In Episode 7 of this Faith and Finance Top 10s season, Simon and Bex discuss ten top tips in connection with preparing for retirement.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Simon’s first top tip when planning for retirement is to start early. [01:14]
• Top tip number two is to try to keep abreast of the current, basic rules affecting pensions. Various websites such as Gov.UK, Money Saving Expert and those belonging to debt charities, such as Christians Against Poverty, can be very helpful in this regard. [03:17]
• Thirdly, Simon stresses the importance of maximising one’s State Pension eg by buying additional years, if need be. The Money Saving Expert website has some particularly helpful articles on this topic. [06:10]
• A tip for those who are one or two years off retirement is to maximise their pension contributions during that period. [08:57]
• Because of the number of different pension schemes available these days, the next tip is to ensure that you understand fully the nature of your pension arrangements and, in particular, the best way of taking money out of your pension(s). [10:09]
• Simon explains why it is important to create a retirement budget and to take account of how the cost of living might change over time. [11:49]
• The next priority identified by Simon is to collate information about your possible sources of income during retirement so that your plans can be as realistic as possible. [15:32]
• Simon suggests that, depending on circumstances, a useful tip for some people could be to consider consulting a financial planner. [17:10]
• Simon’s penultimate tip is to start applying for pensions early; don’t wait until just before you retire as it’s not an instant process. [20:15]
• Simon’s final top tip is to consider phased retirement, if that is an option for you. [21:51]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

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In Episode 6 of this Faith and Finance Top 10s season, Simon and Bex discuss ten top tips for dealing with debt.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Simon’s first top tip for dealing with debt if it has become an issue for us is to admit that we are ‘in debt’. [01:21]
• Top tip number two is to quantify and define our debt, including acknowledging the situation if the debt is best described as being ‘unmanageable’. [04:37]
• Thirdly, Simon stresses the importance of asking for help and support, especially if the debt is ‘unmanageable’, in which case professional assistance is available from the likes of Christians Against Poverty. [06:37]
• Next, Simon highlights the need to make a list of all our debts and their details because an effective action plan cannot be drawn up without that information. [08:50]
• When implementing an action plan, we should aim to create a balance between achieving our repayment goals as quickly as possible and building in budgetary resilience that will keep us on track even when unexpected expenditure occurs. [10:03]
• Simon outlines a couple of ‘snowballing’ options that can be used as the core element of a plan to pay down the debts we owe. [12:24]
• Tackling debt issues can be challenging and emotionally draining, so Simon encourages us to celebrate our debt-related ‘victories’ – which can come in a variety of different forms - in an appropriate and meaningful manner. [15:32]
• Simon explains how we can consolidate and rationalise our debts without having to pay a third party to do this for us. [18:08]
• Simon’s penultimate tip is to avoid short-term thinking; taking the long view is a real key to success when it comes to debt management. [20:13]
• Simon’s final top tip is to allow our attitude to money to be shaped by the biblical principle of avoiding the love of money and, instead, use money as a way of expressing love to others. [22:05]
• The next episode in this season will comprise ten top tips about preparing for retirement. [24:32]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.

In Episode 5 of this Faith and Finance Top 10s season, Simon and Bex discuss their Top 10 Tips for Investing.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Simon’s first top tip on this subject is to consider the investing options for our financial circumstances only once we have put in place the foundational budgetary practices that best suit our needs. [01:36]
• Top tip number two is to be clear about our objectives (‘give every pound a purpose’) and to understand the timescale for each objective. [03:52]
• Thirdly, Simon explains the importance of understanding the nature of risk and of being able to evaluate the level of risk associated with the options available to us at any one time. [05:46]
• Next, Simon suggests that minimising investment-related costs is a sensible approach to take and, if done thoughtfully, can be achieved without compromising the benefits that we are aiming to receive from investing. [07:26]
• On a related note, Simon highlights the advantages of maximising the various tax efficiency options that are legitimately available to us. [09:50]
• When it comes to the practicalities of how and when to invest, Simon suggests that keeping things simple by automating our investing (and creating a ‘pound cost averaging’ approach through that process) can be helpful and cost-effective. [12:25]
• Simon would also encourage us to review our investments from time to time (eg annually) but would urge us not to check on them frequently because they are long-term processes that can involve significant, but irrelevant, fluctuations in the short-term. [13:36]
• In addition, Simon would advise against trying to ‘time the market’. [15:26]
• Simon’s penultimate tip is to take an evidence-based approach so that we avoid being drawn into ‘speculating’ rather than ‘investing’. [18:27]
• Simon’s final top tip is to recognise the significance of investment decisions by researching the options thoroughly and by taking appropriate advice (which can generally be available without incurring cost). [20:29]
• The next episode in this season will focus on top tips for dealing with debt. [23:02]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.

You can sign up to receive news and updates about this podcast by filling out the brief form to which you will be taken when clicking on this link.