If you’re starting from zero, or finally taking freelancing seriously, this episode gives you a field-tested roadmap from Jan a 7-figure freelancer. We cover how to choose (and tighten) your offer, find your first clients without Upwork, write outreach that gets replies, price with confidence, and avoid the early mistakes that kill momentum. Think “learn by earning,” not endless planning. You’ll learn Why motion beats branding: pick one skill, sell it, learn by earning. How to find clien...

Not all multi-currency accounts deliver on their promise of borderless banking. Jonny and Jan dig into what these accounts really do, and which ones are genuinely worth using in 2025. They unpack the pros, cons, and hidden catches of Wise, Revolut, Trading 212, Bunq, HSBC Global Money, and NatWest, exploring who each account suits, what makes Wise the current gold standard, and when a simple travel card might actually be the smarter move. What to expect Why most people don’t need to pre-conve...

Revolut Metal promises premium banking for about £15 a month - with travel insurance, trading perks and a stainless-steel card to prove it. But how much of that value actually comes from banking… and how much from a pile of third-party subscriptions you might never use? In this episode of Banking Without Borders, Jonny and Jan break down everything inside Revolut Metal: What you really get for your money - from ATM limits to RevPointsThe fine print on its insurance and cancellation rulesWhich...

Revolut is betting big on AI agents to handle customer service, sales, and even fraud cases, but are people really ready to trust a chatbot with their money? Meanwhile, Curve’s £120m sale to Lloyds has turned into a messy showdown with investors threatening legal action, and Starling’s big rebrand has left customers and critics asking whether it’s bold… or a flop? In this September recap, Jonny and Jan dive into: Revolut’s new AI division and what it means for bankingKlarna’s IPO and the rise...

In this episode, Jonny and Jan cut through the noise around budgeting. Forget complicated spreadsheets or patronising advice about skipping coffee, we share our own stories, the practical frameworks we use day-to-day, and the simple mindset shifts that make budgeting feel like freedom, not punishment. You’ll learn: Why living below your means is the foundation of financial freedom.Where most people overspend (and what to cut first).The exact steps to set saving goals and automate them.Watch-o...

Revolut Ultra is one of the boldest products we’ve seen in banking: £45/€50 a month for lounge access, travel insurance, boosted savings, and 16 subscriptions Revolut claims are worth over £4,000 a year. In this Banking Without Borders episode, Jonny and Jan break down: The core financial features (ATM limits, FX, savings, RevPoints)The subscription bundle and where most of the value liesOur own testing of perks like eSIMs and loungesThe cancellation pitfalls you need to watch forHow Ultra co...

Send us a text Revolut just hit a $75B valuation via a secondary share sale, more than some UK high-street banks and even Nubank (despite Nubank’s larger revenue and users). In this Banking Without Borders episode, Jonny and Jan break down: What the secondary sale really signals (and why headlines matter)Revolut’s numbers: revenue, profit, users, deposits, and marginsThe super-app moat (wealth, business banking, subscriptions) vs. copycatsBull vs Bear cases: regulation, US expansion, rate cyc...

Send us a text In this episode of Banking Without Borders, we cover some of the biggest fintech stories of August 2025: PayPal’s $10 billion chaos — how a broken fraud system nearly caused mass unauthorized withdrawals, and why German banks had to step in.N26 leadership shake-up — founders pushed aside as regulators and investors demand stability.Starling acquires Ember — what this means for business banking and Making Tax Digital in the UK.UK bank branch closures — one in three branches gone...

In this episode of Banking Without Borders, we dive into one of the strangest fintech stories of the year: Lloyds Bank is reportedly in talks to buy Curve, but why would the UK’s biggest high street bank want a struggling wallet app? We break down what’s really going on, from Apple Pay’s NFC lock-in to Lloyds’ wider payments strategy. We also cover: Monzo’s return to the top spot in the CMA banking satisfaction surveyMonzo’s plans to launch mobile services and chase “super app” statusBunq set...

Getting started with investing can feel intimidating, but the truth is, it’s never been easier, and you don’t need to be a financial expert to grow your money. In this episode, we break down the essentials of investing for beginners: What the stock market actually is (and why it matters)The main products you’ll come across, stocks, ETFs, index funds, bonds, and moreThe best apps and platforms for getting startedSimple strategies like dollar-cost averaging and dividend investingCommon mi...

July was not a good month for the UK’s fintech scene. Revolut is still stuck waiting for its full banking licence, Wise is officially moving to New York, and Starling looks like it might follow. Meanwhile, Klarna is expanding, Chase is moving into Europe, and Monzo just got hit with a £21 million fine. Is this just a series of bad headlines, or are we watching the start of a fintech exodus? In this month’s recap, we break down everything that happened, explore what’s driving this shift away f...

Thinking of getting into investing, or switching trading platforms in 2025? In this episode, Jonny and Jan break down some of the most popular brokers, Revolut, Trading 212, Trade Republic, and Interactive Brokers, and share what it’s really like to use them day-to-day. Jonny reveals the huge mistake he made starting out (and how it’s now cost him thousands), and together they discuss fees, ease of use, tax benefits like ISAs, and which platforms are worth avoiding completely. Wheth...

Still using Wise when you travel? You might be losing money. In this episode, we break down why both WISE and Revolut might not be the best option in 2025, and what you should be using instead. We share our top debit and credit card picks for international travel, reveal hidden fees most people overlook (like dynamic currency conversion and ATM charges), and offer simple tips to help you keep more money in your pocket while abroad. Cards mentioned: Starling, Chase, Trading 212, Monzo, Barclay...

Thinking about borrowing money through Revolut? In this episode, we unpack everything you need to know about Revolut Personal Loans, from eligibility to interest rates, approval times, and what really sets these loans apart. We cover: Where Revolut loans are currently available How they work, and who they’re best suited for Key watchouts before you apply Where Revolut might launch loans nextWhether you're a Revolut user or just curious about fintech lending, this episode ...

Welcome to the June recap of Banking Without Borders! This month, we break down Starling Bank’s new “Spending Intelligence” chatbot, is it really intelligent, or just marketing spin? We also cover Starling’s US ambitions and why a credit card might be essential for their success. Then we look at Chase UK’s dark mode drama, a hilarious new “biscuit bank” offering cashback on your bills, and Klarna’s moves into banking, are they copying Revolut? Finally, we wrap up with the latest UK & EU s...

Are Revolut’s credit cards worth it? In this episode, we dive into: Where Revolut credit cards are available right now (Ireland, Poland, Lithuania & Spain)How the benefits stack up, from RevPoints to cashbackThe 0% interest periods, installment options & what they really meanWhy the UK and other countries might see Revolut credit cards soonAre these cards actually good enough to switch, or should you look elsewhere?🔊 Listen on the go! Search Banking Without Borders on Spotify & Ap...

Japan is one of the most romanticized countries on the internet — but is it really a good place to live and work as a digital nomad? In this episode, we talk to Jan, who recently spent time in Japan trying to make remote life work. From cash-only restaurants and endless bureaucracy to social disconnection and even chaotic cycling culture, we unpack the reality behind the viral videos. If you’ve ever dreamed of moving to Tokyo with your laptop, this episode is an eye-opener — and a must-listen...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most ambitious and unique rewards credit cards in the UK — Yonder. It’s a bold start-up that’s doing things differently, with a unique rewards system, premium experiences, and no foreign transaction fees. But how does it stack up against legacy players like AMEX? Jonny put Yonder to the test over several weeks, digging into everything from point redemptions and travel perks, to the user experience, hidden limits, and real cashback value per point. We b...

In this month’s fintech recap, Jonny and Jan dive into Revolut’s bold new ATM launch, free withdrawals, on-the-spot signups, and dynamic FX rates that could finally kill off rip-off tourist machines. But while Revolut expands into phones, credit cards, and billion-euro investments, Starling Bank looks like it's stuck in neutral. With profits falling, customer growth slowing, and a focus shifting to its B2B engine, is this the beginning of the end for Starling’s consumer bank? Plus: • Re...

Considering a Revolut upgrade? Or maybe you're wondering if Standard is even worth keeping? In this deep-dive episode, Jonny and Jan break down every Revolut plan — from Standard to Ultra — and share brutally honest insights based on real-world experience. We explore: What each plan really offers (and what’s missing)The surprising state of Jan's Metal cardHow to calculate if you're getting enough valueHidden downsides and fine print (like cancellation fees)Who each plan is actually for — and ...