Insight

s the air turns crisp, and “Jingle Bells” fills the airwaves, a certain magical feeling starts to envelope many of us as the festive period draws near…

There are a several conversation topics that are likely to cause our British sensibilities to be strained.

As Halloween approaches and ghoulish decorations start to appear in windows and gardens across the nation, it’s the perfect time to ask yourself a bone-chilling question: Are you ghosting your future finances?

Despite significant progress being made over the past few decades, a gender pay gap still exists in most countries, meaning women generally earn less on average than men.

Whilst society is striving to overcome gender inequality in many aspects of life, when it comes to money, women are still at a significant disadvantage to men.

In our March blog about Homebuying and Remortgaging, we optimistically suggested “there may be light at the end of the tunnel” and “a glimmer of hope”

Ah, retirement. The golden years. Time to finally sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your labour. But before you start counting your chickens (or your retirement savings), it’s important to ask yourself some important questions. Namely: when do…

As summer approaches, it can be a time for fun in the sun, enjoying the beach, and cooling off with a swim in the sea. Many of us also love the excitement of jumping waves as they roll in and…

It’s been a wild rollercoaster ride for UK homeowners in recent years. First, we had the joy of historically low rates, making mortgages affordable for many, but then, the rates began to rise, leaving homeowners feeling the pinch. But there…

For many people, money can be a tricky subject to navigate and the mere thought of having to do something finance-related can leave them feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or stressed. Part of the problem is that the world of money is…

As we quickly approach the end of the tax year, are you confident you are making the most of Pension and ISA allowances?

With Christmas done and dusted for another year, our minds usually turn to the year ahead. In normal times, this might include a wish list of what we hope to achieve during the year; planning a holiday, moving home, getting…

The eyes of football fans are currently on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in the hope that the team they support will do well (or avoid a humiliating early exit from the competition, at the very least!).

In the midst of the cost-of-living crisis, the pressure on household budgets is considerable. Many people are frantically looking for ways to reduce costs and maximise their income…

Around 40% of us know what will happen to our property, possessions, and finances (our estate) when we die and who will be responsible for sorting everything out for us. We might even know where our funeral will take place,…

If you were to ask your employees if they would like to be paid less, the resounding answer will be no. Even when the UK is not in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, with inflation at its highest rate…

As strange as it may seem, many people have conflicting feelings as they approach retirement. The prospect of not having to go to work each day can be hugely appealing, as can having more time to do the things you…

Starting work for the first time is one of life’s landmark moments. After, perhaps, two decades of education, a young person applies for a job and successfully navigates a recruitment process. They’ll receive a job offer and, with a “start…

After two years of restrictions, foreign travel has opened up again and many of us will be hoping for an overseas holiday this year. Whether your idea of a summer break is hiking in the alps, camping in the Dordogne,…

A few weeks ago, ‘the cost of living crisis’ was grabbing all the headlines. An increase in the energy price-cap means energy prices are soaring. Food prices are increasing, with the Office for National Statistics reporting that half of people…

Better with Money’s mission is to help reduce money stress by providing employees with financial education in the workplace. We help people put in place the foundations for a better financial future by explaining how to budget, managing debt in…

The UK is facing a cost-of-living crisis. According to reports, the average UK home could see a £2,000 rise in energy costs over the next year. When coupled with increases in the cost of daily expenses such as broadband, council…

We are now working with Cushon, the fintech pensions and savings provider, to increase our reach and provide financial education and wellbeing support to Cushon’s 400,000 savers. Cushon is a fintech using its market-leading financial technology to engage savers and…

A sad side effect of the pandemic is that the number of couples separating, or divorcing has steadily increased over the past 18 months. One UK law firm, LCF Law, recently reported that it had seen divorce instructions increase by…

Let’s be honest, January is many people’s least favourite month of the year. Following all the fun, sparkle, and merriment of December, along it comes like some sort of party pooper; all sullen and joyless, as if to say: “Ok,…

It may come as a bit of a surprise, but the first Christmas advert appeared on TV this year on, wait for it, 1 October! Whilst pumpkins for Halloween were still growing in the field, and some people were putting…

Summer is a distant memory, Halloween is looming near When children dress as ghosts and ghouls, filling us with (pretend) fear They will come a ‘trick or treating’ in the hope of hordes of sweets And our jack-o’-lantern pumpkins will…

You can probably remember your child’s first day at school as if it were yesterday. Their new school uniform which they’d one day…

Former US president Theodore Roosevelt once said that “old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you’ve got to start young…

It is estimated that over 85% of the UK adult population have a smartphone and it’s highly likely you are reading this on your smart phone right now…

There is a common misconception that high earners are better with money than people further down the salary scale. It’s true that high earners have more money coming in each month…

In the not-too-distant past, children received pocket money each week which they would spend on penny sweets and comics, and whatever was left would be put in a money box to save.…

Humans are creatures of habit. Each of us, to a greater or lesser degree, do the same things in the same way, every day. We get up at the same time, visit the same places, see the…

Contrary to what you might think, identity theft and identity fraud are not new ideas. Even in the bible, the tale of Jacob and Esau is about a brother assuming the other’s identity…

Buying your first home is probably the biggest and most involved financial transaction you will ever undertake. After years of saving, you borrow an eye-wateringly large amount of…

With the daffodils poking their heads tentatively through the soil, and the clocks due to go forward an hour in a few weeks’ time, spring is clearly on the horizon. Shaking off the shackles of a long, cold…

Discover our top 10 tips for dealing with your debts – The first thing to do is to understand the full extent of your debts. For each debt you have, try writing down how much you owe…

As Christmas is to December and Halloween is to October, for many people February is all about St. Valentine’s Day. A day of love when we make an effort to show that “special someone” how much they mean…

Whilst “being in debt” has largely negative connotations, it is a normal part of managing our finances. Be it a student loan to fund university, a mortgage to buy a home, a new mobile phone contract or a credit card,…

2020 has been a tough year. The Covid-19 pandemic has taken loved ones, forced numerous changes to our lives and has created considerable financial uncertainty and hardship for many. With Christmas on the horizon it is, therefore, no surprise that…

It’s hardly a secret that many employees are unsuccessfully managing to juggle their finances. Easier access to credit and years spent living in a “want” society has meant that more than half of the population is stressed in some way…

In an age where offers of credit seem to be everywhere, and the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is increasing the reliance on credit cards and overdrafts for many people, it might come as a surprise that around half…

If you’re employed, the government has announced the job retention scheme which should offer some protection to your salary and job. This guide will look at how the job retention scheme works, your rights to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)…

What’s the best way to manage your household budget after losing your job, and what can you do to cope with a loss of earnings? This guide explains how to carry out a budget review and take control of your finances.

It’s a sad fact that more than one in four UK companies are having to make roles redundant as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Redundancy can be one of the most distressing events an employee can experience and the…

Going to university is a major milestone: it’s when we become independent and begin to find our own way in the world. Alongside new-found freedom comes the need to be financially responsible but young people often find themselves without the…

Since the beginning of April, Better with Money has been supporting employee wellbeing by running webinars to explain the most recent financial support from banks and providers. These answer questions such as how to deal with mortgages and debt as…

Major changes affecting your overdraft will be introduced in April 2020, but some banks and building societies will introduce these changes earlier. But what is changing, how will it affect you, what should you do if you’re worried about these…

If you’re wondering how your household finances are going to be affected by the Budget, it’s been a speech dominated by emergency measures to deal with coronavirus. Mindful of the fact that up to 20…

Blue Monday (the 20th of January 2020) is likely to be our busiest day of the year for calls and enquiries about debt. The Money Advice Service expects someone to contact us about debt every 4 seconds during January…

Money. Money to live. Money to pay bills. Money to have fun. Money for non-fun things like MOT’s for cars. Money for children. Money for getting to work. I know, I know, you come to work for the culture, the engagement…

The very nature of many new graduate employees who are a part of the millennial age group is that they often fail to have good financial awareness. Years of mounting student debts, government subsidies and hype surrounding their future earning…

There is a great opportunity for individuals across the UK to take back control of their financial independence. In recent months you may have developed a number of habits which have cut into your budgeting and dampened your savings. Well,…

Your staff have lots going on and often complex roles to fulfil, every day, and having an awareness of financial fraud is probably not always top of their list. However, more and more workers are being targeted through a range…

According to Financial Fraud Action UK, financial fraud losses came up to about £768 million in 2016. With the internet becoming increasingly integrated with both our work and personal lives, the issues of fraud and identity theft have evolved together…

We know you have workers that worry about debt, their financial future, lack of prospects and their status in the eyes of peers, friends and family. This can all take a toll on productivity, workplace relations and personal relationships. It…

Thieves can use someone’s identity to steal money, take out loans, sell property, and obtain a passport or driving licence. Once a thief is in possession of someone’s full name, address, date of birth, and bank or credit card details,…

We have seen in recent years the stoking of Generation Y’s agitation in how financially rough they’ve got it – and how the previous generations (probably their parent’s) had it easy. In fact, while Generation X – generally deemed to…

In the digital world, there have never been more ways for your staff to lose money from a huge variety of sophisticated scams, frauds and dishonest activity. It may feel like it’s something that only happens to other people, but…

Better with Money and creative agency like minds have a shared vision and mission to help people feel better about their money and are working together to change the conversation employers are having with their employees about their financial wellbeing.…

Understanding the subject of financial fraud is vital to any of your staff especially if they have any financial responsibilities within your organisation. By knowing what it is, they can be on the look-out for it in their daily workload…

For many people in the workplace, it can be finances that are giving staff an awful fright. As a manager or a member of HR in any organisation, you work hard each day to ensure your staff are happy with…

Halloween is next month and, for some, talking about money is a scary subject. But, in fact, we think it’s rather a funny one. There are a few topics that you don’t discuss in polite society, and money is one…

Fenner Plc engaged Better With Money to help all UK staff.  It’s goal was simple.  Help it’s people save more for retirement.  But, it’s pension governance committee knew it took more than saying “you need to save more” to its…

If your staff have children that are under the school age, they may be eligible for either employer-run tax-efficient childcare vouchers or the new government tax free childcare scheme. This enables your money to go further with the cost of…

It is often easy for potential employees to believe that salary negotiation is the most essential part of the interview process. Many are unaware of how employee benefits can be as important as the pay package. However, aside from regularly…

The summer holidays are a well-deserved break for teachers and pupils and a chance for you, as parents, to spend more time with your children. It’s easy to feel as though the long summer holidays will give you plenty of…

Don’t we all just love the UK’s public transport system? Trains are 100% reliable, always arrive on time and always seek to save you money by offering exclusive discounts and perks. Oh wait, it looks as if we’ve missed our…

A briefing note published recently by the Pensions Policy Institute revealed that the number of people who don’t bother to shop around for annuities is very worrying, and the amount of money that they lose by not doing so can…

Looking forward to a break this summer? Everyone needs a holiday. It’s vital that staff at every level of an organisation get some space each year to be refreshed and invigorated, or to simply rest a while. We are all…

How many employees at your company have signed up to do the Race for Life or some other event helping to fundraise for charities fighting cancer? It’s likely to be a not-insignificant number; cancer is a terrible illness which has…

Money can’t buy you love or happiness, but in many cases, it is linked to a better level of physical and mental health. Clearly, people who struggle financially and live within inadequate housing are likely to be the same socio-economic…

Do you keep pace with modern living using a Fitbit? Are you monitoring your financial health with the same attention to detail? Wearable technology is fast becoming part of everyday life – and many people don’t hesitate to invest in…

The days are getting longer – in terms of daylight and sadly workload too in many cases. So you would be excused for daydreaming about your next holiday and “getting away from it all”. After a stressful week, what better…

As an employer, you are probably already aware that your employees are entitled to paid holiday leave every year. If an employee works more than five days a week, they are entitled to 28 days paid holiday leave per year.…

When I wrote my book on eating healthily, I interviewed a number of people to find out what the most common barriers to eating healthily were.  Many of my interviewees said the same thing: “Healthy food is so expensive!” Now…

Stepping off the 9 to 5 treadmill can be surprisingly stressful for employees who don’t have a pension option in place to replace their income. Here are a few possible alternatives that may be open to your staff members when…

Facebook, gossip columns, the football fantasy league – they are all possible destinations for your employees during a quiet ten minutes of the lunch break. Then there are those who are browsing their way through eCommerce sites to find their…

One of the most important financial responsibilities employees need to be advised about is their pension. Poor pension planning can, can after all, have huge consequences later on. With that in mind, here are some of the key mistakes you’ll…

The link between financial issues and stress is well established, with 34% of employees distracted at work by their money worries, according to the latest ‘Employee Benefits Trend Study’*. The potential costs of workplace mistakes to a company are clear.…

Although it is not essential, providing your employees with financial education makes good business sense. If your staff are spending a lot of time worrying about their cash flow and how they will manage to pay their bills, they will…

Any good financial plan starts with an emergency fund. To be truly secure, you need to be able to cope when life throws you a curveball, whether it’s a family emergency, your roof develops a leak or your partner loses…

Childcare vouchers in the workplace is a scheme that has been in place since 1989, but in April 2018 it will be joined by a new scheme called “Tax-free Childcare”. If employees are in the current scheme when this change…

The topic of finances is personal and help may not always be well received. It can be difficult to ensure you are successfully helping your employees stay on top of their personal finances. Many employees may not wish to discuss…

We’re often told it is important to save money for retirement, but are we really putting it into practice? New research shows that in many cities across the UK, less than half of workers are confident they are putting enough…

Did you know that one in three (35%) Brits are concerned about being able to meet their financial commitments in 2017 [Equifax research, Dec 2016]? According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), employee financial well-being should be…

As the current government attempts to encourage home ownership, a number of policies and schemes designed to assist home buying, particularly for first-time buyers, have been introduced. We discuss two of these here: the Help to Buy ISA and the…

Have you noticed a change in your eating and sleeping habits? Then you may be suffering from financial stress and it can have some damaging effects on your long term mental and physical health. At least 17.5 million working hours…

Millennials can be one of the most reluctant groups when it comes to talking about pensions. High rents, low salaries, a competitive job market and an ever-rising cost of living has hit this generation hardest. So how can you engage…

Now is the time to be amongst the first in line for Jo Thresher’s debut book. Entitled ‘What’s Your Excuse for not Being Better With Money?’, Jo’s book will help you past your money management obstacles. Being better with money…

When it comes to personal finance, sometimes it doesn’t always go the way we want. As research by Royal London found in 2016, a third of people aged 35 to 44 are left struggling to deal with their day-to-day expenses…

As an employer, there is only so much you can do to help employees who are struggling financially. You’re probably not in a position to pay off their debts on their behalf, so all that you can do is offer…

  At Better with Money, we have the experience to know that coping with debt can be incredibly stressful and upsetting. Many people confide feelings of exhaustion and a pervading fear brought about by the uncertainty of their future. Something…

Worrying about money is a horrible feeling, but did you know that it doesn’t only impact a person’s emotional well-being? It can also have a major effect on physical health, and has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, and many…

Press Release 22 September 2016 Jo Thresher launches Financial Education company, Better With Money Following nearly 30 years’ experience in financial services, Jo Thresher, former Head of Money at Work for Jelf Employee Benefits, has launched Better With Money, a…

I know you are still hoping for a few late summer barbecue’s and anyone who mentions the C-word will get a dead stare but I am going to run the risk. Christmas comes the same time every year. Shocking isn’t…

As children go back to school do you remember that feeling of new shoes, rulers, pens and school bags? What about that even bigger new school feeling? Can you still remember the dread and fear of meeting new pupils and…

When is your pay review time? January? April? Is it an embarrassing question right now? Will there be a pay-rise this year? According to the ONS statistics in the year to June 2016 the average pay rise in the UK…

Are you resilient? Do you get up when your knocked down? Maybe sometimes you are back up quickly, war-paint on. When life gives you lemons you make lemonade. Or perhaps the lemons leave a sour taste in your mouth and…