Midlife Money Made Easy

What are the new rules for buy now, pay later, and how do they affect you? In this episode, Kate Pender, CEO of Fair For All Finance, explains the recent changes in Buy Now Pay Later regulations in the UK, how they impact consumers, and why access to credit is especially crucial for women. She discusses the risks, benefits, and practical steps for managing finances in a changing credit landscape.The episode covers:Buy Now Pay Later regulation changes in the UKImpact of credit checks on consumersWhy women have less financial resilienceRisks of easy online credit- Role of affordability checks in lendingBenefits of financial support schemes like Help to SaveThe illegal lending market and its dangersPractical advice for financial managementYou can find out more about Kate's work at Fair4AllFinance on its website:https://fair4allfinance.org.uk/ You can learn more about the BNPL rule changes here:https://fair4allfinance.org.uk/fca-regulations-begin-on-buy-now-pay-later/ *Disclaimer: The content on this channel is for educational and information purposes only and does not constitute professional financial advice.* If you are in financial distress, please contact Citizens Advice, Step Change or the Samaritans. Links below. Recorded and edited using @Riversidefm Affiliate link: https://riverside.com/?utm_campaign=campaign_2&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=julie-anna

2026 looks like it will be a bumper year for IPOs, or initial public offerings. There are some HUGE ones this year: SpaceX, which listed in June (with a valuation of a whopping $1.77 trillion, yes - trillion!), whilst Anthropic's and OpenAI's listings are around the corner. So, in this episode of Midlife Money Made Easy, we explore the world of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and how you can get involved, especially with major companies like SpaceX. And ask: can UK investors invest in them, and how much do you need? Julie-Anna spoke to Danni Hewson, head of Financial Analysis at AJ Bell, back in late June. Danni explains: What is an IPO? Why is this year special for tech IPOs? Can UK investors participate in US IPOs? Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:50 What is an IPO? 01:45 Exciting IPOs of 2026 02:30 Investing in US IPOs from the UK 05:00 How to get involved in IPOs

3 Things You Need to Know About the Energy Price Cap (And How to Lower Your Bills) With the latest energy price cap increasing to £1,862 a year, navigating your utility bills can feel more confusing than ever. What exactly is the price cap, how does it impact your monthly outgoings, and are you paying more than you need to? In this episode of Midlife Money Made Easy, Julie-Anna Needham sits down with Joanna O'Loan, Knowledge Manager at the Energy Saving Trust. Together, they break down the complexities of UK energy tariffs, explain the hidden costs on your statements, and share practical, actionable steps you can take this week to lower your energy bills. In this episode, you’ll discover: The Origins of the Price Cap: Why Ofgem introduced it, how geopolitical events impact your rates, and what it actually protects you from. Fixed vs. Variable Tariffs: How to read your energy bill, what a "flexible" or "standard variable" product means for your wallet, and how the price cap acts as a ceiling. Decoding Your Bill: The crucial difference between your unit rate (what you use) and your standing charge (the daily fee just for being connected). One Actionable Step for This Week: How to use your current statement to shop around, beat your current rate, and find a better deal. Resources: Energy Saving Trust: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/ Ofgem's energy price cap explained (Energy Saving Trust): https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/what... Ofgem's energy price cap increases (Ofgem website): https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/news/changes... Subscribe to Midlife Money Made Easy on YouTube: ‪https://www.youtube.com/@MidlifeMoneyMadeEasy

In this episode, debt expert Sara Williams from Debt Camel shares practical advice on managing debt, understanding credit scores, and avoiding common pitfalls. Sara was a debt adviser for 20 years and now blogs about debt on her website and on Instagram (search for Debt Camel). This is for you if you're feeling overwhelmed by your debtTopics: Difference between good debt and bad debtHow minimum payments trap you in debtUsing 0% balance transfers effectivelyRisks of secured and consolidation loansWhy credit scores matter less than you thinkKey takeaways: Stop paying only the minimum on credit cards to reduce debt faster.Use fixed monthly payments instead of minimum payments to pay off debt in years, not decades.Avoid cycles of borrowing by not taking unnecessary loans or consolidations.Check credit reports for errors but don't rely solely on them for financial decisions.Create a complete list of debts and stop using credit for everyday expenses.Resources:Debt CamelNational Debt LineStep Change Debt CharityRef: 94d88e43be918d14d0e8cc78ef953688eab81777

Welcome to Midlife Money Made Easy, the show that helps you understand your money in midlife. Covering all personal finance topics, including interest rates, budgeting, debt, benefits, investing, ISAs, pensions and more. Presented by financial journalist and podcaster Julie-Anna Needham.Follow on YouTube: @MidlifeMoneyMadeEasy