Show Notes
On the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast this week, Danni and Laura reveal that more than half of Brits in relationships are keeping some spending secret from their partner - find out what they’re buying. We also hear from Abbie Glew, accountant at The Orenda Collective - as 2025 comes to an end, the deadline for self-assessment tax returns draws closer. But how do you know if you need to file one? We break down all the key dates and share Abbie's top tools to set yourself up for a great 2026.
More from AJ Bell Money Matters
Financial journalist Hannah Duncan joins the Money Matters podcast to discuss why personal finance isn't always as straightforward as the experts make it sound. From breaking traditional budgeting rules to making difficult financial decisions, Hannah shares her own experiences of freelancing, dealing with tax bills, managing financial stress and prioritising personal goals over conventional money wisdom. The conversation explores why financial plans should be built around the life you actually want to live, how to recover from money mistakes, the realities of managing finances as a couple and why being honest about your financial situation is often the most important step towards improving it. Topics covered:
Many savers want better returns than cash but aren't comfortable taking stock market risk. So what are the alternatives? In this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni Hewson is joined by Alex Farrell from the AJ Bell Investments team to explain cash alternatives that can be held within a Stocks & Shares ISA. They discuss what money market funds are, how short-dated bonds work, how these investments compare with cash savings, and why some investors use them as a stepping stone between saving and investing. You'll learn:
This week, Danni and Rachel reveal how retirees are really spending their pension pots and explore how it changes as you get older. From tax-free cash and pension freedoms to tracking down lost pensions and making the most of workplace contributions, they share practical tips to help you take control of your retirement future. Whether retirement feels a long way off or is fast approaching, this episode is packed with practical ideas to help you understand your pension, plan ahead and make your money work harder for your future.
Fancy buying a fixer-upper, renovating your home, or investing in a buy-to-let? This week, Danni and Sarah share their own renovation stories and explore whether property can really be a profitable investment. They discuss how first-time buyers can get on the housing ladder, the costs you need to factor into renovation projects, and why it's very easy to spend more than you planned. Plus, they cover the realities of buy-to-let investing, from mortgage costs and taxes to changing rules for landlords, and explain why it's important not to neglect your ISAs and pension while focusing on property.
Bills are rising, budgets are stretched, and making your money go further can feel tough. This week, Danni and Charlene are joined by Mortgage Free Leigh, who shares how her family overpaid their mortgage by more than £27,000 while juggling maternity leave, childcare costs and family life. Leigh shares the practical money habits, budgeting techniques and quick wins that helped her make progress, as well as the lessons she's learned about investing, building financial confidence and using social media to become more financially savvy. Plus, Leigh reveals the £4,000 purchase she made after being influenced online and why it taught her an important lesson about trying to "buy a feeling".