Podcasts presented by Sarah Pennells (1) related to Personal Finance

Many people don't switch broadband, mobile or TV provider - not because switching is confusing, but because finding the best deal can be a challenge. Sarah Pennells is joined by Peter Earl, Head of utilities at ComparetheMarket.com, Matt Powell, Editor at Broadband Genie, and Naufal Zamir, CEO of RightCallApp, to discuss how to save money on broadband bills.

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 your son or daughter is planning to go to university in the autumn, are you planning on how you'll help them pay for it? Are you going to be supporting them with help towards their rental costs or will you be paying some of their bills? And if you're off to university, are you wondering how much debt you'll leave with? Sarah Pennells is joined by Annie O'Leary from the parenting website Netmums, Jane King who's from Ash-ridge financial planning and James Seymour who's from the Complete University Guide.

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.

Sarah Pennells looks at how to create the perfect work/life balance with guests Neil Shah, Chief De-Stressing Officer at the Stress Management Society, and life coach Karen Perkins, who discuss other factors that can increase stress, and Sarah Evans, an Employment Lawyer with Slater and Gordon, who looks at whether people should have the right to work flexibility and what employers should take into account.

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.

Sarah Pennells explores the definition of robo-advice, its pros & cons, and why more and more companies are using them when giving advice about your money. Keith Churchouse, from Saidso, and Jason Butler, founder of Bloomsbury Wealth Management, explain what happens if a customer is wrongly advised. Michelle Pearce, from Wealthify, looks at how customers pay when using this type of service, while Lesley James, from Simplified Money, defines what kind of help robo-advice actually offers to customers.

If you're close to retirement, or thinking of setting up a pension pot, where do you start when it comes to choosing a private pension? Lorna Blythe, from Royal London, explains to Sarah Pennells what pensions are and how they work; Danisha Chada, a chartered and certified financial planner with Smith and Williamson, looks at how much help could a pension company give to its individual customers, Alan Chan, from IFS Wealth and Pensions, explains what the first steps are when taking out a pension for the first time.

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.