How do you navigate "The Wobbly Middle"?

In the last pod episode of 2024, Danni and guest host Charlene discuss how male and female AJ Bell customers have differed in 2024 (as well as some surprising similarities). From the most popular shares and funds to how often we log in online, we examine why we have different habits to our male counterparts. Danni and Charlene also walk through the events in 2024 which have shapes our investing decisions. The past 12 months have been filled with elections, conflicts, and a budget that shook up financial definitions, which our experts chat through without the jargon.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Laura and Danni discuss imposter syndrome: the little voice that tells you you’re not good enough. A lack of confidence is often cited by women as they reason they don’t ask for pay rises or promotions, don’t apply for senior leadership positions, or don’t feel able to return to the workplace after taking time out. We’ve got some top tips from Zoe Hayden Jones, podcaster and founder of the online platform Jobs for Women, about how to deal with imposter syndrome and why it’s something that impacts women more than men. Plus, if you thought inflation was last year’s problem, Laura and Danni explain why higher prices might be on their way back and why an interest rate cut by the Bank of England doesn’t mean that all mortgages are getting cheaper.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Laura and Danni discuss “Equal Pay Day” - the point in the year that women stop earning relative to men because of the gender pay gap. They speak to Alesha De Freitas from The Fawcett Society, which is a charity that has been campaigning for years to reach a point when the day no longer exists because pay parity has finally been reached. They also discuss the US election which has put women and women’s issues front and centre. Whether the next President will be a woman or not, having such strong role models at the forefront of campaigns is something to celebrate.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, we hear from Susannah De Jager and Patsy Day who set up The Wobbly Middle. Navigating change in work/life balances can be stressful but also reinvigorating, and when Susannah and Patsy found themselves on the same journey, they teamed up to share their stories and top tips. Danni and guest host Jenny also discuss Labour's employment rights bill and which changes could affect the Money Matters community including sick pay, parental leave and mandatory action plans to tackle the gender pay gap.

On this week's episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, we speak to our Founding Ambassador, Baroness Helena Morrissey, about how she manages her family finances with nine children. With tips for people with or without children, Helena shares her biggest learnings and how she has balanced a career and family life. Danni and Laura also flag up an important date for women who have taken time out of the work place and might have gaps in their national insurance contributions - something which could stop them getting the full state pension in retirement. Plus they delve into why so many women put off managing their pension despite living for longer than men on average.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Laura and Danni dip into the murky world of scams. They break down jargon like “push payments” and highlight some of the ways people are being taken in, as well as how the regulator is planning to trip up scammers and reimburse victims. Danni also chats to The Sun newspaper’s “Consumer Champion” Laura Purkess about the art of complaining, and why more people should follow through with enquiries. From incorrect goods being delivered, to lack of compensation for delayed flights and the furore around “dynamic pricing” for concert tickets, Laura explains how to fight for your rights and the sense of accomplishment she gets from helping people win their battles.

As requested on our Instagram page, on this AJ Bell Money Matters pod, Laura and Danni share little financial wins. From switching current accounts and energy providers, to cashback deals, combining pensions and budgeting, the Money Matters team explain how small changes to your personal finance habits can make a big difference. Our guest this week is Joy Foster, founder of TechPixies, who tells us how investing in yourself and learning new skills shouldn't stop after school. Career breaks, which women take more than men, can leave us feeling left behind as technologies change, so Joy's advice to keep learning and top tips in this episode are invaluable.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Laura and Danni walk through a beginner’s guide to mortgages. From the differences between fixed rates and trackers, to how the Bank of England’s interest rate decision plays into what you pay, the pair discuss how rates have changed over the years and what might happen next. Plus, we’ve drafted in Kalpana Fitzpatrick, financial journalist and author of “Get to Know Money”, to breakdown the best ways to talk to children about managing money. She explains top tips to help you answer your kids’ money questions, whatever their age.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Laura and Danni discuss why the UK economy couldn’t shake off the Taylor Swift effect. Spending by fans on hotels, travel and tickets to the singer’s Eras tour helped UK inflation hold steady in June, although the impact is expected to be short lived. We also hear from Mind, Money and Soul’s Laura Ann Moore about why language plays a huge part in women’s attitude to risk. With almost half of all women telling us they aren’t comfortable with any investment losses, we discuss why understanding risk is such an important part in the journey to narrow the gender investment gap.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni and Laura chat to two mums who launched a biscuit bakery that allowed them to work around their children’s lives. Saskia Roskam and Lisa Shepherd started “The Biskery” during the pandemic with the aim of creating a business that worked around school hours for them and their employees. Plus, as a new government gets its feet under the table, we dig into what a Labour landslide might mean for your finances and the workplace with plans for menopause policies and enhanced gender pay reporting. The Biskery have also given all AJ Bell Money Matters podcast listeners an exclusive 20% discount sitewide, so head to their website and used the code "MoneyMatters20" to stock up on their sweet treats or send a gift to someone special.