Share Sounds from Your Money, Your Future related to Personal Finance - Family Finance

Over the last few weeks there's been a lot of focus on housing and older people, with the government's White Paper on housing looking at ways to encourage older people to downsize. But not everyone wants to sell up. Last year people released over £2 billion of equity from their homes. So, how can you make money from your property? What are the options and what do you have to bear in mind? Sarah Pennells was joined in the studio by Jane King who's from Ashridge financial planning and by Ceri Wheeldon who's the founder of the website Fab After Fifty.

Sarah and her guests Clare Jefferies from HomeInstead, Janet Davies of Symponia and Bill Calderbank, Chairman of the Society of Later Lafe Advisers. consider the pros and cons of senior care at home and residential care, what the costs and how to fund it, and the responsibilities and financial burdens on family members.

Can doing up your garden add value to your house? Sarah talks about the growing popularity of gardening with Elspeth Briscoe, founder of My Garden School, Juliet Roberts, editor at Gardens Illustrated and Petra Hoyer Millar, the Oxonian Garden Blogger.

When was the last time you read all the small print that comes with a plan or policy? And if you read it, did you understand it? Sarah Pennells and her guests talk through financial jargon and try and demystify some of the important terms you may not be familiar with. Financial Journalist Simon Read explains what terms that can catch people out while Ian Lees, author and financial IFA, looks at investment charges, what they mean and why they matter. Rod Jones, from USwitch, looks at energy companies and the issues revolving around exit fees.

A survey by the government found that 45% of people over 45 knew nothing about a lasting power of attorney and, when they were told about what it was, over 60% said they weren't interested in setting one up. An ongoing power of attorney lets you manage someone else's money when they're unable to do so. What can you do if your elderly relative is struggling to manage their own money? What are the rules if you want to open an account for your child or grandchild? Sarah Pennells is joined by David Steele, Policy Manager of Financial Services at Age UK and George McNamara, Head of Policy at the Alzheimer's Society, to discuss these issues.

If you've invested money in a private pension or in an investment fund, you'll be paying some sort of regular fee and charges. And, depending on the type of investment fund, those charges could be quite high. If you've taken advice from a professional financial adviser, you'll also have to pay for his or her time. But what's a fair charge and when do the charges become a rip off? Sarah Pennells speaks to Tom Wilcox-Jones, from independent financial advisers Blackstone Moregate, Gina Miller, founder of True and Fair Campaign, from SCM Private and founder of MoneyShe.com and Claire Walsh, Head of Advice at IFA Promotions, to find out more.

Figures show that an increasing number of people in their 50s and 60s are getting their elderly parents to move in with them, moving into their home, or are pooling their money to buy a property that they can all live in together. It can be a good option for some families, but there are some disadvantages. So, what do you need to think about if you're considering asking your parent to live with you and what are the pros and cons? Sarah Pennells is joined by Christine Webber, an author, broadcaster and psychotherapist, Adrian Kidd from Plan Your Money.co.uk and Deborah Stone who's the founder of the website Myageingparent.com.

If you're self-employed and need to set up a pension, where do you start? Sarah Pennells looks at a recent report published by Royal London with former Pensions Minister Steve Webb, currently Director of Policy at pensions and life insurance provider Royal London. Paul Allington founder and head of The Code Guy, gives his own account of setting up his pension, while Claire Walsh, Chartered Financial Planner and Head of Advice at Unbiased, gives advice on how to set up a pension plan. Sarah discusses whether the new Lifetime ISA can also help people set their pension.

Sarah Pennells is joined by Mike Edwards, founder of the DIY Doctor, Michael Holmes, property expert for The Homebuilding & Renovating Show and chair of NaCSBA (The National Custom & Self Build Association) and Simon Warpole, home insurance expert at Aviva, to talk about the practical repairs you can do to your home, and how to cut costs, as well as making sure you're covered by insurance for any DIY disasters!

Sarah Pennells looks at tax planning after it emerged that David Cameron's mother had given him £200,000, following the Panama Papers information leak. So when does tax planning go wrong? Emily Deane, from the The Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners, and Mike Hodges, from Saffrey Champness, look at how you can reduce your inheritance tax, the role of trusts and keeping money offshore.