Want to know more about your money? The penny drops podcast is here to help you understand your money and make better informed financial decisions. Presenter and Broadcast Journalist Andrea Fox will be grilling financial experts on your behalf to get the best tips on topics such as savings, pensions, budgeting, debt and retirement. This podcast series is brought to you by Royal London, the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions and investment company.
Episodes
Friday Nov 01, 2019
Friday Nov 01, 2019
In the first ever episode of 'The penny drops', our host Andrea Fox speaks to TV and radio presenter, author, stand-up comedian and founder of self-help money website MoneyMagpie, Jasmine Birtles. We’re kicking off the podcast series with a look at the UK’s most asked money questions.
How can you find more information?
Royal London recommends you seek professional independent financial advice before making financial decisions. You can learn more about the value of financial advice on our website, or visit Unbiased to find a trusted professional in your area.
You can also find lots of helpful general financial information on the following sites:
Money Advice Service
Website: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
Telephone: 0800 138 7777
Citizen’s Advice
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Telephone: 03444 111 444
Money Advice Trust
Website: www.moneyadvicetrust.org
Telephone: 0808 808 4000
Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances and investments can go down as well as up, meaning you could get back less than you invest. Tax relief could also change and depends on individual circumstances (read the Which! guide on tax reliefs for more information). Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording (October 2019).
Sunday Dec 01, 2019
Sunday Dec 01, 2019
In this month’s episode of 'The penny drops', our host Andrea Fox speaks to Sarah Pennells, money expert, author and creator of the UK's leading women’s money website SavvyWoman. Covering everything from contributions to taxes, we’re going back to basics on pensions.
How can you find more information?
Royal London recommends you seek professional independent financial advice before making financial decisions. You can learn more about the value of financial advice on our website, or visit Unbiased to find a trusted professional in your area.
You can also find lots of helpful information about pensions and retirement on the following sites:
Pensions Advisory Service
Website: www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk
Telephone: 0800 011 3797
Pension Wise
Website: www.pensionwise.gov.uk
Telephone: 0800 138 3944
Age UK
Website: www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/pensions
Telephone: 0800 055 6112
Money Advice Service
Website: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/pensions-and-retirement
Telephone: 0800 138 7777
And you can read more about the difference between men and women’s pensions in this report from the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances, and the value of your pension investments can go down as well as up. Tax relief could also change and depends on individual circumstances (read the Which! guide on tax reliefs for more information). Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording (October 2019).
Sunday Jan 05, 2020
Sunday Jan 05, 2020
In this episode of 'The penny drops', our host Andrea Fox talks to personal finance journalist and savings whizz Emma Lunn. This month we're finding out everything you need to know about how to save money.
How can you find more information?
Royal London recommends you seek professional independent financial advice before making financial decisions. You can learn more about the value of financial advice on our website, or visit Unbiased to find a trusted professional in your area.
You can also find lots of helpful information about saving on the following sites:
Money Advice Service
Website: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/how-to-save-money
Telephone: 0800 138 7777
StepChange
Website: www.stepchange.org/debt-info/your-financial-situation.aspx
Telephone: 0800 138 1111
Which!
Website: www.which.co.uk/money/savings-and-isas
Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances, and the value of investments or savings can go down as well as up. Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording (October 2019).
Sunday Feb 02, 2020
Sunday Feb 02, 2020
In this episode of 'The penny drops', our host Andrea Fox joins finance journalist and BBC broadcaster Guy Kilty to talk end-of-life planning and why it’s important to think about it early on.
How can you find more information?
Royal London recommends you seek professional independent financial advice before making financial decisions. You can learn more about the value of financial advice on our website, or visit Unbiased to find a trusted professional in your area.
You can also find lots of helpful information about end-of-life planning on the following sites:
Dying Matters
Website: www.dyingmatters.org/page/planning-ahead
Telephone: 08000 21 44 66
Age UK
Website: www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/end-of-life-planning
Telephone: 0800 055 6112
NHS
Website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/end-of-life-care
Cruse Bereavement Care
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Telephone: 0808 808 1677
Bereavement Advice Centre
Website: www.bereavementadvice.org
Telephone: 0800 634 9494
Royal London
Money Guides: www.royallondon.com/articles-guides/learn/money-guides
Bereavement Hub: www.royallondon.com/articles-guides/learn/bereavement
Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances. Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording (October 2019).
Sunday Mar 01, 2020
Sunday Mar 01, 2020
In this episode of 'The penny drops', our host Andrea Fox speaks to Bola Sokunbi, a certified financial education instructor and founder of Clever Girl Finance, an educational platform and personal finance website designed for women. We talk about everything from financial goals and money management to relationships, careers and family finances.
How can you find more information?
Royal London recommends you seek professional independent financial advice before making financial decisions. You can learn more about the value of financial advice on our website, or visit Unbiased to find a trusted professional in your area.
You can also find lots of helpful information about the topics discussed in this episode on the following sites:
Women’s finances
Insuring Women’s Futures, Financial Wellbeing Guide: www.insuringwomensfutures.co.uk
Good Money Week: www.goodmoneyweek.com/women
Financially Fabulous Newsletter: www.financiallyfabulous.co.uk
Family planning
Royal London Guides: www.royallondon.com/media/good-with-your-money-guides/family-financial-planning
Managing money with a partner
Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/should-we-manage-money-jointly-or-separately
Saving and budgeting
Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/budgeting/budgeting/work-out-your-budget
Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/how-to-save-money
Investing
Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/investing-beginners-guide
Debt
StepChange: www.stepchange.org
General support
Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances, and savings and investments can go up and down. Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording (January 2020).
Sunday Mar 29, 2020
Sunday Mar 29, 2020
Determination and motivation is something we can all struggle with, whether it's to do with our work, health, personal life or our finances. In this episode of 'The penny drops', our host Andrea Fox joins Mikael Lawal to talk about his journey from poverty to professional boxing, and how he’s managed personal and financial struggles along the way.
How can you find more information?
Royal London recommends you seek professional independent financial advice before making financial decisions. You can learn more about the value of financial advice on our website, or visit Unbiased to find a trusted professional in your area.
You can also find lots of helpful information about the topics discussed in this episode on the following sites:
Self-employment
GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself
Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/self-employment
Budgeting and saving
Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/beginners-guide-to-managing-your-money
Money worries
Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money
National Debtline: www.nationaldebtline.org
StepChange Debt Charity: www.stepchange.org
Mental health support
Mind: www.mind.org.uk
NHS: www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines
Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances, and savings and investments can go up and down.
This episode was recorded in January 2020 before the release of any UK Government guidance or restrictions put in place in relation to coronavirus. Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording.
Sunday May 03, 2020
Sunday May 03, 2020
In this episode of 'The penny drops', our host Andrea Fox talks to fashionpreneur and mental health campaigner George David Hodgson and Brian Semple, Head of External Affairs at the independent charity Money & Mental Health. This month we look at how our finances can affect our mental health, and vice versa, with lots of helpful tips on everything from employee rights to where to go for support.
How can you find more information?
Royal London recommends you seek professional independent financial advice before making financial decisions. You can learn more about the value of financial advice on our website, or visit Unbiased to find a trusted professional in your area.
You can also find lots of helpful information about finances and mental health, some of which are mentioned in this episode, on the following sites:
General support
Mind: www.mind.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness: www.rethink.org
Young Minds: youngminds.org.uk
Work and employment
Mind: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/legal-rights/discrimination-at-work/telling-my-employer
Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/sick-pay/getting-money-when-youre-off-work-sick
Debt
Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money
StepChange Debt Charity:www.stepchange.org
Health services and support groups
Mind: www.mind.org.uk/about-us/local-minds/local-minds
NHS, GP Services: www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/gps
NHS, Mental Health and Wellbeing: www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression
Urgent help
If you need to speak to someone, you can call the Samaritans anytime, day or night, on 116 123.
This month’s episode was recorded in February 2020, before any Government restrictions were put in place in relation to coronavirus. For more information on the new measures and financial support being offered by the Government, please visit gov.uk/coronavirus.
Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances. Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording.
Sunday May 31, 2020
Sunday May 31, 2020
In this episode of 'The penny drops', our host Andrea Fox joins Rob Harrison, founder of Ethical Consumer – a not-for-profit organisation focused on ethical consumption, trade justice and companies’ social, ethical and environmental behaviour. This month we speak about the different ways we can be more ethical and sustainable with our money, from day-to-day spending to financial products.
How can you find more information?
Royal London recommends you seek professional independent financial advice before making financial decisions. You can learn more about the value of financial advice on our website, or visit Unbiased to find a trusted professional in your area.
You can also find lots of helpful information on some of the topics discussed in this episode on the following sites:
Insurance
Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/insurance
Pensions
Pensions Advisory Service: www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk
Saving and investing
Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/saving-and-investing
Utilities
Ofgem: www.ofgem.gov.uk
Simple Energy Advice: www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk
General information
Friends of the Earth: friendsoftheearth.uk
WWF: www.wwf.org.uk
Ethical Consumer: www.ethicalconsumer.org
Energy Saving Trust: energysavingtrust.org.uk
This month’s episode was recorded in February 2020, before any Government restrictions were put in place in relation to coronavirus. For up-to-date information on travel and financial support being offered by the Government, please visit gov.uk/coronavirus.
Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances. Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording.
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
In this bonus episode of 'The penny drops', recorded as an official part of Royal London’s title sponsorship of One-Day International Cricket, our host Andrea Fox speaks to two English cricket stars.
Jonny Bairstow plays domestically for Yorkshire and internationally for England, and was part of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup winning team. Also a World Cup winner, Ebony Rainford-Brent – now retired – was captain of the Surrey women’s team and the first black woman to play for the England team.
We talk about career highs and lows, lessons learned, challenges overcome, and ambitions and goals for the future, as well as initiatives such as the African Caribbean Engagement Programme, and creating more opportunities for women and children in cricket. Recorded during the coronavirus outbreak, we also discuss how life has changed in lockdown, staying mentally and physically healthy, and at-home training tips for active or aspiring cricketers.
This month’s episode was recorded in May 2020, during the coronavirus outbreak. For up-to-date information and guidance offered by the Government, please visit gov.uk/coronavirus.
Wednesday Jul 01, 2020
Wednesday Jul 01, 2020
In this episode of 'The penny drops', our host Andrea Fox talks family finances with Rich Edwards, one half of the hugely popular Two Dads in London blog, and Becky O’Connor, a Personal Finance Specialist at Royal London. This month we discuss the financial implications of having a family, from planning your first child to growing your family and preparing for the long term.
How can you find more information?
Royal London recommends you seek professional independent financial advice before making financial decisions. You can learn more about the value of financial advice on our website, or visit Unbiased to find a trusted professional in your area.
You can also find lots of helpful information on family finances on the following sites:
Planning a family
Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/having-a-baby
Royal London: www.royallondon.com/media/good-with-your-money-guides/family-financial-planning
Adoption
Adoption UK: www.adoptionuk.org
GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/child-adoption
Saving and budgeting
Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/baby-costs-calculator
Time off work, maternity and paternity leave
GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/browse/working/time-off
Childcare costs
Childcare Choices: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/childcare-costs
GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-2-to-4-year-olds
GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare
Benefits
Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/child-benefit
Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/benefits-and-entitlements-to-claim-when-you-have-a-baby
Protecting your family
Royal London: www.royallondon.com/articles-guides/your-money/making-a-will
Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/life-and-protection-insurance
Saving for your children
Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/childrens-savings-options
Family support charities
Family Lives: www.familylives.org.uk
Family Action: www.family-action.org.uk
Care for the Family: www.careforthefamily.org.uk
This month’s episode was recorded in May 2020 during the coronavirus outbreak. For up to date information on benefits and financial support being offered by the Government, please visit gov.uk/coronavirus.
Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances. Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording.