Podcasts from Ask Sarah related to Work

Tired of junk mail pouring through your front door? Sick of cold callers asking about your broken computer? Consumer expert Martyn James and John Micheson, from the Telephone Preference Service join Sarah Pennells to share top tips on how you can slow the constant stream of spam messages and cold calls.

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.

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.

How safe is your personal data online? This week Sarah Pennells looks at data privacy and how you can protect your personal details online and how just small tweaks to your personal settings can protect you from fraud or identity theft. She is joined in the studio by John Mitchison, Head of Preference at the Direct Marketing Association, and Tony Neate, Chief Executive at Get Safe Online website.

Sarah Pennells is joined in the studio by Graeme McColgan of Million Plus Financial Planning, and Robin Williamson, the Technical Director of the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group, and over the phone by Mike Hodges of Saffery Champness, to discusses the end of year tax. Sarah and her guests discuss new tax announcements from The Budget, whether there are any tax advantages for married couples and what to do if you've missed your deadline for your income tax.

Sarah Pennells talks about banking and accounts with guests Tashema Jackson of uSwitch, and Hannah Maundrell from money.co.uk, and Matt Saunders from GoCompare. Together they discuss whether it is possible to open a bank account if you have a history of debt, if you can open an account if you’ve moved to the UK from abroad and what the best accounts are if you’re constantly in your overdraft or similarly, always in credit.

Sarah Pennells is joined by Tax Faculty Technical Manager, Anita Monteith from ICAEW, to help talk about and answer your questions about Tax Return Forms.