Ask Martin Lewis Podcast

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Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis joins 5 Live's Emma Barnett for debate and tips on how to make the most of your money. Featuring guests from the business world.

BBC Radio 5 live


    • May 23, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 49m AVG DURATION
    • 183 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Ask Martin Lewis Podcast

    Mini-pod: Energy Price Cap drops 7%, but it's still pants!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 11:24


    Martin reacts to the latest Energy Price Cap announcement from the regulator Ofgem. The new cap coms into force from July, and applies to households in England, Scotland and Wales on variable tariffs. But what should you do now? With fixes on the market well below the cap rate, Martin explains how to get the best deals on your energy.

    Free £310 bank switch | Winter Fuel Shenanigans | Energy Price Cap to fall but you should still fix

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 61:32


    Martin Lewis looks at the Energy Price Cap and what your best options are for your bills.He gives his view on the recent announcement that the Winter Fuel Payment will be expanded. A guide on how to get paid to switch bank accounts.Tell Us this week is all about when have you saved a fortune by pure accident?Mastermind explains the difference between annual and compound interest.

    Childcare SPECIAL: Your questions & problems put to Sec of State for Education Bridget Phillipson

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 55:23


    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson joins Martin Lewis to answers your questions about the cost of childcare. They cover topics such as are there enough funds for 30hrs funded childcare? Why 800,000 miss out on Tax Free Childcare? Child Benefit cliff-edge problems & more.

    Interest rate cut special: what savers & mortgage holders need do now. Including… why locking in savings can be a winner.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 73:57


    Why locking in savings can be a winner. Should you fix your mortgage now or wait? How to get accepted for a mortgage, and more.Martin reacts as the Bank of England cuts UK base interest rates again from 4.5% to 4.25%, we recorded this literally minutes after it happened and focus on answering your questions about the impact on savings and borrowing (especially mortgages)For savers there's a warning to act quick if you want to fix.Mortgage holders big questions was fix now or wait – we cover that, but also a fascinating discussion with our mortgage broker guest on what it takes to get accepted for a mortgage whether for a new one or remortgaging, lots of eye opening facts there.In the Tell Us, with summer coming what's far cheaper to buy abroad (things that you can then bring home that is)And in the Mastermind we find out if Adrian knows why it's always important to turn your suncream around.

    Credit & Debit Card Q&A special: How credit scoring works, best 0% deals, stoozing, top cards abroad

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 48:12


    It's the credit and debit plastic fantastic masterclass you've been waiting for… Martin answers all your questions on how to manage your credit card debt, which are the top cards to use abroad and the myths around your ‘credit score'. Plus find out which are the best 0% deals and how to ooze with stooze. Get in touch with the podcast by emailing martinlewispodcast@bbc.co.uk

    The Shrinkflation Nation | Why now is the time to check if you're owed £100s of energy credit

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 61:23


    The main topic is all about how you could potentially get money back from your energy firm. If you pay by monthly direct debit then Martin explains why you should be checking now if you're owed serious cash.The Tell Us is about shrinkflation. Where can you find provable evidence of groceries, cleaning productions or cosmetics that are no longer as big as they were.Plus, if you're aged 20 to 25, Martin explains a trick that can get you a free four-year railcard worth £100 via the bank Santander.Get in touch… email martinlewispodcast@bbc.co.uk

    Is the £20,000 cash ISA going to be killed? What savers should be doing NOW

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 37:15


    Full best buys – and everything you ever wanted to know about cash ISAs but were afraid to ask. With the realistic prospect of the cash ISA limit being reduced in the near future, Martin explains what to do right now to get the most out of your savings. Get in touch… email martinlewispodcast@bbc.co.uk

    Q&A Special: Beat the bill rises, ISAs, Car financing, Pension tax, Premium Bonds, Child Trust Funds and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 57:03


    You ask, Martin answers. A must-listen at this crucial time of year. Martin and Adrian go through the big questions from you as a number of big changes come into force. Plus you tell us about customer service done well, and Adrian tackles a mastermind on credit scores. You can email the podcast team via martinlewispodcast@bbc.co.uk.

    Martin Lewis speaks to Britain's biggest energy boss about prices, smart meters and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 54:09


    Martin Lewis puts YOUR questions to Greg Jackson, the boss of Britain's biggest energy retailer Octopus. Smart meters, profits, standing charges & will prices EVER drop? Plus with energy prices going up by 6.4% next week, is now the time to fix? To get in touch, email martinlewispodcast@bbc.co.uk.

    Beat the urgent ISA deadline – top cash ISAs for savers, stocks & shares for investing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 75:37


    ISA ISA baby!Martin joins Adrian to answer all your questions on savings tax, Cash ISAs, Junior ISAs and more before the fast approaching deadline in April. Chartered Financial Planner Ed Marshall also joins Martin to help with stocks and shares ISAs. You tell us about your financial ‘light bulb' moments.Plus Martin shares his thoughts on back-billing with MPs… find out why you might not have to pay for energy usage if its more than a year old.Get in touch with the podcast by emailing martinlewispodcast@bbc.co.uk

    Last Chance! Boost State Pension by £10,000s: a must listen if age 40 to 73

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 59:36


    Martin's poorly, but he's battled through the coughs and splutters because he's adamant that YOU need to hear how you could boost your state pension by TENS of THOUSANDS of pounds.If you're aged between 40 and 73 – it's a must listen.It's all about missing National Insurance years. Martin brings you a step-by-step guide and a full Q&A. It's everything you need to know.

    Savings Q&A special – ISAs, savings tax, pay off debt or save and more. Plus credit card beginners guide

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 58:17


    Martin answers a huge number of questions on savings, on how ISA's work, where is a safe place to keep your money, the pros and cons of investing, should you be saving or paying off debt and far more.The podcast also covers lots of other subjects such as getting travel insurance for holidays booked a long time ahead, how credit cards really work, what to do if a car finance firm hasn't replied to your reclaim complaint and more.This week's Mastermind is all about if borrowing more means you actually pay less?

    Energy Price Cap Rise: what to do… and why we pay more than the rest of Europe

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 71:54


    The energy price cap, which determines prices for two-thirds of homes will rise by 6.4% in April… yet some people will see rises of up to 9%. In this pod Martin Lewis looks at what it means for you, and how do you beat it.Former head of strategy at BP, Professor Nick Butler - who is now visiting professor at the policy institute at Kings College London - explains why UK energy prices are so much higher than Europe, the problems with the way the price cap is set, and the impact of green energy on our bills.Plus, a warning on pay-by-app, a pension-themed Mastermind, and the Tell Us is about the most shocking, horrifying, unexpected bill you've ever received.And there are tips on childcare costs and the scourge of council tax debt collection. There's also urgent advice on how to cut the cost of train tickets, and what Martin told MPs this week about Lifetime ISAs.

    Pensions Special: Double your investment, how to start one, are workplace pensions good, consolidation & more

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 46:47


    A special podcast all about starting and saving in a pension, including the two pension superpowers that instantly double your investment.Martin is joined by Charlotte Jackson from Money Helper, the free and impartial service giving help with money and pensions. They explain how pensions actually work, and whether you should stay opted to your work place pension. Should you consolidate your pensions? How to start your first pension? Should you start a pension for your child? How to get totally impartial free guidance. Stakeholder pensions versus nest versus SIPPs? How much to save in your pension?If you want to hear more on pensions, then check out our special ‘Not The Martin Lewis Podcast' episodes from July 2024 on this feed.

    Car Insurance Prices DROPPING… a perverse warning | Base rate cut help

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 63:10


    Martin explains why you should still shop around for the best deal, even if your car insurance renewal is lower than last year. Plus reaction to the interest rates cut, the latest on April's energy cap price change and you tell us what your job has taught you about money. To get in touch with the podcast email martinlewispodcast@bbc.co.uk.

    Holiday hacks: cheapest way to spend abroad, car hire, insurance, 18 days off for 9 days leave, passports, GHIC…

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 65:31


    Martin gives you his holiday tips, everything from the cheapest way to spend abroad to how to maximise your annual leave.The Tell Us this week is all about things your children misunderstand / mis-assume about money.Martin also explains credit rating, how to cut your water bills and how to get £100 off your energy standing charges.To get in touch with the podcast, email martinlewispodcast@bbc.co.uk.

    Banned: Mobile & broadband mid-contract inflation price hikes, yet many'll still pay more!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 55:59


    Martin and Adrian talk about new rules that stop surprise price increases in the middle of your contract. Plus how to get the best price on your broadband and where to look for brilliant mobile deals. Plus you share your budgeting tips – and Adrian faces a special wifi Mastermind question. Email martinlewispodcast@bbc.co.uk if you want to get in touch.

    Urgent: beat the energy bills rip off! Are joint accounts worth it, and what's the best?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 69:19


    After last week's cold snap, Martin shares his best tips on how to save money on your energy bills, including whether or not it's worth fixing. In “Tell Us” this week, Martin finds out how people are managing their household finances as well as recommending the best joint accounts. And it's another round of Mastermind for Adrian, quizzing his knowledge on flight compensation schemes.

    Get travel insurance ASAP or it can be disastrous: when to get it, how to choose, pre-existing conditions & more

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 62:54


    Martin looks at the dos and don't of getting the best travel insurance deal, plus are cats legally different to dogs? Have energy bills really risen every year, LISAs for retirement, no fault car insurance claims, car hire abroad and more…To get in touch with the podcast, email martinlewispodcast@bbc.co.uk.

    A festive special showcasing some of the best advice of 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 61:41


    A look back at what you need to know about mortgages and how to save as a first-time buyer. A Tell Us about the most joy you've ever got from spending under £5 and another one that got a huge response looking at what people did with their first pay packet. Also a Mastermind looking at car insurance.

    A Tell-Us your to need knows special: Inheritance tax, Pension savings, debt pecking order, life insurance, compound interest.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 48:48


    Martin answers your Money Saving and financial questions on topics such as inheritance tax, how much to have in your pension, debt pay off pecking order, life insurance, how interest payments work, cash ISA rules, car finance and even the tax arrangements of Father Christmas.There is also a Mastermind looking at credit card interest repayment.

    Ofgem special: Why are UK energy prices so high? We ask the regulator's boss that and more!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 65:17


    Martin interviews Jonathan Brearley - the CEO of Great Britain's energy regulator OFGEM.Tell Us is all about your pocket money rules.Mastermind this week looks at your right to return gifts.Plus advice on the best tactics for Scrabble and tips on train ticket refunds and car finance.

    Top Children's Savings | Urgent free cash bank switching | Best ever blags

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 57:54


    Martin tells you how you can get banks to pay you to switch to their account.Plus the best way for parents and grandparents to save money for children.The Tell Us is about the best thing you've ever blagged.And Mastermind tackles the point in life an under 18 starts to pay tax on their earnings.

    Are you missing out on £1,000s? If you're married OR got kids OR low income OR pensioner you may well be!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2024 57:00


    Martin tells you all about the money you might not know you're entitled toPlus, is it worth looking at Black Friday deals on broadband?Listeners ‘Tell Us' about when their children have impressed them with their financial know howAnd Mastermind tackles the thorny subject of which debt is the most expensive.Get in touch: email martinlewispodcast@bbc.co.uk

    The Scams Epidemic: A Martin Lewis Podcast Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2024 88:56


    The Scams Epidemic: A Martin Lewis Podcast Special. Martin asks the experts about scams and speaks to a victim of a deepfake investment scam which manipulated Martin's face. This special episode goes in depth on deepfake AI and other big scams, with tips on how to spot them, how to protect yourself and what to do if you think you are being scammed.

    Bonus Mini-Pod: Energy Price Cap rise

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2024 11:59


    The energy regulator Ofgem has announced its next quarterly price cap will rise by £21 for the average household. An increase of £1.75 a month. The decision affects the bills of 27 million households in England, Wales and Scotland. In this bonus episode of The Martin Lewis Podcast, Martin explains what it could mean for you.

    Savings Q&A – boost what you get | Is Black Friday a dud? | Acts of Financial Kindness | Energy Price Cap news

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 78:38


    Martin Lewis answers your questions about savings, covering everything from ISAs to everyday savers. Martin also answers the question: is Black Friday the real deal or just another dud?The listeners ‘Tell Us' about their unrequested, unrequited acts of financial kindness.And there's a Mastermind looking at energy bills…

    Can you get £100s student loans back? | Are Premium Bonds worth it? | Car Finance mis-selling update

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 65:24


    Martin Lewis asks are you one of over 1m who overpaid their student loan and can get it back? We are looking at the latest car finance update, which could double the number of people who are due a payout on their claims. The listeners ‘Tell Us' about the best thing they've learnt about money from work. And a Mastermind looking at premium bonds…

    Student finance debunked – tuition fee rises – is it worth it? | UK base rate cut (mortgage & savings)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 59:08


    Martin Lewis takes you through the increase to tuition fees.There's advice for students and those affected by the fall in interest rates.Tell Us is all about the most impulsive purchase you've made, and why you regret it.And there's a special Mastermind for Adrian concerning floral shirts.

    Instant Budget reaction and analysis

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 27:35


    In a special episode, Martin reacts to the budget from Chancellor Rachel Reeves. He explains what the headline changes to national insurance, inheritance tax and minimum wage will mean for you – and dives into the detail of what wasn't announced in the Commons to explore what's coming next on child benefit and stamp duty.

    Marriage & Divorce: Benefits of Marriage | Are prenups worth it? | How to divorce cheaply| Splitting pensions, mortgages & more

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2024 66:21


    The ‘Not The Martin Lewis Podcast' is back. Martin asks the experts about the topics that matter to you. This time around it's all about marriage – and divorce. From pre-nuptial agreements to asset splitting, how to divorce cheaply and…. are their benefits to getting married, when it comes to money?

    6mth warning! For each £825 or less you pay you could gain £5,400+ by boosting your National Insurance years.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 57:06


    On this week's podcast Martin explains how you can buy voluntary National Insurance years to boost your state pension. Tell Us is about what do you have in your house that you haven't used in the last year? Later in the pod, Martin shares his latest money-saving tips and Adrian attempts another tricky Mastermind question.

    Unpleasant issues help: Free Wills | Power of Attorney | Inheritance Tax and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 64:00


    Martin Lewis on why it's financially crucial to prepare for death, divorce and dementia. Advice for those aged under 22, explaining their Child Trust Funds and how some may be able to access cash saved in them. A Tell Us about the most joy you've ever got from spending under £5. And a Mastermind looking at car insurance.

    Beat the 10% Energy Price Cap rise special – “no one should stay on the Pants Cap”

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 48:26


    An Energy Price Cap special looking at why the energy price cap is rising when wholesale rates are dropping. Which type of tariff is right for you and how to lower your standing charges.

    Mortgage Special: Time To Fix? Will Rates drop further? How to find top deals

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 68:32


    The main topic the week is everything you need to know about mortgages. There is also an update for savers and Martin explains a legal challenge to the UK and Scottish Governments' decision to cut the winter fuel payment.And the Tell Us got a huge response looking at what people did with their first pay packet.

    Free cash for first time buyers | The real reason many smart meters don't work | Money back on flights YOU cancelled

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 62:56


    Martin Lewis looks at how to save as a first time buyer. Lifetime ISAs can get you up to £1,000 a year free from the state towards your deposit, but Martin says some “shouldn't bother”. Martin explains why almost everyone who hits 18 should put a pound in one right now. We look at Smart Meters… and it's less than 100 days to Christmas… so the ‘Tell Us' is all about your past Christmas financial problems, so others can learn from them. And this week's Mastermind is an important listen for anyone who's had a flight cancelled on them - or cancelled it themselves - this summer or in years gone by.

    Fix energy before 10% rise hits? | Council tax warning! | Free £175 bank switch is back

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 53:49


    On this week's podcast Martin gives his energy tips ahead of the energy price cap on 1 October.Listeners TELL US about their stock of old stamps that they're still using ahead of the 22% increase in the cost of standard first-class stamps on 7 October. And Adrian Chiles attempts his first ever Mastermind – will he have beginners luck?

    Best Bits: Student Finance tips | Tell Us your budget wedding stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 67:27


    Martin's off air for the next few weeks so it's a chance to revisit some of the best bits of the year so far. Martin explains all you need to know about student finance, what you could be entitled to, and how much you will pay back.We also hear our listeners' best budget wedding stories.

    Best Bits: Martin's “Money-festo” Tell Us Special.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 33:36


    Martin's off air for the next few weeks so it's a chance to revisit some of the best bits of the year so far. Before the general election Martin and Polly Mackenzie rated listener's ideas for money related improvements to the law.

    Best Bits: Holiday money plus passport, car hire and EHIC tips.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 31:27


    Martin's off air for the next few weeks so it's a chance to revisit some of the best bits of the year so far. He explains to Nick Eardley the smart way to spend abroad plus tips on making sure you're on top of passports, car hire, EHIC's and GHIC's.

    Best Bits: Buying National Insurance years | Tell Us when you prefer the cheap option.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 42:16


    Martin's off air for the next few weeks so it's a chance to revisit some of the best bits of the year so far. He explains how you can buy voluntary National Insurance years to boost your state pension and why it can be so lucrative. TELL US is about when listeners actually prefer the cheaper option, from sausage rolls to bog rolls.

    Childcare Help | Your big questions (save or overpay mortgage, pensions for kids, can savings boost your credit score & more)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 60:16


    Martin Lewis explains the childcare help you are entitled to with nearly a million parents paying for childcare, whether just in the summer or all year round, and missing out on thousands of pounds of help.This weeks Tell Us: Your questions on if savings boost your credit score? Is it time to fix energy? Should you pay off your mortgage or save? and lots more.It's our first ever Mastermind Head to Head, Gethin Jones takes on John Robins in a Consumer Rights tester.Plus we clear up what the two child benefit cap is and more importantly, isn't.

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