Telegraph Money 

The week's most important personal finance news, analysis and expert advice, from pensions and property to investment ideas and savings tips.

The Telegraph take

By Stephanie Baxter Deputy personal finance editor

Do you have a friend who never buys his round of drinks in the pub? Does your partner spend too much of your collective income on what you can consider to be frivolous? Perhaps you have been to a wedding that cost an arm and a leg just to attend and wonder whether you still need to give a gift?

Money matters can be awkward, particularly when it comes to friends and family. Consumer champion Katie Morley recently wrote about a landlord who employed a dear friend as their accountant and almost ended up 8,000 out of pocket. We also recently reported on the threefold rise in parents taking their children to court over disputes whether cash gifts were actually intended as loans.

These are the kind of tricky dilemmas Telegraph Money will be trying to tackle in our new podcast – aptly named Moral Money – based on our popular column published online every Wednesday.

Each week, our very own Lauren Davidson and Sam Meadows will put two questions to one of the Telegraph’s best known opinion writers – such as Bryony Gordon, Janet Daley, Harry de Quetteville and more.

In today’s pilot episode, they are joined by Telegraph columnist and leader writer Tim Stanley, who is a frequent guest on BBC's Question Time and Radio 4's Thought For The Day.

They debate the morality of buying a property near a top state school just to get your child a place, when you could afford to send them to private school, and ask whether it's acceptable to demand a charitable donation be returned if the sponsored marathon runner never actually crossed the starting line.

You can listen to the whole episode online here, or subscribe – for free – on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or by searching for “Moral Money” in your preferred podcast app.

Let us know what you think about the podcast or propose your own Moral Money dilemma by emailing moralmoney@telegraph.co.uk.

Read more of our reporting and get tips for pensions, property, investment and more for just 2 a week with a subscription to Telegraph Premium. It's free for 30 days. Try it here.

Top stories

Moral Money

Investing

Fame and Fortune

Finance and Savings

Questor

You have the last word...

Jack thelad says of Thousands who took out loans to pay for solar panels complain the returns don't add up: "Duh, who was daft enough to take out a loan for solar panels in the UK? Do they actually have south facing roofs!! I do hope they are recognising and utilising the free energy they get when the sun shines. Only if you had panels installed on the old tariff are you making a good return. It still took a good six years for the FITS to pay for the installation."

Caroline Lawley says of Michelin-starred restaurant charged 750 cancellation fee when my wife fell ill: "I am somewhat flummoxed at these charges. Out of our budget completely! Down here on the South Coast, I'm not at all sure of any restaurants with these sort of costs. Seems nothing you can do here really except 'suck it up' as they say. (Maybe next time try a Harvester?!!)."

Jonathan Bateman says of After 1,000 years, Royal Mint offers 'virtual gold: "Why not have a new super currency, just like the one we use but with each note bearing a promise that it can be exchanged for an equivalent value of gold at the bank of England."

Contact us: to pose a question to our team of expert reporters, email moneyexpert@telegraph.co.uk. If you'd like a free financial plan, email money@telegraph.co.uk with the subject 'Give me a Money Makeover'.

Join our new investment-focused Facebook group to debate the latest share tips and investing trends.

See more Telegraph newsletters

Investor  |  Property  |  Business  |  Front Bench

You have received this email because you have agreed to receive marketing messages by email from Telegraph Media Group Limited or its group companies or you may have signed up to receive this newsletter. Please do not reply to this email.

Terms and conditions apply to all offers, prices and competitions that may be shown in this email. For full details please click on the advertised offer. The Telegraph reserves the right to withdraw these offers without notice.

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, visit your account here, and update your preferences. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it by visiting the account login page.

In accordance with the 2018 Data Protection Act, Telegraph Media Group Limited and its group companies are committed to protecting your privacy. If you wish to know more please access our privacy policy.

This email is from Telegraph Media Group Limited or its group companies - 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0DT. Registered in England under No 451593.