Money Box

Latest Episodes:

The battle for buying your freehold at a fair price Dec 14, 2019

Show notes

It's been described as a "David and Goliath" contest. Hundreds of leasehold home owners have joined together - for the first time - to begin a legal fight to take control of the freehold on their properties. They want investment companies, which bought the freeholds, to sell them for a fair price.

Renovare is a new 'banking solution' for ex-offenders, charging £7.99 a month for its services. We speak to Chief Executive David Bright about their funding model.

And now we know Brexit will happen, what do we know it will mean for your consumer rights and personal finances?

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Money Box Live: How to find the right car finance Dec 11, 2019

Show notes

Over 90% of all new car purchases are made using some form of finance. And yet research suggests the vast majority of buyers don't understand the contracts they're signing. If you're the proud driver of a shiny new motor, how much of the small print did you read before leaving the showroom? Do you know what are your obligations if you become ill soon after getting your car? And how important is the amount of mileage you expect to do in a year? Whether it’s a hire purchase agreement, a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or a straight leasing contract, what are your rights and what can you do if things go wrong? Join Louise Cooper and her panel of experts as they look under the bonnet of car finance deals.

Guests: Stuart Masson, Editor, The Car Expert Adrian Dally, Head of Motor Finance at Finance and Leasing Association

If you'd like to share your stories or experiences, contact the Money Box team. The number to call is 03 700 100 444, geographic charges apply. The lines open at 1pm on Wednesday 11 December. Or email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox

Christmas Debt Dec 07, 2019

Show notes

For many households, Christmas is the most expensive time of year. Food, drink, presents - the list of things to spend money on can be endless. Many of us will be using debt as a way to make that spending happen. Figures this week show that there is so much unmanageable and unsustainable debt in the UK that just the fees and charges on it all work out at nearly £1000 for every single adult in the UK.

People who are second cardholders on a Nationwide credit card account are being prevented from making online purchases because of new customer identity checks. These checks are being phased in under new European regulations which insist on a second line of identification when we buy things online. It's called 'Strong Customer Authentication'. Usually that means a six digit code is sent by text to your mobile to enter online but for certain accounts with more than one card holder, these texts are only going to the primary account holder.

Investors in one of the UK's biggest commercial property funds run by M&G have been temporarily prevented from taking out their money. The fund owns offices, and shopping centres and whole High Streets of retail units. They have been having a difficult time with many going bust or demanding rent cuts to stay in business. But what does this mean for investors - those invested directly and indirectly via a pension fund?

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Money Box Live: Fostering Dec 04, 2019

Show notes

How much financial support is available for foster carers looking after children in need?

Around 65,000 children live with foster families across the UK. Foster carers provide a safe and stable place for them to live when they can't live with their families. It may be for a few days or even for their entire childhood. But as a foster carer, what help is there if your finances don’t cover the bills and the extras needed?

Paul Lewis and a panel of experts will be taking your calls and hearing your experiences of fostering.

Guests: Jackie Sanders, Fostering Network Harvey Gallagher, Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers Paul Kind, Professor of Health Outcome Measurement, Leeds University

If you'd like to share your stories, contact the Money Box team. The number to call is 03 700 100 444, geographic charges apply. The lines open at 1pm on Wednesday 4 December. Or email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox

Money Box election 2019 special Nov 30, 2019

Show notes

With fewer than two weeks to go until the 2019 General Election, Money Box takes a personal finance look at the manifesto pledges of the four main parties. Among the subjects covered are issues like workers’ rights, benefits and taxes. Hear the Chancellor, the shadow Chancellor, as well as Liberal Democrat and SNP spokesmen on finance, talk through their promises and how they’d bring about the changes they want to see.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producers: Eleanor Briggs, Dan Whitworth and Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Money Box Live: Bailiffs Nov 27, 2019

Show notes

What can and can't bailiffs do when they knock on your door to collect a debt? What happens if it's not your debt, or you've paid it off already? And can you refuse them entry?

Louise Cooper is joined by Matt Hartley from Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline and Business Debtline; by Russell Hamblin-Boone, CEO, Civil Enforcement Association, the trade association representing civil enforcement agencies (bailiffs) and by Mike Holmyard from Citizens Advice Scotland.

If you'd like to share your stories, contact the Money Box team. The number to call is 03 700 100 444, geographic charges apply. The lines open at 1pm on Wednesday. Or email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox

The best way to tip Nov 23, 2019

Show notes

Money Box has learned that an increasing number of families who bought new build freehold homes are finding a few years later find they cannot sell them. It's down to the annual charges made to pay for things like maintenance of roads, streetlights, and parks. In many cases the local council will not take on these costs so, through a management company, developers impose a so-called rentcharge on the houses to cover these expenses. Legally this means that the management company can take possession of a property if the homeowner gets 40 days behind with their payments - something mortgage lenders don't like.

Every year more than 4000 people reach state pension age - but do not qualify for a state pension. Many of them are self-employed and may have paid thousands of pounds a year in National Insurance contributions - but not the right sort of contributions to qualify for a pension. We speak to someone in that situation.

When you buy a meal do you leave a tip? Around one in eight of us never does. Perhaps because we carry less cash or because we're not quite sure what happens to the tip we leave. Do the waiters really get the money? Or is it taken by the managers to meet their costs?

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Andrew Smith

Money Box Live: Collectables Nov 20, 2019

Show notes

From comic books to Dinky Toys, costume jewellery to milk bottles, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to collecting. But where should you buy and how to be sure you’re getting a good price, whether you're buying or selling?

Paul Lewis is joined by Roo Irvine from Kilcreggan Antiques shop in Argyle and Bute. She's also an expert on BBC's Antiques Roadtrip and Bargain Hunt. Also on the panel is vintage toy collector, Lawrence Lambert, valuer on BBC TV’s Cash in the Attic.

Starting young to save for retirement Nov 16, 2019

Show notes

The UK's banks haven't been able to agree who should pay compensation to customers who have had money fraudulently stolen from their bank accounts. Until last May the banks routinely refused to refund these customers. A new Code promised that all innocent customers would be reimbursed from 28 May but that runs out at the end of next month. We speak to Tom Blomfield boss of Monzo, one of the biggest online-only banks.

Can technology be used to make it easier and cheaper for people to borrow money - especially those who use expensive short term credit or have poor credit ratings? That was the starting point for the Affordable Credit Challenge which was launched in July to make loans not only more affordable but also more available to low income households. We find out about the solutions that have made it onto the shortlist.

A few weeks ago we were contacted by a listener who had suggested to his daughter and son aged 19 and 18 that they start a pension. But they told him "it was a bonkers idea". But could they be persuaded it was in fact something worth considering?

And the joke bank notes that made their way into circulation: who bears the cost when they’re discovered not to be legal tender?

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Money Box Live: Leaving School at Sixteen Nov 13, 2019

Show notes

What are the career options available for 16 year-olds today and what are the financial implications? Whether it's college, some paid work or getting an apprenticeship, how will your money issues change if you leave school and pursue other choices?

Presenter: Adam Shaw Guests: Billy Sexton, All About School Leavers Erin Bartley, Careers adviser with Skills Development Scotland Tom Stenner-Evans, Partner, Michelmores

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