Archive: MoneySavingExpert's Money Tips Email

It hits you in the pit of the stomach. Walking back to the car, you see the envelope on your windscreen, slapping on a £60 fine. We already have guides to fight unfair parking tickets; this is about how to avoid fair ones. Here's a few snippets ... Can I get a ticket while getting change for a meter from a shop? Yes, that isn't an allowed excuse. Yet walking to a pay & display machine to pay is permissible, so a ticket then is unfair & challengeable. Can I ever stop on a double red? No, unless you've a blue 'disabled' badge and are dropping off a passenger. What about double-yellows? You're usually allowed to stop for up to 20 mins, provided you're specifically loading or unloading. You can contest a ticket on that basis, unless the road markings (blips - see pics in guide) specifically prohibit it. These are just the tip of the iceberg; see the FULL New Guide: Park Right Fight Unfair Tickets: Parking Ticket Appeals, Reclaim Private Parking Tickets

Last chance! 1% cashback card for lower credit scorers
Or earn £100s with 5% cashback over Christmas & Jan sales period
With the high spend Xmas period approaching now's the perfect time to get a cashback card, which pays you every time you spend on it. How to make £100s: Always set up a Direct Debit to repay IN FULL each month, so there's no interest - then use it for all normal spending. ENDS Sun! 1% for lower credit scorers: Get the Cap. One Classic card via comparison site Totally Money* and you get 1% cashback on all spending and even those with poor credit history may qualify. Yet the credit limit's low (max £1,500) and the APR's 34.9% so it's doubly crucial you repay in full. Need higher credit limit? As well as the Amex (see below) the Cap. One World Mastercard* also pays 1%, it needs a good credit score but if accepted you get a min. £4,000 credit limit and a lower 12.9% APR, yet it has an effective £8 annual fee. £5 per £100 cashback: The Amex Platinum* credit card pays accepted new customers 5% cashback, on up to £2,000, for the first 3 mths, after that it's tiered up to 1.25% (min spend £3,000/year). To get it, you'll need a decent credit score & £30,000+ household income (it's 19.9% APR). When do you get paid? The Cap. One cards pay cashback every Jan, Amex after a year. For rewards by this Xmas and FULL pros & cons on all these cards, see the Updated Guide: Top Cashback Cards Related: Credit Card Freebies

New! Free cash if you're on a low income
£millions of grants for those on low wages or benefits - how to find them

Whether it's from government, charities or companies, if you're on a lower income, there may be free cash available for you or your children. We've put a brand new guide together, to show all the cash-giving nooks & crannies. What counts as a lower income? Schemes are often for those earning under £16,000 or entitled to benefits, though some stretch up the income scale. What's available? Help with furniture, holidays, training or occasionally even regular amounts to help cover household bills. Yet these can vary by region, occupation or even the pub you drink in. Need I pay the money back? Not if it's a grant - the money is simply yours to spend. Though we've included a few government 0% crisis loans that may also be useful; these do of course need paying back. FULL listing in the New Guide: Low Income Grants Related: Home & Energy Grants, Education Grants, Small Biz Grants

We've read worrying recent press that've suggested those who can't get bank accounts should pay to access a prepaid card. Don't! Instead use FREE 'basic bank accounts' designed for those who can't get standard current accounts. Top basic bank accounts: Anecdotally the easiest to get are Co-op Cashminder and Barclays Cash Card accounts. They have no overdraft facilities (tho' Barclays has £15 buffer) or interest in credit, but you do get a Visa Debit card so you can access ATMs and pay for things online (good as that can cut cost). Who can get them? Anyone, even undischarged bankrupts, however due to financial regulations, you need have ID & proof of address (more info in the guide) and they may reject some with convictions for fraudulent activity. Any fees? Yes! If you have unpaid Direct Debits or payments, you'll be charged £8 with Barclays or £19.50 with Co-Op - so ensure you know what's due in and out. Full info in the New Guide: Top Basic Bank Accounts Related: Best Bank Accounts, Credit Unions, Credit Scoring, Debt Help

Free UK museums & galleries - perfect for half term
It's cold, so we've compiled 150+ indoor venues inc. art, science & dinosaurs
It's chilly outside, and the kids are at home, so we've tapped the treasure trove of UK museums for great free indoor entertainment. What can we see? There's a wealth of museums big and small. Choose from London biggies, like Natural History and its dinosaurs or V&A Museum of Childhood's toys, dolls and games, or smaller ones across the country, like Newport's National Roman Legion museum or Dumfries's Savings Banks Museum. How to find one: We've split the guide into regions with maps, opening times and tips, so hopefully you'll be able to find something near you. Free museums near you: Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland, NE England, NW England, Yorkshire & Humberside, E Midlands, W Midlands, E England, London, SE England, SW England. Or see the whole lot in the Updated Guide: Free Museums & Galleries Related Deals: Theme Parks, Days Out

Been given a pants credit limit? New guide
Don't cancel the card - it may end up hurting you more than them
We get too many emails saying: "I wanted to shift £3,000 to a 0% deal, but they only gave me a grand, so I told 'em where to stick it!" That hurts you more than them, so we've a new guide to help. Here's a summary: 1. Know how lenders decide: They score on profitability, not just risk, so even good risks get low limits if you won't make 'em cash. 2. Ask for review after 3-6 mths: This is the usual period; while asking sooner may work, behaving well & waiting's often more effective. 3. Use it if you can. The card's already hit your credit file, so better to apply for another card to supplement it, than cancel and try to get a second card for the whole job, ie, shift the grand then get another for the rest. Longest 0% balance transfer deals: Good credit scorers can shift debts at 0% for 16mths with a 2.9% fee to Barclaycard* (16.9% APR) or MBNA Platinum Plus* (18.9% APR after). Poorer scorers can try Moneysup's Smart Search* which matches your score to acceptable cards. Yet ALWAYS fully repay debts or shift again before the 0% ends or you pay high APR rates. FULL info in the New Guide: Credit Limits Updated Guide: Best Balance Transfers Related: Credit Rating