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The Woman’s Hour Guide to Life is your toolkit for the juggle, the struggle and everything in between. It’s only available on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Sounds.

We all have to juggle money—but are we spending it in ways that actually bring us joy or cause us anxiety?

In this episode of The Woman’s Hour Guide to Life, we dig into the background behind your spending habits and explore how to align your money choices with the life you really want. It’s not about cutting out treats or feeling guilty—it’s about understanding your money mindset. If your personality and life experiences are causing chaos with your spending patterns and decisions, then this toolkit can help you rewire your relationship with your money and give you practical tips to get on track.

Joining the conversation with Nuala McGovern are journalist and author Anniki Sommerville, Claer Barrett, Consumer Editor at the Financial Times and host of the Money Clinic podcast, and Abigail Foster, chartered accountant and author of The Money Manual.

Key takeaways from this episode:

- Audit your spending with curiosity, not judgment: Take a regular look at your bank statements—not to shame yourself, but to spot patterns, trim unused subscriptions, and make space for what truly matters.

- Make money time a weekly ritual: Set aside a short, dedicated moment each week to check in on your finances. Think of it as a self-care session for your future self.

- Don’t sleep on your workplace pension: Make sure you understand it and are making the most of what’s on offer.

- Turn on spending alerts: Get a notification every time you spend. It’s a simple way to stay connected to your money choices as they happen.

Please note: This episode does not contain financial advice – it is more of an education. If you need advice, please do seek financial guidance from a financial advisor.

GET IN TOUCH with your dilemmas and questions for The Woman’s Hour Guide to Life:

*WhatsApp: 03700 100 444

*Social media: @bbcwomanshour

*Email: womanshour.yourviews@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Woman’s Hour Guide to Life are released on Sundays, only on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Sounds and you can also watch videos from the recordings on Instagram @bbcwomanshour

The Woman's Hour Guide to Life is presented by Nuala McGovern. It is produced by Sarah-Jane Griffiths with Sophie Powling. The Content Editor is Olivia Bolton. The Executive Editor is Karen Dalziel.

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