It’s rude to talk about money, right? Wrong. Money really matters.
From knowing your worth to understanding the gender investment gap and how to close it, we’re here to help women have more open conversations about money and investing.
Because the truth, is women in the UK have less than half the levels of savings and investments as men*. At AJ Bell we’re passionate about helping people invest – so that statistic really bothers us.
Money Matters is our programme to put this right, through a range of educational material to help women get to grips with investing. As well as this website, that includes a regular newsletter, a podcast, and webinars all designed with female investors in mind.
So what are you waiting for? Join the conversation today.
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This week on the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni and Sarah are breaking down how global events affect the prices you see in day-to-day life. Inflation and interest rates fluctuate with both global and national turbulence, and whether you're seeing rising fuel prices or changes to your weekly shop, our experts remove the jargon. We're also joined by Rachel Springall from MoneyFacts to understand how mortgages and cash savings rates are directly impacted by geopolitical changes.
On this week’s episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast Danni is joined by a new member of the team Eve Maddock-Jones to dig into alternative investments. From handbags to art, property to precious metals, alternative investments are one way to make sure your hard-earned nest eggs don’t sit in just one basket. With gold becoming a popular choice as its price hit a record high earlier in the year, they are joined by Stuart O’Reilly from the Royal Mint to discuss the different ways of investin...
On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni is joined by AJ Bell experts Rachel Vahey and Charlene Young to share their thoughts on our new gender pension gap report. We explore the financial pressures women face in their late 20s and 30s, from childcare and career breaks to part-time work and pension blind spots. We look at why retirement savings often take a back seat, plus practical tips on boosting your pension, making the most of tax relief, and how even small contributions ...
Danni and Charlene welcome fund manager Georgina Brittain to discuss navigating choppy markets without panic. Georgina shares insights from decades of experience, advising investors to avoid emotional reactions and consider market downturns as buying opportunities, as she did during COVID-19. The discussion also highlights the critical roles of diversification, long-term thinking, and understanding the current undervaluation of UK markets, along with tailored risk management based on investment goals and time horizons.
Danni and Laura guide listeners through essential steps for new investors in the new tax year. They emphasize paying off high-interest debt, building an emergency fund, and creating a realistic budget before defining clear investment goals. The episode concludes by explaining various investment products like ISAs and pensions, encouraging listeners to start small and utilize available resources.
Danni and Laura, joined by Olivia Bowen, tackle the taboo surrounding wills, emphasizing that everyone needs one, regardless of wealth or family structure. They discuss the consequences of dying intestate, practicalities of the writing process, and the importance of updating pension nominations. The conversation also covers inheritance tax planning, including charitable giving and 'giving while living,' aiming to empower listeners to plan proactively and avoid family disputes.
This week on the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, we're joined by tech start-up CEO Victoria Smith and tech recruiter Claire Simpson to share their career tips. Both finance and tech are still male-centric sectors, so how can women help shape company policies and boost their career prospects? We also discuss the key role of a good mentor and why a battle with confidence can hold women back.
Financial psychotherapist Vicky Reynal joins Danni and Laura to discuss why money sparks so many arguments in relationships. Drawing from a recent survey, they explore how financial disagreements often stem from deeper emotional issues like power struggles, unmet needs, or differing values and upbringings. The episode offers valuable insights and practical communication strategies, encouraging couples to foster curiosity and self-reflection to resolve conflicts and strengthen their bond.
Hosts Danni and Laura, joined by financial planner Kat Lowers, explore the subtle yet costly mistake of lifestyle creep, where increased income quickly vanishes into upgraded spending habits. They delve into warning signs like social media comparison and the "I deserve it" mentality, offering practical strategies such as proactive planning, automating savings, and identifying personal spending triggers. The episode concludes with a relatable personal confession, providing actionable insights to help listeners confidently manage their finances and secure their future goals.
This episode explores simple money habits to boost financial confidence, especially after the post-holiday financial slump. The hosts and expert guest discuss strategies like dividing income into weekly pots, booking holidays early, reviewing auto-renewals and subscriptions, and automating savings. They also touch on the importance of mindful spending and connecting financial actions to personal goals, offering practical tips for everyone.
On their 100th episode, Laura and Danni reflect on the podcast's impact on women's finances since 2021. They share their own financial journeys and New Year's resolutions, along with updates from popular guests like Laura Ann Moore, Kalpana Fitzpatrick, and Rachel Peru, who discuss how their finances have changed. The hosts also hint at format changes coming to the podcast in 2026 to focus on single topics and provide more concise advice.
This episode explores the surprising prevalence of secret spending within relationships, revealing what partners hide and why. It then transitions to a comprehensive tax toolkit, featuring an expert accountant who demystifies self-assessment tax returns, key deadlines, and the complexities of payments on account. The discussion also covers tax implications for side hustles and guidance on selecting a trustworthy accountant to navigate financial compliance.
Danni and Laura examine the evolution of women's financial rights in the UK over the past five decades, highlighting milestones like the Sex Discrimination Act while also addressing ongoing challenges such as the gender pay and investment gaps. They also interview Elena Assimakolpoulos, a social media influencer, who shares her inspiring journey from selling unwanted items online to building a full-time income and starting to invest, offering actionable advice on generating extra cash and managing personal finances.
Danni and Laura delve into the complexities of the impending UK budget, discussing likely tax hikes, including income tax and the "stealth tax" of frozen bands, and the Chancellor's difficult fiscal position. The episode also features an insightful interview with Lee Chambers of Male Allies UK, who highlights the crucial role men play in fostering equality by challenging systems, valuing caregiving, and reframing the concept of "provider" in modern society. He shares his personal journey to allyship and the importance of creating judgment-free spaces for men to discuss their challenges, advocating for allyship as a vital skill set for societal progress.
Danni and Charlene welcome listeners to a special episode requested by a listener, focusing on demystifying active and passive investing and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with expert Alex Farrell. They also tackle timely rumors surrounding the upcoming budget, discussing potential changes to ISAs and pensions and their disproportionate impact on women. The hosts advocate for greater financial certainty and education to empower investors.
This episode discusses essential cybersecurity tips to protect personal finances from evolving threats like AI-enhanced scams and ransomware, referencing recent company breaches. It also features an ex-wealth manager de-jargoning key economic terms such as GDP, inflation, interest rates, fiscal rules, and stealth taxes, explaining their impact on household finances and the upcoming budget.
This episode simplifies the complex rules around inheritance tax, including thresholds, exemptions, and the seven-year gifting rule, emphasizing why proper planning is crucial. It also delves into retirement planning for women, particularly those who are single, divorced, or widowed, discussing state, workplace, and private pensions, and highlighting the importance of pension sharing during divorce and updating death benefit nominations.
Danni and Charlene discuss the varying gender pension gap, highlighting the positive narrowing of the state pension gap while revealing the significant disparity in private pensions and its implications for women's retirement income. Guest Pavita Cooper, Chair of The 30% Club, shares invaluable advice on advancing in the workplace, emphasizing strategic career planning, the importance of mentorship and networking, and overcoming obstacles like social media pressures. She also discusses balancing ambition with family commitments and the power of authenticity in leadership.
Laura and Danni first discuss a surprising gender gap in parental financial gifts for house deposits and recent positive shifts in mortgage rates. Then, Liz Dimmock, founder of Moving Ahead, details her leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of "going all in," financial planning, and building strong organizational structures. She also shares personal insights on balancing business with being a single mum and her unique financial confession.
Danni and Laura explore the financial shifts experienced during summer holidays, back-to-school preparations, and university transitions, offering practical tips. The episode also features an insightful interview with Anna Hemmings, CEO of Smart Works, who shares how the charity empowers unemployed women through coaching and clothing. They also delve into the challenges women face in the job market, the charity's fundraising efforts, and discuss strategies for addressing the significant gender pension gap.
Danni and Laura discuss the government's proposed parental leave overhaul, highlighting the current low take-up of paternity leave and its broad economic and social implications, including the gender wage gap and declining birth rate. They then interview financial educator Funmi Olafunwa, who gave evidence to the Treasury Committee about the Lifetime ISA. Funmi explains the LISA's features and the significant issues with its outdated house price cap and punitive withdrawal charges, leading to calls for comprehensive reform for both first-time buyers and self-employed pension savers.
Danni and Laura explore crucial financial topics, starting with how to identify investing scams and assess "finfluencer" advice, especially for young women. The episode then dives into an inspiring interview with Linda Davies, who shares her transition from investment banking to best-selling author, her survival of a kidnapping and breast cancer, and her ultimate calling as a life coach. Linda offers insightful tips on overcoming unconscious money conditioning, resisting lifestyle creep, and fostering a conscious, healthy relationship with personal finances.
Danni and Laura delve into the rapidly growing Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) market, highlighting consumer risks like hidden debt and credit score impact due to its current lack of regulation. They discuss impending legislation aimed at introducing affordability checks and consumer protections. The episode also features an interview with Charlotte Yonge of Troy Asset Management, who provides expert advice on maintaining a long-term investment view during periods of market panic, emphasizing diversification, doing your homework, and consistent investing through dollar-cost averaging.
The AJ Bell Money Matters podcast demystifies interest rates, detailing how the Bank of England sets them, their historical context, and their significant influence on mortgages, savings, and the economy. The episode also features an engaging interview with Jennifer Connor, UK Regional MD of the Affordable Art Fair, who shares insights on purchasing art not just as a financial investment, but primarily for personal enjoyment and connection. She provides practical tips on budgeting, placement, and understanding the artist's story, along with advice on payment plans and selling art.
Marking Earth Day, this podcast explores ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing, featuring an interview with Roberta Barr from Schroder. They define ESG, discuss the challenges of measuring sustainability, combat greenwashing, and explore the nuanced choices investors face, like those concerning fossil fuels or defense. Additionally, the hosts detail a major administrative error leading to state pension underpayments, primarily impacting women, and advise on how to check for eligibility.
This episode features children aged four to eighteen sharing their honest thoughts on money, including their biggest purchases, saving goals, and financial worries. It explores how parents can teach good money habits amidst generational differences in handling cash and online payments. Additionally, the podcast breaks down recent market instability caused by President Trump's tariffs, offering strategies to avoid rash investment decisions and discussing various long-term savings options for children like Junior ISAs.
This tax year end special provides critical advice on optimizing your finances. Experts break down jargon, explaining how to make the most of allowances like ISAs and pensions, and navigate complex issues such as the £100,000 income cliff edge. The discussion also covers strategies for workplace pensions, consolidating old schemes, understanding childcare benefits, and starting early with savings for children.
This episode explores the critical role of mentorship for women in finance, featuring AJ Bell's Alison Mollard and Georgia Swallow. They share their contrasting career paths and discuss how mentorship has shaped their experiences in a changing industry. The podcast also provides essential updates on April's upcoming price rises and important financial deadlines, alongside good news about state pension and allowance increases.
On International Women's Day, this episode reveals AJ Bell's research into the £6.6 billion gender ISA gap, highlighting how women often save in cash rather than investing. It explores individual, industry, and policy solutions to bridge this divide. Special guest Jenny Halpern Prince shares insights from her charities, Lady Garden and Access Aspiration, discussing the financial impact of women's health, fostering confidence, and instilling strong work ethics to accelerate women's financial action.
Danni and Laura delve into the often-taboo topic of love and money, sharing personal insights on Valentine's Day spending and the financial challenges faced by single individuals. The episode features Matt and Claire Towe, who founded Meet Margot to help women navigate mortgages, discussing how they manage to run a business and their personal finances as a married couple. They offer valuable advice on communication, boundaries, and the importance of financial transparency, both in business and personal life, ultimately advocating for open money conversations.
