Cash Chats

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.

A fun chat this week about Uber, shrinkflation and those big charity cheques. Plus why you need to be buying your chocolate from Aldi! My guest for this episode is Charlotte Burns. Charlotte was actually the guest for my first ever episode back in January and it's great to have her back on the show, particularly when she shares her clever money saving tricks!

This week on the podcast I want to share with you a couple of phone recordings I've made. Don't worry I haven't been hacking celebrities' phones. Instead I've got a couple of calls made to me and my neighbour highlighting some of the different types of cold calling scams out there.  Hopefully you'll get a sense of the things that point towards a fraudster, plus I share some ways you can make sure you don't get caught out by even the most convincing scammer. You can read the full show notes with links over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/podcast/

This week on the podcast I share why there are far better options for savings than an ISA, while my guest Olly Cator and I discuss ways to save on petrol and the costs to watch out for in the new school term. More at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cash-chats-episode-32-w-guest-olly-cator-isas-petrol-and-school-costs

This week on the podcast I'm answering your questions. First up I help Charlotte with holiday car hire, explaining how to find the lowest prices and a trick to cut the cost of extra insurance. Next I explain how Norman can watch NOW TV and reduce his Sky Sports bill. Finally I look into Nada's question about the iPhone Upgrade Programme to see if it's any good. More over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/podcasts

This week Andy looks at why it's become so difficult to get music, sport and theatre tickets - yet touts manage to nab them and sell on at inflated prices on reselling sites. Plus, tips to beat the touts and get tickets first, and a few ways to bring down the prices too.

This week on the podcast Andy explains how you can beat Virgin and British Gas price hikes, and he's then joined by my guest Katy Stevens from KatyKicker.com to discuss topping up National Insurance, finding out when you'll reach State Pension age and finally how allotments can save you money. Further information and links can be found in the show notes at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/podcast/

In this week's episode, Andy takes you through some holiday essentials you might be leaving to the last minute - and how doing so could be costing you. Tune in to hear how to get the best value travel money, learn what to look for in travel insurance and some costs closer to home you might have forgotten. Show notes and links at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/podcasts

Andy is joined by Good With Money's Becky O'Connor to chat about ethical money. We chat about ethical spending on food, toys and clothes, then cover the banks, savings and investments to consider if you want your money to be doing good rather than bad. Show notes at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cash-chats-ep-27-ethical-money-special-w-guest-becky-oconnor/

My guest this week is David Jack Taylor from the blog Thinking Thrifty, which picked up Best New Blog at last year's SHOMO awards. We talk about finding bargains on Facebook, discuss whether Amazon Prime Day was good or bad for consumers, and how you can get paid to watch the new Game of Thrones.

Andy's guest this week is Moneywise editor Moira O'Neill - the first time we've had a guest come back (not because they don't want to, of course, it's just the first time we've asked!). We've discussed three topics from the latest issue of the magazine: Women and money, how to start investing and primary school teachers. Read more over at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cash-chats-episode-25-w-guest-moira-oneill

Andy's guest this week is Hollie Gregersen from Thriftymum.com. As ever we tackle three topics which we've recently covered on our respective blogs, as well as a little chat about what's happened with our money this week. The topics this week include the sharing economy, Direct Debits that cost you more and how to get fit for free. Show notes at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/podcasts.

A debt special this week as Andy is joined by Sara Williams from Debt Camel. We talk about signs of debt, why we need breathing spaces for debts and how to complain if you've ever had a payday loan.

This week Andy has been joined by Francesca Mason who blogs at From Pennies to Pounds. They chat about ways to save up for a holiday (and how to keep motivated), the tricks to cut what you pay for festival tickets and spend less when there, and finally Francesca explains what "wombling" is and how it could save you money on your supermarket shop. All the links to topics discussed can be found at https://becleverwithyourcash.com/podcasts

I was speaking at an event this week for personal finance bloggers so I used the chance to grab one of the attendees for this week's podcast. Adam Piplica runs the blog Magical Penny, and we had a quick chat (we only had 15 minutes!) about the benefits to your spending by checking your bank balance and bank statement, an app which helps you spontaneously invest your spare change, and what happens when you hire a red convertible Mini with a friend who's a reckless driver! Show notes at Becleverwithyourcash.com/podcasts

Andy is joined by Bola Sol to discuss why people don't save - and how Chip could help them start, the best ways to pay by card when on holiday, the app bank Monzo and how friends can affect your finances. Show notes at Becleverwithyourcash.com/podcasts

This week Andy has been joined by Moneywise deputy editor Helen Knapman to discuss if green energy is as expensive as you'd think, how you can cut how much you spend on TV channels, the issues with leaseholds, and why being a wedding guest is so expensive. Read all the show notes and links to the articles we discuss over at becleverwithyourcash.com/podcasts

Andy spoke to guests at the 2017 Headlinemoney awards ceremony including Laura Whitcombe, Lotty Burns, Damien Fahy, Faith Archer, Rita Lobo, Lynn James and Bronni Hughes. You'll also be able to find out how Andy and his blog Be Clever With Your Cash did in the Financial Blog of the Year category.

As part of Mental Health Awareness week, this week's Cash Chats podcast is a little different. Rather than chat about different things myself and my guest have written, we’re going to focus on one topic - mental health. I'm joined by Helen Undy from the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute to talk about how the two are interlinked.

This week Andy has been joined by Hannah Brice from Feast Style Thrive. They share their tips to save money on clothes, discuss why you should be switching bank, and look ahead to expenses and savings this summer.