The Martin Lewis Podcast

Hosted by BBC Radio 5 Live

Business

Website RSS feed

Episodes

222

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

Martin Lewis answers your financial questions, offering valuable money-saving tips.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 10, 20261 hr 10 min

Should you invest or save for your children? Best funds, best buys, kids pensions and more

This episode is your complete guide to saving and investing for children. Martin Lewis is joined by an investment specialist to answer everything you've ever wanted to know about putting money aside for under-18s, including whether it's better to save or invest (spoiler: for many children with a long-term horizon, investing may win out), how Junior ISAs and Child Trust Funds work, the best buys currently available, and the key things parents, grandparents and family members need to know before putting money away. They'll also explore investment fund options, whether Premium Bonds are a good choice for children, and even the often-overlooked world of children's pensions. Plus, in this week's Tell Us, Martin hears your stories of the times carefully checking a bill, invoice or statement saved you money. From spotting simple errors to uncovering major overcharges, including one listener who used AI to identify a £1,000 rental discrepancy. Then, Mastermind tackles a question many shoppers have wondered about: what are your legal rights if you buy something and the retailer reduces the price the very next day? Martin explains the rules, the myths, and when you may be able to get money back. And make sure you listen right to the end, as Martin reveals a special tip on an easy way for 13 to 17-year-olds to bag a free £50. If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!). So, if you’ve always wanted to know how many hours a day he spends on his phone, what his go-to karaoke song is, or you have a very complicated question about your finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk .

September 7, 202650 min

Question Time: Am I short-changing my kids’ savings? How to stop loans for gambling addict? Does Section 75 work with vouchers?

In our Question Time podcast, Martin Lewis gives you answers on anything and everything, including: how do I get a PAC code when there's multiple numbers on my account? Will I be protected by Section 75 if I part-pay with vouchers? Should I move savings for my child into an ISA? Is there a service to stop an addict accessing loans and credit cards? We also have a success, where Hannah tells us how she passed Martin’s advice to a friend, and saved her £540 on her mobile and broadband! Plus, Matt asks Martin how he organises his wardrobe. If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!). So, if you’ve always wanted to know how many hours a day he spends on his phone, what his go-to karaoke song is, or you have a very complicated question about your finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk .

September 3, 20261 hr 4 min

Time to save for kids’ uni? Time to refix your energy tariff? Plus more back-to-reality issues

In this week's The Martin Lewis Podcast, it's Back to Life, Back to Reality as Martin returns with a pot pourri of essential September savings and money tips. From a crucial warning for parents of senior school children about the true future cost of university, to how you could be entitled to hundreds of pounds in compensation for delayed or cancelled flights this summer, Martin tackles the money issues that could put cash back in your pocket. He also explains how workers who wear a uniform could be missing out on tax relief, plus plenty more practical ways to save. With the Energy Price Cap rising, Martin breaks down the urgent deals currently available that could help cut your bills. He explains whether now is the right time to fix your tariff and, importantly, what those already on a fixed deal should do next. Spoiler: don't rush into refixing without understanding the pitfalls. Energy is also the focus of this week's Mastermind. In the Tell Us feature, it's all about the "C" word... Christmas. Listeners reveal just how much festive preparation they've already done, with some starting as far back as last November. And finally, ever wondered what Martin sounds like played at double speed? There's only one way to find out...! If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!). So, if you’ve always wanted to know his favourite paper size, what prescription he has in his glasses, or have a very complicated question about your finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk .

August 31, 202654 min

Best bits: Inheritance tax masterclass

This is a special best-of episode of the Martin Lewis Podcast, where Producer Simon has picked his favourite topics Martin has covered. Martin Lewis delves into one of the most talked-about financial topics in the UK: Inheritance Tax. From understanding who pays it and when, to the key allowances, gifting rules and common misconceptions, Martin shares some of his most valuable insights to help families make sense of the complex rules surrounding passing on wealth. Plus, in the Tell Us, Martin hears from listeners about the unexpected lessons they learned after retiring. From financial surprises and lifestyle changes to the things they wish they'd known sooner, these honest and often heartwarming reflections offer valuable insights for anyone planning for life beyond work. If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!). So, if you’ve always wanted to know his favourite paper size, what prescription he has in his glasses, or have a very complicated question about your finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk .

August 26, 202615 min

URGENT Energy price cap update: everything you need to know to beat the increase!

With Ofgem announcing the energy price cap will rise by 4% in October, Martin Lewis has recorded a special urgent podcast to tell you everything you need to know to beat the price hike and save on your energy bills.

August 21, 202642 min

Best of Question Time: How do I escape a joint account? Save hard, or spend more on my family? Top tips for beginner investors

We have picked more of our favourite questions you’ve asked Martin for another special best-of episode of our Question Time podcast. In this edition: How do I escape a joint account? Save hard, or spend more on my family? Plus top tips for beginner investors and a success story on how to explain making interest on savings with your children. If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!). So, if you’ve always wanted to know his favourite paper size, what prescription he has in his glasses, or have a very complicated question about your finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk .

August 13, 202642 min

Best bits: How to check if you’re paying too much council tax

This is a special best-of episode of the Martin Lewis Podcast, where Producer Simon has picked his favourite topics Martin has covered. Martin Lewis tackles one of the household bills causing confusion for millions: Council Tax. From discounts and exemptions to challenges, refunds and ways to check you're not paying more than you should, Martin shares some of his most useful guidance to help you navigate the system and potentially save money. Plus, in Tell Us Martin reveals the fascinating secrets shared by flight crew workers. From booking tricks to what really happens behind the scenes, hear the insider tips and surprising confessions that you won't want to miss. If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!). So, if you’ve always wanted to know his favourite paper size, what prescription he has in his glasses, or have a very complicated question about your finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk .

August 6, 202635 min

Best of Question Time: Is 15% of my salary going in a pension enough? I'm finally debt free, what now? What should we call you?

This is a special best-of episode of our Question Time podcast, where Matt has picked his favourite questions you’ve asked Martin, including: I’m 23 and saving 15% of my salary into my pension, is that enough? My 5-year-old TV’s faulty, can I get a refund? We’ve also hear from Robert, who’s finally debt free after making poor financial decisions when he was younger - and wants to know what he should do now. Then we hear from Carly, who, after hearing Robert’s story on the podcast, decided to seek help with her debt. Plus, how we (or you) decided what we should call you if you come on the podcast. If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!). So, if you’ve always wanted to know his favourite paper size, what prescription he has in his glasses, or have a very complicated question about your finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk .

July 27, 202645 min

Question Time: Can AI improve my finances? Could clearing our mortgage hurt our credit score? Old paperwork boosted my pension!

In our Question Time podcast, Martin Lewis gives you answers on anything and everything, including: can I use AI to improve my finances, and if so, what’s the best and safest way? We’re in our 60s, is it better to not pay off the remainder of our small mortgage? Will a bit of fiddling give us Section 75 credit card protection on our new windows? Am I wrong to use Amex at small retailers? We have a success where keeping old paperwork, as Martin suggested on the podcast, boosted our caller’s pension by 20%! Plus, you ask Martin what products he wouldn’t be able to live without if he had to spend less. If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!). So, if you’ve always wanted to know what his second favourite podcast is, how he feels about films that run for longer than three hours, or have a very complicated question about your finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk .

July 23, 20261 hr 6 min

What is it you just don’t get about money? Beginners guide to pensions, energy, credit cards, return rights and far more

Part two of our ‘I don’t get money’ podcasts. Martin explains your consumer rights when returning purchases, including what protection you have when goods are faulty, bought online, or simply not what you expected. He also guides listeners through the practicalities of starting to draw from a pension, covering the key decisions retirees face and common mistakes to avoid. Credit card borrowers ask about balance transfer deals, with Martin discussing when they can save money, what fees to watch out for, and how to use them effectively to tackle existing debt. The podcast also delves into several important later-life financial topics. Martin answers questions on inheritance tax, clarifying who may be affected and the rules families should be aware of, while also explaining the importance of setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney before it becomes urgently needed. With savings rates remaining a key concern, Martin discusses when interest earned on savings could become taxable, helping listeners understand allowances. He also examines the latest concerns around energy prices, what households should be prepared for. Plus, Martin looks at the changing role of cash in everyday spending. Finally, he highlights social tariffs for broadband, explaining how eligible households could significantly reduce their internet bills and how to check whether they qualify. If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!). So, if you’ve always wanted to know why he speaks so quickly, if he organises his wardrobe by colour or garment type, or have a very complicated question about your finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk .