Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Inflation is the rate at which prices rise. It directly affects the cost of living and, therefore, everyone in the country. But it doesn't affect everyone in the same way.
Cameron Smith, personal finance influencer, talks to Jamilla Blake about how different people experience price rises, measuring inflation and what the Bank of England does to try and keep it at the 2% target.
He gives us his four things that people can do to get ‘on the right track’ when their money is being stretched by factors that are out of their control.
He also talks us through how his frustration with the academic system and its neglect of personal finance issues inspired him to become a content creator, using ‘the power of social media as a channel for educating people’.
And Tom Heath returns with his quick-fire question round!
ℹ️ This video is not financial advice. The views expressed in the podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and not necessarily those of the Bank of England or its committees.
00:00 coming up...
00:57 Jamilla's intro
01:30 Jamilla introduces Cam
01:44 Cam introduces himself
04:28 What does 'cost of living' actually mean?
05:38 What 'slowing inflation' meant to costs
06:47 Difference between the base rate and the bank rate
08:34 Inflation
09:21 Sticky prices
11:26 Experience costs differently
15:04 What can you do?
18:51 Tom's quick-fire round!!!
28:23 What you should take away
Inflation is the rate at which prices rise. It directly affects the cost of living and, therefore, everyone in the country. But it doesn't affect everyone in the same way.
Cameron Smith, personal finance influencer, talks to Jamilla Blake about how different people experience price rises, measuring inflation and what the Bank of England does to try and keep it at the 2% target.
He gives us his four things that people can do to get ‘on the right track’ when their money is being stretched by factors that are out of their control.
He also talks us through how his frustration with the academic system and its neglect of personal finance issues inspired him to become a content creator, using ‘the power of social media as a channel for educating people’.
And Tom Heath returns with his quick-fire question round!
ℹ️ This video is not financial advice. The views expressed in the podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and not necessarily those of the Bank of England or its committees.
00:00 coming up...
00:57 Jamilla's intro
01:30 Jamilla introduces Cam
01:44 Cam introduces himself
04:28 What does 'cost of living' actually mean?
05:38 What 'slowing inflation' meant to costs
06:47 Difference between the base rate and the bank rate
08:34 Inflation
09:21 Sticky prices
11:26 Experience costs differently
15:04 What can you do?
18:51 Tom's quick-fire round!!!
28:23 What you should take away
