Danni and Eve explore joy budgeting on this week’s episode - a different approach to managing your money that focuses on intentionally spending on the things that genuinely make you happy.

From gym memberships and little everyday treats to holidays and concert tickets, they discuss how to identify what brings you joy, make room for it in your budget and avoid feeling miserable about cutting back on spending (plus how to save even when money is tight).

They explore the psychology behind our spending habits, why overly restrictive budgets can be difficult to maintain and how making space for enjoyment can actually help you stick to your financial goals.

Topics covered:

• What joy budgeting is and how it works

• Balancing spending on enjoyment with saving and investing

• The psychology behind emotional and impulse spending

• Why restrictive budgets can be difficult to sustain

• Helping younger people develop healthy money habits

Financial journalist Hannah Duncan joins the Money Matters podcast to discuss why personal finance isn't always as straightforward as the experts make it sound.

From breaking traditional budgeting rules to making difficult financial decisions, Hannah shares her own experiences of freelancing, dealing with tax bills, managing financial stress and prioritising personal goals over conventional money wisdom.

The conversation explores why financial plans should be built around the life you actually want to live, how to recover from money mistakes, the realities of managing finances as a couple and why being honest about your financial situation is often the most important step towards improving it.

Topics covered:

• Why many traditional money rules don't work for everyone
• Adapting budgeting guidance to modern life
• Recovering from financial mistakes
• Managing money in relationships
• The realities of self-employment and irregular income
• Setting meaningful financial goals
• Balancing financial decisions with personal values

Many savers want better returns than cash but aren't comfortable taking stock market risk. So what are the alternatives?

In this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni Hewson is joined by Alex Farrell from the AJ Bell Investments team to explain cash alternatives that can be held within a Stocks & Shares ISA.

They discuss what money market funds are, how short-dated bonds work, how these investments compare with cash savings, and why some investors use them as a stepping stone between saving and investing.

You'll learn:

• What a money market fund is

• How short-dated bonds work

• The key differences between cash savings and investments

• Risks and potential benefits of cash alternatives

• How money market funds can be used within a Stocks & Shares ISA

• Whether cash alternatives could suit short-term savings goals

• Why confidence can be a barrier to investing, particularly for women

If you've ever wondered where to keep cash inside a Stocks & Shares ISA or want to understand low-risk investment options, this episode explains the basics in clear, straightforward language.