Martin's Weekly Money Tips
23 May 2007  

Cheapest petrol and diesel: Drive down the costs by 20%. New article
A combination of three tips can cut annual fuel costs by 20%; for someone who fills up £40 worth of petrol a week, that's £400-ish a year. First use a special site that finds your cheapest petrol station, then pay with the right card, finally start driving more efficiently. Full details in this totally re-researched and rewritten article. New Article: Cheapest Petrol Related Articles: Cheapest Car Insurance, MOT Cost Cutting, Breakdown Recovery, Cheap Loans

Pay-as-you-go mobile phone £10. Can you find one cheaper?

Did you have a Tessa? If you've still got the money, boost the returns by £100s. New article
If you had a Tessa, unless you spent it, it's likely you moved the money into a Tessa Only ISA (Toisa). This was a way of keeping the cash saved away tax free. Most banks would love you to leave your Toisa languishing where it is, untouched for years, earning little interest. Yet it takes just a few minutes to transfer it, so it stays tax-free but earns much more interest. New Article: Top Toisa Transfers Related Articles: Cash ISA Transfers, Mini Cash ISAs, Instant Access Savings

Learn a language for free. French, Spanish, Chinese & more. Download an Mp3 course

£10 Ravel shoe sale clearance: Nearly sole-d out, go quick!
Ravel shoes is closing down, so the chain’s having a massive clearance sale, with bags of men and women’s shoes reduced to just £10. Plus Office is having a decent sale too; some MoneySavers have spotted shoes for a fiver. Full Note: Well heeled!

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

REMINDER 6.05% new top Instant Access Savings Account ICICI* 6.05%, Read Article

Don't worry about the reported 'bank charges case loss'. Keep on reclaiming
Last week, a judge turned down a bank charges reclaim case. This flies in the face of what other judges have done in similar circumstances and many still don't understand the rationale. Luckily this anomaly was in a minor court and is non-binding; in fact one other judge has publicly said it's "largely irrelevant" and an appeal is already being looked at. Remember, this the one case where the banks got lucky, against 100,000s of successes. Banks are still paying out, there's no change, and even in this case the complainant had already rejected a settlement. Spread the word... keep on reclaiming! Full Guide: Bank Charges: Reclaim 6 years' worth Details on the case: BBC Radio 4 Moneybox Feature, My initial blog on it, Blog & GM-TV interview on it

2for1 rentals at Blockbuster for Barclaycard customers Simply click & print

Great ‘Builders, Decorators & Handymen Insider Tips’ Hunt
Calling all builders, decorators, handymen, and DIY shop workers - I want your top insider tips on how to save money when doing up or repairing your home. What should people look for when hiring workmen? Are there any jobs we should do ourselves? How can you pick up materials more cheaply? What are your best insider hints? Add your ideas/read others Past Great Hunts: Laser Eye Surgery, Cosmetics Cost Cutting and What shops don't want us to know

Reminder Loophole for £40 worth of Tesco Clubcard Deals Sign up before 19 June Article: £40 Savings Loophole

Treat the family this bank holiday: Tons of cheap days out across the UK plus 2for1 London
With a bank holiday and half term looming, I thought it a good time to remind you that there are lots of ways of getting cheap days out, including using Tesco Clubcard deals and getting bargain cinema and theatre tickets. Plus if you're heading to London it’s possible to get 2for1 at a whole bunch of attractions (e.g. the Zoo & Madame Tussauds). The catch is you need that day's valid train ticket, yet even if you're not using the train you can get a cheap single for £2ish and still qualify to save up to £14! Article: Pay less for going out

MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Should Jordan take her kit off for cash?
Jordan is a 24-year-old primary school teacher with debt coming out of her ears. A friend she trusts has asked her to do a one-off glamour shoot for a men's magazine that involves full frontal nudity. This isn't something she'd ever normally consider and will shock her religious parents; yet in one foul swoop the fees she's being offered for 'buy-out' rights would more than halve her debts. Enter the Money Moral Maze: Should Jordan take her kit off for cash? Previous MMDs: Should little sis get a holiday too? and Should Rachel return the dress after wearing it?