Moneytrainers - UK Money, Mindset and Microbusiness

About Moneytrainers - UK Money, Mindset and Microbusiness

I’ve been broke and I’ve built it back, and this podcast shows you how to do the same without hype or nonsense. We talk about how money really works, how mindset shapes every result, and how micro businesses grow from small, smart moves. This is for people who want control, who want their money to work harder, and who are building something of their own. Short episodes, clear ideas, and actions you can use today. Money, mindset, and micro business. This is Money Trainers.

Publisher

Richard Smith

Category

business · education · education

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

26 Oct 2022

Latest episode

19 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 19 Oct 2026

   Planning for Ageing Parents: The Crisis Before the Crisis – Podcast

   Planning for Ageing Parents: The Crisis Before the Crisis Where is Mum’s will? Who knows about Dad’s bank accounts? And who could make decisions if either of them became seriously unwell? These questions are easy to put off. While everyone is managing, there always seems to be something more pressing. Then something changes. A parent has a fall, becomes confused or struggles to cope at home. Suddenly, the family needs answers while also dealing with worry, work and everyday responsibilities. In this episode of the MoneyTrainers podcast, Richard Smith talks with Reverend Karen Acres about The Last Ten Years, his project to help people prepare for later life. Richard calls it “the crisis before the crisis”: the point when families need to get organised, before an urgent situation makes everything harder. What is The Last Ten Years? The Last Ten Years grew out of Richard’s earlier Dying to Know events and his experience helping people navigate financial and family decisions. The name does not mean anyone can predict how long they have left. It gives people a starting point for thinking about the years ahead. What would help you live well? What support might you need? What would your family need to know if you could no longer manage everything yourself? In the episode, Richard describes a project built around practical information, workshops and individual conversations. The subjects range from care arrangements and important documents to powers of attorney, funeral wishes and what happens after someone dies. It is relevant both to older people making their own plans and to adult children supporting ageing parents. Why planning for ageing parents affects the whole family Richard describes a situation many listeners will recognise. You are in your 50s or 60s, working or running a business. You may still have children at school or university. Your parents have been independent for years, but now they need more help. At first, it might be shopping, appointments or sorting out a bill. Over time, those requests can become more frequent and more complicated. The family is then trying to understand care services, finances and legal arrangements while keeping everything else going. Richard’s point is that planning needs to cover this period of increasing dependence as well as what happens after death. Who could help with the money? What support would a parent accept at home? Have they expressed any wishes about future care? Those conversations can begin while there is time to consider the answers. Start with a family paperwork rehearsal One of Richard’s practical suggestions is to rehearse what would happen if someone became seriously ill or died. That means sitting down together and asking where things are and who would know what to do. A useful starting list includes: Wills and the contact details of executors. Lasting powers of attorney and details of appointed attorneys. Bank accounts, pensions and insurance policies. Property records and mortgage information. Existing care arrangements and key contacts. Funeral wishes and any relevant plans. Instructions for finding important digital records securely. The aim is to establish what exists, what needs reviewing and where the information can be found. Knowing that a will was written years ago is useful. Knowing where the signed original is kept, and whether the appointed executors can still act, is more useful when someone needs it. Why a lasting power of attorney matters A central theme of the episode is making arrangements while you can still choose who should help you. In England and Wales, a lasting power of attorney, or LPA, allows you to appoint someone to help make decisions or make decisions on your behalf. You must have the mental capacity to make the LPA when you create it. There are two types: Property and financial affairs, covering matters such as banking, bills and property. Health and welfare, covering matters such as daily care, medical treatment and moving into a care home. A health and welfare LPA can only be used when you cannot make the relevant decision yourself. A registered property and financial affairs LPA can also be used with your permission while you retain capacity. Different arrangements apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Read the GOV.UK guide to lasting powers of attorney. Karen raises a concern that can make people reluctant to act: what if someone does not want their spouse controlling their affairs? Richard’s response is that the person can choose whom to appoint. The conversation should begin with trust, choice and an explanation of what the document allows. Discuss future treatment wishes The episode also explores how families can understand someone’s wishes about medical care before a serious illness makes communication difficult. In England and Wales, an advance decision to refuse treatment, sometimes called a living will, can record specific treatments someone would refuse in defined circumstances if they later cannot make or communicate that decision. It is different from a general statement of preferences. To be legally binding, it must meet the relevant requirements and apply to the situation. Additional formalities apply when refusing life-sustaining treatment. The NHS recommends discussing these choices with a healthcare professional who understands your medical history. Read the NHS guidance on advance decisions. For families, the starting point is a conversation about what matters to the person. That can help identify which wishes need to be discussed with clinicians and recorded formally. Make space for difficult family conversations Karen and Richard discuss how quickly disagreements can emerge when someone becomes unwell. One relative may believe a parent would want a particular treatment. Another may remember a different conversation. Neither may know whether anything was written down. Planning cannot remove every difficult decision, but it can give families a clearer understanding of the person’s wishes and the arrangements already in place. These conversations also need sensitivity. A parent may feel that questions about money or care threaten their independence. Starting with “What would you want us to know?” gives them room to explain their priorities. It also makes clear that their views belong at the centre of the discussion. Workshops, information and practical support In the recording, Richard outlines his plans for The Last Ten Years, including small group workshops in workplaces and community settings, online information and individual consultations. Workplace sessions are particularly relevant to people balancing employment with support for older relatives. Community sessions offer another setting where people can ask questions and work out what to address next. Richard also discusses his ambition to develop community funding and widen access to the project. Services and funding arrangements may change as it develops. For current information and ways to get in touch, visit The Last Ten Years. Begin with one manageable step Later life planning can feel like a long list of unfamiliar tasks. Start with one conversation. Find the will. Ask whether powers of attorney exist. Write down the name of the person who holds important documents. Then identify the next question that needs an answer. That is the practical purpose behind The Last Ten Years: helping people understand what needs attention while they still have time to make choices. Listen to the MoneyTrainers podcast episode with Richard Smith and Karen Acres, and find out more about the project at www.thelasttenyears.co.uk. Podcast summary Suggested episode title: The Last Ten Years: Planning for Ageing Parents Before a Crisis Where is the will? Who could manage the finances? And what happens if an ageing parent suddenly needs more care? In this episode of the MoneyTrainers podcast, Richard Smith talks with Reverend Karen Acres about The Last Ten Years, his project to help individuals and families prepare for later life. Richard explains what he calls “the crisis before the crisis”: the period when practical arrangements need attention, before illness or increasing care needs turn them into urgent problems. Together, they discuss locating important paperwork, understanding lasting powers of attorney, talking about future treatment wishes and supporting older parents alongside work and family responsibilities. Richard also introduces his plans for workshops, information resources and individual support, building on his earlier Dying to Know events. A direct, practical conversation about the decisions we put off—and how taking one step now can make things easier for the people we love. In this episode: What The Last Ten Years project aims to do. The pressures facing people supporting ageing parents. Richard’s family paperwork rehearsal. Lasting powers of attorney and choosing someone you trust. Conversations about future care and treatment wishes. Plans for workplace and community workshops. Podcast: MoneyTrainers Host: Richard Smith Guest: Reverend Karen Acres Find out more: www.thelasttenyears.co.uk , You can book at one to one session on the website or get in touch using the Contact Form

2. 24 Aug 2026

   Podcast – When Estate Duties and Family Duties Collide

   In this episode, I look at why estate planning is about much more than writing a will. I use a common family scenario. Dad has died and leaves everything to Mum. Their three children are executors, Mum now has dementia and lives in a care home, one child has Power of Attorney, and another still lives in the family home. The problem comes when Mum needs more money for care and the house may need to be sold. Who comes first? What should the attorney do? What happens to the child living in the property? This is exactly why we need to think about these issues before we lose the ability to make decisions. Good planning cannot cover every event, but it can give your family clear direction and help avoid serious disputes later. Because doing nothing is still a decision.

3. 12 Aug 2026

   Podcast – Direct Cremation

   Welcome to a joint podcast I did with Karen Acres.  You can find out more about Karen here.  Karen Acres Celebrant Skip to content Direct Cremation: Cheap, Simple and Not Quite What You May Think Direct cremation has become a common choice. The adverts make it sound simple. You pay a set fee, the funeral firm collects the person who has died, the cremation takes place, and the ashes come back to the family. There is no funeral service. No large bill. No fuss. You can listen to the podcast below http://www.moneytrainers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Karen-acres-direct-cremation-podcast.mp3 For some people, this may be the right choice. But before you sign anything, you need to understand what you are buying, what you are giving up, and what other choices may be open to you. Karen works as both an ordained minister and a funeral celebrant. She leads religious and non-religious services and helps families through one of the hardest times of their lives. Our talk started with our friend Jude. Jude Wanted No Fuss Jude knew that she was dying. She had made her wishes clear and had put her paperwork in order. She had thought hard about what she wanted and did not want her friends to face a large funeral bill. Her first choice was a direct cremation. Her plan seemed simple. Her body would be collected, the cremation would take place, and her ashes would come back to the people close to her. Her friends could then get together, have a drink and remember her. She thought this would save everyone trouble. Karen was concerned. Jude had many friends and was loved by a great number of people. Karen asked her whether she had thought about the effect that having no service might have on those left behind. The answer was no. Jude had thought about the cost and the work involved. She had not thought as much about grief, saying goodbye and the needs of her friends. After a long talk, Jude chose a short attended cremation service instead. Six of us attended. The service lasted around 15 minutes. It was simple, warm and personal. It did not cost anything close to the large sums that many people expect a funeral to cost. Jude still avoided a grand funeral. But the people closest to her had the chance to say goodbye. That small change made a huge difference. What Is a Direct Cremation? A direct cremation normally means: The person who has died is collected. There is no attended funeral service. The cremation takes place without family or friends present. The ashes are returned or made ready for collection later. The low price is the main selling point. Many people choose this because they do not want to leave their family with a large bill. Others say that they do not want a fuss. Those are fair reasons. The problem is that the adverts may not explain every part of the service in enough detail. Depending on the firm and package, the family may have little say over the date, time or place of the cremation. They may also have to wait before they receive the ashes. Not all direct cremation firms work in the same way. This is why families must ask clear questions before they agree to anything. You Can Arrange a Direct Cremation Locally One of Karen’s main points was that you do not have to buy a direct cremation from a large firm that advertises on television. A local funeral director may also offer direct cremation. This may give the family more choice and more contact with someone nearby. You may be able to learn: Which crematorium will carry out the cremation. The date of the cremation. The time it will take place. When the ashes will be ready. How the ashes will be returned. Whether a short attended service is possible. Knowing the date and place can matter. Some families want to light a candle, say a prayer or simply sit together at the time of the cremation. Other families feel better knowing where the person is and what is happening. That knowledge can help with the grieving process. Direct Cremation Is Not the Only Low-Cost Choice People often think there are only two choices: A cheap direct cremation with no service. A full funeral costing several thousand pounds. There is a middle choice. A local funeral director may be able to arrange a short attended cremation at a less popular time of day. The service might last 15 or 20 minutes and include only close family and friends. You may choose to: Play one or two pieces of music. Read a short tribute. Say a prayer. Hold a quiet moment. Attend without hiring a minister or celebrant. Hold a separate memorial later. You can still keep the cost under control while giving people a chance to say goodbye. Start With Your Budget Funeral arrangements often start with a list of products and services. The funeral director explains the coffins, cars, flowers, service choices and other extras. The family then chooses from the list. Karen suggests starting the other way round. Say: “This is the money we have. What can you arrange within this budget?” A good funeral director should help you find a sound option without pushing you towards things you cannot afford. You do not have to buy: An expensive coffin. Several funeral cars. Large flower displays. A long service. Printed orders of service. A costly wake. A horse-drawn carriage. Extras that do not matter to you or your family. There is no shame in setting a firm budget. Spending more does not prove that you loved someone more. A Funeral Is for the Living Too People often say: “I don’t want any fuss.” That sounds kind. It can also leave the family unsure about what to do. A funeral is not only about dealing with the body. It also gives the living a clear point at which to gather, accept what has happened and say goodbye. Without that point, some people can feel that the person simply disappeared. This does not mean everyone needs a formal funeral. It means the wishes of the person who is dying should sit alongside the needs of the people left behind. That may lead to a compromise. You could have: A short attended cremation. A private family service. A memorial gathering at a later date. A church service followed by a private committal. A celebration in a village hall, pub or social club. A small gathering at home. A simple meal or afternoon tea. The event does not have to follow the usual funeral format. The Wake Can Cost More Than Expected Families often focus on the funeral bill and forget about the cost of the wake. Catering can soon add hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Venues may charge between £14 and £22 per person, sometimes for little more than sandwiches, sausage rolls and tea. Think about what the gathering is meant to do. Most people want somewhere to sit, talk and share memories. They do not always need a full buffet. For a small group, you could: Book a table at a pub or café. Have tea and cake at a garden centre. Meet at someone’s home. Ask people to bring a cake. Arrange a simple afternoon tea. Hire a small room at a local club. Serve the person’s favourite food. Karen has helped families arrange gatherings for only ten people. Small local venues can often help when you explain the position. The aim is to bring people together, not to feed them until they need their own undertaker. Flowers Do Not Have to Cost Hundreds Funeral flowers can cost a great deal and may last only a short time. There are other ways to make the service personal. One family picked roses from the garden of the woman who had died. Another placed small potted plants around the coffin and asked each mourner to take one home and plant it. You could also use: Flowers from the person’s garden. Supermarket flowers. A single favourite flower. Plants that people can take home. Family photographs. Personal items linked to their life. A simple cloth or small display. Tradition is a choice, not a bill you must pay. Questions to Ask a Direct Cremation Provider Before buying a plan or arranging a cremation, ask: Where will the person be kept before the cremation? Which crematorium will carry out the cremation? Will the family know the date and time? How long might the family wait? Can close family attend? Is there an extra cost for an attended service? How and when will the ashes be returned? Will a delivery firm return the ashes? Can the family collect the ashes instead? What happens if the person dies at home? Are there extra charges for distance, weight or collection outside working hours? Can we use a local crematorium? What identification checks take place? What does the quoted price leave out? What will happen if we change our minds? Get the answers in writing. Do not rely only on the advert or a phone call. Talk About It Before Someone Dies The best time to discuss this is before a death. Ask the person what they want, but also explain how their choice may affect the family. Talk about: Whether anyone should attend. Religious or non-religious wishes. The budget. Music and readings. Burial or cremation. Where the ashes should go. Whether there should be a memorial. Who will make the arrangements. What matters most to the family. “I don’t want a fuss” is not a full funeral plan. It leaves too much open to doubt. The Main Point Direct cremation can be a good choice. It can keep costs down and suit people who do not want a standard funeral. But it should be an informed choice. Do not assume that a full funeral is the only other option. Speak to local funeral directors and celebrants. Tell them your budget and ask what they can arrange. A short attended service may cost far less than you expect. You can mix different choices....

4. 31 Jul 2026

   Put Your Affairs in Order—and Make Life Easier for Those Left Behind – Podcast

   Thinking about death is uncomfortable. Organising our finances, reviewing our will and documenting important information are jobs many of us would rather leave for another day. But getting these things in order is one of the most considerate things we can do for the people we care about. The value of being organised I was recently involved in administering the estate of an old friend who had died a few weeks earlier. She had worked with me on my Dying to Know workshops and understood the importance of preparing properly. Her documents were organised, the necessary information was available and everything could be found in one place. As a result, dealing with her estate was remarkably straightforward—perhaps the simplest probate work I have ever undertaken. That experience reinforced an important lesson: good preparation makes an enormous difference. When somebody dies, those left behind may need to identify bank accounts, investments, property, debts, pensions, insurance policies and numerous other details. If that information is scattered, missing or inaccessible, the administrative burden can become overwhelming at a time when family and friends should be allowed to grieve. Rehearse the process One exercise included in my Dying to Know workshops is what I call a rehearsal. It involves imagining that you have died and looking at the situation from the perspective of the person who must deal with your affairs: Could they find your will? Would they know which bank accounts you hold? Could they identify your investments and pensions? Would they understand your property arrangements? Could they locate details of your debts and regular commitments? Would they know whom to contact? Could they access the documents and information they need? The exercise can reveal gaps that might otherwise remain unnoticed until it is too late to address them. This isn’t about being morbid. It is about accepting responsibility for the practical difficulties our death could create for the people we leave behind. Review your will Having a will is important, but simply having one isn’t enough. It also needs to remain accurate and appropriate. I increasingly encounter wills that are badly out of date. They may refer to people who have died, appoint executors who are no longer suitable or rely on circumstances and legislation that have since changed. Find your will and read it again. If it is held by a solicitor, ask for a copy. Check that: Your wishes are still accurately recorded Your chosen beneficiaries remain correct The executors are still willing and suitable Everybody named in the document is correctly identified Changes in your family, finances or property have been considered The document remains legally effective If anything is unclear, obtain current professional advice before making changes. It is also worth thinking carefully before automatically appointing a solicitor as an executor. Professional executors may charge the estate for their work. One alternative is to appoint trusted individuals who can later engage a solicitor if professional assistance is required. The right arrangement will depend on your circumstances, so consider the options and take appropriate advice. Take responsibility for your financial security Putting your affairs in order isn’t only about what happens after your death. It is also about creating greater security while you are alive. Governments change, legislation evolves and financial markets rise and fall. We cannot control those events, but we can take greater control of our own finances. That begins with understanding where you stand, making a plan and ensuring your money is working towards the life you want. Most of us spend a large proportion of our lives working for money. Far fewer of us regularly stop to consider how our money could be working for us. Reviewing your finances won’t remove every uncertainty, but it can leave you better prepared for whatever happens next. Make a start You don’t have to organise everything at once. Begin by locating your will, gathering your financial information and considering what somebody else would need if they had to manage your affairs tomorrow. A little preparation now could spare the people you care about a great deal of unnecessary work and distress later. Listen to the accompanying Money Trainers podcast episode for the full discussion. You can also find more information at Money Trainers

5. 6 Apr 2026

   Dying to Know – Lunchtime Sessions

   What this is about You can listen below Why it matters Richard’s background The core idea – “The Rehearsal” Two […]

6. 4 Mar 2026

   Podcast : The Myth of Overnight Success

   Welcome to this week’s podcast. Today we are talking about overnight success. We have all heard the stories. “I bought […]

7. 17 Feb 2026

   Money Trainers – Late February Podcast Investment Risk: What Actually Matters (And What Doesn’t)

   In this March (it’s early) episode of the Money Trainers podcast, the focus is investment risk and how people really […]

8. 13 Feb 2026

   Podcast : Bitcoin, my humble view

   Bitcoin Falls, Crypto Volatility and Sensible Asset Allocation 1. Why I’m Talking About This Recent falls in Bitcoin and other […]

9. 10 Feb 2026

   Dying to Know: Why Checking the Basics Now Saves Chaos Later

   In this episode of the Money Trainers podcast, the focus is on Dying to Know and why planning for the […]

10. 8 Feb 2026

    Money Trainers February 2026 Podcast

    Money Trainers Podcast. A Reset. Not a Relaunch. The Money Trainers podcast is back. Not because there was nothing else […]

11. 22 May 2025

    Time In the Market Beats Timing the Market

    Update In April I went to two of the Ai engines and asked for some ‘share recommendations’ in order to […]

12. 9 May 2025

    Why Putting Mum’s House in a Trust to Avoid Care Fees is a Bad Idea

    Every week someone asks the same question: Prefer to listen. It’s below. “Can I put my mum’s house in a […]

13. 27 Jul 2023

    MoneyTrainers Podcast – July 2023

    In this issue of the podcast. Jeremy Hunt and his pension reforms. The so named Mansion House Compact what this […]

14. 6 Jun 2023

    MoneyTrainers – June 2023 Podcast

    Welcome to the June 2023 MoneyTrainers podcast. In this episode. Financial Scams – how can we avoid them, what should […]

15. 1 May 2023

    May 2023 Podcast – Happy Happy

    Wow, another podcast – coming thick and fast now. Today I am talking about feeling happier, being happier. What is […]

16. 29 Apr 2023

    Pension Transfers | Pension Scams | Pension Advice – New Way

    In August of 2018 the Pensions Ombudsman upheld a complaint from a policeman after he had transferred his pension from […]

17. 27 Apr 2023

    April 2023 Podcast – Dying to Know

    In this podcast I am talking about …. Death, dying and probate. It covers some of the information from they […]

18. 26 Oct 2022

    MoneyTrainers – October 2022 Podcast.

    Here is the October podcast. No show notes – my bad. No time.

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