Building financial independence often starts with earning more, and learning how to negotiate your salary.


In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet speaks with Nicole Michler, founder of Phase 20, a career strategy and negotiation platform that helps women navigate competitive corporate environments.


Nicole shares how she went from earning around £27,000 a year to building financial independence, and explains how salary negotiation, career strategy, and mindset shifts can help women ask for a pay rise and grow their income over time.


Connect with Vestpod:

Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe

Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod

Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How to Ask for a Pay Rise: Salary Negotiation Tips

Why do credit cards so often feel manageable at first, and then quietly turn into long-term debt?


In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) is joined by Iona Bain, award-winning broadcaster, columnist, and author, following her Panorama investigation Maxed Out: The Credit Card Trap. Together, we unpack how credit card products are designed, why minimum payments and rising credit limits keep people stuck, and why debt can linger for years, even when people feel responsible and are doing their best.


We discuss:



 * What the “credit card trap” really is, and why it is not about being bad with money
 * Why minimum payments create a false sense of safety
 * How credit limit increases quietly make debt harder to escape
 * Balance transfers, when they help and when they just delay the problem
 * The emotional side of debt, and why shame keeps people stuck
 * What actually helps people stay in control



The information shared is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice.


#ad This episode is sponsored by MoneyWeek.

MoneyWeek gives you a clear weekly roundup of the stories, trends, and market moves that matter, written by expert journalists and delivered in print or on the app. You can try six issues for free, then enjoy an exclusive £5 discount on a quarterly subscription for The Wallet community at moneyweek.com/wallet [https://www.moneyweek.com/wallet] with the code WALLET.


Connect with Vestpod:

Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe

Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod

Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Credit Card Trap 

How do you actually build an investment portfolio, and what is the simplest way to start?


In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet (Vestpod) is joined by Caroline Brady (Net Purpose, ex BlackRock) to break down portfolio building in plain English, from asset allocation and diversification to the difference between stocks and funds. We also cover how ESG and impact investing fit into long-term investing without overcomplicating it.


We discuss:

 * Asset allocation vs portfolio construction (simple framework)
 * Stocks vs funds, and why many people start with index funds
 * Risk, diversification, and when to sell
 * ESG vs impact, and how to avoid greenwashing



The information shared is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Investing carries risk, your capital is at risk.


#ad This episode is sponsored by MoneyWeek. 

MoneyWeek gives you a clear weekly roundup of the stories, trends and market moves that matter, written by expert journalists and delivered in print or on the app. You can try six issues for free, then enjoy an exclusive £5 discount on a quarterly subscription for The Wallet community at moneyweek.com/wallet [https://www.moneyweek.com/wallet] with the code WALLET.


Connect with Vestpod:

Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe   

Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses  

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod   

Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich




Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How to Build an Investment Portfolio

Should you even be reading financial news, and if so, how?


In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet is joined by Kalpana Fitzpatrick, Digital Editor at MoneyWeek, to unpack how financial news is made, what headlines actually mean, and how to stay informed without being pulled into panic, noise, or reactive decisions.


We discuss:

 * How financial news is selected and why it often feels overwhelming
 * How to tell the difference between useful information and noise
 * What headlines should (and shouldn’t) change about your money decisions
 * The one question to ask before reacting to any financial story



The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. We are not regulated financial advisers. Always do your own research or seek independent advice before making financial decisions. When investing, your capital is at risk.


#ad This episode is sponsored by MoneyWeek. 

MoneyWeek gives you a clear weekly roundup of the stories, trends and market moves that matter, written by expert journalists and delivered in print or on the app. You can try six issues for free, then enjoy an exclusive £5 discount on a quarterly subscription for The Wallet community at moneyweek.com/wallet [https://www.moneyweek.com/wallet] with the code WALLET.


Connect with Vestpod:

Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe  

Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses 

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod/  [https://www.instagram.com/vestpod/] 

Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich




Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Why Money News Makes Us Panic 

Feeling stuck in your career even though everything looks “right” on paper?


In this episode of The Wallet, Emilie Bellet is joined by Stephanie Sword-Williams, founder of F*ck Being Humble and author of Career Comedown, to explore the idea of a career comedown, that quiet moment when the path you’re on no longer feels right, even if it looks good on paper, and how ambition, energy, money, and work decisions are more connected than we realise.


We discuss:

 * Early signs you might be settling rather than choosing
 * Care-out, gratitude guilt, and people-pleasing
 * Redefining success and healthy ambition
 * How to factor money, savings, and financial security into big career decisions



#ad This episode is sponsored by MoneyWeek. 

MoneyWeek gives you a clear weekly roundup of the stories, trends and market moves that matter, written by expert journalists and delivered in print or on the app. You can try six issues for free, then enjoy an exclusive £5 discount on a quarterly subscription for The Wallet community at moneyweek.com/wallet [https://www.moneyweek.com/wallet] with the code WALLET.


Connect with Vestpod:

Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe  

Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses 

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod/  

Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Stuck at Work? Stefanie Sword-Williams on the Career Comedown

The Self Assessment deadline has a habit of arriving faster than expected.


This episode covers who needs to file, what needs reporting, and how to avoid common pitfalls - with practical guidance for anyone who is self-employed, earning extra income, or managing a more complex tax setup.


Vestpod founder Emilie Bellet speaks with Maike Currie, VP of Personal Finance at PensionBee, about key deadlines, pension considerations, and how Making Tax Digital will change the process from 2026.


This episode is for general information only and does not constitute personal tax or financial advice.


#ad Thank you to our partner PensionBee:

With PensionBee [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=vestpod_podcast_jan_2026], you can combine your old pensions, add money when it suits you, and make withdrawals (from age 55, rising to 57 from 2028). It’s a straightforward way to take control of your retirement savings and join a community of over 300k customers. 

Its monthly podcast, The Pension Confident Podcast [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/podcast?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=vestpod_podcast_jan_2026], aims to help listeners better understand the world of personal finance and pensions. Listen [https://podfollow.com/the-pension-confident-podcast] or watch the full episodes [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjaWtMAOMXg3xPoHDfyxQOWU45szcxfvU] on YouTube. And if you’re already a PensionBee customer, you can listen in the PensionBee app [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/accounts/login?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=vestpod_podcast_jan_2026]!

When investing, your capital is at risk.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Podlink.


Connect with Vestpod:

Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe  

Courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses 

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod/  

Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Your Self-Assessment Tax Return Guide (UK) 

December is filled with pressure, expectations, and spending. Gifts, Secret Santas, school events, family gatherings, and the emotional load of trying to keep everything running.


Beneath the surface, many of us feel stressed, guilty, overwhelmed, and unsure why we keep spending more than we planned. In this episode of The Wallet, we ask a simple but honest question: why can’t we stop spending?


Emilie Bellet is joined by psychotherapist Holli Rubin, whose work focuses on identity, behaviour, and the emotional patterns that shape the choices we make, including with money.


Together, they explore what is really driving holiday spending, what happens in the brain under stress, and how to approach December with more awareness and less self-blame.


Explore Vestpod’s upcoming courses and bootcamps: https://www.vestpod.com/courses


Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Podlink.

Read our main takeaways on vestpod.com.


Connect with Vestpod:

 * Sign up to The Edit newsletter: https://www.vestpod.com/subscribe 
 * Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vestpod/ 
 * Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Psychology Behind Holiday Spending With Psychotherapist Holli Rubin

Freelancers, welcome to Episode 10 — the final episode of our Finances for Freelancers series. We’ve broken down the essentials every freelancer or solopreneur needs to feel confident with money — from budgeting and taxes to pensions and pricing.


Today, we’re wrapping up with a punchy roundup — each of our expert guests shares one final, powerful tip to help you stay on track with your finances.


Subscribe, share with a fellow freelancer, and listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Podlink!


If you liked this episode, discover the full series [https://www.vestpod.com/freelancepod].


#ad Listen to PensionBee’s monthly podcast, The Pension Confident Podcast [https://podfollow.com/the-pension-confident-podcast] to better understand the world of personal finance and pensions: 


Connect with Emilie:

 * Sign up to The Edit newsletter [https://vestpod.com/subscribe]
 * Follow Vestpod on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/vestpod/]
 * Enroll in our upcoming bootcamps [https://www.vestpod.com/courses]
 * Get Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich [https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/you-re-not-broke-you-re-pre-rich-how-to-make-your-money-work-for-you-emilie-bellet/6190264]



#ad Thank you to our partner PensionBee [https://www.pensionbee.com/?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=vestpod_q1_sponsorship_2025_shownotes]. With PensionBee you can combine, contribute and withdraw online. Take control of your pension, so that you can enjoy a happy retirement and join over 265,000 customers saving with PensionBee. When investing, your capital is at risk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Money Playbook for Freelancers

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Beyond Freelancing: Investing, Scaling, and Building Wealth

In this episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges freelancers face: managing cash flow when income is unpredictable. How do you stay afloat during a slow month? What’s the best way to deal with late payments? And how can you create a more stable income without burning out?


Joining Emilie Bellet is Lara Sheldrake—entrepreneur, community builder, and founder of Found & Flourish. Lara shares her personal strategies for staying financially steady in a freelance world: from tracking income and ghost spending, to diversifying revenue and planning for quieter months.


We talk about setting realistic income goals, structuring your week with a CEO day, and working with your energy—not against it.


For more resources, including links to Lara and Found & Flourish’s websites and social media, check out the episode page.  


If you found this helpful, make sure to listen to our next episode for more expert tips on managing your finances as a freelancer!  


If you liked this episode, discover the full series [https://www.vestpod.com/freelancepod].


Connect with Emilie:

 * Sign up to The Edit newsletter [https://vestpod.com/subscribe]
 * Follow Vestpod on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/vestpod/]
 * Enroll in our upcoming bootcamps [https://www.vestpod.com/courses]
 * Get Emilie’s book: You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich [https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/you-re-not-broke-you-re-pre-rich-how-to-make-your-money-work-for-you-emilie-bellet/6190264]



#ad Thank you to our partner PensionBee [https://www.pensionbee.com/?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=vestpod_q1_sponsorship_2025_shownotes]. With PensionBee you can combine, contribute and withdraw online. Take control of your pension, so that you can enjoy a happy retirement and join over 265,000 customers saving with PensionBee. When investing, your capital is at risk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How Do You Create Consistent Income?

Hello, I am Emilie Bellet, founder of Vestpod [https://www.vestpod.com/], a
digital platform and thriving community that financially empowers women. I’m
also the author of the Amazon bestselling book You’re Not Broke, You’re
Pre-Rich.
Each week, I’ll be having an honest money conversation with a range of amazing
guests from all walks of life - employees, freelancers, entrepreneurs and
financial experts.  
We want you to get talking about money and be inspired by your financial
capabilities. Whether you’re a finance newbie struggling with your overdraft and
credit card debt or the wolf of Wall Street — this podcast is for you. 
It’s going to be practical, fun and most certainly not formal financial advice.

See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for privacy and opt-out
information.

Emilie Bellet

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