December 2021

Today, campaigning journalist Martin Lewis – founder of MoneySavingExpert.com and the Money & Mental Health Policy Institute charity, and the presenter of The Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV – has been awarded a CBE for services to broadcasting and consumer rights in the Queen's New Year Honours.

Nearly 5,000 bank branches have been closed since 2015 - or are scheduled to be shut - according to data from Which?, leaving millions of people at risk of being cut off from vital banking services.

Even if your car and home insurance is not up for renewal, everyone should get quotes now as in just a couple of days new rules may mean costs will spike.

As another difficult year ends with bad news aplenty, we wanted to lift the mood by warming your cockles with inspiring MoneySaving successes from people who used our tips in 2021. These include a £17,500 chargeback refund after a bathroom botch, an £8,200 overpaid council tax reclaim and £3,000 for flogging rubbish on eBay.

Households across the country are set to face an income hit of £1,200 a year due to rising energy prices, tax increases and wage stagnation, according to a report by the think tank Resolution Foundation.

Aldi, John Lewis and Sainsbury's are among the major retailers bucking trends by closing stores this Boxing Day. However, shoppers hoping to grab a bargain in the traditional Boxing Day sales can still do so with some shops starting in-store sales from 27 December and others launching online sales from 24 December instead. 

Many people whose old energy firm has gone bust are having direct debit payments taken by both their new and old firm. This shouldn't happen and is leaving many short of cash – so why is this happening and what can you do?

Revolut has given 50,000 people a £20 free credit after users of the app experienced delays in making purchases and carrying out transfers during the Black Friday sales. The company told MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) it had identified most people who encountered problems but said those who have not received a payment, but did face difficulties, should get in touch.

The 'Fix Your Bike Voucher Scheme' has been quietly closed by the Department for Transport. It means cyclists in England will no longer be able to get their hands on a £50 voucher to help towards the cost of future bike repairs.

Nationwide customers have been unable to transfer money in or out of their bank account since around 7am, leaving some without wages just days before Christmas. The bank says it is trying to resolve the problem, which means there is currently a delay on outbound and inbound faster payments.