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.

This week, Danni and Rachel reveal how retirees are really spending their pension pots and explore how it changes as you get older. From tax-free cash and pension freedoms to tracking down lost pensions and making the most of workplace contributions, they share practical tips to help you take control of your retirement future.

Whether retirement feels a long way off or is fast approaching, this episode is packed with practical ideas to help you understand your pension, plan ahead and make your money work harder for your future.

Fancy buying a fixer-upper, renovating your home, or investing in a buy-to-let? This week, Danni and Sarah share their own renovation stories and explore whether property can really be a profitable investment.

They discuss how first-time buyers can get on the housing ladder, the costs you need to factor into renovation projects, and why it's very easy to spend more than you planned. Plus, they cover the realities of buy-to-let investing, from mortgage costs and taxes to changing rules for landlords, and explain why it's important not to neglect your ISAs and pension while focusing on property.

Bills are rising, budgets are stretched, and making your money go further can feel tough. This week, Danni and Charlene are joined by Mortgage Free Leigh, who shares how her family overpaid their mortgage by more than £27,000 while juggling maternity leave, childcare costs and family life.

Leigh shares the practical money habits, budgeting techniques and quick wins that helped her make progress, as well as the lessons she's learned about investing, building financial confidence and using social media to become more financially savvy.

Plus, Leigh reveals the £4,000 purchase she made after being influenced online and why it taught her an important lesson about trying to "buy a feeling".

In this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni and Jenny explore why more couples are having conversations about protecting their finances before (and after) tying the knot.

They’re joined by family law expert Susie Barter, partner at Burgess Mee, who explains what prenups are, who might benefit from them, and how they work in practice. From protecting family house deposits and inheritances to navigating pensions, property and even pets, Susie tells us all the financial conversations we should be having before and during marriage.

Prompted by the buzz around growing social media interest in prenups and Belle Burden’s book Strangers, they discuss why younger generations are increasingly considering them and whether they’re becoming part of sensible financial planning rather than a sign of distrust.

On this episode of the AJ Bell Money Matters podcast, Danni and Laura take a closer look at the growing trend of solo travel, particularly among women, and what it tells us about changing attitudes to money, independence and life priorities.

They discuss how to plan financially for travel at different stages of life – whether you're building a savings pot for a short-term trip or making sure your retirement plans leave room for adventure.

Joining the conversation is Jen Atkinson, founder of Travel Seen and Club Avandra, who explains why more women are choosing to travel alone, how the industry is evolving, and the realities of costs, confidence and finding like-minded travel companions.