Archive: MoneySavingExpert's Money Tips Email

The top legit gold-selling sites. New Guide!
MSE undercover investigation reveals how to safely sell gold for £100s
The TV's awash with 'sell your gold' ads; unsurprising, as gold's price has doubled in three years. Yet nightmare stories about this fledgling industry abound, so how do you do it right? This new detailed guide, including our undercover research, shows how. It includes What can you sell? Old gold you've no use for: broken chains, odd earrings etc. What shouldn't you sell? Avoid jewellery with gemstones, designer jewellery or medals; you can get much more elsewhere. How much can you get? Typical values inc. £85 for an 18ct gold ring, £17 for gold stud earrings, eg, one MoneySaver who posted 32g of broken earrings and chains got £270. Who to sell to? Many postal gold sites have great headline prices, but send shiny stuff in and they may say it's worth a fraction of this - yet we have found a few good 'uns. See the New Step-by-step Guide: Gold-Selling Related Guides: Boost Your Income, Survey Sites, Comping for Cash

Urgent! Beat the US's new $14 visitor fee in 2 mins
Anyone even thinking of going to the US in next 2 yrs should act before 8 Sept
The US Govt's just announced from 8 Sept its currently free Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (Esta) form which all UK residents must complete will cost $14 (£9) - if you don't fill it in, immigration will turn you away. Do it now - it lasts two years. To avoid the charge, simply fill out the form now while it's free. Frankly, even if not planning to go, do it anyway just in case. Renew existing Estas: If you already have an Esta, there's no official renewal system so complete a new application now and you'll be given another 2 yrs. Where does the money go? $4 goes to admin, $10 to a US tourism fund. Quite ironic, you would've thought keeping it cheaper to get in would help tourism more. After all, it's free for most US travellers to come here. FULL info, links, and how to in the Updated Guide: US Esta Forms Related: Cheap Flights, Cheap Hotels, Cheap Travel Insurance

Last chance? Only ONE cheap energy fix left
You can still lock in £250 savings vs market rates - if it goes that may be it
Another cheap energy capped tariff (where the rate is fixed) closed to new customers this week, leaving only Ovo's left. For an average home it costs £930/year. The next cheapest fix is £1,060 (a standard tariff's £1,200). A few months ago there were loads - more may be launched but it's thought unlikely for now. Is it worth locking in? Pros: It cuts costs and effectively insures you against rate rises for a year. Cons: Want to leave within that time and you pay £60 plus it can be undercut by the very cheapest variable deals so always do a comparison...Urgent £70 Extra Cashback: Until Thurs, switch to any Scottish Power tariff via some comparison sites (not direct) and you get £35 each for gas & electricity, on top of the usual freebies via the MSE links below. If (it'll be for many) it's within £70 of your cheapest, it's a winner... Compare, switch & get cashback: The comparison sites giving the extra cashback are Energyhelpline* which pays £15 cashback per switch on top and Uswitch* which gives a crate of wine. See the Guide: Cheap Gas & Elec Related: Boiler Cover, Grant Grabbing

Shift to a year's 0% for ONLY 1.9% fee. New!
Makes it cheapest balance transfer deal if you can repay within 12 months
If you've got existing debts at expensive interest, shifting them to a cheap balance transfer deal can save you £100s. There's a new best-buy for those who can repay within a year. 12mth 0% for 1.9% fee: The MBNA Platinum* card lets accepted new cardholders shift debts to it at 0% for 12mths for a one-off fee of 1.9% of the amount transferred (18.9%-26.9% APR after) via Moneysupermarket (our link takes you direct). Only existing Santander customers can beat this by getting its 13 mth 0% no-fee deal (branch/post only, typical 16.9% after). Longest 0% deals: If you can't repay in that time Natwest* & RBS* cards let new cardholders shift debts to them at 0% for 16 mths, but for a higher 2.9% fee (16.9% after). Top with perks: Earn £25k+ and Nationwide's* Gold card offers 0% for 15 mths with a 3% fee, plus perfect exchange rates for European spending and a year's extra free warranty on UK bought electricals (16.9% APR after). Always repay or switch again: If you let the 0% period run out with debt still left on the card, the interest rockets, so always shift it again after the 0% and never miss min. repayments or you can lose the 0% deal! FULL pros, cons & longer term alternatives in the Updated Guide: Top Balance Transfers Related: 0% for 13 mths spending, 7.7% APR loans

Cheap hotels - never pay full price. New Guide!
Whether UK or abroad, 5* hotel or hostel, cut the costs and save £100s
If you've not booked this summer, or are thinking about the next trip, one rule is simple: 'never assume hotel or hostel prices are fixed'. Book right, and massive savings are possible. We've fully re-researched and updated our main guide which includes... Quick Comparisons: Use comparison sites Travelsupermarket*, Tripadvisor* (it does comparisons as well as reviews) and Hotelscomparison to score down the cheapest standard booking cost. Mystery Mega-Bargains: Eg, Lastminute.com* has a secret hotels section with bargain prices for unnamed hotels, yet cut & paste descriptions into Google and you can uncover them. Hostel Comparisons: Don't think dodgy dorms, it can be a twin bed in a castle, use Hostelbookers.com* & Hostelworld* to research and compare. Try Student Halls: Staying in a big city outside term time, you may get cheap accommodation in a student hall, UniversityRooms.co.uk lists them. FULL info and loads more tips in the New Guide: Cheap Hotels Related Guides: Priceline Loophole

Consumer Power! Have your say in govt consultations. New Guide!
Make a difference: bank charges, online shopping, lending policy, annuities & more
A new govt means change is afoot, so many departments & regulators want consumers' views. This is a chance to push policy makers into better decisions so we've a new guide listing all the current consultations, including... Bank charges: Should we be able to challenge the fairness of all charges in a contract (such as bank charges)? Annuities: Should you be made to buy an annuity at age 75? Online shopping: Do you feel safe shopping online? Are enough safeguards in place? Setting off: Should banks be allowed to take your cash to pay debts without permission? How lending works: Do banks lend fairly? Does the currently voluntary lending code do its job? FULL info, inc. how to respond, on all open consultations in the New Guide: Govt Consultations: Have Your Say Related: Your Financial Rights, Bank Charges Reclaiming, Setting Off, Rate Jacking

New 'rebuild credit' card with 0% spending
Top 'easier to obtain' plastic now 0% for 3 months, but then jumps to 34.9% APR
For poor credit scorers, our usual tip to (re)build your score is get any card, even at a high rate, and spend a little each month, ensuring you ALWAYS repay in full. Yet a new deal offers that with a twist... Top 'easier-to-get' card: Until 10 Sept the Capital One* Classic card (via a comparison site, this link takes you there) is giving accepted new customers 0% on spending for the first 3mths. Who can get it? It's a specialised poor scorers card, so some even with CCJs and defaults may be accepted (not bankruptcy) - don't apply if you've no chance though, as that can further hurt your score. How to use it? This should primarily be used as a credit rebuilding card, ie, spend & clear the card each month. Yet for those with the self-discipline to repay WITHIN 3mths, if you need short term borrowing eg, laptop for kids, this is do-able. Just ensure the debt is FULLY CLEARED before the rate jumps to a hideous 34.9% APR, and never miss repayments. FULL step-by-step info, pros & cons and more cards for poor credit scorers in the Updated Guide: Top Credit Rebuild Cards Related: Free Credit File Check