Still don't switch gas & elec. Four down but two to go. Just a reminder that you still shouldn't be switching gas & elec provider. While we've had more price cuts announcements, only four of the big six energy providers have done so; Scottish Power and EDF are left, and it's likely they'll do it in the next fortnight. So hold on, as shift now and you may not be moving to the eventual cheapest. I'll keep you updated here (more info in the Cheapest Gas & Electricity article). Timing is everything. So pls spread the word about this e-mail! Timing is crucial with so much MoneySaving; grabbing loopholes, not losing your ISA allowance, Nectar point spending (below)... While the site's constantly updated, with the e-mail I can try to ensure (nag) you to do the right thing at the right time. While the site has 2.5 million monthly users, less than half get this e-mail, so please recommend it to family and friends, they just need to go to www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips | |
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Now get £100s in mortgage fees back with just a phone call. New Lender by Lender Guide
A few weeks ago I wrote that the FSA (the financial regulator), had said most mortgage exit fees had been unfairly increased, and I drafted a template for anyone who's switched mortgages in the last five years to try to get their money back. 1,000s succeeded and after being forced to report back to the FSA last week, most of the major mortgage companies now simply pay out if asked. This is a totally updated and rewritten guide to getting your cash back. New Article: Mortgage Fee Reclaiming Related Articles: Remortgage Guide, Mortgage Guide, Endowment Mis-selling Compensation, Reclaim Bank Charges
Amazon shopper? Four top tips to slash Amazon costs
Cheap flight & hotel finding: Even more ways to bag a cheap break Updated Article
For cheap flights, the web wins as you can compare hundreds of prices in seconds. Yet there are three types of cheap flight sites: screenscrapers, flight brokers and flightcheckers. The key to knowing which to use depends on when and where you're going, and your flexibility. Screenscrapers are specialists in comparing up-to-the minute prices, as they zip to scores of other websites and 'scrape the data' off their screens. I've just added three new ones to the list, meaning even more chance of finding a dirt cheap flight. Updated Article: Cheap Flight Finding (mini mutterings) Related Articles: Haggle For A Holiday, Cheapest Card For Overseas Spending
WARNING. Don't spend Nectar points now! They'll be worth double during its sale starting 17 March, I'll include a week by week schedule of offers here.
Cheapest Personal Loans 6.1%. Act quick loan rates are still rising. Updated Article
The interest rate on personal loans has crept up again in the last couple of weeks, so if you're going to need to borrow, be quick, as when you get a loan the rate is fixed for its life. For uninsured loans Barclaycard's* 6.1% for amounts over £4,000 is the cheapest, while Northern Rock* at 6.4% is cheapest for smaller loans. If you've an extremely good credit history, you may be able to shave the cost slightly with loan intermediary Zopa*. For full details and other options, read the Updated Article: Cheap Loans Related Articles: How Credit Scoring Works, Loan Insurance, Cut The Cost Of Existing Loans
10,000 free copies of Moneywise magazine blagged for MoneySavers. Want one? STOP YOUR FRIENDS WASTING CASH! PLS SUGGEST THEY GET THIS EMAIL Are you Britain's Biggest Debt Dieter? £500 to the champion
Inspired by the Debt-Free Wannabe board, I'm launching a contest to find Britain's Biggest Debt Dieter. If you've radically reduced your debts over the last year, please enter the contest. It isn't just about the amount you've repaid, but how you did it, and the impact. If you're up for the challenge Full details: Debt Dieter Contest. If you're in serious debt Read Where To Start With Problem Debts and visit the Debt-Free Wannabe board. Virgin Media Customer? (inc. NTL & Telewest): Push for an upgrade on the back of losing Sky
Cheap Car Insurance. Now even easier to cut the cost. New Article
Now actually there's no real change, but as this was a long article, I've worked hard to finesse the system down to make it easier, quicker to follow and more accurate. Thought you may like to give the new version a try. New Article: Cheap Car Insurance Related Articles: Home Insurance, Medical Insurance, Pet Insurance
Bank Charges: The OFT announcement is due in a month. Read my note on the OFT's Impact On Bank Charge Reclaming. Full Guide: Bank Charges: Reclaim £1,000s
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BG scraps late penalty charge after consumer pressure
A few weeks ago I reported BG were landing a £5 fine for late payments for cash paying customers. Now according to Energywatch it seems it's buckled under the mass consumer pressure and have revoked the late penalty fine. Hooray!
MoneySavingExpert.com Job Vacancy Part-Time Help Team Assistant Needed
MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Should Thelma lend Louise money?
Thelma's best friend since childhood, Louise, has always been terrible with cash; and now she's got into serious debt and is in danger of losing her home. She's asked Thelma for a loan of £10,000. Thelma's very affluent and can afford to lend without a problem, and she would hardly notice even if she lost this huge amount. They've always been through thick and thin together and supported each other in everything. Money Moral Maze: Should Thelma lend Louise money? Previous MMDs: Should Monica go out with Bill for his money? and Would you take the job?
Great 'Mothers Day Presents for under a quid' Hunt
Mother's Day is fast approaching (18 March) but there's no need to splash the cash to show your mum, granny or aunty that you appreciate them. So I thought I'd challenge MoneySavers to come up with the best gifts, but without spending more than a quid! Add your ideas/read others Past Great Hunts: Cut The Cost Of Moving Home, Internet Dating and Free Info
WARNING: Cahoot Flexible Loans... Rates are being hiked to exorbitant levels
Not long ago it was a darling of the loan market, very cheap and flexible. Unlike normal loans, the risk of taking a flexible loan is the rate can change at the lender's whim. Now many Cahoot customers are having rates hiked by huge amounts, up to 19.9% (it was once around 6%). This is a horrid rise, and rumours are it's a deliberate attempt to get customers to switch it to its parent, the Abbey's standard loan. Well avoid that, it's not particularly cheap, instead read the Cheapest Loans article to find the cheapest, then ditch and switch. Discuss this
Great 'Keep your car in tip-top shape for less' Hunt Result
Last week I asked MoneySavers to let me know their top tips and hints for looking after cars on the cheap without cutting corners. Tips you had included Check & change, Hunt down spare parts and Drive like a grandad |
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