We are told that by the time you hit 30, you’re 'supposed' to have it all figured out - savings, investments, maybe even a first home. But for many of us, financial milestones feel harder than ever to reach. So what money goals actually matter in your 20s? Holly Mead is joined by financial planner Lisa Conway Hughes to break down the practical money moves that make the biggest difference. Plus, we hear from someone on a mission to tick off 30 goals before turning 30, or as life expectancy lengthens should we just chill a little? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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33:48
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33:48
Credit scores: fact vs fiction
Many of us will have heard the horror stories about people being refused a mortgage or a car loan because they’ve unknowingly racked up a poor credit rating. But how do these mysterious records of what we borrow, pay back and spend really work? Can an unpaid mobile phone bill really resurface in your credit history and scupper you just when you’re trying to get the finance together to buy your first home? Holly Mead is joined by Sarah Williams of online advice blog Debt Camel to dispel some of the myths — and to explain ways to improve your credit score. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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36:24
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36:24
Weddings - how to say ‘I do’ without breaking the bank?
Weddings, a celebration of love which often come with a serious price tag. In this episode Holly speaks to Chiara Brown from The Times Luxx and Zoe Burke from Hitched.co.uk about what drives up costs 2025. We ask whether all things 'W' really cost more than they might do otherwise, and whether micro-weddings, eloping or a spot of DIY could help you say ‘I do’ without the debt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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35:28
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35:28
Premium Bonds prize rate cuts - are they still worth it?
Premium Bonds have had their prize rate cut again the third time this year. With 24 million people holding £130bn in them, are they still Britain’s favourite savings product, or just ‘lottery-lite’? Holly Mead is joined by The Times’s George Nixon, financial planner Rosie Hooper, and NS&I’s Andrew Westhead to ask why it's happening and whether Premium Bonds still deliver more than just excitement! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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35:34
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35:34
Are green home upgrades worth it?
From solar panels to heat pumps, we’re told eco home upgrades will slash our bills and save the planet – but do they really add up? Holly Mead is joined by The Times’ Melissa York and Octopus Energy’s Nigel Banks to explore which improvements deliver real savings, how you can earn money from your energy, and why the benefits are sometimes about more than just pounds and pence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A weekly podcast for those who want to understand money better. A podcast from The Times and Sunday Times about what is possible. Presented by Holly Mead, an expert in personal finance, the podcast explores how money shapes our lives - from friendships and families to weddings, homes, and the daily challenges of saving and spending.Each week, Holly takes a single subject such as pensions or tax to test out with tried and tested experts, many from the Times Money team. The aim is simple: to give you the insights and information you need to make your money work better for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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