Share Sounds from Ask Sarah related to Personal Finance - Savings

With the help of guests, Malcolm McLean, from Barnet Waddingham, Claire Walsh, head of advice at Unbiased, Cleona Lira from 2Plan Wealth Management and Caroline Siarkiewicz from the Money Advice Service. Sarah looks at how you can get a head start on your finances in 2017

Want to get the best deals on your Christmas Shopping? Not sure how to make the most of Black Friday? Never fear! Sarah Pennells is joined in the studio by Martyn James, Independent Financial Expert and Commentator, Katy Phillips from Idealo, and James Walker from the complaints website Resolver.co.uk, to share top tips on securing that must have bargain as well as answering your consumer rights questions.

This week, Sarah is joined by Kelly Eroglu from the Reduced Grub website, Jordon Cox "The Coupon Kid" at Money Saving Expert, and Steph Poulson from Wowcher, to look at where to get the best deals, discounts and freebies online and in store, and how to keep abreast of the latest offers.

Sarah and the panel answer questions about how to save money without making an effort, by switching utility and telephone providers, getting the best from online discounts and vouchers and how to keep your food spend down. She's joined by Hilal Kanafani, co-founder of Flipper, Naomi Willis, co-editor and founder of the Skint Dad website and Kevin Pratt of MoneySupermarket.

This week Sarah Pennells explores the issues revolving automatic enrolment pensions, the government's programme to encourage more people to save for their retirement through a workplace pension. While millions of people are being placed into their workplace pension, new research from pensions provider Aviva shows that one and a half million don't know what their money is invested in. Sarah is joined by Chris Daems, from Cervello Financial Planning, Ranila Ravi Burslem, from NEST, and Malcolm Goodwin from Aviva to discuss the topic.

Ever thought of turning your hobby into your dream job? From baking to arts and crafts, Sarah Pennells looks at what financial aspects one should consider when thinking of setting up a business. Kerry Ann Duffy, a photographer specialising in weddings and portraits, Bethany Armitage, from Make it Betty, and Helen Reed, founder of The Wool Kitchen, share their stories on how they set up their businesses. The guests explain what financial support they received and how they made their way into their dream career.

As part of Dying Matters Awareness Week, Sarah Pennells and her guests look at the legal and financial aspects of funerals and why those arrangements can still be a taboo subject. Poppy Mardall, from Poppy's Funerals, and Gemma O'Driscoll, Funeral Director at G.E O’Driscoll & Daughters, discuss different types of funerals available and how funeral directors can offer help and support. Toby Scott, from the Dying Matters Coalition, explains how you can take part in the debate, and Rod Smith from Stone King Solicitors and part of the Law Society Wills and Equity Committee looks at wills and how to take care of them.

Sarah Pennells is joined by Irina Iovita, Chief Operating Officer at Commuter Club, and Megan French, Consumer Writer from Moneysavingexpert, where they talk about how one can cut the costs of one's commute. Is it worth starting work later to save money on transport fairs? Do employers offer their staff season ticket loans? Sarah also discusses other alternative and efficient ways to get to travel to work.

What's the best way to add value to your home? Adding an extension? Installing central heating? Or simply fixing any structural problems? Sarah is joined by experts Russell Quirk, from the online estate agency eMoov, Kate Faulkner, property expert who runs the Property Checklist, and Michael Holmes, from Homebuilding and Renovating Magazine, to find out, and to share tips on adding value to your property without spending a fortune.

Sarah discusses Free Wills Month, a time where charities offer members of the public over the age of 55 an opportunity to have their will written for free by a participating solicitor. This initiative allows people to make a will in an easy and quick way, without the difficult decisions and legal complications. Sarah talks to Lee Dowling, from EA law Solicitors, Richard Millar from Free Wills Month organisation and John Bunker, from Thomas Eggar solicitors, on how this can benefit the public and whether there are any hidden costs to look out for.