FT News Briefing: How to spend wisely this holiday season with Claer Barrett

The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, but it's also the most expensive. Between gifts, food and travel, people can end up spending a lot of money this year. The Financial Time’s Marc Filippino talks with Claer about why people are feeling the pinch this season and what they can do about it. Mentioned in this podcast:FT Financial Literacy and Inclusion CampaignFind Claer on TikTok and Instagram Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts This episode of Money Clinic was produced by Marc Filippino, Mischa Frankl-Duval, and Victoria Craig.  Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from  Michael Lello. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a rollercoaster week for both UK politics and our personal finances, with chancellor Rachel Reeves setting out tens of billions of pounds of tax rises in the Budget. But how will these new taxes be applied and what could they cost you? In a podcast recorded live at the FT, host and consumer editor Claer Barrett is joined by Dan Neidle, the founder of Tax Policy Associates; Stuart Kirk, the FT’s investment columnist; and Tej Parikh, the FT’s economics leader writer, to field questions from readers and listeners. They cover everything from what the Budget means for people investing in UK markets, the new rules on pensions and salary sacrifice, how to stay under the £100,000 threshold for childcare support and much more.To find out how much the five-year freeze to tax thresholds could cost you, find a free link to the FT’s Budget stealth tax calculator hereClaer’s Budget column: A horrid Budget for ‘Henrys’Salary sacrifice shake-up: what it means for staff and employersFollow Claer on social media @Claerb This episode was made available with thanks to FLIC, the FT’s Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign.Read more about FLIC here or click here, and to donate, click here. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fifty-eight-year-old Margo has amassed a very healthy retirement fund, in part by buying shares in Berkshire Hathaway, the investment company run by Warren Buffett. When even the ‘Sage of Omaha’ is reducing his exposure to certain US stocks, Margo wonders if it’s time for her to follow his lead and look to invest in other parts of the world. Presenter Claer Barrett, the FT’s consumer editor, is joined by not one but two FT columnists: Simon Edelsten, Partner at Goshawk Asset Management, and finance veteran and Skin in the Game columnist Stuart Kirk. Together, they chew over Buffett’s succession plans, the lure of Japanese stocks and why even Margo’s seven-figure portfolio could be particularly vulnerable to a market correction.Disclaimer: the Money Clinic podcast is intended as a general discussion about investing, and is not intended as financial advice or any kind of investment recommendation. Everybody's financial situation is different. You should always do your own research before you make any investment decisions. If you would like to be a guest on a future episode of Money Clinic, email us at [email protected] or send Claer a DM on social media — she’s @ClaerB on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Want more? Free links:Read this FT story about how Warren Buffett has reassured investors over Berkshire Hathaway’s record cash pile: https://on.ft.com/3RtjE7DRead all about Stuart Kirk’s views on the US stock market in his latest FT column: https://on.ft.com/43yzQvHPresented by Claer Barrett, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, with mix and sound design from Breen Turner and Joe Salcedo. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt started investing at just 22 with the help of his financial adviser father. Now, at 29, and with a wedding on the cards, he’s got an extra reason to be diligent about his money. Some of Matt’s stock picks (such as Glencore) haven’t been performing as he might like. Is it time to leave stock-picking behind, and focus on a more diversified approach?Presenter Claer Barrett is joined by Adam Walkom, the co-founder of Permanent Wealth Partners, and Investors’ Chronicle editor Taha Lokhandwala, to discuss Matt’s situation. Adam and Taha disagree on the merits of stock-picking – but they’re in agreement about the concentration risk lurking within Matt’s portfolio.Want more? Free links:Read Moira O’Neill’s recent FT article about diversifying your stocks and shares Isa here: https://on.ft.com/4l0xrAkRead FT columnist Simon Edelsten on how investors can build more resilient portfolios: https://on.ft.com/41YJWUnPresented by Claer Barrett, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, with mix and sound design from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco and Joe Salcedo. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forty-nine-year-old Jane has always been careful to squirrel money away, and a recent inheritance has boosted her nest egg to £125,000. But there’s one problem: it’s all in cash. Now, with half an eye on retirement, Jane wants to start investing but is unsure about how to do this.Presenter Claer Barrett hears from experts Emma Sterland, chief financial planning director at Evelyn Partners, and Investors’ Chronicle editor Rosie Carr. Together, they discuss how Jane might make the most of tax-efficient vehicles like the stocks and shares Isa, how a first-time investor could build a diversified portfolio, and why knowing your reasons for investing is so important.Disclaimer: the Money Clinic podcast is intended as a general discussion about investing, and is not intended as financial advice or any kind of investment recommendation. Everybody's financial situation is different. You should always do your own research before you make any investment decisions. If you would like to be a guest on a future episode of Money Clinic, email us at [email protected] or send Claer a DM on social media — she’s @ClaerB on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Want more? Free links:Read Claer’s recent column weighing up the likely effect of rumoured Isa reforms: https://on.ft.com/4hdLMX5What’s going into your Isa this year? Read this guide about how to pick diversified investments by FT columnist Moira O’Neill: https://on.ft.com/4hcyKZPPresented by Claer Barrett, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, with mix and sound design from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco and Joe Salcedo. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sixty-seven-year-old Paul invests using index funds. Over the years, his exposure to US tech stocks has helped him build up a sizeable retirement pot — but recent stock market volatility is making him worry.Now that he’s no longer working, Paul wonders if he should diversify into other equity markets, consider buying bonds, or an annuity. But he is finding this is hard to do without looking at the bigger picture of his finances in retirement.Financial Times consumer editor Claer Barrett is joined by Adam Walkom, co-founder of financial planning firm Permanent Wealth Partners, and Moira O’Neill, an award-winning journalist with a column in the weekend edition of the FT.Disclaimer: the Money Clinic podcast is intended as a general discussion about investing, and is not intended as financial advice or any kind of investment recommendation. Everybody's financial situation is different. You should always do your own research before you make any investment decisions.If you would like to be a guest on a future episode of Money Clinic, email us at [email protected] or send Claer a DM on social media — she’s @ClaerB on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.Want more? Free links: If concentration risk is something that worries you, read this FT analysis: "How big is the stick market's 'America Bubble'?" https://on.ft.com/4ifFashFor a masterclass in how index funds work, do check out this episode from the Money Clinic back catalogue: 'Investment Masterclass: The cheapest way to invest.' It's available on Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/investment-masterclass-the-cheapest-way-to-invest/id287031335?i=1000582970471) and Spotify: (https://open.spotify.com/episode/4BDgn1dKL3JCkkjYwwbe2B)Presented by Claer Barrett, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, with mix and sound design from Breen Turner and Joe Salcedo. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Software engineer Stephan has a problem. As an early backer of bitcoin, he has made a lot of paper profit from cryptocurrencies, which now make up about a fifth of his portfolio. But Stephan’s also a big believer in ethical investing, including green investments. Given the energy-intensive nature of bitcoin mining, how could he approach resolving this conflict? Podcast host Claer Barrett, the FT’s consumer editor, is joined by FT columnist and personal finance expert Moira O’Neill, and David Baxter, funds editor at the Investors’ Chronicle. Together, they discuss the true meaning of green investing, and how Stephan might simplify his investments (and save himself some admin…)Disclaimer: the Money Clinic podcast is intended as a general discussion about investing, and is not intended as financial advice or any kind of investment recommendation. Everybody's financial situation is different. You should always do your own research before you make any investment decisions. If you would like to be a guest on a future episode of Money Clinic, email us at [email protected] or send Claer a DM on social media — she’s @ClaerB on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.Want more? Free links:For a great read on the future of ESG in the Trump era, read this FT article: https://on.ft.com/41qB7lWFor more information about investing using Investment Trusts, read this FT piece by columnist Jonathan Guthrie: https://on.ft.com/3QMrGYQPresented by Claer Barrett, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, with mix and sound design from Breen Turner and Joe Salcedo. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twenty-nine-year-old Faye has made some sensible investing decisions and … some more outlandish ones. Should this high-earning City worker, who’s dabbled in everything from cryptocurrency to novelty number plates, get a little bit more serious about how she invests? Presenter Claer Barrett, the FT’s consumer editor, is joined by Adam Walkom, co-founder of financial planning firm Permanent Wealth Partners, and Nimesh Shah, CEO of accountancy firm Blick Rothenberg. They speak to Faye about tax-efficient vehicles (such as like venture capital trusts), the six-figure salary tax trap, and why there’s nothing wrong with having a bit of fun investing.Disclaimer: the Money Clinic podcast is intended as a general discussion about investing, and is not intended as financial advice or any kind of investment recommendation. Everybody's financial situation is different. You should always do your own research before you make any investment decisions. If you would like to be a guest on a future episode of Money Clinic, email us at [email protected] or send Claer a DM on social media — she’s @ClaerB on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.Want more? Free links:Read more about the 60% tax trap here: https://on.ft.com/4i15aaURead Claer's tips about other ways to avoid the 60% trap apart from paying more into your pension: https://on.ft.com/41glLjCFor a primer in how VCTs work - and the pros and cons for investors - see this FT article: https://on.ft.com/41lhpYBPresented by Claer Barrett, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, with mix and sound design from Breen Turner and Joe Salcedo. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does one double a sizeable portfolio in under a decade? The short answer is by taking more investment risk - and in today’s episode one of the FT’s most experienced investment columnists weighs up the potential risks. Stuart Kirk has set an ambitious financial goal to hit ahead of his 60th birthday — growing his portfolio from just over £500,000 today to £1mn by 2032. Will he be persuaded to take a punt on flashy US tech stocks, dabble in alternative investments such as private equity, go for gold, or even gamble with cryptocurrency?In the edited highlights from the FT Weekend Festival in London, host Claer Barrett invites Stuart to present his portfolio to the FT Money tent, before taking a grilling from inquisitive FT subscribers in the audience.For more tips on how to organise your money, sign up to Claer's email series 'Sort Your Financial Life Out With Claer Barrett' at FT.com/moneycourseMoney Clinic will be back in 2025 with new episodes. If you would like to be a guest on a future episode of Money Clinic, email us at [email protected] or send Claer a DM on social media — she’s @ClaerB on X, Instagram and TikTok. Want more?Read Stuart Kirk’s recent Skin in the game columns, When will emerging stocks finally emerge?, The best way to invest in gold, and moreListen to Claer and Stuart’s viral mini podcast episode, The Five Minute Investor from Money Clinic: What is a PE ratio?Check out Claer’s column, What’s the chancellor’s next move going to be with my pension? Listen to more episodes of Money Clinic, such as Investment Masterclass: The hunt for global growth stocks, Investment Masterclass: The case for investing in AI, and more.Presented by Claer Barrett. Produced by Tamara Kormornick. Our executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Sound design by Breen Turner, with original music from Metaphor Music. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio.Disclaimer: The Money Clinic podcast is a general discussion about financial topics and does not constitute an investment recommendation or individual financial advice.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘If you can tell a good story,’ says Morgan Housel, ‘you’ll get people to line up and listen to you.’ In this episode of Money Clinic, Morgan shares some of those stories with host Claer Barrett and challenges us to think differently about our attitude to wealth and wealth creation. This episode is a repeat of a Money Clinic first published in January 2024.More information on Morgan Housel and his books: https://www.morganhousel.com/Follow Claer on social media @Claerb Presented by Claer Barrett. Produced by Philippa Goodrich. Our executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Sound design by Breen Turner, with original music from Metaphor Music. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s global head of audio.Read the transcript of this episode which was first aired in January 2024 on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.