Raising The Curve

You've been asking for it… our annual predictions episode is FINALLY HERE! We're revisiting the calls we made for 2025, including one that genuinely made us feel like stock market geniuses, and a few that should've come with a “do not quote us” disclaimer. Then we roll straight into our 2026 predictions: what we think the markets are in for, whether Bitcoin's about to have its main character moment, which big names could IPO, and the one theme we think might quietly run the whole year

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It's the final Curve Weekly of the year and yes, we somehow open with eggs, sleep, and the pillow-fort Sophie made last night on her sleepover. But once we snap out of the delirium, we're diving into a wild week in finance: Warner Brothers is officially the belle of the ball with Netflix and Paramount clawing for it's attention (hostile bids, political puppeteering, billion-dollar drama - it's basically Succession but with more streaming). Then we chat about the world's biggest ice-cream brand going public, yep, Magnum is now a standalone stock, though the whole “health and wellness trend meets frozen sugar block” debate gets very real. Nvidia's China green light is finally confirmed, bringing in billions (and maybe some legally questionable tax mechanics). And to close out 2025? The best global news for women we've seen all year: India has started compensating women for unpaid domestic labour. No strings attached. No forms. Just cash, dignity, and a serious shift in economic power. If you need a year-end episode with corporate drama, sweet treats, geopolitical spice, and a big feminist mic drop… this one's for you!WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:Acquisition – One company buys another.Bidding War – Companies fighting over who gets to buy something.Hostile Takeover – A takeover nobody asked for.Shareholder – Someone who owns a slice of a company.Equity – Shares.Spin-Off – A company turning part of itself into a new company.Conglomerate – One big company made of lots of little ones.GLP-1 Drugs – Ozempic-style appetite suppressants.Addressable Market – Everyone a company could sell to.Lobbying – Schmoozing politicians for business wins.Revenue – Money coming in (before bills).Red Tape – Annoying admin that slows everything down.Takeover Target – A company everyone suddenly wants to buy.Credits:Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie HallwrightProducer & Editor: Emily RigbySocial & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline

We asked for your financial horror stories, and wow, did you deliver. In this episode, we read (and listen to) real money mistakes from our community, from missed investing wins to term-deposit disasters, stock-picking heartbreaks, property nightmares and everything in between. We break down what went wrong, what we can all learn from it, and why these stories will genuinely make you better with money. Huge thank you to everyone who sent theirs in. And while you're here, drop your thoughts (or your own money mishaps) in the comments, we read them all.

This week's Curve Weekly starts with Soph's financial dilemma of the month - a perfect storm of overspending, £5 left in the bank, and a 4% phone battery in Mayfair. Then, just as we got rolling, Vic's mic cut out (classic), so yes… this is take two. Once the tech drama settled, Vic breaks down why the market is down 2%, what's spooking investors, and how the AI bubble ties into it. We also dive into that viral “Did women ruin the workplace?” headline and unpack why the real problem is a system that was never built for women to thrive. Then it's onto Trump threatening to sue the BBC for $1B - what happened, why it matters, and why the media world is slightly sweating. And finally, we look at what Brits are really using ChatGPT for… and let's just say the answer might surprise you.WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:Market Drop – When the stock market has a tiny sulk.AI Bubble – When AI stocks get too hyped.Diversification – Don't put all your money eggs in one basket.S&P 500 – The 500 biggest US companies in one group.CapEx – Big-ticket spending by companies.Government Shutdown – When the US government can't agree and… stops.The Fed – The US interest-rate boss.Defamation – Saying something untrue and getting sued for it.Algorithm – The puppet master deciding what you see online.50:30:20 Rule – A simple budget split: needs, wants, investing.Credits:Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie HallwrightProducer & Editor: Emily RigbySocial & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline

If AI still feels like a scary robot in the corner, this chat will calm your nerves and fire up your curiosity. Natalie Piucco (Google's applied-AI whiz) breaks down where AI is really headed - think helpful life assistant that sorts your calendar, shopping and bills - and why that future could be worth backing with your pounds (or dollars). We cover simple ways to spot opportunities in everyday life (what are you and your mates actually using?), how to dip a toe in with an ETF before picking any “spicy” single stocks, and Nat's golden rule: confidence comes after you start, not before. TL;DR: pop on your “investor glasses,” chuck in a tenner, and let AI's next chapter work for you.

Warren Buffett (aka the GOAT of investing) is sitting on a jaw-dropping $382 billion in cash. Yep, the man who literally buys companies is taking a breather, and Vic breaks down what that means for the rest of us (hint: things might be a tad overpriced). We also chat about bitcoin's big dip (Soph's thrilled), why AMD's results weren't enough to keep investors happy, and how gold's having its main-character moment again. Plus, we celebrate the UK finally adding financial literacy to the school curriculum (goodbye, recorder lessons), unpack the mass Kiwi move to Australia, and somehow veer into royal neighbours, countryside dreams, and near-misses with Lorde.WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits:Bear Market – When stocks fall and vibes are low. Bull Market – When prices rise and everyone's buzzing. Valuation – What a company thinks it's worth.Cash Pile – A giant stack of money waiting for action.Berkshire Hathaway – Warren Buffett's money empire.Revenue Growth – When sales go up. Yay, more money!Correction – A market “oops” before it (hopefully) recovers.Defensive Stocks – Boring-but-reliable companies.Safe Haven – Where nervous investors hide their cash (hi, gold).Bitcoin – The drama queen of digital money.Crypto – Internet money. Risky but exciting.IPO – A company's stock market debut.Credits:Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie HallwrightProducer & Editor: Emily RigbySocial & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline

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Vic brings ‘The Soul of Money' to the couch and suddenly our bank statements feel like diaries we maybe… wouldn't show our mums. We unpack the myth of ‘never enough,' swap abundance for sufficiency, and explore money as a flow (sometimes a waterfall, sometimes a dribbly tap) that carries our intentions - whether that's supporting local, giving with purpose, or voting with our wallets. Expect chat on financial integrity, values-based spending & donating, and why hoarding can dam your energy. Key takeaways: name your ‘enough,' let money move with palms-up energy, and ask if each spend reflects who you are. Listen in, tell us your thoughts where you're tuned in, and drop your next book recs - we're ready for round two.

Ever walked into a pay rise conversation, only to feel your brain switch off and your confidence evaporate faster than your lunch break? You're not alone. In this episode, Sophie sits down with salary negotiation powerhouse Meggie Palmer to unpack how to prep, practise, and push through those oh-so-awkward money chats. From knowing your “wish, want, walk” numbers, to mastering the art of silence, Meggie shares practical scripts, confidence tricks, and even a “fake tunnel drop-out” hack you'll want to keep in your back pocket. We also tackle why women are conditioned to feel icky about asking for more, and how to rewire that mindset. Spoiler: you're adding value - time to own it.PepTalkHer: https://www.peptalkher.com/The original episode with Meggie: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ukKYVeZDXfaBz20qal0Gv?si=Edty--14SLuXqRIWxgkkhQWant the step-by-step guide we put together with Lexus on how to actually afford a big-ticket item (like a car that makes you feel as sleek as you look)? ⁠Grab the free PDF ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline

Sometimes the biggest lessons arrive completely out of the blue. In this episode, we sit down with 26-year-old Lily Foote, who shares the health scare that made her realise just how important health insurance really is. We talk through what it's like to get an unexpected diagnosis, the overwhelm that comes with medical jargon, and how ADHD and anxiety can make the whole process even harder to navigate. Lily opens up about the financial relief of being covered, the reality of recovery (two weeks horizontal, not ideal for a self-confessed non-chiller), and the mindset shifts that came with it all. We also dive into why admin feels like climbing a mountain, how to make health insurance less intimidating, and that tricky balance between living in the moment and planning for the future. It's an important conversation that's honest, supportive, and might just be the nudge you need to finally tick “sort health insurance” off your list.The Income Protection Episode mentioned in this podcast: A guide to adulting - Getting your Plan B sorted before it's too late What we share on this podcast reflects our own views and experiences, and not the views of Southern Cross Health Insurance. This is not intended to be a recommendation or financial advice. If you're interested in getting health insurance, please seek appropriate advice from a qualified professional to suit your circumstances.⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline

Know a small human? Cool - this one's for you. Whether you're a parent, godparent, auntie, uncle, or just someone who buys cute baby outfits on impulse, this episode is all about giving the kids in your life a serious financial head start (spoiler: it's not another teddy bear). In this highly demanded episode, we unpack the power of investing for children - how even small, regular amounts can grow into life-changing money thanks to the magic of time and compound interest. We also dive into the when, how, and what to invest in, plus genius ways to teach kids the value of money without sounding like a boring textbook. Because nothing says “I love you” like an S&P 500 fund with their name on it.Link to the surveyWant the step-by-step guide we put together with Lexus on how to actually afford a big-ticket item (like a car that makes you feel as sleek as you look)? Grab the free PDF ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline

In part two of our chat with property coach Peter West, Sophie walks us through the real, messy, and surprisingly empowering process of pulling off her first BRRR deal - and making $125K in five weeks. From dodging catfish listings and surviving auction-day adrenaline, to underspending on renos (yes, really) and using equity to go again, this episode is full of gold for anyone dreaming of getting on the ladder. There's talk of foam mattresses, flipping fails, rentvesting revelations, and one very smug WhatsApp group called ‘Property Moguls'.Keen to work with Pete or learn more about what he does? Fill in this quick form and we'll connect you: ⁠https://crtfumnrsp0.typeform.com/to/y5GyHMcLWe're proud to be partnering with BNZ, because no two journeys to home ownership are the same. BNZ's home loan experts are there to help you navigate the process with confidence - from search to signing.To learn more, head here