Martin's Weekly Money Tips
14 March 2007  

URGENT LOOPHOLE: Free £30 Nectar points during March Updated Article
Grab an American Express 'Nectar' credit card in March and you earn 6,000 Nectar points (worth £30) when you spend on it. Yet 'spending' can be as little as a Mars bar and you still get the points! So just buy something, pay it off in full so there's no interest, and grab the free points. For full details, more available freebies, and the impact on your credit score read the Updated Article: Credit Card Freebies (mini mutterings) Related Articles: Best Lend For Spend, Best Cashback Cards, Best Balance Transfers and How Credit Scoring Works

Heads Up. Debenhams Three Day Sale up to 25% off store-wide Wed, Thurs & Fri (mini mutterings)

New top credit card for spending. 12 months 0%. Updated Article
There's a new leading 0% card if you need to spend and can't repay in full (don't confuse this with 0% cards for shifted debts). The Halifax Online Exclusive One card offers new customers 12 months at 0% on spending, after that the rate massively jumps up to 15.9% APR, so ensure you either pay it off or do a balance transfer to another cheap card. Yet it's not universally available, only via comparison sites like moneysupermarket, so here's that link. View/Apply: Halifax 12 month 0%* or better still read the Updated Article: Best 0% Purchases Card Related Articles: Balance Transfers, Cashback Cards

Return flights to Toronto £170 all-in From nine UK airports A good hub to do North America Related article: Cheap Flight Finding

Save £1,000s with Childcare Vouchers, a massive hidden tax saving. Updated Article
There's a little known scheme run through employers that lets you pay for childcare from your pre-tax salary. Instead of being paid £240, which after tax and national insurance is only roughly £170 in your monthly pay-packet, each parent can receive up to £250 of vouchers that can be spent on any type of registered childcare - saving nearly a grand each over a year. I'm really quite passionate about ensuring people take advantage, so this is a fully re-researched and rewritten guide on how to get and use the vouchers. Updated Article: Childcare Vouchers, Save £1000s (mini mutterings) Related Articles: Nappy MoneySaving, Child Trust Funds

£90 Return for two on Eurostar (Paris/Brussels/Lille) These are disappearing at speed so go quick!

STOP YOUR FRIENDS WASTING CASH! PLS SUGGEST THEY GET THIS EMAIL

Nectar Double Redeem Watch. This Week: 2for1 Blockbuster vouchers
Well it seems to be Nectar week: as well as the free points loophole above, it's the start of its 'spring sale'. Every week you'll be able to redeem Nectar points at half price based on a theme (electricals, wine, CDs). As last time it did this, there was only limited discounted stock, each week I'll be giving you an early heads up in this e-mail. Starting this Saturday, the sale is on 'Blockbuster video/games rental'. Forum link: Weekly Schedule Related Articles: Nectar, Boots, Tesco, AirMiles Loopholes, Credit Card Rewards

Fully signed England football team shirt for Comic Relief. MoneySavingExpert Charity Auction

Don't open an ISA this week. New 6.5% account about to launch
The last chance to use this year's £3,000 ISA allowance (allowing you to save tax-free) is 5 April, yet I may surprise you by yelling ‘don't open one now!!' A new best buy account is due to launch later on this week, which will pay a huge 6.5% (inc. a 1% bonus for 12 months). So hold off for now – I'll update the article when it happens, and let you know all the details in next week's e-mail. Read Article: Mini Cash ISAs Related Articles: Where To Start With Savings, Earn 5.8% On Your Savings

MoneySavingExpert.com is getting a makeover. New look coming soon, take a Sneaky Peek

Given up smoking? How to cash in. Quick note for No Smoking Day
No Smoking Day is Wednesday 14 March. As well as helping your health, quitting smoking boosts your wealth too. It's not just saving on buying smokes, but many policies, including life insurance and private medical insurance and others, are substantially cheaper (ie up to 30%) for non-smokers. You're classed as a ‘non-smoker' after a year without smoking, so once you hit that date, always get new quotes and save a fortune. More info in the MoneySavers don't smoke thread (mini mutterings)

Massive success improving Virgin Media packages: give it a go!
In last week's email I urged Virgin Media (NTL & Telewest) customers to try for extra channels/discounts as it's ditched Sky channels. It's been hugely successful; if you haven't done it, give Virgin Media Bargaining a go.

WARNING. From 1 May BT will charge customers £4.50/quarter if they don't pay by Direct Debit. Full info

The Great 'Best Places to Haggle' Hunt Revisited
We Brits often think haggling's reserved for bustling markets in exotic holiday destinations. Yet haggles like 'can you throw batteries in?' and 'give me 20% off and I'll take it now' work on the high street too. A year ago I asked you which stores you've successfully haggled in and there were scores of great tips, so I thought it time to revisit it. Add your ideas/read others Past Great Hunts:  Car Seat/Booster, Feed, House & Treat Your Pets For Less and What Kids Should Know About Money

MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Is it time to cut Tracey off?
Deirdre and Ken have a daughter called Tracey. While she's now in her 30s, they still support her. Tracey is fiercely independent, but her judgement is poor and she casually racks up bills and debts, often for drink and recreational drug use. Deirdre and Ken are at the end of their tether; they don't approve of her lifestyle. She won't listen to them and they've tried everything. They are considering cutting off their support, yet because Tracey's a single mum and has a young son, and they are worried that without their money their grandson may not be looked after properly. Enter the Money Moral Maze: Is it time to cut Tracey off? Previous MMDs: Should little sis get a holiday too? and Would you lend to a friend in need?

Great 'Mothers Day Presents For Under A Quid' Hunt Result
Last week I challenged MoneySavers to come up with the best Mother's Day gifts for under a quid. Your top ideas included A big hug, BOGOF pamper goodies and The gift of time