Cash Chats UK Money & Personal Finance podcast

There's only one thing we're all talking about this week and it's Coronavirus. In this episode of the podcast, I've looked at how some of the conversations that relate to money. So should you be stockpiling, and if so what? Should you book a holiday? Should you go if you've already done it? Will you get paid if you can't go to work? Should you worry about investments? FURTHER READING > How to stoc...

I want to make better ethical decisions when spending money, but I sometimes come up short. Though I boycott brands like Nestle and Sports Direct while only buying cruelty-free cosmetics and free-range meats, I also fly long haul, shop at Amazon and have the latest iPhone.  So what can you do? Well in this episode of Cash Chat I'm joined by Tim Hunt from Ethical Consumer magazine to discuss whethe...

This week we've seen some of the top paying and most popular savings accounts cut their rates at the same time that inflation has hit a six month high. Combined it's bad news for savers, meaning any money you put away is earning less and worth less. So should you just not bother? In this episode find out what you could be doing with your money instead and where to put any cash you do want to save....

This week Tesco revealed how there are £17 million worth of Clubcard vouchers due to expire at the end of February. People have had the points for two years but forgotten that if they don't use them they lose them. So in this week's episode I've shared the different places you might have more lost and forgotten cash - often in your wallet or your home. Plus the top offers and bargains in my deals...

This week on the podcast Andy looks into whether you actually need to switch bank. Though there are certainly benefits for moving your banking, from higher interest on savings through to smart apps to help you budget, you might not actually have to switch to take advantage.  Find out how to do it, when to do it and when not to in this week's episode of Cash Chats. FURTHER READING Do you really nee...

If you get your TV via Sky or Virgin Media then you're paying far more money than you need to. It's possible to dramatically cut how much you pay and still watch all the channels you want. Yep that includes the likes of Sky Atlantic, Fox and Discovery, and even Sky Sports. And you can still get multi-room viewing and record the majority of channels.  In this episode Andy has been joined by blogger...

There are hundreds of apps designed to help you save, make or better manage your money - but which are the best? Andy is joined by his friend Jordon Cox - aka the Coupon Kid - to take a look at the ones they use on their phones and the ones which are a waste of space. Find out which apps will earn you money off your phone bill, get you a better deal on duty-free, make some cash on the side and hel...

Mid-January is one of the peak times for people applying for balance transfer credit cards. In this episode Andy has explored how you can clear your credit card and store credit debts and reduce how much they're costing you. Find out how to make a 0% balance transfer card work for you, and why it might not be the magic bullet for your debts. Further reading > 0% Balance transfer cards explained >...

January is peak holiday booking time, with "early bird" deals tempting people to book now and have something to look forward to during the dark winter months. In this episode Andy has taken a look at whether you should be booking now, or if you should wait. Plus his tips for making sure you're getting the best value for money on your flights and hotels. FURTHER READING How to find a cheap flight h...

With the year (and the decade!) over, Andy has looked back at the big personal finance topics of the year to see whether it's been good or bad for you and your money. Plus, deals of the week. FURTHER READING Food stockpiling tips American Express welcome bonus changes Latest bank switching offers Natwest and RBS cashback to end Overdraft cost increases Tesco Clubcard Plus review Bad broadband chan...

0% interest finance isn't new. For a set period you can borrow money - usually for a large expense - and as long as you pay it off you don't get charged interest. T his isn't necessarily a bad thing - I've used it myself. But now the likes of Klarna and Clearpay are making it easier than ever to get it, and often on cheaper, more affordable items such as fashion.  So in this episode I've looked at...

A bad present, either because it's not been thought through or it's just a lazy purchase, is one of the worst wastes of money as there's every chance it'll end up in the bin or just at the back of a cupboard unused. So in this episode, Andy shares why he hates Secret Santa and how you can make sure whatever gifts you buy actually to live up to the old adage that it's the thought that counts. He'll...

Can you really get a bargain in the Black Friday sales? A report this week claimed only one in five Black Friday deals were at their cheapest on that day in November last year. In the podcast this week I've taken a look at why that might be and assessed a handful of the offers already. Plus, a warning about buy-now, pay-later services such as Klarna. Further reading: My huge list of the best Black...

This week, to celebrate 100 episodes, I'm going to share with you some easy ways to get free money. No faffing around with filling in surveys. No buying things you wouldn't normally buy, or getting part of the money back. No fees or subscriptions. No upfront payments. This is all from just normal spending. 100% Profit. You'll get hard cash or in a few cases gift vouchers - not money off or discoun...

Getting the best price is much easier when you know how to compare prices, check price history, use price matching and set price alerts. In this week's episode Andy takes you through how he does all of these, including the websites and apps that'll take most of the hard work away. Plus the latest deals of the week including saving at the theatre and boosting your Asda Christmas shopping funds. FUR...

One of the easiest ways to make some extra cash is to shop via cashback websites. In the last six years, I've made more than £4,000 using the main sites - TopCashback and Quidco. Easy money. Free money. It might sound like it's too good to be true, and there are risks associated, but it's a quick win for any savvy shoppers. Here's how they work and what to watch out for. FURTHER READING  Get a £17...

There have been some big changes to the world of supermarket loyalty schemes. First Nectar added extra ways to earn points at Sainsbury's, and now Tesco has launched a premium option costing £7.99 a month. Along with the forthcoming Nectar Double Up event, Andy has looked at what the points are worth, and how to make sure you're getting the most you can for your points. Plus, the deals of the week...

Free pumpkins, 20% off kids bikes, Star Wars ticket deals, 25% off wine, free Gourmet Society trial, Sky Sports pass offer, Morrisons 3% boost and more. Andy's back with eight top deals to save you money. From free pumpkins at the supermarket to cheap ways to book for the new Star Wars movie the cinema, these offers can't be missed. FURTHER READING More about all this week's deals on Be Clever Wit...

We're less than 10 weeks away from Christmas. That might seem like a long time, but it'll creep up on you faster than you think – meaning it's a good time to start thinking about how much you'll spend. In fact, even if you're listening to this in November in December, or just want to get well ahead of Christmas 2020, it's never too late or early to follow the tips in this episode. So here's a chec...

If you manage them right, a cashback credit card can be the best weapon you have in your wallet to boost your income. Here Andy shares when you should get one (and when you shouldn't), as well as his pick of the cards on the market. FURTHER READING   Andy's review of the best cashback credit cards ABOUT CASH CHATS Cash Chats is presented by money blogger and broadcaster Andy Webb. In 2019 it was a...

In recent weeks and months, savings rates have been cut from 5% to 3% at TSB and 3% to 1% at Tesco, 5% Regular Savers have been axed at Nationwide, First Direct and HSBC, and the leading easy access savings account from Marcus fallen to 1.45%. With less options available, Andy has shared where you can put your cash with interest that will beat inflation. FURTHER READING   Cash savings to beat infl...

This week Andy shares how you can - Get £125 and six free cinema tickets - Find the cheapest copy of Philip Pullman's The Secret Commonwealth - Earn a bonus £2.50 from Quidco - Beat the NOW TV price increase - Buy £4.75 Odeon tickets - Get a £5 Amazon voucher   FURTHER READING   Links to all this week's offers over on Be Clever With Your Cash Andy's video and article about bank switching ABOUT CAS...

This week Andy has been joined by his money blogging friend Ken Okoroafor. Ken is a keen advocate of the FI and FIRE movements where people work hard to reach financial independence well before the normal retirement age. He tells Andy how he got started and shares what people can do if they want to start their own FI journey. FURTHER READING   Andy's blog Be Clever With Your Cash can help you cut...

Save on toys, beauty products, cinema tickets, supermarket shopping and more. This week Andy's spotted nine top deals and offers you might want to take advantage of this weekend. - Up to 20% off toys at Smyths - "Free" Lego Advent Calendar for new TopCashback customers - Free Costa Express hot drink on Tuesday - Boots Advantage Boost weekend from Friday - Space NK - £15 off when you spend £60 - £1...

Cash is no longer king. It's dying. New figures show 80% of sales are with a debit or credit card. Debit cards are most popular - 57% of sales according to the British Retail Consortium, but this is the first time credit card use has overtaken cash. Is this a good thing? Cards definitely come with lots of benefits, but so do cards. So should we be worried about a cashless society? in this episode...