Food & Drink
Use the Money Mantras
Before spending, use Martin’s Mantras. If you answer 'NO' to any, then don't buy!
Then ask:
- Do I need it?
- Can I afford it?
- Have you checked prices elsewhere?
Then ask:
- Will I use it?
- Is it worth it?
Free protection for all shopping!
There's a little-known piece of legislation that turns any credit card into a financial self-defence superhero. 'Section 75' of the Consumer Credit Act means your plastic must protect anything you buy for more than £100 for free, so if there's a problem or the company goes bust, you can still get your money back.
And although Section 75 doesn't apply to debit cards, there is something else to fall back on if you've paid using a debit card, or used a credit card for a purchase under £100. Known as Chargeback, this is part of banks' and card companies' internal rules and not a legal requirement. Read full details of Section 75 or Chargeback, plus how to claim, in our guides.
What the * means above
If a link has an * by it, that means it is an affiliated link and therefore it helps MoneySavingExpert stay free to use, as it is tracked to us. If you go through it, it can sometimes result in a payment or benefit to the site. It's worth noting this means the third party used may be named on any credit agreements.
You shouldn’t notice any difference and the link will never negatively impact the product. Plus the editorial line (the things we write) is NEVER impacted by these links. We aim to look at all available products. If it isn't possible to get an affiliate link for the top deal, it is still included in exactly the same way, just with a non-paying link. For more details, read How this site is financed.
Duplicate links of the * links above for the sake of transparency, but this version doesn't help MoneySavingExpert.com:
18 May 2022
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12 ways to save only do with apps
Free chocs, 1.5% savings and more
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Martin: 'Aged around 45 to 70?'
'You may be able to turn £800 into £5,500+'
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New. Top way to spend abroad
Unbeatable exchange rates and cashback
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10% off discount 'best-before' store
Eg, 23p Pepsi , £4,50 for 1kg Lindt
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Cheaper energy deals kiboshed
Martin not exactly impressed
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Lloyds' free £125 bank bribe
But others pay more
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Debt cost-cutting masterclass
Mortgages, cards, overdrafts, loans...
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Read the full email
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NS&I to increase the Premium Bond prize rate to 1.40% - here's all you need to know
24 May 2022![]()
NS&I will increase its Premium Bond prize fund rate, which is equivalent to a yearly interest rate, from 1% to 1.4% from 1 June. The odds of each £1 Premium Bond number winning a prize will also increase from 34,500 to one to 24,500 to one. -
Coronavirus travel rights
24 May 2022![]()
We've the latest on the testing and self-isolation rules for travellers visiting popular destinations abroad, plus full refund and insurance rights for overseas and UK travel. -
Amigo Loans borrowers move one step closer to being refunded after High Court approves redress scheme - here's all you need to know
23 May 2022![]()
A compensation plan put forward by Amigo Loans to return at least £112 million to borrowers it wrongly mis-sold high-interest loans to has today (23 May) been approved by the High Court. The move is a significant win for borrowers and follows a previous proposal that was rejected by the Court. -
Toy subscription service Whirli goes into administration - what it means for refunds and returns
23 May 2022![]()
Children's toy subscription service Whirli has gone into administration. The collapse affects around 10,500 customers. Here's what it means for your refund and return rights. -
Three's £2 a day roaming charges come into effect today – here's all you need to know
23 May 2022![]()
Three's £2 a day roaming charges come into effect from today (23 May) for holidaymakers who wish to use their normal monthly allowance in Europe. The change will effect new and upgrading pay monthly and Sim-only customers.
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Martin Lewis: Got a cash ISA? You should probably ditch it
24 May 2022![]()
Press the rewind button and go way back to April 2015... Possibly on the telly in the corner of your living room, I was on-air at the time urging savers as usual to use their new tax-free cash ISA allowance – because 'money was nicer in an ISA'. But things changed in 2016. -
Martin Lewis: 'UO is just as important as UX: A tip for anyone developing their website or app'
6 May 2022![]()
I set up MoneySavingExpert.com nearly 20 years ago – when arguably the modern web was still in its infancy. With an abundance of self-belief (something I had too much of then, as I realise now) I decided not to read any books, or follow prevailing wisdom on how a site should operate – and just do it my way. -
Martin Lewis: Money and Mental Health charity 2021/22 – Covid & cost of living hell...
26 April 2022![]()
It's hard to believe the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI) charity is now six years old. As the chair of trustees, each year I write the foreword to its annual report – and today the 2021/22 report is out, so I thought I'd blog my formal chair's foreword here. -
Martin Lewis: What happened to my pledge to give £10m to charity – 2022 update (spoiler: it's now £20m)
11 April 2022![]()
Nearly a decade ago, in June 2012, MSE joined the MSM Group and I pledged £10m to go to charity. As that was a public pledge and I feel I've a duty of transparency, every year or two I bash out a blog report to explain where I'm up to, and who's got what money.
Clever ways to calculate your finances
