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:
8 February 2023
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UK base rates UP to 4%
Martin's mortgage need-to-knows
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30-month 0% debt shift
Plus £25 cashback
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Water bills UP 7.5% from April
Can you beat the hikes?
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New. 3.05% easy-access savings
After UK rate rise
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20,000 FREE Ideal Home tickets
Plus see Martin live
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Heating oil and LPG support
Payments starting
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1/3 off annual railcards code
Pay £20, not the usual £30
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Read the full email
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Urgent action needed to prevent people with mental health problems paying 'sky high' insurance prices, says charity
8 February 2023![]()
Charity the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, which was set-up by MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, has issued the calls after finding people with mental health problems are being charged 27 times more for insurance than non-sufferers. -
Sainsbury's 'technical error' leaves disgruntled supermarket shoppers without bonus Nectar points worth up to £25
8 February 2023![]()
Unhappy Sainsbury's shoppers say the supermarket failed to issue them with vouchers for bonus Nectar points worth up to £25 over the weekend - despite them meeting the minimum spend required. -
Fixed mortgage deals expected to get cheaper despite base rate increasing to 4% – what you need to know
7 February 2023![]( "1575538927")
Interest rates on fixed mortgage deals are expected to fall over the coming weeks, despite the Bank of England increasing the base rate to 4%. If you need a new mortgage in the coming months, we've analysed the mortgage market and spoken to a number of brokers to help you navigate this uncertain market. -
Trying to open a Kroo account? There's an up to 10-day delay due to high demand – here's what you need to know
7 February 2023![]()
App-only bank Kroo has admitted it's taking up to 10 days to open some accounts as it struggles to meet demand after it launched a market-leading interest rate. -
Sainsbury's shopper? You can get up to £25 in bonus Nectar points – but there are some catches
7 February 2023![]()
Nectar cardholders can get between 50 and 5,000 extra points, worth 25p to £25, when shopping at Sainsbury's this Saturday (4 February). But you'll need to spend at least £20 at a larger story to qualify.
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Martin Lewis: Is it time to ban unnecessary Christmas presents?
5 December 2022![]()
Update September 2017: It’s eight years since I first braved this subject, expecting a snowstorm of protest. Instead, year after year more join in, like Julia who recently tweeted me, “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told my family I can’t afford Christmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” One year even the Archbishop of... -
Martin Lewis: The one thing everyone aged over 66 needs to know
29 November 2022![]()
It is a national tragedy that getting on for a million pensioners, many of whom have been paying into the system for years, are missing out on a critical boost to their income. It's called pension credit, and this year it also means you get an extra £650 to help with energy bills.
Clever ways to calculate your finances
