Archive: MoneySavingExpert's Money Tips Email

Ends Today. £100 high st voucher with top energy deal
Lock in a cheap rate, save £260 a year and get a £100 Argos / Boots / Debenhams voucher

It's the perfect time to switch. It's winter and all the big six firms have put prices up, so compare now as it's a level playing field to see who's cheapest. What's more, the stand-out deal closes to new customers tonight (Weds).

• Urgent. Cheap fix + £100 Argos/Boots/Deb'hms voucher. Until tonight, switch to Npower's dual fuel Go Fix 8 tariff and you can get a £100 Love2Shop voucher redeemable at Argos, Boots, Toys 'R' Us & many more.
  
  Better still, this is one of the cheapest fixes out there, the rate's guaranteed not to rise until 2013, unbeatable if you include the voucher, and should cut what you'll pay substantially (see table) for most on standard tariffs. If possible, opt to repay by monthly direct debit (and do regular meter readings) to cut costs further.
  
  

• How to get vouchers AND extra cashback. The vouchers are only if you sign up via a few comparison sites. A good thing as it means you can check if it's right for you. Plug your postcode into one of the sites below and choose fixed tariffs only results - remember to factor the vouchers into the result. Plus, using these special links (not direct) you get the extra freebie listed. Be aware vouchers & cashback take c. 3 months to process.
  
  Top Comparison: Energyhelpline* (ends midnight) pays £15 cashback per switch for gas, electricity or dual.
  Dual Fuel: MoneySup* (ends midnight) pays £30 cashback or from 5pm uSwitch* until 5pm for 12 bottles of wine.
  
  
• Is it worth fixing? A fix is like an insurance policy against price hikes. If you can't risk rises, a cheap fix is a no-brainer. Most people will save, but those already on super-cheap deals may need to pay more to fix & price rises aren't guaranteed. Though this Npower tariff's exit fees are only £20 each for gas & electricity, so if you need to ditch it before it ends, it's not a huge loss. See full Fixing FAQ.
  
• Get £55 cashback on market's cheapest deal. Until 19 Dec, get £55 cashback on First Utility's iSave 9 dual fuel tariff via this Moneysupermarket* comparison. The tariff's easily the market's cheapest and has no lock-in fees, though the rates AREN'T fixed.

Full info in the Updated Guide: Cheap Gas & Elec Related: Cheap Prepay Energy, Energy Grants

What'd happen if you lost your faculties?
New Power of Attorney guide | Ensures family can access cash if you've Alzheimer's or an accident
One in three of us will die with dementia. Yet don't assume relatives can just walk into a bank and access your money, even to pay for your care. Too many families face the nightmare of a difficult and costly court process to take control. To help prevent this hell, we've launched a new Power of Attorney guide. Here's a taster...

• Set it up BEFORE you're unwell. If you lose mental capacity, unless you've ALREADY filled in a Power of Attorney, your loved ones will need to apply to a 'deputy', a horrid process that can cost £1,000s. Instead, you can nominate a trusted friend or relative before you lose capacity, by filling in a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). Regardless of health, everyone should stop for a moment to think about whether to do this — don't wait until it's too late.
• You don't instantly lose control. Getting an LPA usually just means a form and a £130 fee. Don't think you suddenly give up control. You can choose whether it can be used either before or only when you are unwell. Full help and guidance in our new step-by-step Power of Attorney guide.

• 15% of those with dementia are scammed. We've launched the guide to coincide with the Alzheimer's Society's Short Changed campaign (link live from 12.01am Wed). It says, deplorably, 15% of those with dementia have been victims of cold calling, scams & mis-selling. So we're joining it in calling for Trading Standards and banks to better protect society's most vulnerable.

• Free Mental Health & Debt Booklet. Sadly, many with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or bipolar (as opposed to mental capacity) are in severe debt. If you or a family member is affected, read our free Mental Health & Debt guide supported by Mind, Rethink, CAPUK and others. It covers handling debts when unwell, working with banks, free debt counselling, specific tips for bipolar or depression sufferers, whether to declare a condition and more.
  

Full step-by-step guide and pros and cons in the New Guide: Power of Attorney Related: Free Wills

Urgent. Travelex 1-HOUR flash sale
The giant bureau's tipped us off it'll boost online euro, dollar & other rates, incl for airport pick-up

If you're heading off for a bit of winter sun or ski, Travelex is boosting online rates with three flash sales this week. So if you're looking for currency, here's what to do:

• Travelex 1-hr flash sales. The big boon with Travelex is airport pick-up rates, as well as normal rates, go up — very useful as if you get currency at the airport, you normally pay more. Sale times are:
  
  
  All barring $ or €: Wed 12noon (eg, UAE dirham) US dollars: Thur 12noon, euros: Fri 12noon
  
  
  How to ensure it's a good deal: We don't know the exact rates, but it'll be updated live in our TravelMoneyMax.com travel money comparison tool, so you can see how it stacks up. Note, bureaux de change are not well regulated, so always minimise the time between paying and receiving currency (more safety notes in the tool).
• Beat cash using specialist credit cards. A few credit cards Halifax Clarity, Post Office* and Saga Platinum* (over-50s) give PERFECT exchange rates when you spend on them anywhere worldwide, easily undercutting even the best bureaux. ALWAYS repay in full to minimise interest or you pay 12.9%, 16.9% or 11.9% representative APR. Full card-by-card comparison in Cheap Travel Money guide.
• Find what YOUR card charges. If you haven't enough time to apply to get the top plastic (usually 2 weeks-ish), and cash doesn't suit, make sure you use the best of your existing card arsenal. We've built the 'What does my card charge overseas?' tool for quick comparisons to help you avoid using the cards from hell.

Full info in the Tool: TravelMoneyMax.com & Guide: Cheap Travel Money Related: £17/yr Travel Ins, Official APR Examples

Last 'free' delivery online order dates 2011
Avoid high last minute fees | Plus, what to do if your Christmas orders don't arrive in time ...

The later you leave it, the more e-tailers can ramp up delivery costs to ensure gifts arrive in time for Christmas. To help, we've listed over 70 Last Order Dates to get free or 'cheapest' delivery. Here are a few of the biggies...

• Order online & send back if its late. If you ordered goods online or on the phone (not in-store) the Distance Selling Regulations mean you've a 7-day right to send most (non-personalised) goods back even if not faulty. So if they don't arrive in time, just send them back and get a refund.
• Order in-store & it's trickier. The key trick is to try and ensure you agree it's for Christmas delivery, get them to write it on their copy of the receipt and the legal term time is of the essence

Guard yourself: Free Consumer Rights Wallet Print Out Related: Amazon Discount Finder, Megashopbot

Earn £100s in 2012 by getting paid for spending
Apply NOW for 5% cashback card in time for Jan sales | New £25 refund deal on Amex Plat
January sales are the high spend time of the year for many, and by simply switching your plastic you could add £100s/yr to your coffers with a cashback card that PAYS YOU each time you spend. If you apply now and pass the credit check, expect the card in around 10 days — perfect for the sales.

• First turn these cards into debit cards. Cashback cards are credit cards, hoping to tempt you to borrow with incentives. Yet neuter this by setting up a direct debit to repay IN FULL each month, so there's no interest, so it's just like an interest-free debit card that bills monthly. Then use for all regular spending (not an excuse to spend more) and, if allowed, work expenses, to max cashback.
• Huge 5% cashback for 3 months PLUS a tenner. Best for big one-off purchases planned. Capital One* pays 5p per £1 spent for the first 3 months up to a max £100. After that, the cashback's tiered up to 1.25% but that's only for spending over £10k. The cashback is paid every January. Apply by 6 Jan 2012 and you'll also get a £10 credit within 45 days.You need to earn £20k+ and be a homeowner to qualify. Repay in full each month or it's a hefty 19.9% representative APR.
• New. Earn 2.5% for 3 months then a big 1.25% after. Best for consistent higher spending. The American Express Platinum* has a £25 annual fee, but apply by 25 Dec via this link, and you get an extra £25 cashback wiping out the fee for the first year. It pays 2.5% for 3 months up to a max £100 (£4,000 spend), but crucially, after that, the cash is set at 1.25% — a high rate for consistent spending. Cashback is paid on the card anniversary. You need a min £30k family income. Fail to repay in full and it's a hefty 18.5% rep APR (incl annual fee).

Full info & best-buys in Updated Guide: Top Cashback Cards Related: 0% Balance Transfers, Official APR Examples