Cash Chats

As someone who is passionate about getting the best value for money, I’ve got issues with Easter. Easter eggs specifically. Nowhere else are manufacturers and supermarkets charging such a premium for something you can get in a different shape all year around for far less cash. So in this episode I've shared how to avoid overpaying for your Easter chocs. as well as some tips to save money all year round. More at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats54

I'm answering your questions this week on the podcast, including changes to Childcare Vouchers, Lifetime ISAs vs Help to Buy ISAs, and exactly how bank switching works. More info and links can be found at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats53

I love going to the cinema, but I hate paying full price which can easily hit £15 or more. So I've hunted out the best savings which I've shared in this week's podcast. From how anyone can get student prices, through to the best loyalty perk it's possible to pay around £5 on average. More over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats52

There's a good chance your Council Tax bill will be bigger from April 2018, so I've taken a look at the ways you can potentially save some money - and possibly even get a backdated refund. Councils are allowed to hike your Council Tax bill by 3%, and some as much as 5.99% when the new bills are sent around in late March, adding yet more to the bills we have to pay. But there are a few ways you might be able to save. Most of you should be able to get 1% or 2% back from a couple of banks, which is better than nothing. Some of you might also be eligible for a discount, and a few of you - if you're willing to put some work in - might even be able to get your Council Tax band downgraded. I've discussed all of these on this week's podcast, and there are more links over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats51/.

We've all got different reasons for picking the supermarket we shop in. It could be price, it could be quality, it could just be whichever is nearest. But we've all got our favourites too. So in this week's episode I've been joined by three other money bloggers to argue which is best. I've championed Waitrose, while Katy Stevens from Katy Kicker is on the side of Aldi, Helen Dewdney from The Complaining Cow advocates Tesco and Jane from Lady Janey speaks up for Sainsbury's. Tune in to hear us discuss and compare customer service, quality and pricing. Read more over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats50

It's been a while since I've tackled the questions you've sent me via email, Twitter and through comments on the blog, so I picked four of the recent ones to share my answers. Here's what's in this episode. - Do you have to keep putting the O2 SIM in your phone when you use the O2 Priority Moments app trick? And can you use it for priority tickets? - Should you cancel an unused credit card? - Can you still use the Monzo card as a prepaid account? - How do you spend Nectar points in Sainsbury's stores? Find out more on these in the shownotes on https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats49

Get your money in shape so you can start working on your dream job. Five years ago I knew I want to do something different, something outside the normal corporate working regime. Now, I'm my own boss, doing something I love (that's this blog and podcast by the way). So how do you get yourself to something similar? Well there's a lot of hard work for sure, but one of the biggest barriers is money. So I asked Ravi Rajani to join me on this week's podcast to talk about the things we've both done to make sure we could give our dreams a go without worrying (too much) about bills. Read more at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cashchats48

Banking is boring, right? Well, it doesn't have to be! I've made thousands of pounds over the last four and bit years by making sure my back account is working for me. So in today's episode of Cash Chats I share what you can do to get free cash, earn the highest interest, get cashback and reduce your overdraft fees - all from moving your business to a different bank.

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.