Archive: MoneySavingExpert's Money Tips Email

New RewardsChecker: Finds the real value of all Credit Card Reward Schemes
Credit cards with reward schemes, whether Airmiles, BA miles or Nectar points, promise something for nothing, yet how much are they really worth? After much hair-pulling research finally each scheme's been valued to find the best; it's possible to get up to £8 back for each £100 spent. New Article: UK's Top Credit Card Reward Schemes (mini-mutterings) New Tool: RewardsChecker Related Articles: Best Lend For Spend, Best Cashback Cards, Best Balance Transfers

Half Price Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Bowling Discounts. And lots more Summer days out

Act quick. Fixed rates rising rapidly - time to fix your mortgage?
Cheap fixed-rate mortgage availability is rapidly diminishing, the last 4.3% rates are disappearing! Fixed rates don't move with the bank base rate, but the City's money markets. They're usually sold in tranches; mortgage companies have a certain amount to give out, then reassess the rate. Currently the new rate is up to 0.4% more (£400/year on a £100k mortgage). If you're free to remortgage and looking for stability, do it quick (mini-mutterings). Full info in the MoneySaving Remortgage Guide: PDF or free printed version. Related Articles: Sneakily Get Free Mortgage Advice, Fixed Vs Discount Rates

New Credit Card Freebie; free England Shirt to add to free flights & vouchers
To try and grab your cash some credit cards offer free gifts as an opening bonus hoping they'll profit from your debts later. Yet to defeat this MoneySavers can make a tiny purchase pay it off in full and grab the free prize. The latest is an England shirt from the FA Card* added to flights from the BMI* card, a £15 Voucher from the Amazon card and more. For full pros & cons read the Updated Article: Credit Card Freebies (mini-mutterings) Related Article: Best Cashback Cards

Tesco Shopper? Double the Clubcard points you earn
There's a little known Tesco Clubcard Plus scheme, charge it up with cash, then spend on it in Tesco, and you'll earn double points on all purchases in-store and online (excluding electricals). More Info. Related Article: Internet Shopping Cutting Edge Time & MoneySaving Techniques

STOP YOUR FRIENDS WASTING CASH! PLS SUGGEST THEY GET THIS EMAIL

TalkTalk's top broadband/phone package activated earlier than expected
Good news about TalkTalk's* new 'broadband for life' telephone offer. It's massively the market's cheapest, but there were worries the broadband element would take ages to activate. Yet many MoneySavers who joined in April are reporting being connected, despite a go live date of late June. Article: UK's Cheapest Home Phones Provider

Credit Card Cheques Should Come With a 666 on them! Read More

ING Direct savings account existing customers 6% interest offer. URGENT!
ING Direct's* paying 6% interest but only for a couple of months (until 2 Aug), and only on new savings its existing customers bring to it (i.e., their current savings don't get this rate). As its normal rate is 4.5%, good but not great. Text book MoneySaving is move money to ING Direct now and then to the top payer ICICI* at 5.15% when it ends. Related Articles: Top Instant Access Savings Where To Start With Savings, Top Mini Cash ISA

Free £20 DVD voucher Get paid for a free DVD rental trial that gives a £20 voucher to buy DVDs. Chat tip: DVD Dividends Related Article: DVD Rentals

The Great 'Use Less Water' Hunt!
Saving money on water can involve fitting a meter (see Water Cost Cutting Article). Yet at the moment, drought warnings & hosepipe bans abound. While we can all rant about water companies ridiculous leaks; to help our environment, and to stop future rising costs, using less water is the responsible action. Personally I've vowed not to bath any more (don't worry I'm not a smelly minger, I'll shower). But I thought I'd tap MoneySavers' collective knowledge for other painless water reduction ways. Add yours/read others Past Great Hunts: Recycle It For Cash, Grants and Free Info

Tips for Tipping!
Last week I asked MoneySavers to let me know their finds when tipping abroad. Ideas you had included Tipping in Italy, Scandinavia Saving and Insider's USA

Make Me Rich: the times they are a'changing...
A quick note for those who've asked where the repeat of Make Me Rich on ITV2 was last Saturday. ITV2 has a 'fluid scheduling policy' which means it's been moving like a yo-yo across schedules. I do my best to let you know, but it can change or be postponed. This week it's due on Sat at 3.30pm.

Even more dinner deals: 2 for 1 curries and Little Chef
Since last week's gourmet special you found even more restaurant offers to add to the ones I had. New deals include 2for1curries and 2for1 at Little Chef, in addition to last week's Harry Ramsdens, Wagamama, TGI Friday, Chez Gerard. Fatten your wallet

LIVE LONG & PROSPER PENSION BOOK GIVEAWAY: One of the best books on how to get a pensions I've seen in a long while. Well worth it. So I asked the publisher for 5 copies to give to MoneySavers. More Details

FLIGHTCHECKER SALES WATCH  Venice, Malmo & Parma c. £20 each way
Budget airline Ryanair currently has a range of free destinations. When you add in its taxes and charges this becomes roughly £20 in total. For a full briefing read the How To Find a Cheap Flight article or go straight to the special free FlightChecker to find the seats in seconds

Pregnancy MoneySaving Diary
Chat Forum regular Jo_b's just found out she's having her second child and has started a pre and post MoneySaving comparison. It's a beautiful idea. Read it or join in. Related Articles: Nappy MoneySaving, Childcare Vouchers

Board of the week: I Wanna Buy It or Do It
Ask and it shall be answered. No matter how bizarre or obscure your question, chances are there's a MoneySaver out there with a solution. I Wanna Board Current requests include: I Wanna learn how to run, Trace people for free and Cheap 'n chic prom dresses

JEREMY VINE INSURANCE PHONE-IN HEADS-UP:  I've my usual Jeremy Vine spot on Radio 2, 1pm this Friday talking all things insurance

This week's Martin's Musings: Location, Location, Location: pick the pud company!
'Credit Card Cheques Need A 666 On Them' and 'Fight Night' Read m'blogs (or RSS users access)

MUSIC DOWNLOADS, HOW LEGAL IS LEGAL ENOUGH? POLL: How legal is legal enough? Vote or Discuss. Vote result: A pension for everyone... it seems you're happy to keep the system as it is with 64% of you saying the wealthy are entitled to a state pension compared to only 23% who believe it should be means-tested. See poll results

Duh De Duh, de de duh! That's it for this week, but before I go I'm sure you all recognise the tune though; someone posted a nostalgic link to old TV theme tunes, it got me humming.

I hope you save some money

Martin

*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.talktalk.co.uk, www.mbna.com, www.flybmi.com, www.icicibank.co.uk, www.ingdirect.co.uk, www.energyhelpline.com, www.uswitch.com, www.mbloan.co.uk. For more on how it works and the site's non-profit driven ethical and financial policy read this.