Share Sounds. from This is Money related to Personal Finance - Savings

Lockdown Britain has produced a nation of savers, ONS figures showed this week, with people salting away almost 30% of their disposable income on average. But for those hoping that we might finally have got the savings habit, there’s a catch. Those figures cover April to June, a three-month period when most shops were shut, along with pubs, restaurants, hotels and B&Bs, and going on holiday was a near-impossible task. Deprived of the opportunity to spend, Britain put money aside instead – but is not spending the same as saving? On this week’s podcast, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost dive into the lockdown saving phenomenon and look at what triggered it, whether there was anything other than an inability to spend that drove saving so much higher than in previous recessions and how the paradox of thrift plays out. They also look at where people can put the money they have set aside – with interest on savings deals negligible – and whether the sudden imposition of a savings habit bodes well for people building up better nest eggs when life gets back to normal.Some won’t have been so lucky in lockdown, however, with job losses mounting. The team look at how this affects those already committed to moving home. And finally, are brand new mobile phones a waste of money? Chasing the latest handset is an expensive game, but a new breed of cheap but high quality phones are changing the minds of some of those committed to holding onto old ones.

In an unpredicted turn of events, the coronavirus lockdown has been good for some when it comes to their bank balances. People collectively tucked away £30billion in savings accounts in March and April, around three times as much as the two months previous - with this credited to surplus cash and moving money to safety. A large slab of that went into easy-access accounts despite plunging rates. Meanwhile, we cleared a record amount of personal debt, according to Bank of England figures. The ONS says households are spending £183 less a week, but while some might be lucky to salt that away, many wouldn't come anywhere near it. Lockdown saving is not a universal picture. Many are facing up to lost income or losing their jobs entirely. In this podcast, editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost take a look at the figures. Much of the money stashed away at big banks pays 0.1 per cent or less, meaning collectively, billions of lost interest – where are rates heading? National Savings and Investments currently has a few best buy accounts, how long can it prop up the market and are we turning our backs on stocks and shares Isas? Meanwhile, the IMF says the crisis will wipe £10trillion off the global economy: what's happened to the V-shaped recovery? With pubs and shops slowly reopening, will Britons head back and spend their cash to help the economy? Simon talks about investing like Warren Buffett and what opportunities are out the post-lockdown world. With the heatwave that has smothered Britain this week, we take a look at how much it costs to run items that are designed to cool us down, and those trendy garden gadgets.

The pros of the property market right now, and how to save energy this winter. If you can keep your head, while other home buyers lose theirs…you could get yourself a better deal! Plus, the team bust some energy-saving myths, looking at whether carbon credit offsetting is a big old waste of money – or a good way to save the planet. And ‘tis the season to book your festive break, but what are the top best-value destinations for your Christmas holiday?

This is Money with Georgie Frost, editor Simon Lambert and Product and Knowledge editor Sarah Davidson. Autumn is here and with it an ill wind through the savings market. Why are things looking so bleak and are there any warm spots to be found out there? There’s a hurricane happening in politics, the team offer some tips on how to weather the Brexit storm…find out if we should really be stock piling food and take a look at how Labours Right to Buy plans would work for renters and buy-to-letters. Plus just how much better for the environment are electric vehicles? And don’t forget you can stay up to date with all the latest, breaking money news, just go to thisismoney.co.uk or download the app.

In part one of two This is Money podcast specials, we tackle savings. When savings are mentioned, the first thought that springs to mind for many is: rates are low, what's the point? In the latest This is Money podcast, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost are joined by James Blower, the Savings Guru to explain why savings are important. James has inside knowledge of the industry, having helped a number of challenger banks set up their savings business. We talk about what the point of saving is and what you need to consider at different stages - and ages - of your life. How do you save for your children, what about Isas, does higher risk equal higher reward and how do you save for a house? We also talk about why the Financial Services Compensation Scheme is important and whether saving in cash over investing is ever a worthwhile exercise. James takes us behind the scenes at how rates are set and reveals why he believes better deals are on the horizon for savers.

Welcome to the This is Money Show on Share Radio, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. The starting gun was finally pulled on Brexit negotiations this week with the triggering of Article 50. What will the two years bring for markets and how will it hit UK consumers? So far the previous gloomy forecasts of the Bank of England have been replaced by warnings of high consumer spending and growing household debt. Making sense of what all this means for the pound in our pockets Georgie Frost is joined by Editor Simon Lambert and Reporter Rebecca Rutt. Plus this week find out just what the price sweet spot is for the perfect bottle of wine.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio podcast, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. It’s been another Super Thursday for the Bank of England as Mark Carney announced upgraded growth forecasts whilst still clinging doggedly to a rock bottom base rate. So good news or bad news? Despite the Governor’s optimism some are warning of a general slowdown to come which will hit the poorest households hardest, particularly given the lack of people able to save at the moment. Georgie Frost is joined by Editor Simon Lambert and Consumer Affairs Editor Lee Boyce to consider some of new alternative investments available from mini-bonds to a new high street peer to peer lender. Plus we find out where money’s really made with a look inside the Royal Mint. This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost in partnership with NS&I.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio podcast, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. After a year of doom and gloom stories this week we’re looking at the positives. Despite the Michael Fish style forecasting of the post-Brexit economy the FTSE is surging to unprecedented levels, could this be the time to start investing? For those less keen on the cut and thrust of the stock market a glimmer of hope for savings rates does seem to be on the horizon in 2017 as we look through some of the accounts paying up to 5%. Georgie Frost is joined by Editor Simon Lambert who gives his wish list of headlines for the next year whilst Consumer Affairs Editor Lee Boyce takes centre stage on everything coin related. But just how well will their financial knowledge stack up in our Podcast Quiz of the Year? This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost in partnership with NS&I.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio podcast, presented in partnership with NS&I. This week of course the top financial story was Philip Hammond’s first, and indeed last, Autumn Statement. Just what state are the country’s post-Brexit finances in, and crucially what would the Chancellor offer to help his much referenced ‘Jams’? In the end those ‘just about managing’ certainly received a few headline policies but with predictions pointing towards low growth, high borrowing and high inflation many argue Jam spending has been spread too thin. There were also some losers with those enjoying salary sacrifice perks and letting agents coming into the crosshairs, as well as in fact the Autumn Statement itself which will now be scrapped. So what will all this mean for the pound in your pocket? Georgie Frost joins editor Simon Lambert and reporter Becky Rutt to answer just that. Also on the agenda this week they discuss Black Friday and for a slightly different purchase the opportunity to buy a road legal Formula 1 car. This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost in partnership with NS&I.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio podcast, presented in partnership with NS&I. Last week we brought you the shock news of Donald Trump’s poll defying victory in the US Presidential Election. One week later how has the world responded and what can we expect looking forwards? Despite fears of Trumpageddon the markets rallied delivering many investors with a surprising Trump bump. Many are now questioning what a Trump presidency will mean for post-Brexit Britain but a clue of financial news to come is on hand next week when the Chancellor will deliver his Autumn Statement. Philip Hammond has promised measures to help the so-called “Jams”- those just about managing- but is he likely to deliver or will he find resources spread too thin? Editor Simon Lambert and personal finance editor Rachel Rickard Straus join Georgie Frost to look through the latest financial figures and see just what the Chancellor is up against. Also on this week’s show they look at the pressures on young people and first time buyers from the housing crisis as well as the cost of coffee and the latest collectable car purchase on offer. This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost in partnership with NS&I.