Cash Chats

Did you set a money resolution at the start of the year? We're at that point where willpower starts to falter and all our best intentions are forgotten. So in this episode I talk to money bloggers and journalists Faith Archer and Jane Wallace to share how you can keep motivated and stick to those financial goals. Read more over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats46

If you're worried about your lack of savings or are looking over your shoulder at mounting debts it's time to take action. In this episode I share how you can start clearing debt and how to take back control of your finances.More and links at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats45

In the first episode of the podcast's second season I want to share how being clever with your cash can save you a huge amount of money this year. When I started the blog in 2014 I set myself a challenge. I wanted to see just how much money I could save in a year. And not through being frugal and cutting back. Instead it was just through making simple decisions to ensure I got the best value for money every time I could. And it worked. I was managed to save close to £14,000 over those 12 months. Tune in to hear me explain a little but more about how you can follow the same principles this year. More at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats44

With the big end of year sales already underway in some shops, this episode is focused on whether you're actually likely to save money if you buy now, or if it's all a bit of a con. Plus I share how you can work out the real discount on offer. More over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats43/

The savings that show up on energy comparison sites might not be true. With the cold snap, I'd be amazed if you didn't put the heating on. And doing that might have prompted you to think about how much you're paying for your gas and electricity. Switching is a GOOD THING,  and can save you hundreds of pounds. But with the vast majority of comparison sites I feel you're being misled, particularly if you're already a savvy consumer and have already fixed. There's a risk you might be tempted to switch too early - and pay more as a result. So in this episode I share how to make sure you get a REAL comparison to what you currently pay for energy. More over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats42

With Christmas Day rapidly approaching I've invited money bloggers Emma Drew, Katy Stevens and Nikki Ramskill to chat about buying Christmas gifts. We chat about budgeting, whether you should regift, the pros and cons of Secret Santa and the danger of leaving your presents under the tree. More, including links to articles covering some of the topics we cover, can be found at becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats41

Ever bought something you don't like, or received an item that's damaged? Do you know your rights? In this consumer rights special of Cash Chats I talk to Helen Dewdney about getting your money back and complaining. I'm a frequent complainer - though only when there's a reason to do so - but my guest this week takes it to another level. Helen is more commonly known as the "Complaining Cow", and you may have seen her on TV sharing some of her tips to help you fight your corner when trying to get money back or compensation for poor service and dodgy goods. Listen in to find out some of Helen's tips for complaining, and we also discuss your rights to return for shopping in shops and online. For more links head over to https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats40

It's been a busy week in the world of money, for two very different reasons - both of which I tackle in this week's pocast episode. First up a few tips on Black Friday. Yes it feels like the sales have been on forever (it's probably a few weeks so far at least), but the big sales and the biggest discounts will be this Friday. And I do get excited about them! Next I've gone through the 2017 Autumn Budget. So if you want to quickly digest the biggest policy announcements and how they'll affect you, then this exactly what you need. The big news was around changes to Stamp Duty. More over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/podcasts/

In this week's episode I answer a handful of questions I've received from listeners and readers on Lifetime ISAs, spending Nectar points and how to get free digital copies of magazines. Read more over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/tag/cash-chats-podcast/

What you need to know about how you can help food banks this Christmas, my thoughts on the interest rate rise, a few ways to keep the cost of the new iPhone X down, and why I think you're better off avoiding the posh advent calendars in all the shops. More over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/podcasts/

My guest this week is Emma Drew. Emma was one of the first guests on the podcast back in January so it was great to get her back on Skype following her Best Money Making blog win at the UK Money Bloggers SHOMO awards in September. I asked Emma to share three easy things anyone can do to make some money so listen in to learn about these simple side hustles. First we discuss mystery shopping, then online surveys, and finally eBay reselling - all activities which earn Emma a healthy bit of extra cash.

Another episode where I answer your questions. This week I explain a simple trick to help cancel Tastecard, analyse whether it's worth switching to get the new First Direct or HSBC cashback schemes, and finally how to get a Monzo bank card.

A fun chat this week about Uber, shrinkflation and those big charity cheques. Plus why you need to be buying your chocolate from Aldi! My guest for this episode is Charlotte Burns. Charlotte was actually the guest for my first ever episode back in January and it's great to have her back on the show, particularly when she shares her clever money saving tricks!

This week on the podcast I want to share with you a couple of phone recordings I've made. Don't worry I haven't been hacking celebrities' phones. Instead I've got a couple of calls made to me and my neighbour highlighting some of the different types of cold calling scams out there.  Hopefully you'll get a sense of the things that point towards a fraudster, plus I share some ways you can make sure you don't get caught out by even the most convincing scammer. You can read the full show notes with links over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/podcast/

This week on the podcast I share why there are far better options for savings than an ISA, while my guest Olly Cator and I discuss ways to save on petrol and the costs to watch out for in the new school term. More at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cash-chats-episode-32-w-guest-olly-cator-isas-petrol-and-school-costs

This week on the podcast I'm answering your questions. First up I help Charlotte with holiday car hire, explaining how to find the lowest prices and a trick to cut the cost of extra insurance. Next I explain how Norman can watch NOW TV and reduce his Sky Sports bill. Finally I look into Nada's question about the iPhone Upgrade Programme to see if it's any good. More over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/podcasts

This week Andy looks at why it's become so difficult to get music, sport and theatre tickets - yet touts manage to nab them and sell on at inflated prices on reselling sites. Plus, tips to beat the touts and get tickets first, and a few ways to bring down the prices too.

This week on the podcast Andy explains how you can beat Virgin and British Gas price hikes, and he's then joined by my guest Katy Stevens from KatyKicker.com to discuss topping up National Insurance, finding out when you'll reach State Pension age and finally how allotments can save you money. Further information and links can be found in the show notes at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/podcast/

In this week's episode, Andy takes you through some holiday essentials you might be leaving to the last minute - and how doing so could be costing you. Tune in to hear how to get the best value travel money, learn what to look for in travel insurance and some costs closer to home you might have forgotten. Show notes and links at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/podcasts

Andy is joined by Good With Money's Becky O'Connor to chat about ethical money. We chat about ethical spending on food, toys and clothes, then cover the banks, savings and investments to consider if you want your money to be doing good rather than bad. Show notes at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cash-chats-ep-27-ethical-money-special-w-guest-becky-oconnor/