Archive: MoneySavingExpert's Money Tips Email

New. Top 0% spending credit card - you can borrow INTEREST-FREE for 26mths
If you NEED to borrow, you can't do it cheaper than this

Nothing beats interest-free if you need to borrow, and the longer you have to pay, the less pressure there is to clear what you owe within the deadline. The longest 0% deals for new spending come on 0% purchase credit cards (don't confuse with 0% balance transfers, which are for cutting the cost of existing card debts). And there's a new top deal just launched.

What counts as 'need'? Unless you're stoozing, only borrow for a planned, affordable, necessary one-off purchase - don't do it to plug gaps in your income, that's a slippery slope. If in doubt, don't! Now, quick tips, then best buys.

1. Find which card you're most likely to be accepted for via our eligibility calc. It shows your odds for each top card (and some cards for poorer credit) BEFORE you apply, minimising applications & protecting your creditworthiness.
2. If a card is an 'up to', check its 'backup' rate. With up-to cards, some accepted customers get a backup rate that's not as good as the headline rate. We flag it in our eligibility calc so you can factor it in.
3. Usually rejected when you apply? Our eligibility calc also includes 0% cards for poor credit scorers, while MSE's free Credit Club (available via the MSE App on Apple | Android) can analyse the problem.

If you borrow on these cards, follow the golden rules...

a) Pay at least the monthly minimum and stick within your credit limit, or you can lose the 0% and get hit with fees.
b) Clear the card (or balance-transfer) before the 0% ends, or these cards charge at least 24.9% rep APR interest.
c) Don't withdraw cash - it's not at 0%.

Wat-er saving! You may not be able to switch provider, but millions can still cut costs by £100s
'We're now saving £1,068/yr by paying for what little we use'

Cutting water use is on many people's minds at the moment. This week it was confirmed that all of Wales and most of England are in drought, with another heatwave expected  - though it's been a different, rainier story in Scotland and Northern Ireland. But for many, cutting how much you pay for water is also a factor, especially after April's bill rises. We've help on both. Full info in Cut water bills, but in brief...

1. England & Wales: Can you save £100s with a FREE water meter so you're billed for what you actually use? If you don't have a meter, bills are based on the pre-1990 'rates' system, where you pay based on your home's rental value, NOT what you use. So bigger homes tend to pay more, even if they're using little. If that's you, look at a free water meter, which measures how much you use, so you're billed accordingly. Martin's simple rule of thumb...

   
   ... then there's a good chance you can save, so use a water meter calculator. 
   
   

   For some, especially those in bigger houses with few people, the savings can be large. Debbie emailed us: "I took your tips on installing a water meter, and my Direct Debit has gone from £108/month to £19/month [a saving of £1,068/year]. Thank you Martin. If the calc shows savings are likely, you can ask your firm for a more formal assessment if you want before asking for a meter. 
   
   Got a meter and want to switch back? If you voluntarily had a meter fitted, most (but not all) firms give you up to two years to change your mind (see firms' water meter switch-back policies).

2. Told you can't get a meter? Ask for an 'assessed charge'. Some with shared pipes or in flats are told by water firms they can't 'practicably' have a meter fitted. If so, ask for an 'assessed-charge bill', which works out how much you'd likely pay if you had a meter. If that's cheaper than your normal bill, switch to it. If not, don't. It worked for Lorraine: "I contacted Thames Water having seen Martin's article re assessed charges. A water meter could not be fitted, but my bill went from £700 for 2025/26 to £100. Thank you very much."

3. On a low income? Some could save £400+/yr with a water social tariff. These are offered by all firms and can cut what you pay by up to 90%. But it's not automatic, you have to apply. Frustratingly, there's no single definition of a social tariff, so who's eligible and what you get varies by water company. Trevor found he qualified: "Saw your piece about social tariffs and phoned to ask if I was eligible. After an hour on the phone I was told I was. Saved 50% off my £807 bill [a saving of £404]. Thank you so much to Martin and the team."
   
   
4. On benefits, and have 3+ children OR certain medical conditions? Your bills could be capped. If you have medical conditions which mean you need to use more water, or a larger family, you may be able to have bills capped under the WaterSure scheme.
   
   

5. Cut your usage with one of 100,000s of water-saving freebies. Households across much of the UK can bag a range of FREE water-saving gadgets - eg, £20 shower heads, £5 tap inserts, £2 cistern bags etc. So check for water-saving freebies - it's hit-and-miss depending on where you live, but even if you miss out, you can still...

6. Cut your water use - we've 30 other ways to save. There are lots of ways to cut usage, including:
   - Running your tap to temperature? Fill up bottles while you wait and use them for watering plants etc.
   - Don't wallow in the bath, sprint through the shower. A quick shower uses far less water than a long soak in the tub.
   - Don't wash up as you cook. Save it up and do it in one go to minimise hot water use.
   - Get a dual-flush loo. Small flush for number ones, stronger flush for (ahem) bigger jobs.