The Wallet

Women in the UK still retire with significantly less pension wealth than men, despite decades of progress. So why does the gender pension gap persist? In this episode, Emilie Bellet is joined by Susan Hope, Business Development Director at Scottish Widows, to unpack the structural reasons behind the gap, from career breaks and caring responsibilities to workplace pensions and auto-enrolment. ...

Building better financial habits doesn't start with numbers. It starts with understanding behaviour. In this episode of The Wallet , Emilie Bellet (founder of Vestpod) speaks with Jaskiran Mangat, financial adviser, coach and former banker, whose work sits at the intersection of money, mindset and behaviour. Jaskiran shares how cognitive biases, habits and emotional patterns shape the way we earn,...

Why do some people confidently invest while others avoid money conversations altogether? In this episode of The Wallet , Emilie Bellet speaks with behavioural finance expert, psychotherapist and King's College London senior lecturer Dr Ylva Baeckström about the hidden forces that shape our financial decisions. From childhood experiences and financial attachment styles to confidence, investing beha...

AD | This episode is sponsored by Wealthify.   Most people think investing is about picking the right stocks. It is not.   This week on The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) is joined by Jessie Kwok, Chief Investment Officer at Wealthify, to unpack what drives investment outcomes over time.   They cover: Why asset allocation matters more than stock picking How to think about risk in a...

Women are often told the path to success is straightforward: be confident, negotiate harder, lean in, speak up. But what happens when women do all of those things and still do not receive the same outcomes? This week on The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) speaks with Stefanie O’Connell about ambition, work, money, and the hidden costs many women still face professionally and personally. They discu...

When money feels hard, it is often the system, not you. This week on The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) is joined by Krystle McGilvery, behavioural finance expert and Chartered Accountant, to unpack why traditional money advice fails so many people, especially those who are neurodivergent. They cover: Why financial avoidance is often a form of protection How time blindness impacts spending and pl...

High income, low progress: the hidden leak in your finances. This week on The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) sits down with Philly Ponniah to unpack the gap between earning and actually building wealth. They cover: Why money still disappears at £100K+ The lifestyle creep you don’t notice The belief that quietly blocks investing The UK’s £100K childcare tax trap What a real financial system looks...

Why does building wealth feel complicated, slow, or out of reach, even when you are earning and doing “the right things”? In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) is joined by Mary and Ken Okoroafor, founders of The Humble Penny and authors of The Wealth Habit . Together, we unpack why wealth is less about income and more about habits, identity, and systems, and how small, consistent...

Building financial independence often starts with earning more, and learning how to negotiate your salary. In this episode of The Wallet , Emilie Bellet speaks with Nicole Michler, founder of Phase 20, a career strategy and negotiation platform that helps women navigate competitive corporate environments. Nicole shares how she went from earning around £27,000 a year to building financial independe...

Why do credit cards so often feel manageable at first, and then quietly turn into long-term debt? In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) is joined by Iona Bain, award-winning broadcaster, columnist, and author, following her Panorama investigation Maxed Out: The Credit Card Trap. Together, we unpack how credit card products are designed, why minimum payments and rising credit limit...

How do you actually build an investment portfolio, and what is the simplest way to start? In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) is joined by Caroline Brady (Net Purpose, ex BlackRock) to break down portfolio building in plain English, from asset allocation and diversification to the difference between stocks and funds. We also cover how ESG and impact investing fit into long-term...

Should you even be reading financial news, and if so, how? In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet is joined by Kalpana Fitzpatrick, Digital Editor at MoneyWeek, to unpack how financial news is made, what headlines actually mean, and how to stay informed without being pulled into panic, noise, or reactive decisions. We discuss: How financial news is selected and why it often feels overwhelmin...

Feeling stuck in your career even though everything looks “right” on paper? In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet is joined by Stephanie Sword-Williams, founder of F*ck Being Humble and author of Career Comedown, to explore the idea of a career comedown, that quiet moment when the path you’re on no longer feels right, even if it looks good on paper, and how ambition, energy, money, and work...

The Self Assessment deadline has a habit of arriving faster than expected. This episode covers who needs to file, what needs reporting, and how to avoid common pitfalls - with practical guidance for anyone who is self-employed, earning extra income, or managing a more complex tax setup. Vestpod founder Emilie Bellet speaks with Maike Currie, VP of Personal Finance at PensionBee, about key deadline...

December is filled with pressure, expectations, and spending. Gifts, Secret Santas, school events, family gatherings, and the emotional load of trying to keep everything running. Beneath the surface, many of us feel stressed, guilty, overwhelmed, and unsure why we keep spending more than we planned. In this episode of The Wallet, we ask a simple but honest question: why can’t we stop spending? Emi...

Freelancers, welcome to Episode 10 — the final episode of our Finances for Freelancers series. We’ve broken down the essentials every freelancer or solopreneur needs to feel confident with money — from budgeting and taxes to pensions and pricing. Today, we’re wrapping up with a punchy roundup — each of our expert guests shares one final, powerful tip to help you stay on track with your finances. S...

Freelancers, are you thinking beyond client work? In this episode of Finances for Freelancers, Victoria Nabarro FPFS, Chartered Financial Planner and founder of Veda Wealth, shares how to invest, scale your business, and build financial freedom. We cover smart ways to reinvest, outsource, create passive income, and set financial goals for growth. If you want to move beyond the freelance hustle, th...

In this episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges freelancers face: managing cash flow when income is unpredictable. How do you stay afloat during a slow month? What’s the best way to deal with late payments? And how can you create a more stable income without burning out? Joining Emilie Bellet is Lara Sheldrake—entrepreneur, community builder, and founder of Found & Flourish. Lara...

Feeling overwhelmed by budgeting when your income isn’t consistent? In today’s episode of Finances for Freelancers, we’re looking at how to take control of your money—even when your earnings fluctuate. Our guest is Emilie Nutley, a money coach and financial strategist (and qualified Financial Advisor!) who helps creatives and solopreneurs build sustainable money systems. She’s here to walk us thro...

In this episode, we’re tackling a topic that freelancers often put on the back burner: pensions. How do you start saving for retirement when you don’t have a traditional workplace pension? How can you make the most of tax relief? And what are the best strategies for long-term financial security? Joining Emilie Bellet is Lisa Picardo, Chief Business Officer UK at PensionBee. Lisa is here to break d...

Pricing your services can feel overwhelming, but getting paid fairly isn’t just possible—it’s essential. In this episode of The Wallet by Vestpod, hosted by Emilie Bellet, sales expert Sara Dalrymple shares how to shift your mindset around pricing, set rates based on value and outcomes rather than hours, and create a business that supports both your income and your lifestyle. This conversation wil...

In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that many freelancers find overwhelming: taxes. How do you stay compliant, maximise your deductions, and avoid costly mistakes?  Joining Emilie Bellet is Emma Hardwick, Chartered Certified Accountant. With years of experience supporting freelancers and business owners, Emma is here to demystify tax and share practical tips to help you navigate self-a...

Feeling uncertain about protecting your finances as a freelancer? In today’s episode, we’re diving into risk management—a crucial but often overlooked part of financial planning for self-employed professionals. From income protection and business insurance to emergency funds, having the right safeguards in place can make all the difference when life throws the unexpected at you. I’m joined by Zoe...

Today, we’re tackling a topic that’s essential but often overwhelming: freelance contracts. Contracts can feel like a maze, but they’re crucial for protecting your work, setting clear expectations, and getting paid. Joining me is Lucy Wheeler, a lawyer specialising in helping freelancers and small business owners navigate legal essentials. We’ll cover must-have clauses, when to consult a lawyer, h...

Feeling uncertain about your business setup? In today’s episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest decisions for freelancers in the UK—should you be a sole trader or set up a limited company?   I’m joined by Janet Knapton, a Chartered Accountant and expert in helping freelancers make smart, tax-efficient decisions. Janet breaks down the pros and cons of both structures, helping you decid...