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Women in the UK still retire with significantly less pension wealth than men, despite decades of progress. So why does the gender pension gap persist? In this episode, Emilie Bellet is joined by Susan Hope, Business Development Director at Scottish Widows, to unpack the structural reasons behind the gap, from career breaks and caring responsibilities to workplace pensions and auto-enrolment.  They also share practical steps to help you understand your pension, make the most of employer contributions and build greater financial security for the future. Topics we covered: Why women are retiring with less than menThe £31 billion problem of lost pensionsThe three questions everyone should ask about retirementWhy retirement planning starts earlier than you thinkHow career breaks and caring responsibilities affect pensionsSimple steps to find and reconnect with old pensionsBuilding financial confidence for later life The information shared is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Connect with Vestpod Join our free Vestpod Money Reset: https://www.vestpod.com/money-reset Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe  Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses  Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod  Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Building better financial habits doesn't start with numbers. It starts with understanding behaviour. In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (founder of Vestpod) speaks with Jaskiran Mangat, financial adviser, coach and former banker, whose work sits at the intersection of money, mindset and behaviour. Jaskiran shares how cognitive biases, habits and emotional patterns shape the way we earn, spend, save and invest, and explains how behavioural science can help us build. They discuss: What behavioural science is and why it matters for your financesThe common cognitive biases that make saving and investing harderHow childhood experiences shape our relationship with moneyWhy we sometimes sabotage our own financial progressPractical ways to recognise and overcome unhelpful money habitsThe psychology behind earning more and negotiating your salaryHow to overcome fear of rejection and imposter syndromeScience-backed strategies for building better financial habitsThe power of automation, habit stacking and the 24-hour spending ruleHow to stay motivated when working towards long-term goals like retirement Whether you're trying to save more, invest with confidence, negotiate a pay rise or simply understand your financial behaviours better, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you make better money decisions. Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and difficult life circumstances. Connect with Jaskiran: @moneywithjas Follow Vestpod: Instagram: @vestpod LinkedIn: Emilie Bellet Newsletter: www.vestpod.com If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who might find it helpful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do some people confidently invest while others avoid money conversations altogether? In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet speaks with behavioural finance expert, psychotherapist and King's College London senior lecturer Dr Ylva Baeckström about the hidden forces that shape our financial decisions. From childhood experiences and financial attachment styles to confidence, investing behaviour and gender stereotypes, this conversation explores why money is rarely just about numbers. Topics covered: How financial identity is formedWhy many people avoid money conversationsThe link between childhood experiences and money habitsWhy women often outperform men as investorsThe confidence gap in financeFemale financial advisers and investing behaviourAI, financial advice and the future of investingWhy the real risk may be not investing at all The information shared is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. AD |  This episode is sponsored by Wealthify. Wealthify makes investing simple by doing everything for you — from building your portfolio, to managing it on an on-going basis. Open your account at Wealthify.com. With investing, your capital is at risk. Wealthify is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Connect with Vestpod Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe  Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses  Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod  Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AD | This episode is sponsored by Wealthify.   Most people think investing is about picking the right stocks. It is not.   This week on The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) is joined by Jessie Kwok, Chief Investment Officer at Wealthify, to unpack what drives investment outcomes over time.   They cover: Why asset allocation matters more than stock pickingHow to think about risk in a practical wayWhat shapes long-term portfolio performanceWhy staying invested is often the hardest partHow to build a portfolio you can stick to  The information shared is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice.   Wealthify makes investing simple by managing your investments for you. And if you deposit or transfer into their Stocks and Shares ISA, you could earn between £50 and £1,000 in cashback. Open your account at Wealthify.com. [OFFER REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED]   T&Cs and minimum investments apply. Registration closes on 31st May 2026. Cashback varies by total investment amount. With investing, your capital is at risk. Wealthify is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.   Connect with Vestpod Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Women are often told the path to success is straightforward: be confident, negotiate harder, lean in, speak up. But what happens when women do all of those things and still do not receive the same outcomes? This week on The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) speaks with Stefanie O’Connell about ambition, work, money, and the hidden costs many women still face professionally and personally. They discuss: why negotiation advice alone is not enoughthe backlash women can face when expressing ambitionburnout, invisible labour, and emotional loadhow inequality is reinforced through systems and expectationswhat financial independence and success can really look like for women today The information shared is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. AD | This episode is sponsored by Wealthify. Wealthify makes investing simple by managing your investments for you. And if you deposit or transfer into their Stocks and Shares ISA, you could earn between £50 and £1,000 in cashback. [OFFER REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED] Open your account at Wealthify.com. T&Cs and minimum investments apply. Registration closes on 31st May 2026. Cashback varies by total investment amount. With investing, your capital is at risk. Wealthify is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Resources Order The Ambition Penalty Website: Too Ambitious Instagram: @stefanieoconnell LinkedIn: Stefanie O’Connell Connect with Vestpod Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When money feels hard, it is often the system, not you. This week on The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) is joined by Krystle McGilvery, behavioural finance expert and Chartered Accountant, to unpack why traditional money advice fails so many people, especially those who are neurodivergent. They cover: Why financial avoidance is often a form of protectionHow time blindness impacts spending and planningThe link between impulse spending and frictionless paymentsWhy “discipline” is the wrong framework for moneyWhat a system that actually works for your brain looks like The information shared is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Resources Connect with Krystle via Krystle McGilvery and NeuroFinance OS Instagram: @krystle_mcgilvery LinkedIn: Krystle McGilvery AD | This episode is sponsored by Wealthify. Wealthify makes investing simple by managing your investments for you. And if you deposit or transfer into their Stocks and Shares ISA, you could earn between £50 and £1,000 in cashback. [OFFER REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED] Open your account at Wealthify.com. T&Cs and minimum investments apply. Registration closes on 31st May 2026. Cashback varies by total investment amount. With investing, your capital is at risk. Wealthify is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Connect with Vestpod: Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

High income, low progress: the hidden leak in your finances. This week on The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) sits down with Philly Ponniah to unpack the gap between earning and actually building wealth. They cover: Why money still disappears at £100K+The lifestyle creep you don’t noticeThe belief that quietly blocks investingThe UK’s £100K childcare tax trapWhat a real financial system looks like The information shared is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. AD | This episode is sponsored by Wealthify. Wealthify makes investing simple by managing your investments for you. And if you deposit or transfer into their Stocks and Shares ISA, you could earn between £50 and £1,000 in cashback. [OFFER REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED] Open your account at Wealthify.com. T&Cs and minimum investments apply. Registration closes on 31st May 2026. Cashback varies by total investment amount. With investing, your capital is at risk. Wealthify is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Resources Connect with Philly at Philly Financial Instagram: @phillyfinancial LinkedIn: Philly Connect with Vestpod Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich The information shared is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why does building wealth feel complicated, slow, or out of reach, even when you are earning and doing “the right things”? In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) is joined by Mary and Ken Okoroafor, founders of The Humble Penny and authors of The Wealth Habit. Together, we unpack why wealth is less about income and more about habits, identity, and systems, and how small, consistent actions can create long-term financial security. We discuss: Why wealth starts with habits, not incomeThe identity shift required to become a wealth builderThe systems that matter most, including paying yourself firstWhy mindset without action leads to “analysis paralysis”How emotional spending happens, and how to add frictionThe £1 shift and how to start earning beyond your main incomeThe trade-offs required to build long-term wealth AD | This episode is sponsored by Wealthify. Wealthify makes investing simple by managing your investments for you. And if you deposit or transfer into their Stocks and Shares ISA, you could earn between £50 and £1,000 in cashback. [OFFER REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED] Open your account at Wealthify.com. T&Cs and minimum investments apply. Registration closes on 31st May 2026. Cashback varies by total investment amount. With investing, your capital is at risk. Wealthify is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Resources Mary & Ken's new book: The Wealth Habit The Humble Penny Website Instagram @thehumblepenny and @financialjoyacademy Connect with Vestpod Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich The information shared is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Building financial independence often starts with earning more, and learning how to negotiate your salary. In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet speaks with Nicole Michler, founder of Phase 20, a career strategy and negotiation platform that helps women navigate competitive corporate environments. Nicole shares how she went from earning around £27,000 a year to building financial independence, and explains how salary negotiation, career strategy, and mindset shifts can help women ask for a pay rise and grow their income over time. Connect with Vestpod: Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do credit cards so often feel manageable at first, and then quietly turn into long-term debt? In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) is joined by Iona Bain, award-winning broadcaster, columnist, and author, following her Panorama investigation Maxed Out: The Credit Card Trap. Together, we unpack how credit card products are designed, why minimum payments and rising credit limits keep people stuck, and why debt can linger for years, even when people feel responsible and are doing their best. We discuss: What the “credit card trap” really is, and why it is not about being bad with moneyWhy minimum payments create a false sense of safetyHow credit limit increases quietly make debt harder to escapeBalance transfers, when they help and when they just delay the problemThe emotional side of debt, and why shame keeps people stuckWhat actually helps people stay in control The information shared is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. #ad This episode is sponsored by MoneyWeek. MoneyWeek gives you a clear weekly roundup of the stories, trends, and market moves that matter, written by expert journalists and delivered in print or on the app. You can try six issues for free, then enjoy an exclusive £5 discount on a quarterly subscription for The Wallet community at moneyweek.com/wallet with the code WALLET. Connect with Vestpod: Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you actually build an investment portfolio, and what is the simplest way to start? In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) is joined by Caroline Brady (Net Purpose, ex BlackRock) to break down portfolio building in plain English, from asset allocation and diversification to the difference between stocks and funds. We also cover how ESG and impact investing fit into long-term investing without overcomplicating it. We discuss: Asset allocation vs portfolio construction (simple framework)Stocks vs funds, and why many people start with index fundsRisk, diversification, and when to sellESG vs impact, and how to avoid greenwashing The information shared is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Investing carries risk, your capital is at risk. #ad This episode is sponsored by MoneyWeek.  MoneyWeek gives you a clear weekly roundup of the stories, trends and market moves that matter, written by expert journalists and delivered in print or on the app. You can try six issues for free, then enjoy an exclusive £5 discount on a quarterly subscription for The Wallet community at moneyweek.com/wallet with the code WALLET. Connect with Vestpod: Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe    Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses   Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod    Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should you even be reading financial news, and if so, how? In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet is joined by Kalpana Fitzpatrick, Digital Editor at MoneyWeek, to unpack how financial news is made, what headlines actually mean, and how to stay informed without being pulled into panic, noise, or reactive decisions. We discuss: How financial news is selected and why it often feels overwhelmingHow to tell the difference between useful information and noiseWhat headlines should (and shouldn’t) change about your money decisionsThe one question to ask before reacting to any financial story The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. We are not regulated financial advisers. Always do your own research or seek independent advice before making financial decisions. When investing, your capital is at risk. #ad This episode is sponsored by MoneyWeek.  MoneyWeek gives you a clear weekly roundup of the stories, trends and market moves that matter, written by expert journalists and delivered in print or on the app. You can try six issues for free, then enjoy an exclusive £5 discount on a quarterly subscription for The Wallet community at moneyweek.com/wallet with the code WALLET. Connect with Vestpod: Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe   Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses  Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod/   Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feeling stuck in your career even though everything looks “right” on paper? In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet is joined by Stephanie Sword-Williams, founder of F*ck Being Humble and author of Career Comedown, to explore the idea of a career comedown, that quiet moment when the path you’re on no longer feels right, even if it looks good on paper, and how ambition, energy, money, and work decisions are more connected than we realise. We discuss: Early signs you might be settling rather than choosingCare-out, gratitude guilt, and people-pleasingRedefining success and healthy ambitionHow to factor money, savings, and financial security into big career decisions #ad This episode is sponsored by MoneyWeek.  MoneyWeek gives you a clear weekly roundup of the stories, trends and market moves that matter, written by expert journalists and delivered in print or on the app. You can try six issues for free, then enjoy an exclusive £5 discount on a quarterly subscription for The Wallet community at moneyweek.com/wallet with the code WALLET. Connect with Vestpod: Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe   Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses  Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod/   Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Self Assessment deadline has a habit of arriving faster than expected. This episode covers who needs to file, what needs reporting, and how to avoid common pitfalls - with practical guidance for anyone who is self-employed, earning extra income, or managing a more complex tax setup. Vestpod founder Emilie Bellet speaks with Maike Currie, VP of Personal Finance at PensionBee, about key deadlines, pension considerations, and how Making Tax Digital will change the process from 2026. This episode is for general information only and does not constitute personal tax or financial advice. #ad Thank you to our partner PensionBee: With PensionBee, you can combine your old pensions, add money when it suits you, and make withdrawals (from age 55, rising to 57 from 2028). It’s a straightforward way to take control of your retirement savings and join a community of over 300k customers.  Its monthly podcast, The Pension Confident Podcast, aims to help listeners better understand the world of personal finance and pensions. Listen or watch the full episodes on YouTube. And if you’re already a PensionBee customer, you can listen in the PensionBee app! When investing, your capital is at risk. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Podlink. Connect with Vestpod: Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe   Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses  Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod/   Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

December is filled with pressure, expectations, and spending. Gifts, Secret Santas, school events, family gatherings, and the emotional load of trying to keep everything running. Beneath the surface, many of us feel stressed, guilty, overwhelmed, and unsure why we keep spending more than we planned. In this episode of The Wallet, we ask a simple but honest question: why can’t we stop spending? Emilie Bellet is joined by psychotherapist Holli Rubin, whose work focuses on identity, behaviour, and the emotional patterns that shape the choices we make, including with money. Together, they explore what is really driving holiday spending, what happens in the brain under stress, and how to approach December with more awareness and less self-blame. Explore Vestpod’s upcoming courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Podlink. Read our main takeaways on vestpod.com. Connect with Vestpod: Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod/ Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.