Council Tax Cost Cutting Special: 5 ways to try to cut your bill & possibly get £1,000s back

This week on The Martin Lewis Podcast, Martin dives into two big money stories making headlines: the government's plans to cut standing charges from gas bills and what could be coming in the next Budget. The week's main topic tackles short-dated gilts. Many investment advisers are recommending them as a potentially more lucrative alternative to savings, and done right, the returns can be the equivalent of earning around 8% in a savings account. Martin is joined by a specialist expert to explain how they work, the risks to watch for, and to answer your questions. Then it's over to your stories in our Tell Us feature, where we're asking: when did taking a different financial route from the norm pay off for you? From using a 0% credit card instead of a loan to leasing rather than buying, we'll hear the unconventional decisions that saved listeners money. Mastermind combines student finance and Star Wars. And, because no episode would be complete without a surprise or two, Martin Lewis sings. Yes, really.

In our Question Time podcast, Martin Lewis gives you answers on anything and everything, including: are Premium Bonds right for me? How many credit applications will kill my ability to get a mortgage? Should we consider child pensions for our kids? Will a bank close my high paying linked regular savings account if I switch my current account from them? Where would Martin set the safety net on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Plus, will you be able to hear Isabelle on this week’s episode?

Martin’s leading this week’s podcast with an urgent warning for anyone carrying credit card: now is the time to act. He explains why he's concerned the top deals could get worse, runs through how balance transfers work, reveals the best options currently available, shares tips to maximise your chances of acceptance, and looks at when a loan may beat a credit card solution. If you're paying interest on existing debt, this is a must-listen guide to cutting costs and taking control. Martin also has an update on Car Finance Mis-selling. After months of waiting, there’s finally a key date in the diary for the next stage of the process. With millions potentially affected, he explains what happens next, what it means for consumers, and what you should be doing now. Plus, this week’s Tell Us asks: what have you quietly hidden, downplayed, or conveniently forgotten to mention to a partner, child or parent that cost a little more than expected? The responses range from scuba gear splurges and secret spending pacts to one particularly memorable hidden horse, complete with some excellent puns. Then it's time for Mastermind, where Martin tackles a common inheritance tax question: do ISAs count towards your estate? Along the way, for reasons that will become apparent, you'll also get to hear his unexpected Dumbledore impression. And to round things off, Martin reveals why he's been getting some stick from an Olympian. If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!). So, if you’ve always wanted to know what he likes in his full English breakfast, what his thermostat’s set to, or you have a very complicated question about your finances, email it to [email protected].

Martin Lewis is back with another bumper listener Q&A, tackling everything from Child Benefit and consumer rights to career advice and mortgage strategy. He explains whether a pay rise could affect your Child Benefit entitlement and whether salary sacrifice could help. Plus, Martin answers a question from a homeowner on a tracker mortgage, revealing why it can be worth securing a mortgage deal up to six months in advance. He explains how having an offer in your back pocket can provide valuable protection if rates rise, while still leaving you free to walk away and choose a better deal if rates improve. He also helps a listener caught out by an auto-renewing subscription that doubled in price, explaining what rights consumers have and whether there's a way to challenge the renewal or cancel. A student asks Martin what it takes to do his job. The question sparks a candid conversation about journalism, broadcasting, consumer campaigning and building expertise. Martin shares lessons from his own career journey, offers practical advice for anyone hoping to work in the industry, and reflects on what really matters when building a career. Plus, two of Britain's greatest athletics stars, Steve Backley and Greg Rutherford, put their own questions to Martin for the PPS segment. And caller Anne, is a recent convert to the ways of Martin Lewis, she joins Martin to share the successes she's enjoyed since putting his tips into practice. As always, expect practical guidance, straight-talking answers and plenty of Martin Lewis wisdom you can use in your own life. If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!). So, if you’ve always wanted to know what he likes in his full English breakfast, what his thermostat’s set to, or you have a very complicated question about your finances, email it to [email protected].

This week, Martin’s diving into one of his favourite topics: free money. From bank switching bonuses to cashback stacking, it’s packed with practical tips that could put cash back in your pocket. First though, Martin starts with a straightforward back-to-basics guide to Inheritance Tax, explaining who pays it, when it applies, and some of the key rules and myths everyone should understand. Then it’s on to one of the hottest money-making opportunities around right now: bank switching. With some banks offering up to £600 in incentives, Martin breaks down exactly how switching works, who can qualify, what you need to do to get the cash, and whether opening and closing accounts could have any impact on your credit score. Sticking with the theme of boosting your finances, Martin reveals how to become the ultimate cashback king or queen. He explains how savvy shoppers can maximise rewards by combining cashback credit cards, cashback websites and cashback apps, turning everyday spending into a money-saving machine. In this week’s Mastermind, Martin tackles an issue affecting millions: the State Pension. He explains how the triple lock works, what it really means for pension increases in the years ahead, and why understanding it is more important than ever. And, as ever, there’s time for something a little lighter, as Martin gives his verdict on one question many listeners have been asking: would he ever take part in Celebrity Traitors? Free cash, pension facts and plenty of money-saving know-how - it's all in this week’s episode of The Martin Lewis Podcast. If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!). So, if you’ve always wanted to know what he likes in his full English breakfast, what his thermostat’s set to, or you have a very complicated question about your finances, email it to [email protected].