Archive: MoneySavingExpert's Money Tips Email

The following is the text of Martin's Money Tips e-mail on 12 August 2004

NOTE: An URGENT Additional Money Tip was sent on 16 August, the text is at the end of the main tip.

Hello MoneySavers, lots of little'uns this week, here you go….

CHEAPEST BROADBAND INTERNET (includes provider loophole):  Superfast broadband internet isn't now much more expensive than normal phone access.  Existing broadband users can cut their costs by up to £160/year.  Those wanting to upgrade to broadband can find an all-in unlimited package for £18/month. New Article: UK's cheapest broadband

WHERE TO START WITH SAVINGS? THE SAVINGS FOUNTAIN (updated).  I often drone on about best buys and yet many people ask me a more basic question: “where should I put my savings? A cash ISA, savings account or what?”  I've updated and future-proofed my article ‘The Savings Fountain' which answers that question (and of course links to Best Buys). There's also an equivalent credit card article.

LADIES, A SPECIAL PRESENT JUST FROM ME:  OK, it's of a cheesy chat-up intro, but I've never claimed a subtle technique. There's a raft of top brand cosmetics freebies. Clinique lipstick (free) , Lancôme mascara (Free), Loreal lipstick (discounted),

L'Oreal Revitalift free sample and Lancôme Hypnôse (Free).  Thanks to the MoneySavers who spotted them.

Reminder:  Best Credit Card for Purchases.  A year's 0% & points. Purchases Article

Reminder:  Budgeting. New MoneySaving Spreadsheet. Budgeting Article

Reminder:  Top Current Account: 0% overdraft, 5.5% interest & sign up bonus Current Accounts

BARCLAYCARD 12 MONTH 0% COUNTDOWN: (3 Weeks ‘til it closes).  Its 0% on balance transfers and purchases offer ends on 31 August.  I've dug hard, but haven't heard any rumours of its replacement.  I suspect it'll be similar, but almost definitely not substantially better, so the safe bet is apply before the deadline.  Full Article: Barclaycard 0% & existing customer loophole.

DYING DISCOUNT'S FINAL GASP:  The La Redoute game is up, but there's a silver lining. Chat Forum regulars will know a host of discount codes were available when ordering from this online clothing catalogue.  La Redoute has now got strict, changing its sign-in page, so codes can only be used by those receiving them.  I asked La Redoute if as a goodwill gesture, it'd provide one last code.  It has.  A 20% discount with no minimum spend anyone can legally use (until 31/8).

La Redoute code.

LATEST QUICK CHAT TIPS (also see Chat Tips GOLD)

Morphy Richards Breadmaker £19.99 More for your dough

Aerobic stepper £1.88 (selling fast) Get moving

Braun Thermoscan IRT 3520 £9.99 Thermoscan

Starbucks 2for1 Frappuccino voucher Cool!

Unoffical MoneySavers Meet-Ups across UK MoneySavers Meets

Free rail travel vouchers (SE England) Free travel

Free wine/ beer with £12 spend on ready-meals Yum!

Nominate a Post of the month winner for August Post of the month

Most Popular Chat Tips Ever (with links)

TONIGHT (well Monday) WITH TREVOR MACDONALD:  I'm presenting it this Monday 16th ITV1 8pm to 8:30pm. The programme's called Rich Bankers (yes it is a ‘B' – just).

FREE MAGAZINES:  Many magazines try to entice us with free 3 or 6 issue trials; but you must sign up with a direct debit.  This targets peoples' apathy hoping even those who dislike it will forget to cancel.  Let's take ‘em on MoneySavers.  Reverse this.  Sign up & diarise your cancellation date and you can grab mags for free, cancel, then sometimes you can sign up again for the same offer.  Most big popular mags are included, in a categorised list (just updated) in

Free Magazines Chat Tip

PENSIONS, PENSIONS & errr.. PENSIONS:  Many people think personal pensions have been an abysmal investment.  Wrong! (I can hear people spluttering “he's off ‘is rocker”). A pension is a tax-efficient wrapper for investments.  Of course, most underlying investments have been abysmal, but don't blame the pension wrapper for this. You could've had cash in a risk-free, tax-free pensions cash savings fund.  Pension tax breaks should still be considered a valuable part of retirement planning. Articles:  Getting a pension - cut stakeholder costs; already got a personal/stakeholder pension - repension.  Already retired? Are you claiming the pensions credit? Everything else (including company pensions) check out MoneySaver Pal's Pensions – Frequently Asked Questions in the Chat Forum.

Andrea's Freebies: Dolmio pasta, hair-thickening shampoo, Sport Diver magazine, Summers' Eve Fem Wipes, Try Me Free Summary, Freebies GOLD

INTEREST RATE RISE 0.25% - MORTGAGE WARNING:  The cost of your mortgage (unless you're on a fix or cap) is about to rise.  If you're on the standard variable rate, you can usually save money.  There are many mortgage articles on the site (including how to get advice for free) Mortgage articles/best buys.  Also, in the Chat Forum many professional mortgage brokers answer questions for free. Mortgage discussions.

That's it for this week.  No big schpeil for you today.  Just my usual ‘as always' – as always, please tell everyone you know about the site and suggest they sign up for the e-mail.

I hope you save some Money

ADDITIONAL URGENT MONEY TIP SENT 16 AUGUST

JUST HEARD: HISTORIC BEST EVER 0% CREDIT CARD DEAL ENDS THIS WED.
This is much earlier than expected, replacement offer isn't as good!

I've just found out Barclaycard's current new customer credit card offer, the historic longest ever 0% intro rate, ends this Wednesday morning (18 August).  It was expected to be available until the end of August.  Branches are changing the deal today (Mon) and it won't be available online/phone after Tue night.

The current deal is 0% on purchases and balance transfers (debt moved from other cards) for new customers until 31 August 2005 (ie a year).  The new deal isn't as good.  If you're going to need it, do it now, instantly, no delays, stop whatever else you're doing (have I made my point yet?)  Either read my how to use it and not get screwed article or, if you've already read it, apply here* or ask a question / discuss it.

Please tell or forward to everyone you know
Last chance for 1 year 0% on purchases & balance transfers

What is the new deal? Very briefly, (full details & how to work it on the site this Sunday when I've had time to write it!) the replacement offer is as follows:  apply online/phone and it's 3 months 0% on purchases and 12 months 0% on balance transfers plus there is a 2% fee on transfers (max £35).  Apply in a branch and there's no interest free deal on purchases and 12 months 0% on balance transfers.  The existing customer offer (and my loophole) won't change.

That's it – normal tip later in the week

I hope you save some money

Martin

*Affiliated link: This link invisibly takes you via price comparison site Moneysupermarket, which then makes a contribution to MoneySavingExpert.com.  This in no way impacts any editorial decisions (what I write), costs you anything or changes the product.  For an identical link which doesn't help the site go to www.barclaycard.co.uk.  For more on how it works and the site's ethical and financial policy click here