Archive: MoneySavingExpert's Money Tips Email
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Loan Insurance Victory makes reclaiming £1,000s easier New crackdown on PPI insurance. The misselling of payment protection insurance (PPI) on loans could be coming to an end. Last week's damning Competition Commission report squashed any bank defence. After all they've hard-sold these products, at up to TEN times over the odds & often to people they're worthless to.
We're proud MoneySavingExpert's been at the forefront of PPI reclaiming with nearly 375,000 templates downloaded and thousands of £1,000+ reclaim successes. This news is another gun in the arsenal. |
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Shift overdrafts/loans to 0% for 16 months. New credit card special deal. New Guide
The new top Virgin* credit card balance transfer deal, 0% for 16 mths plus a 2.98% fee, has a unique property for cutting overdrafts or loan costs for new cardholders. How it works: Usually you can only shift debts from other cards, but specifically ask it to ‘balance transfer’ debt from your bank account and it’ll pay the cash in there instead. Overdrafts: This effectively shifts the overdraft to the card, so it's now at 0% plus the fee. Loans: Use the bank account cash to pay the loan off, checking there are no penalties for doing that. Warning: Always make the min. monthly repayments & clear the debt or balance transfer again before 16 mths or the rate jumps to 16.6% APR. New Guide: Super Balance Transfers Related Guide: Best Balance Transfers
New Pizza Hut Delivery & La Tasca 50% off vouchers. Plus 20% off Pizza Express and last chance 2for1s at Cafe Rouge, Zizzi and HA! HA! These and more in the Daily Deals List: Restaurant Vouchers
Computer Virus Warning! 24 Nov to be year's worst day. Free anti-virus software.
Internet security experts predict a big virus spike on 24 Nov as cyber- criminals target shoppers in the run up to Christmas and US Thanksgiving (see Guardian article), thus, it's crucial to check your anti-virus software is up to date. Free Anti-Virus Software: Two companies allow their professional anti-virus software to be downloaded for free, including regular updates, in the hope you'll pay to upgrade for extended features. Full info in the Updated Guide: Free Anti-Virus Software Related Guides: Free Office Software, Stop Junk Mail
M&S one day 20% off everything instore & online sale this Thurs. It's slashing the cost of all but food & electricals on 20 Nov. Info in the Forum Note: M&S one day sale
Act now to get 5% off ALL Christmas & Jan. Sales spend. Top Cashback Card
There's a way to effectively get a massive discount on all spending. The Amex Platinum* credit card pays 5% cashback for the first three months. And, importantly, set up a Direct Debit to repay it in full, and you don't pay interest Why 'last chance'? Christmas & January sales are most people's highest spend period, and as it takes up to three weeks to get a credit card, you need to apply now to ensure the 5% cashback covers that time. Full info in the Full Guide: Cashback Cards Related Guides: Cashback Websites, Cheap Online Shopping
£35 tuxedo & £12 Little Black Dress. Perfect cheap Christmas party/student ball outfits. Available in store at ASDA. More info in the Forum Note: Cheap party outfits
STOP YOUR FRIENDS WASTING CASH! PLS SUGGEST THEY GET THIS EMAIL
New 30% off Gap & 40% off Threshers. Plus 20% off Schudoo (Uggs) & Office vouchers. These and more in the Daily Deals List: Shopping Vouchers
400 Free Tickets for MoneySaving LIVE! London’s Shaw Theatre, Thur 4 December
As a unique experiment I'm doing a “one man show” and I’d love you to come along. The aim’s simple: to save you as much money as possible, answer audience questions, and hopefully have a bit of fun at the same time. It’s going to be filmed then distributed as a free DVD in the News of The World in January to help spread the MoneySaving message. How to get tickets: As there are only 400, it’ll be by ballot, to apply e-mail tickets@moneysavingproductions.com with your address, phone number and how many tickets you’re requesting (up to two per application).
England football away shirt (2008-10) joins home kit at under £10. Sports Direct’s selling them at £8.99 in-store or £13.49 delivered online (usually c. £50). A great stocking filler. Forum Note: England Shirts
Gas & Electricity company says prices may FALL in the New Year. Don't CAP now...
Scottish & Southern Elec's stuck its head above the parapet saying, "if wholesale prices (the price it pays) maintain a downward trend, SSE is optimistic it'll deliver price reductions... during early 2009." This u-turn follows the recent recession led shock collapse of the oil price & ensuing gas price market. What this means: Capped tariffs, where you pay roughly 10-15% more but lock-in at that price, don't look a good deal anymore. Yet if you capped at cheaper rates in July when I yelled “cap cap cap”, we've already had 30% price rises so you 're almost certainly saving money now, and any price cuts are predicted to be much smaller than that. Not switched? Compare & switch, though you may need to do it again next year, full info in the Updated Guide: Gas & Electricity Related Articles: Home Phones, Grant Grabbing, Cheap Boiler Cover
1p Ryanair European flights (incl. most taxes & charges). Over 60 destinations between Dec & Feb, sale ends midnight Fri 21 Nov. More in the Forum Note: 1p Ryanair Flights Related: Cheap Flights
Credit Unions: How they work, how to get cheap loans & how to join. New Q&A Guide
Credit Unions aren’t just an oasis for those struggling to qualify for high-street borrowing. Some of these non-profit financial co-operatives can be best-buys for those wanting to borrow smaller amounts. They're especially good for those who usually resort to outrageously excessive payday loans or doorstep lending. This is a new, full Q&A guide to finding one, how safe they are and when's the best time to use them. New Guide: Credit Unions Q & A
Free Pret a Manger Coffee. Grab the new 'Pret card' instore, register it online and you'll get £2.10 free credit, enough for a coffee. More info in the Deals Note: Eating Out
Icelandic Banks Update. Check junk for Icesave e-mail. Kaupthing interest drops
Some big developments. Icesavers: The first compensation payments have been made. To get the money you're sent two emails, most have now received the first and many the all important "login now" second email. Yet some report they're going into spam or junk mail folders, so it's crucial you check & monitor if you haven't got your email. Full details in the Icelandic banks section of Safe Savings. Kaupthing Edge: After the 1.5% UK base rate cut, Kaupthing's new parent, ING Direct has cut the interest from 6.55% AER to 4.55%, this should be easily beatable elsewhere see the Updated Guide: Top Savings Related Guides: Safe Savings, Regular Savings
Buy one get TWO free on Pepsi & Pringles. Morrisons is offering buy one get two free on Pringles and Pepsi, a max six per trip. Both have long best before dates, so you could stock up for this Christmas and next. More in the Forum Note: Buy1get2free
ITV1 Debt & Relationship Makeover or Car Insurance Claiming Problems? ITV1's Tonight is looking for case studies Find out more
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The Big & Easy Ways to Save Checklist |
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Car & Home Insurance comparisons. Regulator says comparison sites are improving
Last week the regulator (the FSA) finished its review into Car and Home insurance comparison sites. The FSA found most sites had improved since its last report in May, although as already flagged up in this site's guides; there are a few concerns about assumptions some sites make and the fact the excesses don’t always match up. To find the best comparison sites and how to compare read the Full Guides: Cheap Car Insurance, Cheap Home Insurance Related Articles: Van Insurance, Motorbike Insurance
Last chance! Get a will written for free. November is Will Aid month where participating solicitors will draft it for free, in return for a voluntary charity donation (£75 recommended but not obligatory). Info in the Deals Note: Will Aid
STOP PRESS! Premium Bond rate slashed from 2.85% to 1.8%
Just before sending the e-mail we heard the Premium Bond interest rate's been slashed to a puny 1.8%, a third of a top savings account rate, though of course, it is tax-free & 100% safe. Yet only a couple of months ago it was a decent 3.4%. The next draw is on Dec 1, after which we'll fully update the calculator after that with the new miniscule chances of winning. What the rate means: It determines the prize fund. Now only 1.8% of the total bond value will be distributed each year as prize money.Calculate Your Odds (at 2.85%, they'll be leven lower now!): Free Premium Bond Calculator Related Guides: Top Savings Accounts, Safe Savings
Does the base rate cut impact student loans? Many students are asking this. The answer is No. Student Loan interest rates depend on the rate of inflation, specifically the Retail Price Index. The rate dropped from 4.8% to 3.8% in September and is fixed for the next year. Related Guides: Should I Repay My Student Loan?, Student MoneySaving
Great 'How to make an effective complaint' Hunt: What to say & do to get things right?
From banks to retailers to airlines: errors can be made which result in you needing to complain. Yet how do you do this effectively without it leading to a time consuming hassle? I want to tap MoneySavers' ideas for the best complaint handling tips and phrases to use plus who they should be addressed to. Add ideas/read others: Great 'How to make an effective complaint' Hunt Related Guides: Consumer Rights, Section 75: Protect Your Spending
MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Should Lucky Luke give back his hardship grant?
Lucky Luke is a student and struggling horribly to survive, partly as he doesn't manage his money well. He applied for a hardship grant from Uni fund and has been awarded £1,000. On the day it goes in his bank account, to celebrate, he buys a lottery scratch card (part of the reason for his poor finances) and wins £5,000, which would certainly mean he no longer qualifies Enter the Money Moral Maze: Should Luke give back his hardship grant? Previous MMDs: Would you dent someone’s car if they blocked you in? and Do you charge house guests for breakages?
Quick Forum Tips
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Board of the week: Special Occasions & Christmas
Don't Cancel Christmas! It's just over a month away so preparation time is shortening yet there are still ways to cut the cost now. There are some great Christmas MoneySaving and fun tips on the Special Occasions & Christmas forum board including Xmas with 16 adults & 10 kids, Homemade Chocolate Slabs and Elf Organisation. Related Article: Christmas MoneySaving
Great 'How to have a cheap Xmas if you've kids' Hunt Result
It's tough having to explain to kids that you've less money for Christmas. So last week I tapped MoneySavers' ideas for the best ways to explain that Santa's budget's been hit. There were some great suggestions including Santa's assets have been frozen in Iceland,
Tell them you buy pressies for Santa to deliver and Time is better than presents
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Baby Seminars, Nivea Day Cream, Dave Stewart Downloads, |
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MoneySavingExpert on the box/wireless
If you like to watch as well as read about MoneySaving, I'll be appearing on the following programmes over the next week or so.
- LK Today, ITV1, Thursday 20 November, between 8:30 & 9:30am. Slash the cost of dining out with 2for1 Restaurant Vouchers plus get a £10.50 nail polish for £2 and, before finding Christmas bargains online, get Free Anti Virus Software.
- Jeremy Vine, Radio 2, Friday 21 November, 1pm. Don't cancel Christmas! Save £££s knowing how to have Christmas The MoneySaving Way.
- Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show, Absolute Radio, Monday 24 November, 8am. Listen to Martin's tip of the week!
- GMTV & LK Today, ITV1, Tuesday 25 November between 7:30 & 9:30am. Cut the cost of Train travel this Christmas and in 2009.
- Past appearances: Listen/watch back, plus keep updated on future appearances.
This week's Martin's Blog: The Greater Fool Theory: Does it apply to home purchases?
"Westfield, a big white elephant?". Read m'blogs (or RSS users access)
Should cheap booze be banned? This week's poll. Vote and Cheap Booze discussion.
You think base rates'll drop to 2%! Last Week’s Vote Result. Following the base rate's recent cut to 3%, I asked where you think it'll be go in six months. Nearly two thirds of people think it'll be between 2% and 4% still, with the outright winner being the 27% who think it'll drop to 2%. See Base Rate poll results.
Archna's Free Game of the Week! Save the little dino from extinction! Dino Run
Can I pay my gas bill with a drawing of a spider? One of the funniest attempts to get out of paying a bill I've ever read Do you take spiders?
I hope you save some money
Martin
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the editorial line (the things I write) is NEVER impacted by it. If it isn't
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following 'un-affiliated' web-addresses for the same things: evirginmoney.com, americanexpress.com,tiscali.co.uk, envirofone.com, mopay.co.uk, energyhelpline.com. Read more about this in how this site is financed.
MoneySavingExpert.com is the free to use Consumer Revenge website focused on how to save you cash. It’s owned, and run by ultra-specialised journalist and bestselling author Martin Lewis. On TV amongst other things Martin has his own show It Pays To Watch on Five, is GMTV’s Money SavingExpert, presents money programmes for ITV1 Tonight. On Radio Martin has regular slots on Radio 2 Vine and Radio 1 Whiley. He’s also a columnist for the News of The World, Moneywise and the Sunday Post. Find out more: About the site and its funding.
Disclaimer: This e-mail is based on journalistic research. It does not constitute financial advice. Any information should be considered in regard to your
own specific circumstances. All tips are followed at your own risk and should be followed up with your own research Full Terms & Conditions.
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