Archive: MoneySavingExpert's Money Tips Email

The following is the text of Martin's Money Tip E-mail sent 02.06.04

Why is it the busy weeks are always when you're on holiday?  It's a bit credit card heavy, but there were major announcements this week! Barclaycard & sadly Circle Rebate  – as well as loads of other tips too.

EXISTING BARCLAYCARD CUSTOMERS – MAJOR LOOPHOLE

Tell everyone you know – don't let Barclaycard get away with it

There's been a radical shift at Barclaycard, used correctly it's hugely powerful MoneySaving. All existing customer can move debt from other cards to Barclaycard and will pay only 2.9% on it, importantly this rate isn't just short term, it lasts until all the money shifted over is paid off.  It sounds a superb deal, but there's a catch!  It's cunningly designed so anyone with either existing debts on the card or who uses it for spending, will find those debts locked in at a high rate, costing much more.  Yet, I've discovered a loophole to break this. Use it correctly and effectively you've the market's best possible ‘life of balance' offer without applying for a new card.  For more details and loophole instructions click here.

Please forward this to anyone and everyone with a Barclaycard, so they don't get caught out. (it may be easier just to cut and paste this into a separate email)

NEW LONGEST EVER 0% CREDIT CARD – BARCLAYCARD AGAIN

For new Barclaycard customers it's a much more clear cut winner.  It offers 0% interest for both spending on the card and any debts moved to the card for 13 months - an all time length record.  Leaflets are already in Barclays branches, and it'll be available online or on the phone on 14^th June (I'll include a reminder that week's e-mail).  Full details

SPECIAL HOLIDAY & TRAVEL SECTION: As I'm sunning myself, a collation of all the site's holiday MoneySaving info.  First articles: Minimise package holiday prices; cheapest way to spend when abroad; cheapest travel insurance plus the site's special Ryanair under £5 flight checker. And virtually all else is in the Travel, Trips, Days Out & Holidays Chat board.

THE GREAT ‘HOW TO GET A FLIGHT UPGRADE' HUNT RESULTS:  Two weeks ago I asked MoneySavers to pool their knowledge on this.  The result is great reading. Read or add to

END OF AN ERA: Circle Rebate ditches 1% cashback.  I've been recommending this Capital One card for years – yet as of today new customers will only get 0.5% cashback, and existing customers' cashback is reduced to 0.5% from next month.  There are much better deals out there, so existing cardholders (without credit score issues) should ditch and switch.  Just stop using it though, don't cancel it until you've received any cashback owed.  You can get up to 2% cashback with an Amex, and 0.8% with other cards.

Read Best Cashback Card article.  Discuss Circle Rebate's demise.

30 MINUTES – EYE OPENING STUFF CRITICAL ILLNESS:  This Saturday (5 June) I'm presenting a half hour documentary programme for Channel 4 (6pm) looking at critical illness – frankly my eyes were opened during the investigation.  A must watch for anyone with critical illness cover or anyone getting a mortgage.

CHEAP CALLS HOME WHEN YOU'RE ABROAD:  If you're tripping overseas, using your mobile, if it's possible, is often prohibitively expensive.  To help, a good week before you go, there's a phone card comparison website which find the cheapest phone cards calling from any specific country to another.  It's about a 6 out of 10 for overall cheapness, but apart from doing detailed specific research of your own, there's limited other options available.  Article

QUICK CHAT TIPS

Samsung Laser Printer £50 Click here

Breadmaker <£17 Click here

Money off Firebox.com Click here

New cheap cross-channel ferry service Click here

Free Cooler Rucksack Click here

Beating the supermarkets with restraint Click here

Clean-up your PC Click here

Useful how to complain site Click here

Alton Towers £15 until June 30^th Click here

Gadget discounts £10 off £50 spend Click here

Andrea's Freebies: Asthma attack card, Trigger hose gun (Yorkshire Water customers),
MP3 Downloads, Pet Smile pack and cat/ dog check up,

Mobile phone (existing contract holders), Huggies nappies, Mini LED torch,
Try Me Free Hunt Summary, Freebies GOLD

GREEN CHEAPSKATE – ETHICAL PARENTING: A great series of posts by MoneySaver Sumita all about mixing practical tips with being ecological.  Chat Forum

ARE PREMIUM BONDS ANY GOOD? I'm often asked this question.  You'll find answers here 

BEST BUYS REVAMPED: I've tidied the Best Buys section to hopefully make it easier to scan through and blitz your finances. The sections are Savings, Shopping, Loans, Credit Cards, Mortgages, Utilities, Insurance and Others. Spend half a day revamping your finance here and you could potentially save thousands.  (do note the best buys are always linked to from the end of every e-mail)  Best Buys

Popular Past Tips and Articles

Cutting Edge Internet Shopping Method Article

Save £600 on your mobile contact Chat Tip

Roadside Recover at a very very nice price Article

Free Magazines Loophole Chat Tip

Car Insurance cost cutting system Article

Ryanair under £5 flight checker Here

Home Insurance cost cutting system Article

Chip ‘n' Pin briefing Article

Cheap MOTs Chat Tip

Budgetting the WWII way Chat Discussion

That's it for this week.  As always please do tell people about the site and especially the e-mail. 

I hope you save some money

Martin

TO ASK A QUESTION OR SEE ALL BEST BUYS LISTED SCROLL DOWN

Questions? Pls don't email, instead ask here. Technical problems: please e-mail forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com Martin's Next Broadcast Appearances List: click here

Read Martin's NEW Book 'The Money Diet'. 
To read more click here.  To compare shops prices and buy it for less click here.    To discuss it click here

Best Buys & Major Articles
[ Credit Cards | Shopping | Personal Loans & Current Accounts | Savings, ISAs & Toisas | Mortgages & Remortgaging | Telephones & Mobiles | Insurance (travel, car, life etc) | Gas & Elec | Water |Other Articles ]