AJ Bell Money Matters (AJ Bell)

This episode of the Money Matters podcast is your download-and-keep guide to buying a house. Danni and Laura have enlisted a couple of fantastic guests to talk through the ins and outs of every stage of getting on, or stepping up, the housing ladder.

You’ll get tips on how to position yourself as the perfect buyer, the lowdown on all those tricky mortgage terms, and crucially, hear how much everything is going to cost. This episode is aimed at first-time buyers, but there’s also plenty of information for second (or third) home movers on what changes to interest rates could mean for you, and details about changes to affordability criteria.

Danni picks the brains of Emma Kingham from estate agent Knight Frank, who has some fantastic advice on choosing your perfect property, and why it’s important to be able act fast if you don’t want to be disappointed. And with interest rates marching up, Laura chats to Gemma Bennett, a mortgage broker with Mortgage Mum, about what that might mean. She also breaks down all the jargon to help you on your house-buying journey.

This podcast was recorded before the recent changes to stamp duty announced by the Government in the mini-Budget.

On this special episode of the Money Matters podcast, we are celebrating International Women’s Day and Danni and Laura discuss this year’s theme which is “Embrace Equity”. Our campaign, which aims to help women feel more confident in their finances and narrow the gender investment gap, has been going just over a year and Laura catches up with Baroness Helena Morrissey, who has been campaigning for diversity in financial services for decades. She asks what Helena thinks has changed over the decades and what work still needs to be done.

Danni chats to the award-winning journalist and bestselling author of crime thriller “The Khan” Saima Mir about why equal opportunities doesn’t always create equity and how her experiences as a British Muslim woman have made her into the powerhouse she is today. Plus, we’ve got Laura’s confessional, which is all about the perennial favourite, pensions.

On this episode we are talking career breaks. Lots of women take time out when they have kids, but there are plenty of other reasons you might take a break from work. 

Laura and Danni give you all the tips to plan ahead so your finances suffer the smallest shock possible – and Danni chats to author and coach Jessica Chivers, from the Comeback Community, who shares the steps you can take to boost your confidence when you make that transition back into a job.

In this special bonus episode of the podcast for International Women’s Day, Danni and Laura discuss this year’s theme, Inspire Inclusion, and how in particular women in mid-life have been pushing boundaries over the past few years to become more visible and included.

They’re joined by former editor of The Sunday Times magazine Eleanor Mills, who started the “Noon” community to help these women (who she calls “Queenagers”) take control of this chapter of their lives, including their finances.

It’s a very special episode as we celebrate the launch of our new research report. Our founding Ambassador Baroness Helena Morrissey talks through the findings that chart the financial wobbly bits of women’s lives: from our discomfort with asking for a pay rise, to shouldering the bulk of caring responsibilities and then menopause.

There are plenty of potholes for women to navigate if we’re ever going to narrow the gender wealth gap. Danni and Laura chat through their own financial wobbly bits and we finally get a money confession out of Laura.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast Danni and Laura chat to AJ Bell’s Head of Public Policy and pension guru, Rachel Vahey. They discuss the increasingly important issue of lost pension pots and how to find them. Rachel also talks through how consolidating your pensions into one pot could make life simpler and help you plan for retirement. She explains the pots you should leave alone and how some part-time workers, who miss out on auto-enrolment, can get in on the workplace pension action.

Danni and Laura also discuss an Ombudsman ruling that the Waspi (Women Against State Pension Inequality) women should get up to £10 billion in compensation because the government failed to notify them about changes to the state pension age in 2018. The campaign says an entire generation of women were negatively impacted because they didn’t get time to adequately prepare for their changing financial futures.

On this episode Danni and Laura discuss why pension planning in your 20s can help narrow that gender investment gap. For many retirement might seem a very long way off but making sure you have enough in your pot, so your living standards don’t fall in later life, takes time. To find out how much we really should be saving, and get tips and tricks to make the most out of the system Laura chats to Charlene Young, AJ Bell’s pension and savings expert.

Danni and Laura also discuss why food inflation is still so high and how you can make the most of loyalty cards and vouchers to cut the cost of your weekly shop.

On this episode of the Money Matters podcast Laura and Danni explore the common myth that cohabiting couples have the same rights as married couples or those in a civil partnership under what many people refer to as “common law marriage”.  Spoiler alert: they don’t, even if they have children together. And if their relationship breaks down or one of the couple passes away, they could find themselves dealing with a whole lot of unexpected stress and financial pressures.

Cohabitation is the fastest growing family type in the UK, but many couples do not realise they just don’t have the same legal status as couples who are married or in a civil partnership. To get the low down on the law, Laura talks to Tracey Moloney aka social media’s Legal Queen to spell it out for us.  And Danni catches up with Lord Marks – the liberal democrat peer who is hoping the bill he brought forward to change the law around cohabiting might one day become law.

In episode three we meet maths teacher Bobby Seagull. Hear why he thinks it's society holding back our financial education, how it's changing and his golden hour for financial management success. We also talk to two students and hear how they navigate their first financial responsibilities, how they got financially educated and the taboos we all still face when it comes to talking about money. 

If you'd like to watch the recording of our  podcasts and interviews, head over to the Money Matters video hub where you'll find all recordings of our podcasts to watch back. 

It’s the 50th episode of the Money Matters podcast and Laura and Danni step back in time to celebrate some of the brilliant guests and topics they’ve discussed over the past couple of years. From the Scummy Mummies on why money is still a taboo, to TikTok’s “Legal Queen” busting the myth of common law marriage, and Stacey Lowman from Claro Wellbeing on the financial perils of “lifestyle creep”.

And with LBC radio also celebrating its 50th, Danni talks to presenter Natasha Devon about her work as a gender and equality campaigner. She says some teenage girls today think the gender pay gap is a myth and has written a book to remind young adults about the challenges women faced at the turn of the millennium.

On this episode of the Money Matters podcast, we put all your burning money questions to Financial Adviser Jane Gow, who is founder of Clear Cut Chartered Financial Planners. You asked about a wide range of issues from when you should lock in interest rates on cash savings, to how to start a pension and whether to prioritise saving for a house or retirement in your 30s.

Danni and Laura also take you through their tax-year-end checklist, so you don’t pay too much tax or miss out on valuable allowances. They also have good news for parents relating to child benefit and free childcare hours.

On the first episode of 2024 Danni and Laura hear confessions from the rest of the Money Matters team about financial mistakes they made in 2023 and the goals they’re setting themselves this year.

Their errors vary from overindulging in online shopping to not following through on carefully laid investing plans, while their good intentions include upping pensions contributions and creating a savings cushion for when things go wrong. They’ve got plenty of tips that could inspire you to make your own positive changes this year.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni and Laura walk through the changes hurtling towards us in April including energy price caps, broadband and council tax.

We also hear from AJ Bell's sales director Alison Mollard and business development team leader Georgia Swallow who are mentor and mentee respectively. When Alison began her career, the financial services sector looked particularly different as she was often the only woman in the room. Both Alison and Georgia share their stories and insights, plus why mentoring is still essential.

In episode four we meet Rachel Peru and Annie Stirk: the ladies who created 'Silver and Sassy' to help change people’s perceptions about women of a certain age. They talk candidly about navigating pension minefields, and the importance of thinking about the life you want to live when you retire. We also talk to AJ Bell’s senior technical consultant Rachel Vahey about some of the pinch points you need to look out for, and ways to help maximise your pension pot.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Laura and Danni discuss imposter syndrome: the little voice that tells you you’re not good enough. A lack of confidence is often cited by women as they reason they don’t ask for pay rises or promotions, don’t apply for senior leadership positions, or don’t feel able to return to the workplace after taking time out.

We’ve got some top tips from Zoe Hayden Jones, podcaster and founder of the online platform Jobs for Women, about how to deal with imposter syndrome and why it’s something that impacts women more than men. Plus, if you thought inflation was last year’s problem, Laura and Danni explain why higher prices might be on their way back and why an interest rate cut by the Bank of England doesn’t mean that all mortgages are getting cheaper.

On this episode Danni and Laura examine the “Single Tax”, which not only impacts your day-to-day money but also has huge implications for your long-term financial plans. They chat to a couple of ladies about how being single has impacted their lives and their ability to save, as well as revealing the latest research that shows how being single affects your money. Plus, Danni finally shares her financial confession.

On this episode Laura and Danni tackle the subject du-jour: what’s going on with the mortgage market? They cover what you need to know if you’re re-mortgaging or just looking for that first home loan, the trend towards ultra-long mortgages and why there’s so much mayhem in mortgage markets right now.

They’ve also enlisted Charlotte Tollitt, a mortgage broker at Meet Margo, to cut through the jargon and explain the different products, when you should start looking for your next mortgage and ways to beat those interest rates rises.

Whether you know Dame Arlene Phillips' work from Hot Gossip, Strictly Come Dancing, her legendary music videos, film work or the West End and Broadway shows she has choreographed, her ability to turn her hand to any brief and keep moving forward is unmatched.

On this episode, we learn about how Arlene grew up with grit and determination to earn her own money and ultimately gain independence, taking every opportunity in her stride. As often the only woman in the room, Arlene shares her advice for people starting their careers, how to move on from disappointment and mistakes swiftly, and how she has achieved huge success in her 80s with a recent Olivier Award added to her glittering CV.

Danni and Laura also dig into how the cost of living crisis has helped turn us into a nation of savers and why keeping your pot in cash could be costing you thousands of pounds.

On this week's episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, we speak to our Founding Ambassador, Baroness Helena Morrissey, about how she manages her family finances with nine children. With tips for people with or without children, Helena shares her biggest learnings and how she has balanced a career and family life.

Danni and Laura also flag up an important date for women who have taken time out of the work place and might have gaps in their national insurance contributions - something which could stop them getting the full state pension in retirement. Plus they delve into why so many women put off managing their pension despite living for longer than men on average.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast Laura and Danni revel in the new social media trend that is “loud budgeting”. The phrase has become popular on TikTok and the pair celebrate that talking about money is becoming less taboo. Also on the show, they sum up where we are in the “cost of living crisis”, including the crucial question of when interest rates are likely to fall.

And they talk to Trish Houston who shares her truly inspirational investing story. She used saving and investing to enable her to have children by herself. Now a proud solo parent to two daughters, she credits early financial decisions with opening up the life choices she has now.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Laura and Danni walk through a beginner’s guide to mortgages. From the differences between fixed rates and trackers, to how the Bank of England’s interest rate decision plays into what you pay, the pair discuss how rates have changed over the years and what might happen next.

Plus, we’ve drafted in Kalpana Fitzpatrick, financial journalist and author of “Get to Know Money”, to breakdown the best ways to talk to children about managing money. She explains top tips to help you answer your kids’ money questions, whatever their age.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Laura and Danni strip investing back to its bare bones with the help of two fantastic guests. Prerna Khemlani, founder of This Girl Invests, breaks down investing jargon with Laura, and Danni chats to Abby Glennie, fund manager at Abrdn, about how she builds and runs a fund.

In the last pod episode of 2024, Danni and guest host Charlene discuss how male and female AJ Bell customers have differed in 2024 (as well as some surprising similarities). From the most popular shares and funds to how often we log in online, we examine why we have different habits to our male counterparts.

Danni and Charlene also walk through the events in 2024 which have shapes our investing decisions. The past 12 months have been filled with elections, conflicts, and a budget that shook up financial definitions, which our experts chat through without the jargon.

On this AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni and Laura break down the chancellor’s Spring Statement and the changes taking place at tax year end. They’re also joined by Rachel Vahey, our resident pensions expert, who’ll help explain some of the more complicated rules and allowances.

On episode five of the Money Matters podcast, Laura and Danni talk about how your financial situation can impact your relationship. This Christmas, there’s more pressure than usual to make the festivities go with a bang – but if that bang sends you way over budget, it can create tension. Particularly if one of you earns more than the other, or if one’s a saver and the other a spender.

We hear from Peter Saddington from Relate about what couples can do about this, and why it’s important both partners have equal power over the family finances. We also get your top tips for enjoying the season without the financial hangover.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, we hear from Susannah De Jager and Patsy Day who set up The Wobbly Middle. Navigating change in work/life balances can be stressful but also reinvigorating, and when Susannah and Patsy found themselves on the same journey, they teamed up to share their stories and top tips.

Danni and guest host Jenny also discuss Labour's employment rights bill and which changes could affect the Money Matters community including sick pay, parental leave and mandatory action plans to tackle the gender pay gap.

On this episode Danni and Laura are feeling optimistic. More financial education aimed at women and shifts in mindset are helping younger generations feel more empowered about their choices and open to having those tricky conversations. Our research shows that younger generations are more likely to split money equally, have frank conversations about money and have planned their financial futures. 

We hear from Marianna Hunt, a 28-year-old Money Matters listener, about why uncomfortable conversations about money are making her life better and Danni chats to two new dads who took shared parental leave about why more men should do it.

On this episode of the Money Matters podcast Danni and Laura discuss the issue of childcare costs. With inflation shooting up and options hard to come by after lockdowns pushed a number of providers to quit or close, prices are at an all-time high.

We hear from a number of mums about how they’re coping by using family to fill in or by quitting work altogether.

We talk through the help that’s available and discuss why many parents aren’t accessing what they’re entitled to, particularly when it comes to tax-free childcare. The issue has become a political hot-potato and the government says it’s looking at ways to bring down costs, but providers aren’t convinced some of the plans are feasible. Danni chats to Purnima Tunuku, chief executive of the National Day Nursery Association, about what her members think about the current state of the system in the UK, what parents are paying for and why it’s so expensive.

In the first Money Matters podcast of 2023 Danni and Laura discuss New Year resolutions and the pressure to get fitter, healthier and more motivated. January’s dark nights and wet weather might dampen the appeal of heading out for a run, but they’re perfect for getting your finances in shape. 

We run through five tips to detox your finances and become financially fitter for the year ahead. Danni also chats to Ellie Webb, founder of alcohol-free spirit business Caleño, about why the sector has exploded over the past couple of years and she also digs into the issues Ellie faced starting a business in a male-dominated world.

In this special episode of the Money Matters podcast, Danni chats to rugby legend Katy Daley-McLean. Katy discusses life after captaining the England women’s rugby union team to World Cup glory, and why becoming a mum played a big part in her decision to retire. She also talks openly about getting to grips with her finances as she juggled childcare and coaching Sale Sharks Women, and why she’s not ruled out a return to the international stage. 

While Katy’s story is unique, her decision to change career to spend more time with her daughter will resonate with many women. Laura talks through some of the financial issues to consider if you too are making big changes because of family circumstances.

On this episode of the Money Matters podcast Danni and Laura are talking kids and money. Many people want to give their children a savings cushion, to help them with everything from education costs to buying a car or house. Laura catches up with Charlene Young, AJ Bell’s pensions and savings expert, about how to navigate all the options from ISAs to pensions, and how investing little and often can really add up by their 18th birthday.

They also talk about how to help children develop a healthy relationship with money whatever their age and Danni chats to Orla McKeating, who is a single mum, podcaster and co-founder of Still I Rise - a programme to celebrate diversity in storytelling for kids. She’s got great tips about giving pocket money, getting kids to save up for things they really want and getting them comfortable with finance.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni and Laura discuss love and money. Often taboo in relationships, they share their own money stories as well as top tips for those managing joint finances and for people experiencing the single tax.

We also hear from husband-and-wife Matt & Claire Towe who set up a business together. Meet Margo's mission is to make mortgages easy with a focus on women's finances; set up at Matt & Claire's dining table, the couple chat about balancing work and personal lives, managing finances, and creating a company around flexible working. 

https://meetmargo.uk/

On this episode we are going back to basics on investing. Lots of women say they don’t how to invest, there’s too much jargon or they are embarrassed to ask questions – but we’re aiming to solve that. In this episode Laura and Danni talk through some of the types of investments you can put in your portfolio: from stocks and shares to funds and bonds or cash. You may find you already have more in your portfolio than you thought.

They also talk to Caroline Shaw who is a professional investor, in charge of Fidelity’s Sustainable Multi-Asset Growth fund. They quiz her about how she puts together a professional portfolio and her own investing journey.

On this episode of the Money Matters podcast, Danni and Laura talk about the big choices being faced by millions of school leavers. Whilst many will choose to stay in full-time education, others will be thinking about applying for their first job or considering an apprenticeship.

They discuss the financial implications of those decisions and Laura catches up with Paula Wharrier, AJ Bell’s recruitment manager and asks what makes someone stand out in a job interview and how a tight labour market has changed things. 

Danni also talks to global communications specialist Heather Hansen about her new book “Unmuted” and asks how young people can make an impact in their workplace from day one to set them up for future success

On this episode of the Money Matters podcast Danni and Laura talk about another life event that can have a huge impact on a woman’s working life. Menopause typically affects women between the ages of 45 and 55 and one in four women surveyed said it had impacted their working life. Confidence takes the biggest knock and 6% of women going through the menopause said they’d had to reduce their hours and 4% said they’d either changed jobs or quit work entirely.

Danni shares her own experiences of working through the menopause and she talks to Sarah Coulson from Halcyon Therapies which has helped hundreds of women deal with their symptoms, about how different women are affected.

With one in ten women saying menopause had a financial impact on their lives, Laura talks to AJ Bell’s head of HR Jo James about how she helped create the company’s menopause policy and talks through what support women can ask of their employers.

On this episode of the Money Matters podcast Danni and Laura tell you everything you need to know about saving for a deposit to buy a home. They chat to two women who took very different paths on the way to fulfilling their house buying dreams. A house is normally the biggest purchase you’ll ever make and one that requires some serious saving in order to cobble together the deposit required.

There are government programmes to help, and we talk through whether things like the Lifetime ISA and, the now retired, Help to Buy ISA are right for you. Danni chats to Emma Keywood from AJ Bell’s Dodl platform who recently moved into her first home and was ridiculously organised from a very young age. Laura catches up with the inspirational Clare Seal, who started the Instagram account MyFrugalYear to anonymously document her journey out of debt. She’s since revealed her identity and, along with writing three books, she and her partner have just bought a house – so we spoke to her about how you can go from debt to deposit.

This podcast was recorded before the recent changes to stamp duty announced by the Government in the mini-Budget.

This episode of the Money Matters podcast digs into student finances, how much debt will you end up with, when do you start to pay it back and how do you support yourself whilst you’re studying? The latest figures from the Student Loans Company show the total national student debt is valued at £161 billion.

Danni talks to two graduates from the University of Leeds, Bronwen Jones and Connie Steen, who are just setting out on what they hope will be successful careers, but they talk about how they feel being saddled with such high debt and their tips for budgeting whilst studying. 

Laura gets the lowdown from Ola Majekodunmi from All Things Money, an online community which helps younger people navigate their finances, about how student finance actually works, why it might involve tricky conversations with your parents and what happens when you start to repay it.

This week Danni and Laura discuss a huge financial event in many women’s lives – motherhood. It’s one of those moments that makes a huge difference to women’s finances – not just in the first months when you are kitting out the nursery and on maternity leave, but also childcare costs and the motherhood juggle.

The pair discuss their own family journeys and Danni chats to finance blogger and influencer Tolu Frimpong who took time out from her maternity leave with baby number four to talk about how to get a jump on all those important forms and avoiding unnecessary spend on social media trends.

On this episode of the pod, Danni and Laura discuss trends from the latest Unemployment Index curated by our charity partner Smart Works.

We also speak to Georgina Taylor from Invesco who walks us through the key things to consider for those preparing to take pension payments, as well as top retirement tips for all ages. Georgina also explains what 'lifestyling' is, and talks about buying an annuity vs taking money in drawdown (and if you can use them together). Plus how she nearly turned down becoming a fund manager at 40.

On this episode of the Money Matters podcast we hear from Debbie Wosskow, the serial entrepreneur who’s been appointed to the government’s Invest in Women taskforce. With just 2p of every £1 of business funding going to female-founded companies in the UK, Debbie’s on a mission to raise a £250 million pot to create “once in a generation change”.

Best known for selling her multi-million-pound home swap business inspired by Hollywood movie The Holiday, Debbie is hoping more women will become investors in female run start-ups.  Plus, with no change on interest rates, Danni and Laura ask when the Bank of England will start to cut rates and how the status quo is pushing homeowners into mortgages they’ll still be paying off after they reach pension age.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Laura and Danni dip into the murky world of scams. They break down jargon like “push payments” and highlight some of the ways people are being taken in, as well as how the regulator is planning to trip up scammers and reimburse victims.

Danni also chats to The Sun newspaper’s “Consumer Champion” Laura Purkess about the art of complaining, and why more people should follow through with enquiries. From incorrect goods being delivered, to lack of compensation for delayed flights and the furore around “dynamic pricing” for concert tickets, Laura explains how to fight for your rights and the sense of accomplishment she gets from helping people win their battles.

On this episode Laura and Danni get you up to date on all the price rises that came in on April Fool’s Day – from broadband and mobile costs to council tax and the end of the energy support. They also give you some tips to help spring clean your money. Our guest this week tackles the tricky issue of the lack of women in the finance industry – still only 12% of UK fund managers are women. But Danni chats to one women who is bucking that trend: Hillary Blandy from Jupiter Asset Management, about what being a fund manager actually involves and what we need to do to get more women following in her footsteps. 

In this episode, Laura chats to Kate Stephens, the CEO of Smart Works, which has helped over 20,000 women return to work. That includes Sam Gilbert, who tells Danni how the charity helped her start a new job this spring.

The Money Matters team also discuss the barriers of getting back into the workplace, particularly if you’ve been out of work for a long time – whether that’s because of studying or travel, or childcare issues or other caring responsibilities.

With a tight labour market and the cost of living skyrocketing, women are returning to the workplace. But just because there are lots of jobs out there doesn’t mean it’s straightforward to walk into one. Laura explains the financial things you need to think about if you’re about to start a new full or part time job.

On this episode Danni and Laura discuss “lifestyle creep”. From increasingly luxurious summer holidays to extra streaming subscriptions to keep the kids happy, it’s easy to get sucked into paying more and more every year. 

Laura chats to Stacey Lowman from Claro Wellbeing who has tips on how to beat the creep, how to avoid falling victim to social media envy and how to differentiate it from constantly rising inflation. Danni and Laura also discuss investing tactics and the differences between investing a lump sum and having a regular savings plan.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni is joined by Charlene Young and Rachel Vahey for a tax year end special. The team are breaking down jargon to help you understand what is changing and how to make the most of your money. 

Tax year end can be daunting and complicated, but it can also be a brilliant time to reset your finances. We're covering ISA allowances, tax thresholds, pensions and more with our friendly experts. The team also touch on the £100,000 cliff edge which is generating a lot of interest on TikTok and talk you through some of the benefits you might be missing out on. 

On this episode of the Money Matters podcast Danni chats to podcast sensations the Scummy Mummies about why money is still a massive taboo.  Comedy duo Ellie Gibson and Helen Thorn are currently on a UK tour and while their audience is happy to share stories about parenting failure, sexual misadventures and hangover woes, they very rarely mention money.

Both mums have had their own financial trials over the years and share their thoughts on the current cost of living crisis. And with high prices making it hard to budget this Christmas, Laura talks about how to both avoid and manage debt so it doesn’t clobber you in the New Year.

As requested on our Instagram page, on this AJ Bell Money Matters pod, Laura and Danni share little financial wins. From switching current accounts and energy providers, to cashback deals, combining pensions and budgeting, the Money Matters team explain how small changes to your personal finance habits can make a big difference.

Our guest this week is Joy Foster, founder of TechPixies, who tells us how investing in yourself and learning new skills shouldn't stop after school. Career breaks, which women take more than men, can leave us feeling left behind as technologies change, so Joy's advice to keep learning and top tips in this episode are invaluable.

On this episode of the Money Matters podcast Laura and Danni discuss the art of the side hustle. Taking extra work on the side is something people have always done, but social media promoting it and the cost of living crisis eating into our cash means so many more people now have side hustles.

But how do you navigate the side hustle world – and also make sure you don’t fall foul of the taxman? Laura talks us through the financial pitfalls you need to be aware of and Danni chats to Francesca Henry, aka The Money Fox, about how side hustles got her out of debt.

On this episode Danni and Laura dig into the findings of a survey that reveals that more than 7 million households are still struggling to make ends meet despite falling inflation. And as Barbie celebrates her 65thbirthday we’ll be chatting to one woman who made her living playing the role.

Charlotte Clemie was employed by Mattel to be their official Barbie in the UK before she became a mum of three boys and moved to the other side of the camera, launching her own businesses as a photographer. She’s brutally frank about how difficult she found getting her finances in order when she first started her self-employed journey.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast Laura and Danni deep dive into student finances. How much debt are you likely to rack up during your time at university, when do you start paying it back, and how do you apply for loans to cover costs like accommodation and food?

Laura Brown from Save The Student gives her tips for managing budgets for the first time and we assess how much parents can expect to pay depending on their household budgets. Plus, with inflation falling, when can we expect an interest rate cut and why did rates rise in the first place?

On this episode of the Money Matters podcast Danni and Laura give you the lowdown on inflation. It’s been making headlines all year and prices just keep going up and up.  But exactly what is inflation, is there any sign things might ease in the new year and how does raising interest rates help to bring it down?

One thing’s for sure rising prices are making budgeting this Christmas particularly hard and squeezed finances can sometimes lead to arguments. Laura’s been chatting to bestselling author and financial journalist Laura Whateley about how to prevent money worries from frazzling friendships and undermining relationships.

We talk to Georgia Taylor-Brown about her Olympic triumphs and what it's meant for her financial future being self-employed. You'll also get pension tips for the self-employed, as well as what you should think about if you're planning a family, and how saving for your pension could save you tax.

If you'd like to watch the recording of our podcasts and interviews, head over to the Money Matters video hub where you'll find all recordings of our podcasts to watch back.

This week on the pod, Danni and Laura review the financial wins from last year and resolutions for 2025 from the Money Matters team. It's important to celebrate any money goal achieved, no matter how big or small. From building an emergency fund and quashing lifestyle creep to filing paperwork on time and fixing energy tariffs, we share our successes.

We also dive into financial resolutions and setting achievable money habits. Our experts discuss top tips to start 2025 on the right foot, and maybe give you some ideas to feel good about your finances.

Sign up for the #dontfearyourfuture free webinar here to put your questions to Baroness Helena Morrissey and Jacynth Bassett: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1683069072008430942

We’ll see you at 12:30pm on 29th January!

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast Danni and Laura pore over the latest pension headlines that suggest we’ll all have to save more and might have to work for longer. The pair consider that all this bad news might be just the thing many women need to get them motivated to think about the kind of retirement they want and start planning how they can afford it. (Spoiler alert: just engaging with your finances is a great start.)

They also take you on the second part of our investing 101 journey with AJBell’s pensions and savings expert Charlene Young, who talks through all the different accounts on offer when you start out investing, to help you pick the right one for you.

On this special episode we chat to model and TV presenter Lisa Snowdon. Now in her 50s, Lisa pulls no punches about the impact the menopause had on her confidence and career. Having recently become a best-selling author, she’s adamant she’s just getting started, but says for all women to embrace the gift of getting older they need to have their financial ducks in a row. Danni and Laura also give listeners an exclusive first taste of our new research, which uncovers the "Financial Wobbly Bits" that impact women's lives and provides a toolkit to overcome them. 

On this episode Danni and Laura look into the realities of economic abuse. It’s a tough topic but an important one to tackle as it disproportionately affects women, with one in six women in the UK having experienced economic abuse by a current or former partner. Often it begins at points in life when women can feel isolated or vulnerable, like during maternity leave.

Danni talks to Lauren Garret from the charity Surviving Economic Abuse about how to recognise abuse and where to go for help. Plus, new consumer duty regulations brought in by the financial watchdog the FCA are likely help victims, so Laura chats to AJ Bell’s guru on the topic, Charlene Young, about what the changes mean for your finances.

On this episode of AJ Bell’s Money Matters podcast, Danni and Laura celebrate International Women’s Day. Though there’s still much to do to narrow the gender investment gap, we’ve seen many positive changes which have made it easier for women to mix career and family. 

Laura chats to Amy and Phyl, two women at very different points in their career, about their experiences of working in finance. And Danni catches up with Jodie Hill, the founder of Thrive Law, to talk about what’s changed over the last forty years and what still needs to improve.

This episode of the Money Matters podcast tackles the thorny issue of investing mistakes. Danni Hewson and Laura Suter share their regrets about their money journeys and hear from members of the AJ Bell team about things they wish they’d done differently.

But perhaps the most common investing mistake is not getting started soon enough – or not investing at all. To learn more, Danni chats with co-founder of Female Invest, Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen, who says women can’t just sit on the sidelines if the gender investment gap is ever going to narrow.

Laura and Danni delve into the pros and cons for women of hybrid working. Will working flexibly help you get back on your career path while juggling childcare responsibilities?

Laura talks to Jill Cotton, who thinks working from home has made a big difference to the jobs she can do and the money she can earn. So what are your rights if your company wants you back in the office? Danni catches up with Clare McCartney from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development to find out.

On this episode of the pod, Danni and Laura speak to campaigner Joeli Brearley from motherhood campaigning group Pregnant then Screwed about why politicians have finally woken up to the economic value of getting mums back into work and what more needs to be done to end the motherhood penalty.

Also on the episode, Danni and Laura break down the four simple steps to start your investing journey. They give a basic checklist of the different platforms, accounts and investments available and explain some of the jargon that can be off-putting to newbie investors.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Laura and Danni discuss why the UK economy couldn’t shake off the Taylor Swift effect. Spending by fans on hotels, travel and tickets to the singer’s Eras tour helped UK inflation hold steady in June, although the impact is expected to be short lived.

We also hear from Mind, Money and Soul’s Laura Ann Moore about why language plays a huge part in women’s attitude to risk. With almost half of all women telling us they aren’t comfortable with any investment losses, we discuss why understanding risk is such an important part in the journey to narrow the gender investment gap.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni and Laura chat to two mums who launched a biscuit bakery that allowed them to work around their children’s lives. Saskia Roskam and Lisa Shepherd started “The Biskery” during the pandemic with the aim of creating a business that worked around school hours for them and their employees.

Plus, as a new government gets its feet under the table, we dig into what a Labour landslide might mean for your finances and the workplace with plans for menopause policies and enhanced gender pay reporting. The Biskery have also given all AJ Bell Money Matters podcast listeners an exclusive 20% discount sitewide, so head to their website and used the code "MoneyMatters20" to stock up on their sweet treats or send a gift to someone special.

The recent Budget will have a big impact on all our pockets. But fear not, Danni and Laura are here to tell you what all of the economic jargon and boring tax changes mean for your money. And Black Friday is looming, which can be a time to grab a great bargain – but also a tricky time to avoid overspending. To help you navigate (and survive) the big shopping day we’ve enlisted Karen Hasid, the mum behind the brilliant Instagram account @kakasheadoverdeals to talk us through the best ways to maximise your savings. She also has a cracking (but very relatable) entry for Laura’s Confessional.

Romance is in the air, as Danni and Laura grab the confetti and chat about the rising cost of getting hitched. With the average wedding now costing more than £18,000, the pair take you through different ways to save and where to get the best rates to help protect your cash from inflation.

Danni also chats to one woman who made it her mission to have her dream wedding without breaking the bank. Lauren Catton started the blog The Thrifty Bride in the run-up to her big day and has some great tips to help you have a blast on a budget.

On this episode of the Money Matters podcast Danni and Laura go back to basics and talk you through what a recession is, whether the UK is in one and if there’s anything you can do to help prepare your finances for a downturn.

Danni also chats to Pearl Akintola from the credit reference agency Experian about credit scores, to find out what they are, how you find yours and what you can do to improve it.

Laura and Danni are back with a slightly new feel Money Matters podcast and on this episode, they’ve drafted in the big guns, Instagram sensation Heidi Ondrak. The “Duchess of Thrift” shares her secrets for cutting the cost of Christmas this year.  She’s got loads of money saving tips and tricks which can help you cope with the perils of pester power and enjoy the festive season without the debt hangover that no one can afford.

Danni and Laura also take you through everything you need to know about interest rates, why they’re going up, how that might impact your life and where you can get help.  They also introduce “Laura’s Confessional” a safe space where you can share your financial mistakes and this week Heidi kicks us off with details of her lockdown shopping splurge.

On this special episode of the Money Matters podcast Danni and Laura pick apart the new Chancellor’s Budget and explain how the new measures might affect you. From tax cuts and stamp duty being slashed, to help with energy bills and changes to universal credit. They also talk about what the downbeat market reaction has done to the value of the pound and why that really matters – as well as looking at why it might bring on quicker and bigger interest rate hikes.

On this episode Laura and Danni explain everything you need to know about the financial hot potato that is the state pension triple lock. They bust through all the jargon and discuss why the state pension increase is so controversial. And with more people than ever turning to social media for investment and finance tips, Laura chats to the founder of This Girl Talks Money, Ellie Austin-Williams, about how to separate the good from the bad in the world of finfluencers.

For this special episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni and Laura have put together a crack team of experts to help you navigate the current cost of living crunch.

Rising interest rates might bump up your mortgage, but Gemma Bennett from Mortgage Mum is on hand with some tips on what to look out for. We also talk to Tash Jackson from Energy Helpline about those price cap changes, and if there's anything you can do to keep bills down.

Katie Royals from The Twenty Percent joins us to talk issues particularly affecting younger listeners, including changes to student loan repayments. And Sara Williams from the blog Debt Camel explains the importance of budgeting and how to know when to ask for help.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast Laura and Danni ask what the UK officially being in recession means for your finances – and run through some practical measures you can put in place.

They also hear from Lorraine Candy – former editor-in-chief of Elle and Cosmopolitan magazines, author of a book on raising teenage daughters and co-host of the excellent podcast “Postcards from Midlife”.  She shares her struggle of striving to find work-life balance, her surprise that most of the women she interviewed for jobs over the years never asked about money, and finding new purpose in her 50s.

In our first episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast we talk to Baroness Helena Morrissey, AJ Bell's chair-elect and the woman spearheading our Money Matters campaign. She tells us what it's like to make a career in the male dominated world of finance, and why the gender investment gap exists. We also meet some first time investors and find out what was stopping them, why they're confident with investing.

If you'd like to watch the recording of our podcasts and interviews, head over to the Money Matters video hub where you'll find all recordings of our podcasts to watch back.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Laura and Danni discuss “Equal Pay Day” - the point in the year that women stop earning relative to men because of the gender pay gap. They speak to Alesha De Freitas from The Fawcett Society, which is a charity that has been campaigning for years to reach a point when the day no longer exists because pay parity has finally been reached.

They also discuss the US election which has put women and women’s issues front and centre. Whether the next President will be a woman or not, having such strong role models at the forefront of campaigns is something to celebrate.

On this special episode Laura Suter and Danni Hewson are joined by Money Matters team member Jenny Owen. They talk through tips to help you make the most of the New Year by taking a fresh look at your finances.

From simply writing down your incomings and outgoings to cancelling rogue subscriptions, tracking down lost pension pots and finally signing up and using those cash back reward schemes, there’s something to get everybody financially fitter. Small steps can make a big difference, especially when life is so uncertain and prices keep going up. Plus, Laura hears a few of the team’s personal finance confessions.

On this special episode of the podcast which coincides with International Women’s Day 2025, Danni and Laura talk through our new research which sheds light on the £6.6 billion gender ISA gap. Lots of women have ISAs but they tend to keep their savings in cash which means the growth potential is likely to be lower. Simplifying ISAs, ditching jargon and helping women become more confident with their financial choices are all part of the solution which will hopefully help close the wider gender investment gap.  

We’ve also got a very special guest. Jenny Halpern Prince is the founder of charities the Lady Garden and Access Aspiration, plus she runs her own  PR and brand company and just in case she’s got a few hours spare, she’s also a mum of three. We also hear about the lessons she’s learned over the years and how she feels we can all #AccelerateAction which of course is the theme of this year’s IWD. 

On this episode of the Money Matters podcast, Danni and Laura tackle an issue on a lot of listeners minds right now – how do you go about asking for and getting a pay rise? With the labour market so tight, it might seem like the perfect time to push your employer for more money. And as inflation soars, a bit of extra cash in pay packets would certainly help.

Laura chats to one Money Matters listener, Zoe Warren, who has first-hand experience of asking the question and getting the answer she wanted. And Danni picks the brains of Alice Draper, founder of ‘In a Pickle Careers’, who helps women find their confidence to get back into the workplace, move jobs, start businesses, and – yes – ask for pay rises.

This week, Danni speaks to Sara Davison, also known as 'The Divorce Coach', who explains how she had to follow her own advice to manage her unexpected divorce.

Plus Laura hears some top tips on how to prepare yourself financially for a divorce from chartered financial adviser Fiona Sharp.

On the latest episode of the Money Matters podcast Danni and Laura update you on where we stand with those energy bills. With government help being scaled back from April, they discuss what might happen as wholesale energy costs fall and take you through what to do if you’re struggling to pay your bill. With lots of pressures on people’s budgets at the moment, we know money worries can have a real impact on people’s mental health, so Laura catches up with Jenny Somerville, head of the charity Stop.Breathe.Think, which offers counselling support to under 21s across the UK.

On this episode Danni Hewson and Laura Suter look at the details of the big childcare promises in the latest Budget. The chancellor’s new proposals for free childcare hours from nine months and up have been cautiously welcomed by many parents, but we lay out how the scheme will actually work and the potential pitfalls.

Our guest this week is the Financial Times’ Claer Barrett, who has taken on the role as the nation’s financial agony aunt. The consumer editor of the Financial Times also has a new book out called “What They Don’t Teach You About Money” and explains why everyone should get more involved with their finances – which is obviously music to our ears. We’ve also got Claer’s rather unusual financial confession, and we also answer one of your money questions on the tricky issue of overpaying student loans.

In this week’s AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Laura chats with Chanelle Pattinson, a financial planner, about the differences between financial planning, coaching and advice. And Danni catches up with Charlene Young, an AJ Bell pensions expert, who delves into all the other options and resources out there to help you get in control of your finances.

On this episode Danni and Laura are getting into the Christmas spirit, but after a year of soaring food prices we’re thinking hard about budgeting for the big day. The Christmas food shop is a big one – and it’s likely to be a whopper this year.

Danni catches up with Mimi Harrison, blogger, author and the Instagram legend known as “Beat the Budget”, who has tips to make your food shop stretch really far. Plus, Laura chats to Catherine Shuttleworth from Savvy Marketing – to learn how to avoid the supermarket tricks that make you spend more and how to save money this festive season.

On the first pod of 2025, we're joined by award-winning founder of Ageism Is Never In Style, Jacynth Bassett. Having created a vibrant community of people often ignored by society, we ask Jacynth how to breakdown stereotypes around ageing and enjoy preparing for your future. We also talk through the inspiration for the AJ Bell Money Matters & Ageism Is Never In Style collaboration. 

Sign up for the #dontfearyourfuture free webinar here to put your questions to Baroness Helena Morrissey and Jacynth Bassett: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1683069072008430942

We’ll see you at 12:30pm on 29th January!

Danni and Laura take on self assessments for their "one big thing", as around 40,000 Brits took to HMRC's website in the festive period. They walk through the basics and remind you of those important deadlines.

As the Women’s World Cup in Australia gets underway Danni and Laura lay bare the gender pay gap in the sport. While the gap has narrowed considerably since the last tournament, prize money for women is still a quarter of the men’s World Cup.

Our interview looks at how both physical and financial health are closely tied, according to Dr Nikki Ramskill aka The Female Money Doc. The GP and money coach talks about how the cost of living crisis and post pandemic waiting lists are having a real impact on women’s financial health. 

On this episode we explore why lessons learnt as a child are still negatively impacting your financial decisions today. Laura chats to money and mindset expert Laura Ann Moore from the financial education platform Mind Money Soul, who explains why the way we spend and save now is influenced by our childhood, and gives us some fascinating tips on how we can shake off some of the bad habits we’ve picked up.

Amid the doom and gloom of the news at the moment, Danni and Laura unearth various bits of good news – including that more women than ever are investing.

A decade on from an historic speech she delivered on misogyny, former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard tells Danni and Laura there has been progress but there’s still a lot more to be done. Now chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, she’s passionate about closing the gender pay gap and believes we’ll only see real change if more women take on leadership roles. With elections being held around the world, she urges women to get out and vote on issues like childcare and education.

Also on this episode, Danni and Laura discuss why the UK’s financial watchdog is cracking down on social media influencers talking about money and investing, as more people turn to them when making investment decisions.