Share Sounds. related to Personal Finance - Family Finance

Adam Cox is joined by Jonathan Hewlett, CEO at w'air, who talks about how the ever-increasing trend known as ‘bracketing' — the act of buying products with the intention of sending them back - is damaging the environment. He explains who w'air are and what they do, in addition to giving tips on how consumers can reduce the effects of fast fashion. www.justwairit.com

Adam Cox is joined by TV vet, Dr Bolu Eso, to discuss new research from Butternut Box which reveals the 5 types of dog owners. He explains how important it is for owners to understand their dog's health, and he gives advice to listeners on how best to care for their pet. www.butternutbox.com

Adam Cox is joined by Malcolm Flanders, a Director at Golden Charter, one of the sector's largest providers, to discuss new funeral industry regulation on market standards from the Financial Conduct Authority (FSA). They look at how the rules could be damaging for some funeral plan providers, and how consumers with pre-existing plans will be affected, He also explains how Golden Charter will be able to assist consumers when the changes come into effect. www.goldencharter.co.uk

This week has seen a number of changes to our personal finances in the wake of energy bill and council tax rises, along with a number of key utilities such as broadband and mobile contracts. It also marks the start of a new tax year and with it a National Insurance rise, a meagre state pension hike and the start of new 'no fault' divorce system. Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Helen Crane run through what these changes potentially mean for you and why they're important. Renting is set to become cheaper than mortgage repayments for the first time in 14 years according to a study. This could signal 'trouble ahead,' as the data shows that when this happens, often a recession follows shortly afterwards. We discuss why. The pandemic boom could also leave high-earning homeowners trapped and unable to move, if they've overstretched themselves to buy. They may be unable to remortgage as lenders consider their squeezed incomes during the cost of living crisis. And finally, with the energy price cap soaring, are there gadgets that could help you save money? Lee comes with a warning with his own 'smart' thermostat.

Adam Cox is joined by Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbie, to discuss new research that has found a huge number of Brits can't wait to get back gardening now that Spring is here. He predicts some of the big gardening trends this year, and how to enjoy gardening without an outdoor space. He also discusses the importance of the local gardening centre. www.dobbies.com

It's the time of year when we are urged to put our money into an Isa or pension, but faced with the choice which should you pick? After all, most of us don't have the £52,000 needed to max out both (£20,000 into an Isa and £32,000 into a pension plus the £8,000 tax relief added). So, we must make a decision: take the upfront tax relief of a pension and that lovely boost to the money you pay in, but not be able to get the cash until at least age 55, or opt for the tax-free gains of an ISA and its flexibility, but no contribution booster. Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert look at the perks of each, where the drawbacks are and how you can make an informed decision. Plus, is the Lifetime ISA a better option for your hard-earned cash? Also, they discuss the child benefit mess and how many mums are missing our on vital state pension credits, whether Chase's bank account is now Britain's best, and how to work out if buying an expensive electric car might save you money.

Are you “financially fit”? According to a recent study, the cost of monthly bills is leaving some people forced to cut back on essentials like food, daily travel, and even medication. In this episode of the Share Interview, Vicky Sayers speaks to Mary Johnson – spokesperson for free home management site, Hoppy – to find out how we can improve our financial wellbeing. (first broadcast - September 2019)

Why would you cut tax and raise the same tax at the same time? That’s been the slightly baffled response from many people to Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement. Effectively, the Chancellor both cut and raised National Insurance – lifting the threshold it is paid at but ignoring calls to 'spike the hike' and ploughing ahead with the 1.25% being added to rates. Bizarrely, the tax rate goes up in April, only for the threshold to rise and reduce bills shortly afterwards in July. And we wonder why people find tax taxing? Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert dive into the detail of the Spring Budget to explain what the NI hike/cut means for you. Depending on their earnings some will be in the group paying more than now and some will pay less? The team also look at the other measures in the Spring Statement and whether a 5p petrol duty cut and some money off solar panels really cuts the mustard in the face of a cost of living crisis. The Office of Budget Responsibility also had some bad news for us: inflation is tipped to hit almost 9%, energy bills are likely to rise another 40% or so, and there’s the not so trivial matter of the biggest fall in living standards since records began in the 1950s. How bad will this feel? Away from the Spring Statement, ths episode looks at what’s going on with building costs and how to try to get the best quote from a builder, stick to a budget and protect against price rises. And finally, you might not go fully down the secretive POA (price on application) route when selling your home, but should you name an asking price, guide price, or ask for offers over a certain amount? Georgie, Lee and Simon dabble with a bit of estate agentese.

Adam Cox is joined by Molly Robbins, award-winning cake artist and star of Extreme Cake Maker's, to discuss her top tips and tricks for making the perfect cake for Mother's Day. She speaks about new research from cake decoration brand, JF Renshaw, and how to get kids involved in baking this Mother's Day. She also talks about what made her discover her love of baking, and what her favourite cakes to bake are. www.renshawbaking.com/gb/

Adam Cox is joined by Sabeen Almas, Founder of the UK's first women app, FemX, to discuss why there is still such a stigma around female reproductive health. Sabeen explains why many women feel obligated to cancel plans last minute due to having started their period, and also how FEMX helps to ensure periods aren't a surprise. FEMX App