Ft Money Show

In this special ‘What happened next’ Money Clinic episode, Claer catches up with US financial services worker Josh. When they spoke last October, he was hiding thousands of dollars in credit card debt from his wife. Under lockdown, the couple had managed to save up enough money to pay them off - but she wanted to use this cash for a deposit on their first home. The podcast experts had plenty of advice about dealing with credit card debt, and what could happen if Josh took on even more debt with a mortgage. Six months later, has he paid off his debt and cut up his cards, did he buy a property, and are he and his wife still talking openly about money? The experts were Sara Williams aka The Debt Camel, and the FT’s US finance editor Robert Armstrong. The original podcast was released on October 20 2020.If you would like to talk to Claer for a future podcast episode, email the Money Clinic team money@ft.com, with a brief description of your story. Follow Claer @Claerb and read her Serious Money column. Furth

Claer catches up with 30-year-old jewellery designer Roseanna Croft. When they spoke last October, her small business was reeling from the impact of coronavirus and cancelled weddings. Money Clinic experts advised Roseanna on accessing financial support, and finding a new direction for her business under lockdown. Five months on, has she managed to hammer out her financial issues? The experts were Suli Breaks, the entrepreneur, poet and presenter of the 7even Figures Business podcast, and Andy Chamberlain, head of policy at the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed. The original podcast was released on Nov 10th 2020.If you would like to talk to Claer for a future podcast episode, email the Money Clinic team money@ft.com, with a brief description of your story. Follow Claer @Claerb and read her Serious Money column. Further reading:-Claer has written extensively about issues facing small business owners during the pandemic, and has more advice in this recent Money Clinic-Follow Su

Young investors have rushed to open day trading accounts under lockdown, using tips gleaned from chat rooms and social media as they attempt to make a fast buck. But betting on short-term market movements carries a high risk of losing money — something that 19-year-old Ross has found out the hard way trading stocks like GameStop and AMC. If he invested his money for a matter of years instead of a matter of minutes, would he get a better return? Claer Barrett hears from experts Merryn Somerset Webb, the FT columnist and editor-in-chief of MoneyWeek, and Damien Fahy, founder of investment website Money to the Masses.If you would like to talk to Claer for a future podcast episode, email the Money Clinic team money@ft.com with a brief description of your story. Follow Claer on Twitter and Instagram @Claerb and read her weekly Serious Money column.Read more:-Claer’s thoughts about good investment habits to build for the future: Where do the next generation of investors go from here? -Merryn Somerset Webb’s co

Gina Miller’s campaigning spirit has made her front-page news — but what’s less well known is the personal story behind her own financial journey.As one of the highest profile women working in the City of London, the anti-Brexit campaigner has raised awareness of unfair investment charges, the impact of the gender pay gap and the need for women to embrace investing. Her latest fear? That the pandemic has set back women's’ careers and earnings prospects.In honour of International Women’s Day next week, the co-founder of wealth management firm SCM Direct chats to Claer for a special edition of Money Clinic.Aptly, the theme of IWD this year is Choose to Challenge. Follow the hashtags #ChoosetoChallenge and #MoneyClinic on social media, and follow Claer and Gina @Claerb and @ThatGinaMiller.If you would like to be a guest on Money Clinic and chat to Claer about a money issue that’s bugging you, get in touch - our email is money@ft.com If the podcast has left you wanting to learn more about managing your money

Have you ever dreamt of starting your own business? It might sound more fulfilling — but being an employee has some perks you might miss. 33-year old Rhiannon set up her first business three years ago, offering virtual PA services. Even though she’s making a profit, Rhiannon is struggling to find a mortgage lender who will help her buy a property. Plus, she’s unsure about whether to leave her savings in cash — or risk tying them up inside a pension. Expert help is on hand from Holly Mackay, founder of Boring Money and mortgage broker Will Rhind from Habito.If you would like to talk to Claer for a future podcast episode, email the Money Clinic team money@ft.com with a brief description of your story. Follow Claer on Twitter and Instagram @Claerb and read her weekly Serious Money column.Further reading:-Writing a will is one thing that’s been on Rhiannon’s financial to-do list for a while. Listen to this Money Clinic to find out how to set one up online.-The pandemic has been tough on the self-employed. Th

Many people would like to move to a life with less or no debt, but taking the first step requires great courage. This week Claer hears from a couple in their 30s who have each run up large credit card debts. Duncan and his partner found that the pandemic made their debt problems worse. How can they get their finances back on track? Could a debt adviser help? Chris Browning, presenter of US podcast Popcorn Finance, has practical tips, and debt advice specialist Alan McIntosh explores different solutions.If you would like to talk to Claer for a future podcast episode, email the Money Clinic team money@ft.com with a brief description of your story. Follow Claer on Twitter and Instagram @Claerb and read her weekly Serious Money column.Further reading:-If you’re struggling with problem debt, this week’s experts say don’t wait for things to get worse before seeking advice. The earlier you seek help, the more options you’re likely to have-Free UK sources of debt advice include StepChange and Citizens Advice -In

With “Isa season” fast approaching in the UK, Claer explores how young people can use the popular tax-free accounts to invest or buy their first property. This week, she meets Ryan, a 22 year old graduate who confesses he has three Isa accounts, but doesn’t know how best to use them — or how to unlock savings bonuses potentially worth tens of thousands of pounds. Expert and practical help is on hand from Harleigh Reid, who used a Help to Buy Isa to buy her first flat at the age of just 24, and Young Money blogger Iona Bain who explains the rules of the new Lifetime Isa, which can be used for property or investing.  If you would like to talk to Claer for a future podcast episode, email the Money Clinic team money@ft.com with a brief description of your story. Follow Claer on Twitter and Instagram @Claerb and read her weekly Serious Money column in the FT Money section of the FT Weekend newspaper.Further reading:-If you’re new to investing, listen to this past Money Clinic episode on starting out 

This week, Claer meets Lowri, who runs a small events business. She’s had no work for nearly a year, and as a director of her own limited company is one of an estimated 3m people in the UK who has fallen through the cracks of government support. Living on state benefits and reliant on her local food bank, Lowri’s previous experiences of business failure have prepared her for what she fears is to come. Legal and insolvency experts provide practical tips for small business owners in a similar situation, and we have the latest on the growing political campaign for directors to be included in UK government grants. If you would like to talk to Claer for a future podcast episode, email the Money Clinic team money@ft.com with a brief description of your story. Follow Claer on Twitter and Instagram @Claerb and read her weekly Serious Money column in the FT Money section of the FT Weekend newspaper.Thanks to podcast experts Rebecca Seeley Harris, founder of Re Legal Consulting, and Peter Sargent, insolvency

Disruption from the pandemic has created plenty of ‘accidental landlords’ - homeowners with an empty property they could potentially let out. This week’s guest, Jeremy, has relocated for work - he’s renting a room in a shared house, but wants to make some cash renting out his former home. He asks Claer what taxes he’d have to pay, the rules he’d have to comply with, whether or not to use a letting agent, and how to assess whether becoming a landlord makes sense financially. Expert guidance is provided by professional landlords Ayesha Ofori, founder of the PropElle network for female property investors, and David Lawrenson, author of the bestselling book Successful Property Letting.  If you would like to talk to Claer for a future podcast episode, email the Money Clinic team money@ft.com with a brief description of your story. Follow Claer on Twitter and Instagram @Claerb and read her weekly Serious Money column in the FT Money section of the FT Weekend newspaper.Further information:-David Lawrenson

Putting all of your pension savings in one place to make it easier to manage your retirement plans sounds like a sensible idea — but it’s not necessarily the right solution for everyone. Claer Barrett meets 51-year-old Tina who has spent lockdown searching for all of her old pensions: some have performed better than hoped, but others have had high charges, and she has a gap in her UK state pension contributions due to working overseas. Experts Sir Steve Webb of Lane Clark & Peacock and Catherine Morgan, a financial planner behind the ‘In Her Financial Shoes’ podcast, provide tips for people of all ages looking to sort out their pension savings.If you would like to talk to Claer for a future podcast episode, email the Money Clinic team money@ft.com with a brief description of your story. Follow Claer on Twitter and Instagram @Claerb and read her weekly Serious Money column in the FT Money section of the FT Weekend newspaper.Further reading:Let’s start with the basics. If you’re struggling to get your head

2020 was a turbulent year for most people’s finances, but the new year provides the perfect opportunity to set some ‘financial resolutions’. The guests on the first podcast of the New Year, couple Toby and Siobhan, are looking for some ‘fin-spiration’ to get their money working harder in 2021. They’ve paid off their credit cards under lockdown, and are wondering where to direct their spare cash: overpay the mortgage, or put more into pensions or other investments? There’s also one financial to-do that they’re been putting off for a long time: making a will. Money experts Ken Okoroafor from The Humble Penny and Dan Garrett, co-founder of digital will-writing service Farewill, provide some useful tips.If you would like to talk to Claer for a future podcast episode, email the Money Clinic team money@ft.com with a brief description of your story. Follow Claer on Twitter and Instagram @Claerb and read her weekly Serious Money column in the FT Money section of the FT Weekend newspaper.Further reading:-You can follo

Money Clinic is taking a break until December 31st, so why not delve into our back catalogue of podcasts to find useful discussions on how to manage your money during the pandemic, from starting in investing and shared ownership to the dangers of 'money mules' and moving into a second career. Our next episode focuses on how best to plan your finances in the New Year while Covid-19 continues to affect all our lives.If you would like to talk to Claer for a future podcast episode, email the Money Clinic team money@ft.com with a brief description of your story. Follow Claer on Twitter and Instagram @Claerb and read her weekly Serious Money column in the FT Money section of the FT Weekend newspaper.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

She earns a six-figure salary working an 80-hour week on Wall Street but 20-something Anna spends her spare moments dreaming about starting her own business. She chats to presenter Claer Barrett about the challenge of resisting “lifestyle creep” - the pressure to spend more as you earn more - in New York City. But how much will she need to save up to support herself if she pursues her passion project? Experts Bola Sokunbi, the founder of Clever Girl Finance, and Emilie Bellet, founder of Vestpod, share stories of how they quit high-flying jobs to launch their own personal finance platforms - and have plenty of tips for listeners who are tempted to go it alone. If you would like to talk to Claer for a future podcast episode, email the Money Clinic team money@ft.com with a brief description of your story. Follow Claer on Twitter and Instagram @Claerb and read her weekly Serious Money column in the FT Money section of the FT Weekend newspaper.Further reading:-If all this talk of ‘lifestyle creep’ has inspir

If you’re offered the chance to make some easy money during the pandemic, what should you do? Money Clinic was emailed by 19-year-old student Henry who, along with many of his friends, had been contacted on Snapchat and Instagram and asked: ‘Do you want to make money working from home?’ To earn a few hundred pounds, students are being asked to open bank accounts, then receive and transfer money. This may sound innocuous. But as presenter Claer Barrett reveals, acting as a ‘money mule’ is a criminal offence, and could involve money laundering. Reformed fraudster Tony Sales and anti-fraud expert Mike Nathan explain how it works and how to stay safe online. If you would like to talk to Claer for a future episode, please email the Money Clinic team at money@ft.com with a short description of your dilemma, and how you would like us to help. Follow Claer on Twitter and Instagram @Claerb and read her weekly Serious Money column in the FT Money section of the FT Weekend newspaper.Further reading:-If you have bee

Finding a side hustle that earns you  money alongside your main job is an attractive idea — but it can be hard to achieve as Jonny, this week’s guest, has found out, with his side hustles costing him time rather than earning much extra cash. He’s also looking to volunteer as a side hustle to further his ambition of campaigning on personal finance issues, but how can he find the right balance of money and time? Presenter Claer Barrett hears from experts Abadesi Osunsade, founder of Hustle Crew and presenter of the Techish podcast, and Juliet Tomlinson from the Oxford university’s careers service on “success metrics” and acquiring the right skills. If you would like to talk to Claer for a future podcast episode, she is very keen to find someone who is resolving to sort out their finances for the new year and could do with some expert help. If that sounds like you, please email the Money Clinic team with a brief description of your story to money@ft.com. Follow Claer on Twitter and Instagram @Claerb an

Since they moved in together at the start of the UK lockdown in March, Marijke and Danny’s relationship has gone from strength to strength. Marijke owns the flat they both live in — but Danny has recently come into an inheritance and wants to finance building an extension to their home. How can the cohabiting couple structure this arrangement in a way that will be fair to both of them if they later split up? Presenter Claer Barrett seeks guidance from experts, Michael Gouriet, partner in the family law team at Withers, the legal firm, and Angela Marson, chartered financial planner at Fairstone, the financial advisory business.If you would like to talk to Claer for a future episode, please email the Money Clinic team at money@ft.com with a short description of your dilemma, and how you would like us to help. Follow Claer on Twitter and Instagram @Claerb and read her weekly Serious Money column in the FT Money section of the FT Weekend newspaper.Further reading:-Our guests on this episode we

For 61-year old Margaret, and millions of other women, being able to retire with a pension has become an unaffordable dream. She has relied on working as a supply teacher to pay the bills. But she says employers don’t want to hire older workers. After many unsuccessful job applications, Margaret has gone back to university to study creative writing and to seek a new career. Lindsay Cook, the FT’s Money Mentor columnist, suggests how women in Margaret’s situation can maximise their retirement income, and Stuart Lewis, the founder of over-50s online community Rest Less, has plenty of tips for older jobseekers.If you would like to talk to Claer for a future episode, please email the Money Clinic team at money@ft.com with a short description of your dilemma, and how you would like us to help. Follow Claer on Twitter and Instagram @Claerb and read her weekly Serious Money column in the FT Money section of the FT Weekend newspaper.Further reading:-The experts had plenty of practical tips for UK

29-year-old jewellery designer Roseanna Croft is having her mettle tested by the pandemic. Wedding cancellations have dented her sales, and now the second UK lockdown threatens Christmas trading. As a limited company director, she has restricted access to government support and must rely on her own efforts to redesign her business plan. Claer finds creative inspiration for Roseanna from Suli Breaks, the entrepreneur, poet and presenter of the 7even Figures Business Podcast, and financial tips from Andy Chamberlain, head of policy at IPSE (the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed).Further reading:-Claer has written extensively about issues facing small business owners during the pandemic, and the problems of accessing government support schemes. Her recent FT column Help for the self-employed won’t save everyone is free to read -Suli presents the 7even Figures podcast, where he interviews an entrepreneur who has set up a business from scratch, finding out how they grew their pass

Lucy is on the cusp of buying a shared ownership flat with her partner — but she’s getting cold feet. The shared ownership model enables buyers to take out a mortgage on part of the property, and pay rent on the rest. However, Lucy is worried this could be more expensive than she bargained for, and fears she will never be able to afford to own 100 per cent of her new home. Claer hears from independent property expert Henry Pryor and mortgage broker Andrew Montlake from Coreco. Further reading:-Henry Pryor tweets @HenryPryor and has a website packed with tips for property buyers.-Andrew Montlake tweets @Montysblog and blogs about the mortgage market (which is genuinely more interesting that it sounds!) Read it here.-Claer’s recent column in FT Money tackled the pitfalls of shared ownership properties, the government’s Help to Buy scheme and a mad-sounding new idea to let young people borrow from their pensions to get on the property ladder.-This Millennial Mone

Claer Barrett chats to Harri about the challenges of building an ethical investment portfolio. The 29-year old is saving £1,000 a month into his retirement fund, and has noticed a growing array of ESG options (a label applied to investments that address environment, social and governance considerations). Are they genuinely doing good — or have they just done a good job on their marketing? And does investing ethically mean he has to sacrifice some investment returns? Experts Gillian Tett and Moira O’Neill offer their tips.If you would like to talk to Claer for a future episode, please email the Money Clinic team at money@ft.com with a short description of your dilemma, and how you would like us to help. Follow Claer on Twitter and Instagram @Claerb and read her weekly Serious Money column in the FT Money section of the FT Weekend newspaper.Further reading:--Gillian Tett chairs the FT’s editorial board, and set up Moral Money, the FT’s online hub for all things ESG. Read the latest stor