Moneystepper Q&A Podcast

Tina asks: "I'm 24 y/o and saving for a house. If I don’t stop contributing to my pension, next tax year I'll be paying 5%, and my employer will match that with 3%. Should I stop my pension contributions and only save for a house?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ian asks: "I have zero knowledge about investing, but I'm interested in oil stocks. Any idea where to start, and any specific company to invest in?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Heather asks: "I currently pay my Dad £120 towards the household expenses, as does my brother. My partner is due to move in, should he also pay my Dad?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Danielle asks: "The close price of shares on Google Finance is different to that on the Stock Exchange website. Is the data on Google Finance correct?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tamzin asks: "I've been left some money by my late Grandfather and I'm trying to work out whether I should pay down my student loan. What do you think?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Frances asks: "I bought in 2001 for £137k as my only residence and its now valued at £400k, implying the CGT will be astronomical. How much CGT will I pay?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jim asks: "I've got into the habit of paying for things with my credit cards, and need some advice on paying down the debt that I've built up." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Harry asks: "I have had a Santander 123 credit card for about a year. How negatively it will affect my credit score by cancelling?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sandy asks: "How should I inform if I'm getting a lodger. Will my insurance premium go up? Could my mortgage provider forbid me?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Siv asks: "I plan to invest monthly £1000 in an S&P 500 ETF. Should I use S&S ISA or SIPP? Which platform or broker should I invest in?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lynda asks: "I wonder if you could advise me if there would be any tax to pay if we sold a buy to let property and invested money into another property as a buy to let." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sarah asks: "I have 3 properties that are rented out, and am selling 2 so I can buy a property for myself to live in. I have lived in all of them as my own home at some point before letting them out, can I use the PPR and letting relief on all of them?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Barry asks: "I need some help understanding what my credit card portal information is saying. I don't understand the breakdown on the portal they give." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Adrian asks: "I have a capital one credit card, which I got over year ago now, purely to just get a bit of credit history that I lacked. As I'm looking to get a mortgage in a year or so time what is best for my credit rating for this card? " See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gisele asks: "I read with great interest your article on Capital gains tax and I hope you can give me a clearer idea of my tax liability on a sale of land that is about to go through, and how to invest the proceeds". See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

James asks: "I want to start investing but I am struggling with my next steps. I have £1000 saved already which will act as my emergency fund and I am saving £300 a month into a savings account." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tony asks: "I want to start investing in a stock & shares ISA but only investing £25 per month and would like to put it into a ETF that is fairly diverse. How should I go about doing that?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Emily asks: "We bought a London property in 2007. We lived in it for 2 years then on and off for a further 2 years. We rented this out from 2010 to the present day. Is there anyway we can avoid paying further capital gains tax?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Shelina asks: "I've got myself caught up in a PCP nightmare. Please can you advise me on what to do as I'm really stuck and it's really stressing me out." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Charlie asks: "Hello I'm currently 16 and wish to retire by age 40 with a pot between 1-2 Million pound. Apart from maxing out my S&S Isa on a low cost index fund and possibly through bonds, how shall I invest?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Danielle asks: "I'm planning to move abroad with my partner in just under 2 years, I've just been gifted £5000 and I'm not sure where to put it. I was thinking S&S ISAs but since I'll need to access it in short time I'm not sure where should I put it." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Steve asks: "I have a property which the mortgage is in my name and is my sole residence. I have no other properties. I'm intending to exchange some of the property to my partner and they'll take on some of the mortgage. Are either of us liable for CGT?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Grant asks: "My question is how can I calculate all these benefits including the applicable tax and national insurance to ultimately work out my requirements from a freelance salary to match the financial position as an employee?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Grant asks: "I'm looking to buy a house and rent out the house I currently own and live in. When I rent the property and fill in my first self-assessment form, what costs and expenses can I offset against profits and how far back can I go?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tony asks: "Where do I start to invest in stocks and shares ISA? Where do I go? How do I go about it? Etc. Aim of the ISA is for long-term savings for my pension. I believe it more tax efficient to save in ISA at the moment other than a pension." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tony asks: I've been thinking for a while that I should get a raise. I have taken on various new roles within my firm and more responsibilities but however not received a raise for them. What/how would be the best way for me to ask my bosses for a raise?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alistair asks: "I wish to move from my £210k house to a £305k property. Problem is I own a business and have always lived on the smallest amount I can (around £18k a year). What would you recommend I do to get a mortgage?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Helen asks: "M&S have told me that someone had used my card without my knowledge. I rang up the fraud team and they told me someone made a £300 purchase which I didn't recognise. M&S said they'll cancel the card and send out a new one. What should I do?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ian asks: "I’m 25 and I've recently started working with a new employer. I've been given certain options in terms of salary sacrifice. Which would you recommend that I go for?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rachel asks: "I know that new stamp duty of +3% comes is in effect in April 2016. I'm looking at buying a £110k flat to let out next year. If I bought it as a company could I avoid the stamp duty? What other concerns or benefits does this bring?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Angela asks: "Assuming I had the total amount ready to invest, what are your thoughts on the best strategy for it? Do I invest the full amount at once at the beginning of the tax year or invest in 12 equal amounts throughout the year?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Petula asks: "I bought a flat in 1999 for £46,000 and have rented it out since then. I am considering selling it for around £150,000. Should I live in it for a year so that I'm eligible for PPR relief?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Maria asks: "I'm a tenant in a flat that has just been sold. My lease is until Feb at £x but new owner wants to enforce new rent at £x+70 effective next month (Jan). Is this legit?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hans asks: “Do you have any tips on the easiest and cheapest way to get your house valued?” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

David asks: "I'm concerned about an elderly and perhaps slightly naive relative, Violet. Can you advise as to the risks of this, or about any potential protective measures or what might potentially be "really" going on?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sally asks: “It goes without saying. Estate agents are ******* *****. Can I deal directly with the seller to buy the house and not deal with the ******* estate agents?” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ben asks: "I’ve started filling in the Moneystepper Savings Challenge Tracking template. Why do I need to measure my net worth? If I’m always investing as wisely as I can, and always putting as much as I can away each month, won’t it look after itself?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Marilyn asks: "I’m about to set my goals for 2016 and was wondering what you though was the best way to set goals that I would actually achieve? I’ve heard about “SMART” goals but is this the best way to define my financial goals?” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today’s question comes from no-one. They haven’t asked: “Should I worry about money on Christmas Day?” :) Merry Christmas Everyone!! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Aisha asks: "My iPhone 6 plus is water damaged after I was caught in heavy rain. I've asked three about cancelling my contract (£56 per month) and they want a whopping £600 to cancel early as I have a year left. What would the next best steps be?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jenny asks: "I'm almost 23, and I'm in a position to buy a house next May. My question is, do you think next May will be a good time to buy a house? Or should I wait until later in 2016 or even May 2017 to purchase?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ed asks: "I live abroad, earning and paying tax there. We pay no tax on our income in the UK, and we don't submit a tax return. Should we be paying tax on the earnings for our property in the UK?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

John asks: "A family member is due to sell some land for in excess of £1m. What tax would be payable on this as it has no residential property on it?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Brian asks: "My girlfriend and I are in the process of buying a house with a close friend of mine, with the aim of selling it on in 3-5 years. What is the best way to split the equity/proceeds from the sale?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Frankie asks: "I was wondering what your thoughts were on the new help to buy ISA. Is a time limit to use the grant? What happens if I don't put in £250 every month? What do I need to be careful of when considering this?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kryptonite On Twitter asks: “Which is better for property investors... Interest only mortgages or repayment mortgages?” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Adam asks: "My dad owns a ground floor flat and he is gifting it to me. He bought the property for £150k, it's now worth £160k but needs about £10K spent on it to make it properly habitable. What would be the CGT situation here?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Michael asks: "I'm a journalist who is registered with a company on a PAYE tax code, but I do some occasional work outside of it. Do I need to register for assessment on the HMRC site? And when it says receipts, what does it mean?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mark asks: "I picked up a lovely car a couple of years back at a reasonable monthly rate. Everything was fine until I decided to change my job and it has become apparent that it's just too much of a drain on the family finances." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Zac asks: "My brother is currently living in a property worth £80k he's renting the property for £425 per month from our cousin. Would it be better for me to have a buy to let mortgage and he pays me direct like im the landlord?" See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jessica asks: "Hello, I would like some advice on how good/bad my credit score is for my situation and if there is anything I should do to increase it. I did a credit score check today and I am 2/5 - 561 credit score. Any information would be helpful." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.