The millennial bunnies from Philip Hammond’s hat in #Budget2018
Credit unions will get a Budget shot in the arm with the launch of a Premium Bond-style lottery prize to tempt young workers into these alternatives to mainstream finance. The…
The end for Bank of Mum of Dad or a cynical ploy to generate headlines?
Iona Bain Young people's financial morale, right now, is fragile. And understandably so. Some of the factors contributing to this are undeniably real. "Millennials" are, in many respects, worse off…
The 20 Something Financial Starter Kit!
"A goal without a plan is just a wish." So said Antoine Saint-Exupery in a simple yet profound statement of truth. I'm often asked by 20 somethings (and their parents/grandparents,…
Intergen Finance: the Resolution Report fully unpacked
It’s official. We are not Generation Avocado. The long-awaited report from the Intergenerational Commission has concluded, after two years and over 200 pages, that millennials are burning 15% less cash…
Throwing £10k at us won’t solve our problems – Young Money Comment
The Resolution Foundation, headed by Lord Willetts, has suggested a £10,000 windfall for every young person reaching 25 in the UK, funded by a levy for older citizens. The detailed…
QUICKIE GUIDE: The ethix of money
Can you invest in what you believe? Yea, defo. As part of our "quickie" series, we aim to give you big ideas in a quick read time. Let's go... Iona…
QUICKIE GUIDE: your investing 101
So...what the hell is investing anyways?! As part of our "quickie" series, we aim to give you big ideas in a quick read time. Let's go... IONA BAIN READ TIME:…
Gimme Shelter – getting on the housing ladder
Housing unpacked According to the bods at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the biggest decline in home ownership has been among middle earning young Brits. We're talking those aged 25…
We need to get real about auto enrolment
Iona Bain It has been lauded as a success story for the pensions industry and a quietly radical way to get more people saving for their future. But is auto…
The surprising – and worrying – truth about financial education
Iona Bain Happy New Year, Young Money fans! I hope you had a restorative festive period. ICYMI, I was very fortunate to present my first radio programme just before Christmas.…
Should YOU join the Bit-teratti? The ins ‘n’ outs of Bitcoin
Iona Bain Bitcoin. To quote Ron Burgundy from Anchorman..."well, that escalated quickly." The crypto currency was created just eight years ago by an anonymous inventor, but its value has gone up 1,000…
Millennial-friendly Budget is long overdue
Iona Bain This week, Phillip Hammond has a golden opportunity to make public finances fairer for the younger generations and to take bold, progressive steps to sort out their financial…
What today’s 18 year olds need to know about tomoz
Iona Bain Abraham Lincoln once said: “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” So while today’s freshers may be (understandably) focused on the next few months…
Watch out – the fintech revolution is here
Iona Bain When I first set up this blog six years ago, the world was a very different place. It was the aftermath of the recession, graduates were not yet…
What is young today? The REAL guide to “millennials”
Iona Bain As you may or not be aware, the Young Money Blog is a respectable but rosy-cheeked 6 and a half years old. That half year is very important,…
Pensions, as we know them, are ending. Here’s why
Iona Bain What puts our generation off saving for the future? One (very over-used) word: uncertainty. None of us knows what the future holds. But so-called "millennials" have a particularly sketchy…
Why grandparents can be a lifeline for gen Y
Iona Bain When I started my blog six years ago, nobody was really talking about how the downturn would affect young people. I remember reading the occasional newspaper column that…
Our guide to the best magic money trees for first-time buyers
UPDATED: 2018 There ain't no magic money tree, say the Conservatives. But that hasn't stopped them splashing the cash on first-time buyers initiatives in recent times. Bountiful schemes like the Help to…
The scandal of hardship facing young deaf/blind people
Iona Bain I don't attend too many events in the financial industry; as someone who is self-employed and wearing lots of hats, I've got to be careful with my time.…
Number’s up for our fear of figures
Iona Bain Picture the scene. I am in a restaurant, having enjoyed a lovely meal with friends, when the waiter arrives with the bill. Panic ensues. What do I owe?…
Has “Generation Rent” given up the home-owning dream?
We can’t get a mortgage and we're doomed to renting forever. But is that really true? Or are young people more able to get an affordable roof over their head…
Property P2P – the consolation prize for Generation Rent?
Iona Bain Recent statistics from L&G showed a continuing and worrying reliance on the Bank of Mum and Dad to fund property purchases among millennials today - renewing fears that a…
What millennials need to do TODAY with their money
Iona Bain Sometimes, life can take us by surprise – and not in a good way. Whether it’s a leaky pipe, a broken down washing machine or an emergency trip…
Our introductory guide to challenger banks for millennials
So you might have heard of challenger banks, but you're not sure what they do, or even what they are. Don't worry - we give you the basic lowdown on…
Your financial fitness plan for your first home (part 2)
Yesterday, I talked about how my Financial Fitness Plan was going to get you on the road to slimmer spending, bigger savings and nailing that first home. Today we drill…
Save for your 1st home; your financial fitness plan (part 1)
People are going mad for the Body Coach Joe Wicks, so I decided to get in on the act - except my plan will beef up your savings, not your guns. Why does that matter? Well,…
Man United fans face double letdown over savings gamble
You’d think football clubs were generating enough revenue from lucrative TV rights, hospitality and ticket prices. But they’ve also preying on fans’ loyalty through financial tie-ins, offering us the chance to be entered into prize…
Challenger banks need to get back to basics
Last week saw a whirlwind of publicity stunts and eye-catching announcements from challenger banks. But the Young Money Blog worries that some of the new players may be copying the poor customer service and annoying gimmicks that people hate so…
The Lifetime Isa – what’s the verdict?
The Lifetime Isa is one of the biggest financial developments in...well, our lifetime. No exaggeration - what other product is being held up as a way to get on the…
Women need to take back control of the financial agenda
Iona Bain A few weeks ago, I attended an investment dinner hosted by a high-profile fund house, which shall remain nameless. A sad, but not uncommon sight greeted me -…
