Skint

Connie and Mik take on the FIRE movement this week, financial independence, retire early, and try to get their heads round how it actually works. The maths behind saving 40 to 70% of your income to retire by 35 or 40 The 25 times rule and the 4% withdrawal rule explained Why FIRE savers can’t touch their pension pot until much later in life Real examples of people who’ve retired early, including a teacher and an engineer who now travels in an RV The cautionary tales, including someone forced back to work after four years Mik’s dad’s version of FIRE, retiring at 53 on a full pension to go sheep farming in Devon

This week Connie and Mik break down the rumours circulating ahead of the budget. They cover talk of equalising capital gains tax with income tax, changes to the mansion tax threshold, the pension tax free lump sum, and Andy Burnham’s comments on the state pension triple lock. Mik explains which rumours are likely to hold and which ones probably won’t. With bullet points: Connie and Mik go through the rumours circulating ahead of this year’s budget. Why there was talk of equalising capital gains tax with income tax, and why the Chancellor has ruled it out The mansion tax threshold and the problems with valuing every property over 2 million pounds Fiscal headroom explained, and why the government needs to raise more tax Employee National Insurance and why Mik thinks it’s effectively income tax by another name The state pension triple lock, and what moving to a double lock would actually mean Rumours around cutting the pension tax free lump sum, and why some people took theirs out early

This week Skint welcomes Sally, who opens up about getting into serious credit card debt after her divorce. What started as one gifted credit card turned into a two year spiral of designer shopping, hidden bags under her desk, and a debt she told nobody about. She talks through what finally made her ask for help, and how she rebuilt her relationship with money from the ground up. We cover: How easy credit card offers turned into a two year shopping spiral after her divorce Hiding the debt from her family and colleagues while working in fashion The moment she realised she had nowhere left to go Why asking for help felt like such a relief The cash envelope system and budgeting habits she built afterwards Why she now sees getting into debt as the best thing that happened to her

The financial industry loves its jargon, and this episode is here to fix that. Connie and Mik go through the terms you hear all the time but nobody ever really explains. The Bank of England, the Fed, and why interest rate decisions are kept independent from politicians The FCA and the difference between financial conduct and financial stability Passive vs active investing, and what "alpha" and "beta" actually mean Bull and bear markets explained, and why trying to time the market rarely works IPOs, private equity, and what really happens when a company like SpaceX floats EBITDA, dividends, and why some companies pay out and others don't The FIRE movement, retiring at 40 by saving up to 70% of your salary, and whether it's actually worth it If you've ever nodded along in a conversation about finance without understanding a word, this one's for you.

Mik was nearly scammed. A scarily professional WhatsApp message asked him to "verify" his card for a holiday booking in Sicily, reference number and all. On this episode of Skint, Connie and Mik break down what happened and the other scams doing the rounds right now. The fake booking confirmation that had all his details, down to arrival and departure dates The O2 phone scam where fraudsters order a phone on your account and get you to post it back to them Why hovering over an email address before clicking anything can save you A Facebook Marketplace scam that cost a friend £700 for a peloton that never existed The 17 year old who unknowingly bought fake car insurance and ended up with a criminal record

Buying a house in England is famously one of the most stressful processes in the world — no real commitment from either side until the very last minute, surprise gazumping, and estate agents with zero formal qualifications. In this episode of Skint, Connie and Mik dig into the government's proposed overhaul of the home-buying system. Sales packs : sellers disclose chain position, covenants, leasehold/freehold status and planning history before a property is even listed Earlier commitment : moving toward binding agreements sooner in the process, as seen in France and Scotland Digital property records : what's changing and the security questions still being worked out Professionalising estate agents : from a non-mandatory code of practice to future qualifications Stamp duty pain : now over 10% on properties above £1m, and how it's stalled the market and killed off quick property flips Whether you're buying, selling, or just skint and curious, this one's for you.

ISAs were designed to be simple, tax-efficient savings accounts, but over time, they’ve gotten surprisingly complex. In this episode of Skint, host Mik breaks down everything you need to know about Individual Savings Accounts. The discussion covers: ISA Types & Limits: Navigating the £20,000 annual allowance across Cash, Stocks & Shares, Lifetime (LISA), and Innovative Finance ISAs. Junior ISAs (JISAs): How to build long-term wealth for children with the £9,000 allowance—and why holding too much in cash can backfire. Upcoming Rules & Policy Changes: The new £12,000 cash ISA limit for under-65s, tax on cash interest, and the transition from Lifetime ISAs to First-Time Buyer ISAs. Smart Investing Strategies: Why ISAs are tax wrappers rather than standalone investments, the benefits of global diversification, and why long-term investors should ignore short-term market noise. Whether you're starting with £5,000 in savings or just trying to sound smart at your next dinner party, this episode offers a clear, low-pressure guide to making your money work harder.

In this episode of Skint, Connie sits down with Debbie, a chartered accountant and former Deloitte partner, to break down the complex worlds of corporate finance, career progression, and personal data privacy. Debbie shares her 23-year journey through professional services, the realities of navigating high-level finance roles as a woman, and how she managed work-life integration while raising a family. We discuss the hidden pressures of Big Four firm environments, embracing neurodiversity in the corporate world, and why the traditional career mold is changing. Later in the episode, Debbie introduces her new venture, Mercury Me—a platform created to disrupt the $1 trillion data industry by giving consumers complete control over their personal data. Learn how data algorithms target you, why you should change your cookie habits, and how you can actually start earning rewards or making charitable donations through Project Hug just by answering questions on your own terms. Key Topics Covered: Life in the Big Four: The realities of long hours, audit standards, and career progression at Deloitte. Women in Finance: Overcoming industry stereotypes and balancing partnership with parenthood. Authenticity & ADHD: Navigating neurodiversity, team dynamics, and breaking the status quo in corporate environments. The Value of Your Data: How tracking algorithms work and how Mercury Me helps you protect, collect, and monetize your personal information. Giving Back Digital-Style: How Mercury Me's sister initiative, Project Hug, allows users to redirect rewards to global causes.

Holiday season is here. Let's make sure your money goes as far as you do. Mik breaks down the stuff most of us get wrong when it comes to spending money abroad. Which exchange rates are actually good, which ones are quietly robbing you, and why where you convert your money matters more than you think. He also covers prepaid travel cards, what to watch out for with data roaming charges and the small things that can save you a surprising amount. Connie shares some personal highlights from her own experiences with money abroad. Let's just say lessons were learned. If you've ever come home from a trip and wondered where all your money went, this one's for you. New episodes every Wednesday. For entertainment and educational purposes only. Not financial advice.

The government made a squirrel to fix your finances. Let's talk about it. The government has launched a new campaign to get the UK investing. It's called Invest for the Future. It's fronted by a cartoon squirrel. Mik breaks down what the Savvy Squirrel campaign actually is, who's behind it and why it exists. He explains how there are billions of pounds just sitting in cash ISAs and savings accounts doing very little, and why the government thinks getting that money moving could make a real difference for both the economy and for you personally. He also covers what the upcoming changes to your Cash ISA allowance mean and how it all connects. Connie asks what we're all thinking. If you've never invested before, where do you even start? And should a cartoon squirrel really be the thing that gets you there? Whether you're already investing or the whole thing feels like it's not for you, this one might change how you look at what your money is actually doing. New episodes every Wednesday. For entertainment and educational purposes only. Not financial advice.

What if the way you think about money is the thing holding you back? This week Mik takes a step back from the numbers and paints a bigger picture. He walks us through the psychology behind how most of us think about earning, spending, status and investing, and why those instincts don't always work in our favour. He breaks down how thinking about risk earlier, understanding probability and spreading your investments can quietly change the direction of your finances over time. Mik also tries to shift Connie's perspective on what money and status really mean, and whether the two should be as connected as we make them. If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right but your relationship with money still feels off, this one might reframe a few things. New episodes every Wednesday. For entertainment and educational purposes only. Not financial advice.

Renters... you just got more rights! Mik breaks down every right renters have gained under the new Renters Rights Act 2026. How it's now easier to hold landlords accountable, and a whole lot harder for them to infringe on your rights as a tenant. Connie reflects on her own experiences as a renter... and let's just say it's a story worth hearing. There's a lot to unpack in this one, but don't worry, we keep it simple. If you're renting or thinking about it, this episode is essential listening. For education and entertainment purposes only. Not financial advice.

I have to say, the chemistry is off the charts... This week we've got a very special guest. Brenda, who some of you might know as Mik's partner, joins the pod to share her money story from the very beginning. She opens up about growing up when money was tight, the habits that came from that, and why saving became non-negotiable for her. She also breaks down her personal money rules, including the all-important F Off Fund. Mik takes the back seat for once and plays interviewer, asking Brenda about everything from pensions to how they approach raising kids with good money habits. It's honest, it's personal, and it's one of those episodes that might make you rethink how your own upbringing shaped the way you handle money. New episodes every Wednesday. For entertainment and educational purposes only. Not financial advice.

What do the world's most successful investors actually know that we don't? Mik walks us through some of the most famous quotes in investing, and goes deep on what each one really means, why it matters and how it actually applies to you! Together they get into the good and the bad. Where following this advice could genuinely pay off, and where it could all go horribly wrong. And yes, Connie finds a way to compare most of it to her dating life. Repeatedly - but it makes more sense than you'd think... Whether you're just starting to think about investing or you've been curious for a while, this one's a good place to start. This is not financial advice !

Hmm... I wonder if Connie is absolutely loving every single second of this challenge. Mik kicks things off by breaking down exactly how Cash Bootcamp works and the thinking behind it. The rules, the reason, and what it actually takes to survive a skint challenge. Connie gets checked in on... is she sticking to the budget or quietly bending the rules? And more importantly, how much did she spend on that t-shirt? If you've ever tried to sort your finances out but life keeps getting in the way, this one's for you. For education and entertainment purposes only. Not financial advice.

Checked your student loan balance recently ? ... Mik opens with the recent campaigns pushing for change, and breaks down what’s actually going on with Plan 2 specifically -the headlines, the noise, and what it could mean if you’re one of the millions still chipping away at yours. Connie takes a trip down memory lane to her own student loan days, and asks the question everyone’s secretly wondering… what on earth is going on with those interest rates? If you’ve ever looked at your student loan balance and felt your soul leave your body, this episode is for you. Simple, honest, and very normal-person friendly. For education and entertainment only. Not financial advice.

As of the 6th of April, how we report tax has changed 🥲 Mik outlines what’s actually changing and why this could affect a lot of you. The way we report tax is moving online, more regularly, and with less room for “I’ll sort it later”. Connie asks the practical questions. How do people actually do this, who does it affect, and what it means day to day if you are self-employed or earning outside a standard salary. If you have heard about Making Tax Digital and thought it sounded important but unclear, this episode keeps it simple, practical, and very normal-person friendly. For education and entertainment only. Not financial advice.

Cash just hits different. Mik outlines the idea behind the initiative and it turns out when people have tried this before, they often end up spending less without even trying. They also touch on why cash still matters more than people think. Like the Milan blackout, where digital payments suddenly stopped working and cash became essential again. If you have ever checked your bank account and wondered where your money actually went, this introduces a simple, practical challenge to help you take back control. For education and entertainment only. Not financial advice.

Cash just hits different. Mik outlines the idea behind Cash Bootcamp and how people have tried this before, they often end up spending less without even trying! Connie is, understandably, a bit reluctant. But that is kind of the point. Physically handing over cash forces you to think twice, whereas contactless makes it dangerously easy to spend without noticing. They also talk about why cash still matters more than people think. From everyday spending habits to situations like the Milan blackout - digital payments suddenly stopped working and cash became essential again. If you have ever checked your bank account and wondered where your money actually went, we hope this introduces a simple, practical challenge to help you take back control. For education and entertainment only. Not financial advice.

Strap in, it’s tax season, and yes, there’s a lot of it. Mik runs through some of the key changes from the latest budget, including the freeze on tax thresholds and why that matters more than it sounds. Yes, technically nothing has changed, but somehow you might still end up paying more. Connie and Mik unpack how things like salary sacrifice and dividend tax fit into the picture, what they mean in practice, and where people can easily overlook how the rules affect them. They also talk through what to actually pay attention to this tax year, what might impact your take-home pay, and how small changes can quietly add up over time. If you have seen headlines about the budget or the new tax year and thought “I should probably understand this,” this episode keeps it simple, practical, and very normal-person friendly. For education and entertainment only. Not financial advice.