Money Box

Latest Episodes:

Hotel room investors face losing 'life changing' sums Nov 09, 2019

Show notes

People who put money into a UK-wide hotel room investment scheme have been told they’re likely to have lost their money. Northern Powerhouse Developments tempted more than a thousand people to buy hotel rooms in tourist hotspots across England and Wales. Investors were told their money would earn them 10% a year and also be used to refurbish the hotels that had been bought. But, four years since it began to attract investors, the company behind the scheme is bust and the hotels are up for sale. BBC Wales reporter Kayley Thomas has been investigating.

Three small energy suppliers owe the regulator more than £2 million between them because they have not obtained enough energy from renewable sources. This so-called renewable obligation is run by the regulator Ofgem to make sure that energy suppliers source enough of their energy as 'green'. We discuss the significance of this.

Rising housing costs and inflexible tenancies are forcing young couples to live together long after their relationship has ended, sometimes sharing a room or even a bed. One survey of 2000 people found that one in six of us have lived with an ex-partner at some time. But is there anything you can do to ease the financial pain?

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Money Box Live: How To Retire Young Nov 06, 2019

Show notes

Could you save enough of your income and budget so tightly that you can afford to retire in your thirties or forties? A US movement called FIRE – Financial Independence Retire Early – encourages millennials to stash enough cash to quit their job early and still live well. But how does it work? And do you have to be on a massive salary to make it a reality? With interest rates at historic lows, where can you invest for a decent return? What happens if you're a low-income earner? And what sacrifices must you make to achieve retirement before you reach fifty?

Louise Cooper will be joined by Barney Whiter, one of the UK's biggest ‘FIRE’ bloggers and Claer Barrett, Editor of FT Money

Contact the Money Box team to tell your stories and ask questions. The number to call is 03 700 100 444, geographic charges apply. The lines open at 1pm on Wednesday 6 November 2019. Email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox

Opposite-sex civil partnerships become law Nov 02, 2019

Show notes

In amongst this week's political upheaval, a date was set for opposite-sex civil partnerships to become law. The first ceremonies will take place on December 31 2019. So what impact could this have on your financial health?

Money Box has been hearing from disgruntled clients of a claims management firm demanding money from some customers years after they thought their claims were closed. Ben Carter has been investigating.

Earlier this week the regulator relaxed mortgage affordability barriers with the aim to help an estimated 150,000 home owners trapped in high cost loans and not able to switch to a better deal. The FCA estimates the measures may only help as few as 2000, leaving the rest still stuck.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Money Box Live: Mental Health & Money Oct 30, 2019

Show notes

Our expert panel take a look at the problems around mental health and money. From how to make your benefits work better for you, talking with banks and how to avoid the complications that can come from periods of poor mental health.

You can call Money Box Live 03 700 100 444. Or email us moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox.

Panel- Anne Riddle from the Bridge Money Advisory Service in Stoke-on-Trent Helen Undy from the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute Ayaz Manji from Mind

What's next for QuickQuid borrowers? Oct 26, 2019

Show notes

The payday lender QuickQuid has entered administration. It follows an earlier announcement of plans to close its business in the UK where it was the largest firm of its type. It's owned by the US-based company Enova which gave "regulatory uncertainty" as the reason for departure. What does this mean for existing borrowers and also for customers awaiting compensation for loans they say they should never have had because there's no way they could afford to repay them? Guest: Martin Lewis, founder of Money Saving Expert.

Money Box listener Elaine reveals how her 18-year-old son was bullied into becoming a money mule, which saw him laundering cash from criminal activities through his personal bank account. Guest: Detective Sargeant Marc Cananur from the Kent Police Economic Crime Unit.

An expensive plumber's bill - but not the sort you might be thinking of. Murray Menzies paid into a pension scheme for his employees and now faces a £1.2m bill triggered by his decision to retire and close down the small family firm. Guest Katie Banks, Partner at Hogan Lovells and Chair of the Association of Pension Lawyers.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Bridget Harney

The Personal Finance of Comedy Oct 23, 2019

Show notes

You might think of comedians as up on a stage in a pub, but that's just one part of what the job entails today.

Social media, streaming services and stadium tours have changed the game. Instead of doing gigs to get on TV, you do TV to get people to your gig!

We'll look at how to start out and deal with cash and card readers, how to navigate online streaming and how you can get a mortgage while still telling jokes for a living.

The panel are-

Charlie Dinkin, comedian,director and writer

Tiernan Douieb, a stand-up perfomer and podcast presenter

Sarah Fox Clinch, a mortgage specialist for comedians at Fox Davidson

David Coppard, Head of Media and Entertainment at accountancy firm MHA MacIntyre Hudson

How to give yourself a pay rise Oct 19, 2019

Show notes

This week the decision was made to wind down the funds managed by ‘star’ manager Neil Woodford. Listeners have been in touch wanting to know what this means for their money and if they will be able to claim compensation. We discuss with Mark Polson from The Lang Cat Financial Consultancy and Anna Sofat from Addidi Wealth.

The Financial Conduct Authority has announced plans to ban the way in which some car retailers receive commission based on the interest rate of the car finance loan they arrange. Good news for consumers?

And we speak to a company that allows employees to award themselves a pay increase.

Presenter: Ruth Alexander Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Credit scores Oct 16, 2019

Show notes

Do you know what your credit score says about you? If you’ve had a breakup, make up, break down, spending spree or life shock in the last six years, your credit rating will have it recorded.

The majority of us don’t know what our credit score is and how these numbers are created. A good credit rating helps us access loans, mortgages or credit cards.

But could there be a better way of helping people access credit and see what they can really afford to borrow?

Our panel of experts will help you find out what your score says about you, how to get a better one and why workouts are required before you hit the bank not just the beach.

Contact the Money Box team to tell your stories and ask questions. The number to call is 03 700 100 444, geographic charges apply. The lines open at 1pm on Wednesday (9/10/19). Email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox

'Herders' and 'olders' Oct 12, 2019

Show notes

In this programme we go undercover into the world of the mule, discovering how children as young as 13 are being groomed to hand over their bank account details to criminals. We reveal that some of the recruiters, known as herders, are also teenagers. The accounts are then used to launder the proceeds of crime.

Latest figures show that the number of accounts belonging to under 21's being used by money mules has doubled since 2016. Money mules and herders face a 14 year prison sentence if caught.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producers: Tom Wright and Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Can my money help fight climate change? Oct 09, 2019

Show notes

Can I get a good return on investments that do good? Should you be letting your money speak rather than be out on the street? With £2.2 trillion in pension funds in the UK, do we really know what our money is doing and what it could be doing in the fight against climate change?

We have an expert panel on hand with both the science and finance knowledge to help you navigate what's called impact investing.

Mike Thompson - Committee on Climate Change Charlene Cranny - UK Sustainable Investment Fund Mary Stevens - Friends of The Earth

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected