Your Real Money Stories

Have you ever played the National Lottery? If so, you may be one of over 45% of people in the UK who try their luck every month. That’s nearly half of the country! But, not everybody stops with the National Lottery - for others gambling becomes an essential part of their lives, an addiction that they begin to hide from their loved ones as it spirals... 

In this emotional story, an anonymous interviewee shares his story of gambling addiction. At his lowest, he hid his debt from his partner, borrowed money from friends and turned to payday loans to make ends meet. In this candid episode, he tells us how it all started, the impact of lockdown and we discuss how much addiction can cost as well as the signs to look out for.

For more information and resources to support anyone dealing with a gambling addiction and how to manage debts visit GamStop.co.uk and stepchange.org

You can also find more information about the podcast and extra resources by visiting our Instagram pages @zopamoney and @moneymedics as well as at www.zopa.com/podcast. 

It's bad enough to find you've been a victim of fraud, but imagine finding out that your parents were the perpetrators.

In this week's episode, we hear from someone whose parents took out loans in his name when he was just 16. He only found out when he went to open a student bank account, but by that time he had two defaults and a CCJ to his name.

What would you do in his situation? would you be able to forgive them? Listen to the full episode to find out how our anonymous interviewee dealt with this difficult situation.

You can find more information about the podcast by visiting our Instagram pages, as well as at www.zopa.com/podcast. Your Real Money Stories podcast is brought to you in association with Zopa.

 More than half of UK households own at least one pet, and many more have considered adopting a loyal, cuddly friend- but whilst the sentiment is altruistic, the reality remains that pets are a large financial responsibility that not everyone can afford. How ethical is it to adopt a pet without being able to afford the vet? Are there anyways you think you can cut your corners on pet care without sacrificing quality?

This week we join the Money Medics and an anonymous guest who reveals how she ended up spending over £7,000 on her cat in a space of a month! How much is too much when it comes to ensuring the health of a beloved pet and at what price does it become too much?

You can find more information about the podcast by visiting our Instagram pages, as well as at www.zopa.com/podcast. Your Real Money Stories podcast is brought to you in association with Zopa.

This episode’s anonymous interviewee shares the emotional and financial costs of divorce with the Money Medics. She went from being part of a two-parent household where her ex was the main breadwinner,  to raising a child alone with only minimal support. But as her opportunities have narrowed and she works all she can to pay for nursery fees, her ex-husband continues to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.

How do you balance financial preparedness with going ‘all in’ on a relationship? what questions should you ask before you commit? The Money Medics discuss whether you can have a f**k off fund in a relationship without compromising it.

You can find more information about the podcast by visiting our Instagram pages, as well as at www.zopa.com/podcast. Your Real Money Stories podcast is brought to you in association with Zopa.

“I’m sorry Martin, there’s no more money.”

This was the text that tipped off our anonymous interviewee to the fact that his mum had been the victim of a romance scam. From an initial contact on Words with Friends, to a carefully coordinated web across social media, the criminal gang took advantage of one woman’s loneliness to defraud her of her life’s savings.

We’ve watched Tinder Swindler, but as this story shows romance scams don’t all happen against the backdrop of a private jet and a CEO lifestyle. The interviewee talks the Money Medics through the techniques the scammers used to win his mum’s trust, the warning flags to look out for and the impact it’s had on his family’s lives. 

If you've been the victim of a romance scam, contact Action Fraud in confidence online or by phone 0300 123 2040.

For more information about romance frauds, check out the following websites:

Action Fraud's A - Z of fraud

The Met Police's Little Book of Big Scams

How do you manage money in a relationship? Is a 50:50 split fair? What about the unpaid labour that keeps a household going? Or if you earn very different amounts?

Money Medics are joined by Suli and Linda Breaks, a creative and entrepreneurial power couple, who share how they approach their joint household and business finances. They take on some tricky relationship and money dilemmas that have been sent in by our listeners - like what you should expect your partner to pay for and whether you should be compensated for work at home. 

You can find more information about the podcast by visiting our Instagram pages and as well as at www.zopa.com/podcast. Your Real Money Stories podcast is brought to you in association with Zopa.

How do you spot the signs of a financially abusive relationship? What are the red flags and what do you do if it happens to you?

Today’s anonymous guest ‘Julie’ talks to the Money Medics about her experience of a financially abusive relationship, as well as how she got out, recovered her finances and rebuilt her life. 

Listen to discover Julie’s experience and Money Medics’ guidance on what signs to spot and which resources can help when it comes to financial abuse. 

If you think you might be experiencing financial abuse, phone the police in the first instance.

You can also find more information about the podcast and extra resources by visiting our Instagram pages @zopamoney and @moneymedics.

While it seems it’s more difficult than ever to get your foot on the property ladder as a first-time buyer in the UK, it’s also never been more overwhelming when it comes to first-time buyers and renters' advice. You can read countless advice columns and guides, but your dilemmas persist. Do I buy or rent? Do I invest in a property with my friend? Do I save for a new build or buy a house I can renovate? 

With special guests Bricks & Disorder, Money Medics will be discussing all your dilemmas, unpopular opinions, and spilling the tea on where to start when it comes to buying a property in 2022

You can find more information about the podcast by visiting the Zopa and Money Medic Instagram pages and as well as at www.zopa.com/podcast. Your Real Money Stories podcast is brought to you in association with Zopa.

What’s it like to be married to a millionaire?

It’s a question most of us have dreamed of, but for this episode’s anonymous caller it actually came true. She tells our hosts, the Money Medics, about her journey from a housing estate in Glasgow to a glamorous life abroad. They talk about maintaining financial independence in a relationship with unequal incomes, whether wealth is an acceptable dating criteria and why a millionaire still buys value yogurts.

You can find more information about the podcast by visiting our Instagram pages and as well as at www.zopa.com/podcast. Your Real Money Stories podcast is brought to you in association with Zopa.