Many Happy Returns

Andy Burnham once said Britain had to “get beyond being in hock to the bond market”. That’s easier said than done when gilt yields are 5%, debt interest is running above £100bn a year, and the autumn Budget has no headroom left. Can the UK escape fiscal fatalism?
And in the Dumb Question of the Week: What's the oldest bond in the world? And is anyone still getting paid?
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Thank you to Raisin UK for sponsoring this episode.
Receive a £100 welcome bonus when you register for a Raisin UK account using the code JULY100, open a fixed-rate bond with a term of 1 year or longer and deposit a minimum of £25,000 by 31 July 2026.
https://raisin-uk.pxf.io/c/4012142/3930337/12683?sharedid=uk-cmp-bonus-pensioncraft-podcasts-0726
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🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm
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Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice.
Copyright 2026 Many Happy Returns

Warren Buffett says “never bet against America”. But plenty of people spent the last eighteen months doing exactly that — betting the dollar would be dethroned and the "Sell America" trade would finally pay off. They're still waiting. We ask whether the United States is still exceptional, or just expensive.
And in the Dumb Question of the Week: Is the US the best performing stock market ever?
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Thank you to Raisin UK for sponsoring this episode.
Receive a £100 welcome bonus when you register for a Raisin UK account using the code JULY100, open a fixed-rate bond with a term of 1 year or longer and deposit a minimum of £25,000 by 31 July 2026.
https://raisin-uk.pxf.io/c/4012142/3930337/12683?sharedid=uk-cmp-bonus-pensioncraft-podcasts-0726
New customers only, terms apply.
---
Get in touch
📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com
🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm
---
Join PensionCraft
🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube
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Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice.
Copyright 2026 Many Happy Returns

As the World Cup reaches the quarter finals, we name our starting XI of asset classes. From the goalkeeper who does nothing for eighty-nine minutes to the super-sub you should never mistake for a starter.
And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: Does the World Cup affect stock prices?
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Thank you to Raisin UK for sponsoring this episode.
Receive a £100 welcome bonus when you register for a Raisin UK account using the code JULY100, open a fixed-rate bond with a term of 1 year or longer and deposit a minimum of £25,000 by 31 July 2026.
https://raisin-uk.pxf.io/c/4012142/3930337/12683?sharedid=uk-cmp-bonus-pensioncraft-podcasts-0726
New customers only, terms apply.
---
Get in touch
📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com
🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm
---
Join PensionCraft
🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube
---
Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice.
Copyright 2026 Many Happy Returns

Your "Human Capital" might be the largest asset you own, and it behaves like a bond. Seeing your career as a volatile asset might change how you think about saving, investing, and employment.
And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: Do I need Income Protection Insurance?
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Thank you to Raisin UK for sponsoring this episode.
Receive a £100 welcome bonus when you register for a Raisin UK account using the code JULY100, open a fixed-rate bond with a term of 1 year or longer and deposit a minimum of £25,000 by 31 July 2026.
https://raisin-uk.pxf.io/c/4012142/3930337/12683?sharedid=uk-cmp-bonus-pensioncraft-podcasts-0726
New customers only, terms apply.
---
Get in touch
📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com
🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm
---
Join PensionCraft
🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube
---
Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice.
Copyright 2026 Many Happy Returns

On paper, now looks like a fine time to retire. Annuity rates are generous, gilts finally pay a real return, and even cash earns its keep. But retire into a richly-valued market and a bad first few years can ravage a pot you can't easily rebuild.
And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: Can you un-retire?
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Thank you to Trading 212 for sponsoring this episode.
Claim free fractional shares worth up to ‎£⁠100. Just create and verify a Trading 212 Invest or Stocks ISA account, make a minimum deposit of £1, and use the promo code "RAMIN" within 10 days of signing up, or use the following link:
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When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested. Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results. Pies & Autoinvest is an execution-only service. Not investment advice or portfolio management. Automatic investing refers to executing scheduled deposits. You are responsible for all investment and rebalancing decisions. Free shares can be fractional. 212 Cards are issued by Paynetics which provide all payment services. T212 provides customer support and user interface. Terms and fees apply.
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Get in touch
📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com
🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm
---
Join PensionCraft
🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube
---
Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice.
Copyright 2026 Many Happy Returns