Show Notes
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".
More from AJ Bell Money Matters
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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.
In this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni and Jenny explore why more couples are having conversations about protecting their finances before (and after) tying the knot. They’re joined by family law expert Susie Barter, partner at Burgess Mee, who explains what prenups are, who might benefit from them, and how they work in practice. From protecting family house deposits and inheritances to navigating pensions, property and even pets, Susie tells us all the financial conversations we should be having before and during marriage. Prompted by the buzz around growing social media interest in prenups and Belle Burden’s book Strangers, they discuss why younger generations are increasingly considering them and whether they’re becoming part of sensible financial planning rather than a sign of distrust.