2026 looks like it will be a bumper year for IPOs, or initial public offerings. There are some HUGE ones this year: SpaceX, which listed in June (with a valuation of a whopping $1.77 trillion, yes - trillion!), whilst Anthropic's and OpenAI's listings are around the corner. So, in this episode of Midlife Money Made Easy, we explore the world of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and how you can get involved, especially with major companies like SpaceX. And ask: can UK investors invest in them, and how much do you need? Julie-Anna spoke to Danni Hewson, head of Financial Analysis at AJ Bell, back in late June.

Danni explains:

• What is an IPO?
• Why is this year special for tech IPOs?
• Can UK investors participate in US IPOs?

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:50 What is an IPO?

01:45 Exciting IPOs of 2026

02:30 Investing in US IPOs from the UK

05:00 How to get involved in IPOs

In this episode, debt expert Sara Williams from Debt Camel shares practical advice on managing debt, understanding credit scores, and avoiding common pitfalls. Sara was a debt adviser for 20 years and now blogs about debt on her website and on Instagram (search for Debt Camel). This is for you if you're feeling overwhelmed by your debt

Topics:

• Difference between good debt and bad debt
• How minimum payments trap you in debt
• Using 0% balance transfers effectively
• Risks of secured and consolidation loans
• Why credit scores matter less than you think

Key takeaways:

• Stop paying only the minimum on credit cards to reduce debt faster.
• Use fixed monthly payments instead of minimum payments to pay off debt in years, not decades.
• Avoid cycles of borrowing by not taking unnecessary loans or consolidations.
• Check credit reports for errors but don't rely solely on them for financial decisions.
• Create a complete list of debts and stop using credit for everyday expenses.

Resources:

• Debt Camel
• National Debt Line
• Step Change Debt Charity

Ref: 94d88e43be918d14d0e8cc78ef953688eab81777

Welcome to Midlife Money Made Easy, the show that helps you understand your money in midlife. Covering all personal finance topics, including interest rates, budgeting, debt, benefits, investing, ISAs, pensions and more.

Presented by financial journalist and podcaster Julie-Anna Needham.

Follow on YouTube: @MidlifeMoneyMadeEasy