap & first time investor fears

In our first episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast we talk to Baroness Helena Morrissey, AJ Bell's chair-elect and the woman spearheading our Money Matters campaign. She tells us what it's like to make a career in the male dominated world of finance, and why the gender investment gap exists. We also meet some first time investors and find out what was stopping them, why they're confident with investing.

If you'd like to watch the recording of our podcasts and interviews, head over to the Money Matters video hub where you'll find all recordings of our podcasts to watch back.