How to Beat Tough Times: Money Watch Episode Rating Graph

Britain has experienced the worst recession since the 1930s and is facing the toughest squeeze in generations. What does this mean for family finances, and what can people do about it? Presenters Sophie Raworth and Justin Rowlatt find the answers. With real-life stories from around the country and expert comment, the Money Watch team investigate prospects for pay and employment, how working lives are changing and what can be done to boost household budgets.

What does the fiercest financial squeeze in generations mean for our personal budgets? And what can we do to protect our family finances? In the second of this three-part series, Sophie Raworth and Justin Rowlatt tackle spending and borrowing in these tough economic times. From around the country, the Money Watch team report on prospects for mortgages, the outlook for prices of essentials, hidden catches in credit cards, coping with debt and how far you can get by with no money at all.

In the final programme of the series, Sophie Raworth and Justin Rowlatt examine saving and investing in a tough economic climate. With real life stories from around the country, the Money Watch team investigate whether savers can hope for better returns soon, why bank advice can wipe out your nest egg, whether now is the time to buy property, and what is the best investment of all.