The Martin Lewis Podcast

BBC Radio 5 Live

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

  1. 1d ago

    Question Time: Cancel old credit cards? Martin: What 3 laws would you introduce? Pay v pensions?

    In this episode of The Martin Lewis Question Time Podcast, Martin takes on your consumer rights questions including to cancel or not to cancel old credit cards, higher paycheck or higher pension contributions, and if Martin were King for a day, what three laws would he introduce? There's a question about the rules when it comes to paying tax on benefit payments, Martin explains the rules and regulations. With so many competing credit card providers, Martin takes a question on how's best to balance closing old cards with maintaining your credit score, and how to hope between different cards unscathed. There's a question asked about a showdown between an impressively high pension contribution versus a potentially massive increase in pay. Martin explains the pros and cons of each. There’s also a feel‑good moment, with a success story from a listener who successfully used Gift Aid on their charitable donations, and Martin delivers a little refresher on Gift Aid for those who want to use it to the fullest. Plus, Martin considers an alternate universe where he is in charge of Britain, and thinks of three laws he would enact for the good of the consumer. 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 ice cream flavour, if he’s ever pondered the meaning of life, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

    33 min

  2. May 21

    Big Energy Bill Hikes Coming: Should You Fix Now, Even If You’re Already Fixed?

    Martin Lewis brings you everything you need to know about your future energy bills. Martin offers a live reaction to the Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ statement in the Commons on the cost of living. Tell Us this week is all about what’s the most bizarre way you’ve secured a discount? Fancy dress, sublime banter, a secret code phrase? And Mastermind this week is about defaulting on your credit file. Can Adrian earn the elusive hallelujahs? His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know his favourite ice cream flavour, if he’s ever pondered the meaning of life, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

    59 min

  3. May 18

    Question Time: Beginner investor: explain the risk? Faulty kitchen: getting money back? Self-employed: how to start a pension?

    In this episode of The Martin Lewis Question Time Podcast, Martin tackles a packed agenda of your real-life money dilemmas, bringing practical advice to your most pressing financial questions. For those new to investing, there’s a question from a beginner worried about risk. Martin unpacks what “risk” really means, how to assess your tolerance, and why understanding volatility is key before putting your money into the markets. Martin explains pension options for the self-employed - a crucial topic for anyone without automatic workplace contributions. Martin breaks down the key choices, from personal pensions to SIPPs, explains how to get started and how to make your money work harder for your future. A listener asks what rights they have when a kitchen starts to fail five years after installation. Martin explains consumer protection laws, including how long goods should reasonably last and how to challenge retailers or manufacturers when things go wrong well beyond the guarantee period, going through his SAD FART acronym so you can easily remember your statutory rights under the UK Consumer Rights Act. There’s also a feel‑good moment, with a success story from a listener who successfully claimed on their travel insurance - highlighting the importance of knowing how to navigate the claims process. Plus, Martin reflects on his own biggest money‑saving faux pas, listen to find out if he is on the Energy Price Cap. And, England fast bowler Mark Wood steps up to become the first cricket World Cup winner to also be awarded an ESQ. 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 ice cream flavour, if he’s ever pondered the meaning of life, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

    38 min

  4. May 14

    Council Tax Cost Cutting Special: 5 ways to try to cut your bill & possibly get £1,000s back

    Martin Lewis dives into council tax. Are you overpaying? Martin breaks down practical, often overlooked ways you could cut your bill—potentially saving hundreds each year. From checking your property band to claiming discounts for single occupancy, students, or disabilities. We also explore what to do if you think your property has been incorrectly assessed—plus the potential risks of challenging your banding. With real-life success stories and clear step-by-step guidance, you’ll find out how to navigate the system and make sure you're not paying more than you need to. Plus, this week’s “Tell Us”— We’re asking: What’s the biggest money secret you’ve ever kept? When was it? Who did you keep it from—and why? We hear your candid, surprising, and sometimes emotional stories. In our regular Mastermind feature, Adrian tackles a question from Martin on Lifetime ISAs (LISAs). And Martin brings you the latest Premium Bonds update—including current prize rates, odds of winning, and whether they still stack up compared to savings accounts in today’s climate. 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 ice cream flavour, if he’s ever pondered the meaning of life, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

    1h 2m

  5. May 11

    What’s the best way to stooze (pervert 0% cards to make money)? | Top savings for 17yr-old | Will I lose Child Benefit?

    In our Question Time podcast, Martin Lewis gives you answers on anything and everything, including: an explainer on what the best way is to stooze - in other words, how to I get money from a 0% credit card to save it and maximise the gain. Martin answers a question about the best saving account options for a 17yr old. A caller asks if they will lose Child Benefit if they only earn over the limit for some of the year. Discover the advice Martin gives a parent who is nervous of giving their 18 year old a credit card for a first trip abroad. He also explains what alternatives are around. And finally, make sure you listen to the end to find out who, in the week of Martin’s birthday, we get as a surprise special guest last caller… 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 ice cream flavour, if he’s ever pondered the meaning of life, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

    30 min

  6. May 7

    Energy firms sitting on £3bn of our credit – how to get it back | Cheapest way to spend abroad

    Martin Lewis brings you everything you need to know about the energy direct debit cycle. Explaining why this is perfect time of year to check your direct debits, how much you should be in credit or debt with your energy provider and what do you do if you’re too much in credit. Martin explains the cheapest ways to spend abroad and why you should be thinking about it now. A lovely Tell Us which looks at when your children have impressed you with their financial knowledge. And Mastermind this week is all about your rights if you buy a faulty item. 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 ice cream flavour, if he’s ever pondered the meaning of life, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

    1h 2m

  7. May 4

    Question Time: Where do I put house sale money? Consumer rights wrong righted! How to talk to my partner about money?

    In our Question Time podcast, Martin Lewis gives you answers on anything and everything, including: can I switch my energy fix to a new provider during the 14-day cooling off period? Where should I keep a big lump sum I’ve got from my house sale? I’ve had a financial lightbulb moment, but my partner can’t see it, how should I talk to them about it? Plus, after a question about a retailer that was displaying the wrong returns info online, we’ve turned a consumer rights wrong into a success! 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 signature dance move, which number he has his toaster set to, or have a very complicated question about your finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

    31 min

  8. Apr 30

    Can you make £500 switching bank?

    Martin Lewis brings you everything you need to know about bank account switching, including which banks are willing to pay you money to do so. Martin also takes you through the need-to-knows about Pension Credits, whether you can claim them and how to claim. The Mastermind question this week is also on pensions. And there is also a huge win from our Question Time 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 ice cream flavour, if he’s ever pondered the meaning of life, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

    47 min
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Hosts & Guests

Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 5 Live
  • Years Active
    2012 - 2026
  • Episodes
    202
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Show Website
    The Martin Lewis Podcast

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