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A year ago bitcoin could do no wrong – now it has slumped to 79 per cent below its peak. So what went wrong for the much vaunted cryptocurrency? The mania of a year ago gave way to a bust after Christmas and apart from a few short-lived rallies bitcoin has been mainly on the slide since. That’s not to say it has no use - the cryptocurrency and underlying technology are fascinating - but just because something has some value does not mean it can’t end up in a bubble. On this week’s podcast, Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Myron Jobson look at what went wrong for bitcoin and the other cryptocurrencies and what we can learn from the boom and bust. Also on this week’s show, they look at some more durable investments, companies that have paid a rising dividend for a decade or longer – and how some have seen big rises in their share price. And finally, Simon talks us through the 2,100 road trip he took with his family to test out VW’s California campervan – and whether swapping your family car for a van that’s ready for adventure could ever be a smart move?

Georgie Frost and the This Is Money team present a housing special which explains everything you need to know about buying property!

Whatever happened to bitcoin? After the mania at the end of last year when the price spiked to almost $20,000, the cryptocurrency took a tumble but more noticeably attention has drained away. You need no greater sign of that than figures showing bitcoin Google searches are down 90 per cent. That adds weight to the argument that much of the late 2017 big leg-up was driven by mainstream punters jumping on the cryptocurrency bandwagon. On this week’s podcast we take a look at who’s buying, who’s holding and who might be waiting for the price to rise again and greater fool theory to deliver someone who will take their bitcoin off their hands. Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost also take a look at gold – and why people aren’t buying this traditional form of investment portfolio insurance – and the most consistent investment trusts of the past decade.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio podcast, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. We’re still on course for Brexit, albeit pending Parliament’s approval. Already a number of banks seem intent on following through on their threats to relocate jobs, but what about the local branches already shutting down across the UK? Meanwhile the FTSE continues to soar on the back of the slumping pound but questions remain as to the underlying health of the UK economy. Inflation also looks set to rise as does national debt although the latest GDP figures do offer some good news at least. To discuss how people can save and invest for the turbulent times ahead Georgie Frost is joined in the studio by Editor Simon Lambert and Deputy Editor Adrian Lowrey. Plus just when BT thought their problems couldn’t get any worse we’ll be announcing the results of the annual Money Mail Wooden Spoon Awards. This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost in partnership with NS&I.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio podcast, presented in partnership with NS&I. It’s been a politically turbulent year, and this week the pollsters were proved wrong again as Donald Trump defied all odds to become 45th President of the United States. The billionaire real estate developer and TV personality with no political experience beat establishment favourite Hillary Clinton in one of the bitterest campaigns in history. With the markets swerving in all directions the eyes of the world are now on the United States waiting to see what a Trump presidency will bring. What will it mean for post-Brexit Britain? Despite Barrack Obama’s previous description of the UK being “at the back of the queue” Mr. Trump certainly appears more open to trade deals. Editor Simon Lambert and reporter Sarah Davidson join Georgie Frost to look at what could come of the shock victory and how it happened. Could being “a master of mess” be the key? That’s the theory being put forward by one economist. Also on this week’s show we look at the fallout from the Tesco Bank hack, the latest victims to rising food prices and how a wood burning stove could provide a cheaper way of keeping your home cosy this Christmas. This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost in partnership with NS&I.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio podcast, presented in partnership with NS&I. This week all eyes have been on the unreliable boyfriend of banking Mark Carney. Just days after committing to another year in the job the Governor of the Bank of England was thrust into the limelight again for Super Thursday. Meanwhile the High Court ruled parliament must be given a vote on triggering Article 50 casting further speculation on Brexit, and indeed Carney’s role in overseeing it. At any rate the Bank of England’s forecasts did not make for easy listening. Despite some hints of future growth interest rates are set to remain at rock bottom whilst inflation is set to soar leaving many to question just where they can safely invest their money. Editor Simon Lambert and Deputy Editor Adrian Lowrey join Georgie Frost this week to work out what’s on offer also weighing up alternatives such as overpaying the mortgage and investing in premium bonds, which celebrate their 60th birthday this week. Also on this week’s show they look at calls for a Government crackdown on cold calling and the prospect of a post-work economy thanks to the rise of robots and automation. This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost in partnership with NS&I.

Welcome to This is Money, the podcast, presented in partnership with NS&I. Editor Simon Lambert and Personal Finance Editor Rachel Rickard Straus join Share Radio’s Georgie Frost in the studio to go through the week’s biggest money stories. And this week it’s all about inflation, and the news is leaving us all a little … deflated. Yes, that nebulous indicator, inflation has jumped to its highest level in 2 years - hitting spenders and savers alike. Blame Brexit if you like, and a lot of people have done, but is that really it? Michael O’Leary of Ryanair certainly is blaming the referendum as he hikes prices in even more obscure ways. And then, we’re looking at the banks: they’re slashing rates, deceiving switchers, and worst of all; this week it seems they don’t even know how to keep our money safe! Meanwhile, we take a look at the treasury's U-Turn to allow retired savers to cash in their annuities. Is Chancellor Hammond just doing all he can to obliterate Chancellor Osborne’s legacy, or dare I say it, could there be an actual plan in place? Surely not, that’s madness. At the other end of the show, Simon reckons we need a tax break on savings interest, what little we have, someone’s bought a car with Apple Pay and everyone’s amazed for some reason, and the new Churchill fiver sees even more inflationary trading. This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost, in partnership with NS&I.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio podcast, presented in partnership with NS&I. This week, we're finally seeing the real-world of effect of Brexit: Marmite is gone from Tesco's shelves! Well, digital shelves at least, and it seems the supermarket giant and its main supplier Unilever have sorted out their differences for now, so you can rest easy. But if the battle is over for now, we can't be so sure about the war. As companies are squeezed from all sides by a falling pound and the soaring popularity of online delivery, can it lead to anything but higher prices at the checkout? Editor Simon Lambert and Consumer Affairs Editor Lee Boyce joined Georgie Frost this week to examine Marmite-gate, and see what it portends. They also took a look at Sterling's effect on holidaymaker's plans, the latest round of cuts at the beleaguered Lloyds, and what if anything we can know about housing prices in the future. This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost, in partnership with NS&I.

It's This is Money, your essential week's round-up of the biggest money stories in the UK and abroad. This week, guest-host Sue Dougan teamed up with Editor Simon Lambert and Personal Finance Editor Rachel Rickard Straus from the Financial Website of the Year, This Is Money. On the agenda today; A further rate cut looks unlikely for now, but that's not stopped the banks from taking full advantage of the chance to punish savers and borrowers alike. Meanwhile, a Pensions Roadblock is what we're calling people scared off from trying to get their nest egg in order. Is it just a bit complicated, or totally hopeless? And we'll also be taking a look at a new book on the hidden threat of Big Data: it's Weapons of Maths Destruction. This is Money is presented in partnership with NS&I.

On the show this week, we're taking a look back at the very best of our weekly financial analysis and commentary, in partnership with NS&I, over the past few months. And what a few months it has been! From Brexit to the Bank of England rate cuts, and don’t forget the BHS and Sports Direct scandals. We’re going to take you back, and get some perspective on it all. Maybe it will start to make sense... We'll also be looking at the major takeover of Britain’s own ARM holdings, a much-loved current account getting its rates slashed, and the best and worst of Great British Auto Manufacturing. This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost, in partnership with NS&I