The Martin Lewis Podcast

Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis joins BBC Radio 5 Live’s Nihal Arthanayake to answer your questions – including what to consider when weighing up a large loan vs re-mortgaging. The cost of living rose more than expected last month as salad and vegetable shortages helped push up food prices at the fastest rate in 45 years. Alcohol prices in restaurants and pubs also drove up costs for households, as inflation jumped to 10.4% in the year to February from 10.1% in January. Clothing costs, particularly for children and women, rose last month but fuel prices continued to fall. Most broadband firms' contracts allow them to increase prices a few per cent above inflation even if you're mid-contract. This would increase a typical £40 bill to almost £46 a month. Yet millions of people are out of contract and free to leave their contract. Just like broadband, most mobile firms' contracts allow them to increase prices a few per cent above inflation even if you're mid-contract, which again means that millions are facing rises of up to 17.3% this April. There's little you can do mid-contract. But if your not and you're happy with your handset, you can save £100s with a cheap Sim. The Energy Price Guarantee currently sets the price almost everyone pays for their energy. It’s a state-subsidised discount off the price cap rates which currently keeps a typical household bill at £2,500/year. However, there will still be a rise for everyone in April as the Government’s £66/£67 a month energy support is ending. And what you actually pay will depend on your usage, where you live and your payment method. Martin shares the average standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity. Elsewhere in the podcast, you Tell Us how your food shopping habits have been impacted by price increases. Have you changed the way you buy food? The sort of food you buy? Plus Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind and is quizzed on ways to pay for energy. Producer: Isabelle Tudor

The Martin Lewis Podcast is here – and it’s a Budget 2023 special. Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis reacts to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Budget. Free childcare of 30 hours a week for working parents in England is being expanded to cover one and two-year-olds, but will only be fully implemented by September 2025. Currently, working parents with three and four-year-olds are eligible for 30 hours of free childcare per week. The plans are part of a government drive to encourage more people back to work to boost economic growth. The Chancellor is also scrapping the lifetime allowance on tax-free pension contributions, which is currently £1.07m, to stop people like doctors from retiring early. Plus the government will extend support for energy bills at current levels for a further three months. Typical household energy bills in Britain had been due to rise to £3,000 a year from April, but instead will be kept at £2,500 until the end of June. But a £400 winter fuel payment will not be renewed, meaning households' costs will still rise in the short term. The government also promised to bring prepayment energy charges in line with those for direct debit customers. This should save households about £45 a year on their energy bills from July. Elsewhere in the podcast, you Tell Us your top budgeting tips, how do you stick to a budget? Is it 'credit card in freezer' or spreadsheets? What's worked surprisingly well for you? Plus Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind, and this week is quizzed on Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. Producer: Isabelle Tudor

The Martin Lewis Podcast is here. Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your ISA questions. Interest rates are up, so ISAs are back for many, although you need to sort them by 5 April or sooner. Martin shares his key ISA need-to-knows. Elsewhere in the podcast, you Tell Us what’s the oldest, working object you have in your home that you never use. Plus, when did you last use it? And how much are a home's unused items worth, in total? Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind, and this week is quizzed on how much of your private or company pension you are allowed to leave to your spouse in your will. Plus Martin’s podcast-exclusive tips – including how to get cheap EasyJet flights and an update on ‘How to Turn £800 into £5,500’. The government has now extended the deadline to buy back old National Insurance years until 31 July. If you're age 45 – 70, you may be able to boost your state pension by £1,000s. Producer: Isabelle Tudor

The Martin Lewis Podcast is here – founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis joins BBC Radio 5live’s Nihal Arthanayake to answer your energy questions. The Energy Price Cap will fall by 23% in April 2023, to £3,280/year for a typical household, but energy bills are currently controlled by the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) – and this is set to rise by 20% from 1 April. This is why Martin has been urging Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to postpone the rise – a plea now backed by more than 85 other organisations. The energy secretary Grant Shapps said he is "very sympathetic" to the suggestions and he was working "hard" with Chancellor on the issue. Elsewhere in the podcast, ‘Tell Us’ what is your best ever experience of customer service? When did a firm go above and beyond and who was it with? Did it make you more loyal in future? And Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind – this week he’s quizzed on pensions. Plus Martin’s podcast exclusive money-saving tips, including changes to Chase, the app-based bank, which is a best or near best-buy in a good few categories. Also it’s Free Wills Month – it’s a charity event that lets you get solicitor-drafted wills for free. In return, they hope you'll make a donation or leave a 'bequest' in your will, leaving them something when you die.

The Martin Lewis Podcast is here. Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your financial questions. In this episode we look at how to check if you could save on your council tax, ahead of the 5% rise due for many of us in April. Plus, the council tax discount many people can apply for - that they may know nothing about. Elsewhere in the podcast you Tell Us your best ‘Money-piphany’ - that moment when your eyes were opened to how something in debt or budgeting worked, which changed your approach to finances forever. Plus Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind and is quizzed about who currently sets the overall maximum amount that most consumers in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.

Long: The Martin Lewis Podcast is here. Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your questions on buying national insurance contribution years to top up your state pension. As the buy-back deadline is fast approaching, Martin has an urgent plea for those aged between 45 and 70. They could be missing years off their state pension worth £1,000s, so check yours and your family and friends now. Elsewhere in the show, why Martin has written to the chancellor to call for April's planned rise in the energy price guarantee to be scrapped. The average bill is expected to rise from £2,500 to £3,000 if the cap is amended. He called on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to halt the cap increase, saying it is no longer necessary because wholesale energy prices have "come down very substantially". Producer: Isabelle Tudor

The Martin Lewis Podcast is here. Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your financial questions, including several queries on upcoming changes to student finance. Water bills could rise by 7.5% from April for households in England and Wales - the largest increase for nearly 20 years. The industry body Water UK says the rise due in April could take average water bills to nearly £450 a year because of rising energy costs. Martin shares all the hidden savings you could make, potentially saving thousands. Elsewhere in the podcast, you Tell Us what single action you have taken to save, not earn, the biggest amount of money in one go. Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind and is quizzed about whether non-taxpayers get tax relief if they save into a pension. Plus Martin has updates on cost-of-living payments for those in park homes or using heating oil or LPG. Producer: Isabelle Tudor

The Martin Lewis Podcast is here. Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your financial questions. You Tell Us your most embarrassing money fail, Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind and is quizzed on Section 75.

The Martin Lewis Podcast is here. Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your financial questions. Elsewhere in the podcast, you Tell Us your best haggle. How much did you save, and what are your top haggling tips? Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind and is quizzed on Child Trust Funds. Martin confirms 14% broadband and mobile price hikes due April. He warns that for those in contract there's little you can do, except take note when that contract ends, and act then. But adds million of people are out of contract and urges them to ditch and switch or haggle. This week’s episode has all the information below will help you do that. Plus, Martin demands reforms to rules and thresholds linked to Lifetime ISAs (LISAs) as he warns they could be costing first-time buyers.

Marin Lewis and Nihal Arthanayake's regular weekly dive into the world of money saving tips. This week Martin explains why you could be missing out if you have a cash ISA, how to beat inflation when it comes to your mobile phone and broadband and why a water meter could save you money. Plus bonus money saving tips that you can only hear on the podcast, Nihal tries his luck at Mastermind and you tell us about your positive money surprises.

Martin Lewis joins Nihal Arthanayake to answer your debt-related questions. In this week’s “tell us” Martin asks how your kids have helped you with your finances. Plus Martin’s podcast-only money saving tips, including how to save on cinema tickets.

Martin Lewis answers your financial questions including what are my rights if my parcel isn’t delivered? Why are wholesale gas prices falling but bills aren’t? Elsewhere in the podcast, ‘Tell Us’ what were your new year’s financial resolutions last year. Did you keep to them? How long did they last? Did it work? BBC Radio 5live’s Nihal Arthanayake takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind – he’s quizzed on savings and cash ISAs. Listen to find out how he gained 10% of a point. This week, Martin’s podcast exclusive money-saving tips include an urgent warning to high earners and the self-employed. Don't miss the 31 January 2023 self-assessment tax return deadline or risk a £100 fine. As well as a plea to anyone who pays for a NHS prescription. He estimates more than one million people in England missed out on savings of around £40 in the 12 months leading up to this April because they didn't buy a prescriptions 'season ticket'. Producer: Isabelle Tudor

The Martin Lewis Podcast is here and this week is a festive special. In a compilation of the year’s best Money Mastermind questions, Martin tests BBC Radio 5live’s Nihal Arthanayake’s financial knowledge.

The Martin Lewis Podcast is here. Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your financial questions including when is the £200 payment for homes that use heating oil, have an LPG boiler or biomass boiler due? In the 12 months to November 2022 the inflation figure was 10.7% but what does inflation mean? Why is inflation so high? When will inflation go down? This week, Martin has an urgent reminder for people to check if they are eligible for pension credit as the deadline for the Cost of Living payment of £324 is this week. Elsewhere in the show, Countdown's Susie Dent gets in touch about Martin’s dictionary corner. ‘Tell Us’ what’s the one piece of money wisdom you wish you could tell your 18-year-old self? Plus Martin’s podcast exclusive money-saving tips – such as the cheapest places to get your Christmas vegetables. Producer: Isabelle Tudor

On this week’s podcast Martin and Nihal Arthanayake share their energy saving tips, Martin’s got an update on a mortgage summit he’s involved in with the Chancellor, and there’s a bonus podcast-only tip for savers too!

The Martin Lewis Podcast is here. Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your financial questions including is a dehumidifier a cost effective way to dry clothes? Is it cheaper to use an oven, air-fryer or microwave? This week, Martin has an urgent plea for those aged between 45 and 70. As you could be missing years off your state pension worth £1,000s, so check now. Elsewhere in the show, ‘Tell Us’ have you re-gifted gifts. What was it? Did it backfire? Plus Martin’s podcast exclusive money-saving tips and the cheapest shop to buy Baileys this week. Producer: Isabelle Tudor, Laura Harmes Editors: Will Cooper, Tom Green, and Ben Sears

The Martin Lewis Podcast is here – founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your financial questions. What is Grey Friday? When is Cyber Monday? Martin reveals whether Black Friday is any good. He shares the best and the worst type of deals – plus his take on pre-Xmas, Boxing Day and January sales. But before you get pulled into an impulse buy, Martin coaches us in his ‘Money Mantras’ and ‘Black Friday shopping memo’. This week, listeners Sheena and Aimee got in touch to ask about interest on Help-to-Save and energy bills. Elsewhere in the podcast, ‘Tell Us’ the most expensive thing you’ve bought but never used.

The Martin Lewis Podcast is here – founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis joins BBC Radio 5 live’s Nihal Arthanayake to answer your questions – such as is Black Friday a good deal? Also this week, Martin has an urgent plea for anyone who can’t afford to clear their credit card debit: get a 0% balance transfer. And there’s Martin’s analysis of the key announcements in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement. Elsewhere in the podcast, ‘Tell Us’ how much of your Christmas shopping have you done? What did you buy and when did you start? Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind – he’s quizzed on the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and FCA regulations. Plus podcast exclusive money-saving tips, including where to get a free letter from Santa and how to extend expiring Tesco Clubcard vouchers. Producer: Isabelle Tudor Editors: Will Cooper, Tom Green and Ben Sears

Who gets the cost of living payment? When is the second cost of living payment? The Martin Lewis Podcast is here – and Martin has an urgent plea for anyone who hasn’t receive their £150 council tax rebate. Martin and BBC Radio 5live’s Nihal Arthanayake talk returns, ‘pre-NUPPs’ and baboon bums. They ask whether it is possible to cut back at Christmas? Plus Martin’s advice on how to best protect your savings from inflation and what to do if you have an order with furniture site Made.com after it entered administration

Martin Lewis on why it’s financially crucial to prepare death, divorce and dementia. But don’t be down, there’s also advice on energy, cheap train travel and free beer.

The Martin Lewis Podcast is here, with a brand new sound. Martin and Nihal Arthanayake talk mortgages as listeners ask if they should stick with a longer fix or take a chance on variable rates. Martin’s got some special tips on how you might be able to top up your state pension and how to get some extra cash in time for Christmas. Plus, have you ever found a bone fide second-hand bargain?