Archive: MoneySavingExpert's Money Tips Email

16 Feb 2005: ID Fraud Protection, Boots Bargains, My Mutterings, 7% Savings, Debt Free Wannabe, Scams and much, much more MoneySaving...

This info may be out of date. Read this week's emails

The following is the text of Martins Money Tips Email sent on 16 February 2005

Hiya. We're starting Martin's Money Mutterings this week, but more on that later. Also I'm pleased to say the Chat Forum is now comfortably coping with over 1400 simultaneous users. Yet on Thursdays after the tip has been sent even this isn't enough, so it slows. Therefore we are going to add yet another server this week.

FREE ID FRAUD PROTECTION. Everyone should consider this! Capital One's No Hassle Platinum card is offering a free identity fraud help service even if it's nothing to do with the card itself. Having scoured the small print, I've confirmed this applies even if you just have the card without ever using it. So sign up and be protected at no cost as there's no fee, Apply/View*, or better still read my Free ID Fraud Service article, which includes pros and cons. P.S. It's actually not a bad card (See Best Card for Purchases).

THE GREAT 'BOOTS BARGAINS' HUNT! Boots is a treasure trove of bargain techniques that most ignore. To help, I've quickly knocked up a beginners guide to Boots bargains (including using the oft-ignored Boots Bonus Machine). Read it and add your Boots' bargain suggestions. Other past Great Hunts: Disguised Own Brands Hunt, Factory Shops Hunt, Cheap but Romantic Gift Hunt.

NEW FEATURE. MARTIN'S MONEY MUTTERINGS! This is brand new, an audio commentary to accompany each tip, as some things are better said. This is m'first go, it's raw, done in one take and a download (broadband, it's big) but if it's popular, I'll get it streamed soon. Download the Money Mutterings. Please feedback on it.

SAVINGS, EARN 7% OR 7.25% IF YOU'VE GOT KIDS. New Article. A hidden breed of savings accounts will pay you 7% interest, with access to your cash when you need it. Although designed for regular monthly savings, there's a trick to invest lump sums too and a special account for child benefit that pays even more. New Article: Regular Savings Related Article: 14% on Christmas savings.

Reminder. Revenge, use credit cards for free cash, Stoozers Guide
Reminder. Cheapest UK Calls plus £32.50.

CHEAPER OIL FOR DOMESTIC FUEL? No promises, but new 'user buying' consortia could use multi-buying power for cheaper prices. It's worth a look. Oil Buying Consortium Discussion

BOARD OF THE WEEK! DEBT-FREE WANNABE. This is a new board that's all about mutual help, support and guidance for people struggling with debt. Already the discussions there are starting to make a real difference. Visit Debt-Free Wannabe board, and read the uplifting discussion (seriously) Help me my life sucks. Related Article: Where to start with problem debts.

LATEST QUICK CHAT TIPS (Warning! Things listed here often sell out quickly)

Also see Daily Bargains Updates and Chat Tips GOLD)

Get on TV and make yourself some cash
Panasonic FZ3 3 Mega Pixel Digital Camera for £200, can you beat it?
2 for 1 entry to Theme Parks
Get tipsy for cheaper at Tesco, wine's half price
Toys for Toddlers, 70% off
Headphone and Microphone set just £2.99
Nominate Post of the Month winner for February

JEREMY VINE'S SCAMS. Don't worry, Jeremy hasn't annoyed me, we did 'con's to watch for' on the programme last Friday. So I've gathered some relevant articles in Scams, Shams and Double Divans.

Reminder. Save 6% when you spend overseas.
Reminder. Don't pay interest on Credit Card debt. Best Balance Transfers.

SOUTHERN ELECTRIC, SCOTTISH HYDRO AND SWALEC PRICE RISE. An average 9.1% gas and 6.7% elec price rise is due for existing customers on March 1. Time to check if you can save, either use the winning comparison service* or better still read ‘Cheapest Energy plus cashback' article. Note: Prices for new customers to these companies won't rise til July, so don't be fooled if comparison services continue to list them top.

Andrea's (Dan's this week!) Freebies (also see Freebies GOLD)
Window on the Universe CD Roms, Kitten goody bag , Printer Paper,
Mooney Suzuki EP, Shaving samples .

NEW POLL. British charities are rumoured to have been given too much money to spend in the Tsunami disaster zone. What do you think should be done with the extra cash? Vote or discuss it. Also, see last week's Poll for Parents results.

MARTIN'S MONEY POSER. It's as simple as black and white. Whats missing from 00110001 00110100 00110001 00110011 00110100 00110010 00110100 00110000 00110010 00110001 00111000 00110001 00110011 00110110 00110010 0011001100110001 00110101 00110100 00110001 00110111 00110001 00111001? To answer or read other people guesses see 'black and white poser'. Also see last week's 'Crack the Code II champagne poser' answers.

That's it for this week. Hope you all had a Happy Valentine's Day. Personally, my lips are still blistered after what the techies forced me into (see pic). As always, if you've enjoyed the tip or saved some money, please forward this to your friends and family and recommend they join up to receive the free email.

I hope you save some money

Martin

P.S I hope you like the site's new Consumer Revenge logo.

*Affiliated link: Click via this link and a contribution is made to MoneySavingExpert.com, which helps it stay ad-free, sponsorship-free and free to use. 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.capitalone.co.uk, www.energyhelpline.co.uk. For more on how it works and the site's non-profit driven ethical and financial policy read this.

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