Welcome to This Is Money podcast, sponsored by Charles Stanley Direct. I'm Georgie Frost and joining me and Simon Lambert today is Lee Boyce. And coming up, New Year, New Year and all that jazz.

Simon gives us his essential steps to getting your finances on a sound footing as we move forward in 2026. Also today, it's been bad news for a while for pubs.

Could they get a last-minute business rate reprieve, though, which would mean Labour politicians

can actually be allowed back into their local boozers? Better news for banks. Lloyd's share

price hits its highest since the financial crash. So is the industry set for another bumper year?

Speaking of Lloyds, it's launched its best ever current account switching bonus,

while HSBC is offering a whopping £750 to entice new Premier Bank account customers.

So is it time to move? And how to turn your house into a zero bills home. And importantly, how much would it cost

to do so? Don't forget any step to date. With all the latest breaking money news, just go to this

ismoney.com.uk or download the app. But first, a message from our sponsors. With the new year

here and your New Year's resolutions confirmed, now it's time to take control of your financial future with support from Charles Stanley directs financial coaching.

Led by this is money regular, Lisa Kaplan. Financial coaching gives you access to a real expert who can help you make sense of your 2026 financial plans.

Book your free 15 minute call today at at Charles-dash-danly.com.

UK forward slash financial coaching. Go on, make 2026 the year you take control of your financial future.

Remember investment involves risk. Now back to the show. All right, we're talking about New Year's,

whether you call it a New Year's resolution,

an intention, or you just want to put yourself on a better financial footing regardless of

the day or the month. Simon has kindly pulled together his seven essential steps. And Simon,

I like this quote, by the way, that you said in the piece.

The reality is that while I may know more now, I used to be a lot better at managing my money when I had less of it. And it got me thinking, Simon, because yes, that's true for me too.

But anyway, Lee, I will get your tips as well, if that's all right.

So you can have some time to think about them while Simon talks. So Simon, tell us more. Why did you pull together your seven essential tips? Why not eight? Could you not think of eight? But you've got to settle on a number, haven't you? That's true. Yeah, yeah. And you don't want it to be, you don't want it to be too few and you don't want it to be too many.

...