Episode published: 18/11/08 | Listen to this episode

In This Week’s Episode:

With the average British family set to spend almost £300 less on Christmas this year, David Kuo investigates how our seasonal shopping habits are being hit by the credit crunch.

In the studio, helping David to shop ‘til he drops, are retail guru Bryan Roberts from Planet Retail, and Fool.co.uk’s very own queen of internet shopping Laura Starkey.


Laura Starkey with Bryan Roberts and David Kuo

So join us as we find out which retailers are feeling the pinch, where the best deals are to be found, and what this year’s must have present is going to be. It’s your essential pre-Christmas shop listen.

More on Christmas shopping
You can also catch Laura talking to Bryan in the latest episode of On The Money, our video podcast.

To read more about this topic, check out this article by Donna Werbner.


Edited at 2008-11-19 11:01:09 Edited at 2008-11-19 11:12:02

Episode published: 12/11/2008 | Listen to this episode

Following the Bank of England’s historic slashing of interest rates by 1.5% last week, David Kuo chats with Fool.co.uk’s Ed Bowsher and Rachel Robson about their reactions to the rate cut and asks - what next for consumers?

Up for discussion this week:

Should you be saving more?
With many savings accounts reducing their interest rates, can you still secure a decent level of interest on your stash of cash? Is it sensible to tie up your ‘cash-cushion’ in a fixed rate bond?

Should you be spending more?
If you’ve got a flexible tracker mortgage deal, should you be taking full advantage of the rate cut by making mortgage overpayments? Alternatively is there an argument for going on a spending spree with so many bargains out there?

Should you be investing while the market looks cheap?
What are the arguments for buying shares, funds or putting more into your pension? Has the market actually reached the bottom and should you even be investing in the stock market in a recession?

Episode published: 06/11/08 | Listen to this episode

In this week's episode:

David Kuo asks what the future holds for mortgage borrowers. Mortgage expert Ray Boulger - Senior Technical Manager from John Charcol and Tim Wilson – from our very own Fool Financial Services are in the studio.

Up for discussion this week: Why mortgage rates have not been falling in line with Bank of England base rate cuts, and how the recent consolidations in the banking sector are affecting the competiveness of mortgage products.


From left to right: Ray Boulger, with David Kuo and Tim Wilson

Plus, if you’re looking to take out a mortgage at the moment, we find out how to bag one of the few attractive deals that are still out there.

There’s also practical advice from Ray and Tim on how to deal with mortgage arrears and avoid home repossession. Edited at 2008-11-06 16:53:32

Episode published: 27/10/08 | Listen to this episode

In this week's episode:
Does it surprise you to learn that two out of every five marriages end in divorce? This week, David Kuo and Laura Starkey take a look at the financial impact of divorce, with the help of financial journalist and author Sarah Pennells.

Up for debate is the cost of a typical divorce, along with a look at some of the steps that can be taken to minimise the expenses. Do you really need to get the lawyers in? Can your former spouse decide to take financial revenge by going on a spending spree or by freezing your joint bank account? What happens to the family home?

Plus, we take a look at the lengthes some people will go to when it comes to hiding assets from an estranged partner, and find out why pre-nups are not still the preserve of the super-rich.


Laura Starkey with David Kuo and Sarah Pennells in The Fool’s podcast studio.

Regular Money Talk listeners may remember Sarah Pennells from this podcast episode recorded in January 08: The Road To Financial Bliss. Sarah also regularly reports consumer and finance issues for BBC Breakfast TV. Her new book Divorce: How to help yourself and your financesis available to buy now.

Episode published:16/10/08 | Listen To This Episode

The buy-to-let boom is over. But is buy-to-let bust?

This week, David Kuo and Donna Werbner talk to buy-to-let expert and property investment coach, David Lawrenson of Letting Focus.com.

Well, talk is putting it lightly – go for him, all guns blazing, might be more like it. Because really, is now a good time to get into buy-to-let? Sure, you can snap up a bargain if you have the cash – but what if you don’t? How hard is it to get buy-to-let finance right now? What are the risks? Edited at 2008-10-28 18:10:10

Episode published: 10/10/08 | Listen To This Episode

In This Episode
Some 300,000 of us have already invested in one, but what exactly is a SIPP? How does it work, how risky is it - and given the current financial turmoil, is now really a good time to be investing in a pension?

And, if you are investing, what should you be investing in - managed funds, high yielding shares or trackers, bonds, gilts or cash?

David’s on the case and is joined in the studio this week by Tom McPhail and Richard Hunter – pension investment experts from Hargreaves Lansdown.



Richard Hunter (Left) with Tom McPhail (Centre) and David Kuo

We also take a look at the new rules that came into effect on 1st October which mean you can now finally transfer pension money with protected rights status into your SIPP. If you’ve contracted out of your pension in the past, and already have a SIPP – this is a worth a listen.

Plus, what level of protection does the FSCS provide for pension schemes? At what point should you get out of equities as you head towards retirement age, and why is buying an annuity something of a postcode lottery in the UK?

For more on starting a pension, check out this article: Pensions For Beginners:


Edited at 2008-10-10 14:30:18 Edited at 2008-10-10 14:30:36

Episode published: 06/10/08 | Listen To This Episode

In This Week's Episode
Are the Americans wholly to blame for the credit crunch? Should there even be a bail-out by the US government and what happens to the global economy if it doesn’t work?

David’s joined in the studio this week by Fool.co.uk’s editor, Ed Bowsher and Fool.com’s Analyst Todd Wenning who’s on the line from Motley Fool HQ in Washington DC.


David Kuo and Ed Bowsher in the studio, talking to Motley Fool Analyst Todd Wenning in Washington DC.

So will things ever be the same again on Wall Street, and when it comes to investing during these troubled times, does it truly pay to be greedy when others are fearful?

Also, check out Bill Mann’s article from the Fool.com website, Dear Wall Street, We’re Watching You, as mentioned by Todd in this podcast. Edited at 2008-10-06 18:07:38

Episode published: 02/10/08 | Listen To This Episode

In this week’s episode:

When British Gas announced it was increasing its gas prices by 35% at the end of July the other providers quickly followed suit. So where next for oil and gas prices? And should you still consider switching to a fixed energy tariff after the latest round of price hikes?

Joining David in the studio this week to ‘talk tariffs’ are Florian Ritzmann from energy provider comparison service Xelector and Bill Bullen from energy provider Utilita. Neil Faulkner, our man in Germany, is also on the line.

We discuss the pitfalls of pre-pay metering, and take a look at meter fraud - Bill explains some of the ingenious (and highly illegal) ways people have defrauded energy meters over the years.

Plus, there's also practical advice from Neil on what should you do if you think you’ll struggle to make your energy payments over the next few months.

Florian previously appeared on Money Talk in April 2008 - Listen to: Fight Back Against Energy Price Hikes Edited at 2008-10-02 16:50:37

Episode published: 24/09/08 | Listen To This Episode

In This Week’s Show

David’s a little star-struck as he takes a look at how to have a more fruitful retirement with the help of former Coronation Street star Annie Hulley and Fool.co.uk’s Jane Baker.

Annie, author of Spending the kids’ inheritance shares her thoughts on children’s expectations when it comes to receiving an inheritance, why 70 is the new 60, and the pitfalls of leaving your retirement plans until the very last minute.


David with Annie Hulley (centre) and Jane Baker.
Spending the kids’ inheritance is published by HowToBooks and is available now. RRP £9.99.

David reflects on the rise of the BOMADs (that’s the Bank of Mum and Dad) while Jane shares her thoughts on ways to put more money aside for your pension, and whether a property portfolio makes suitable pension substitute.

Plus, your chance to hear David’s legendary impression of Coronation Street’s Mavis Riley. Oooh, I don’t really know! Edited at 2008-10-02 14:08:42

Episode published: 19/09/08 | Listen To This Episode

In The Show This Week:

David takes a look at the financial implications of emigrating – what should you be aware of before you go? And what’s the typical cost of uprooting yourself?

Paul Beasley, author of the Which? guide Moving Abroad, joins David in the studio as we say ‘guten Tag’ to Neil Faulkner who joins us on the line from Germany to talk about his recent move abroad.

We examine the main reasons why people move overseas, and discuss some of the main pitfalls. Just how easy is it to move the entire family? And how do you avoid 'culture shock'?

Plus, there are practical tips from Paul on obtaining a visa and setting up a bank account abroad, and Neil explains why he wishes he’d opened a Nationwide bank account before leaving the UK.



David with Paul Beasley (and the book!) Moving Abroad - A complete guide to hassle-free location is published by Which? RRP £10.99
Paul Beasley is also group editor of outbound media

Edited at 2008-09-19 11:08:28 Edited at 2008-10-08 09:49:01