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DON'T believe the fake 'Martin Lewis' or 'MSE' ads |
It's getting hot in here, so take (interest) off all your debt... The credit card balance transfer price war is hotting up. A year ago the longest 0% deal was 28mths, now it's up to 35mths. So if you're paying interest on credit or store cards, take five minutes to check this out. A 0% balance transfer is where you get a new card that pays off debts on existing cards for you, so you owe it instead, but interest-free for a set period. That means more of your repayments clear the actual debt, rather than servicing the interest - getting you debt-free quicker. Today's wide card choice means you've a better chance of being accepted. The savings can be huge, as Bernadette emailed: "Thanks to your in-depth info and explanation, I applied for a 0% balance transfer. I got 23 months and paid a fee. I transferred £2,000 of high-interest credit card debt. I then applied for another card and got 20 months 0% for the remaining £1,000 [my interest savings were around £750/yr]. I'm delighted to finally make headway on clearing my debt - I have set up a min Direct Debit and also a high monthly bank transfer. Thank you all so much." So first some need-knows, then the best buys:
Quick balance transfer FAQs (click links for the answers) Q. Is it worth applying if my eligibility odds are low? | Q. What if my credit limit isn't big enough? | Q. Can I shift debt to existing cards too? | Q. Should I try to pay off my biggest debt first? SPOILER: NO. |
Ends 11.59pm Mon. FREE £175 and £25 Amazon voucher in boosted switch deal from no. 1 rated bank. The fee-free First Direct 1st Acount* is the number 1 rated bank for customer service, currently 92% 'great', and until Monday, newbies switching to it via this link get a £25 Amazon voucher on top of its current free £175 cash deal. You also get a 7% linked savings account you can put up to £300/mth in, many get a £250 0% overdraft, and the debit card gives near-perfect exchange rates on spending abroad. For far more options, see Best bank accounts. Slash standing charges instead of cutting VAT on energy bills! A huge response to Martin's poll on this (done following Budget-related energy VAT cut rumours), and the huge call from 60,000+ responses was to cut standing charges instead. Martin forwarded that to 'very high-ups' in Govt, and now there are whispers they may've heard. Related: It's time to fix - do an energy comparison. Totally FREE English Heritage family day pass (normally £40ish). Go quick, as there's a limited number available online (140,000). After that, you can do it via a £1.30 newspaper. England only (obvs). English Heritage Higher earner getting Child Benefit? You can now pay it back through your tax code. Those employed and earning £60,000+ no longer have to file a tax return to pay the high-income charge. See how to repay Child Benefit via PAYE. £280 Shark vacuum for £150 with code. MSE Blagged. 3,300 available. Jaws-ome cleaners
Car written off / stolen? Insurers pay £200m compensation after short-changing 270,000 motorists. Here's what you need to know. 30+ birthday FREEBIES, eg, Krispy Kreme, Asos, Greggs and more. Statistically, 26 September is the most common birthday (we'll let you work out why), and some firms give you freebies just for getting older. |
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The eight big benefits millions miss out on... Millions of workers, families & pensioners have paid into the system for years, are in need of help, but think "benefits aren't for people like me" or "I won't qualify". Often that's wrong (try our benefits check-up tool). Benefits are both a political hot potato, and a lifeline to many struggling to get by, including millions of people who are in work and on low incomes. Research firm Policy in Practice has just released its 2025 data on how many miss out on means-tested benefits across England, Scotland and Wales (the Govt may have its own views on numbers), and we've used that to help show you the big areas worth checking. Important... when we suggest 'worth checking if', we're not saying everyone in that position will get something, just that's the main group of people for who it's worth spending a little time to see if you do or don't qualify.
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The Big Energy Switch is back (hopefully)! We're hoping to get some cheaper-than-the-cheapest tariffs (if suppliers play ball). But you'll need to be signed up to Cheap Energy Club or this email by 5pm on Fri 26 Sept to get 'em. 12 bottles of wine for £60 delivered (normally up to £99) - and no ongoing subscription. MSE Blagged. 4,000 cases available - red, white or mixed. For newbies to Warehouse Wine. Please be Drinkaware. Free flu jabs available now - if not eligible, go quick to get one for 60p. Asda's offering 6,000 jabs for 60p (normally £15). If you can't get one, the next cheapest's £10. Free & cheap flu jabs Ends Fri. 120GB data, unlimited UK calls & texts Sim '£5.20/mth'. This 120GB iD Mobile Sim (on Three's network) is £2.50/mth for three months, then £10/mth, plus it'll email (check spam folders) a £35 Amazon / Currys / Sainsbury's voucher within 4mths. Factor that in and it's equivalent to £5.21/mth over the year's contract. More options: Cheap Mobile Finder. Tesco Mobile pay-as-you-go customer? It may push you to buy a bundle! See who's affected. 'We just got £1,700 in flight compensation for a 2023 flight, thanks.' Success of the week. Adriana emailed: "Our flight to Lisbon was cancelled in 2023 due to a technical issue with the plane. We were rebooked but lost a full day of our trip. Back then my partner only reclaimed hotel and food costs after we were told by the airline that's all we could get. After seeing Martin's recent TV segment on airline cancellation compensation, I submitted new claims for the five of us that were travelling. I've just had €2,000 (about £1,728) paid into my bank. Happy days! Thank you." If we've helped you reclaim or save (on this or owt else), please tell us about it. |
AT A GLANCE BEST BUYS
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MONEY MORAL DILEMMA Should I ask my lodger to pay more rent because she regularly has guests? I have a lodger, and she largely has my house to herself as I'm often away. I have several security cameras that she's aware of, and on reviewing them, it's clear she often has guests over to stay. While I'm not happy about having random people in my home, she's otherwise respectful, as well as clean, tidy and reliable. But I've been thinking she should pay more rent to cover the increased use of energy and water, plus general wear and tear. Do I approach her about it and risk losing an otherwise good lodger, or turn a blind eye? Enter the Money Moral Maze: Should my lodger pay more rent to cover her guests? | Suggest a Money Moral Dilemma (MMD) | View past MMDs |
MARTIN'S APPEARANCES (TUE 23 SEPT ONWARDS) Thu 25 Sept - Ask Martin Lewis, BBC Radio 5 Live, noon |
Important. Please read how MoneySavingExpert.com worksWe think it's important you understand the strengths and limitations of this email and the site. We're a journalistic website, and aim to provide the best MoneySaving guides, tips, tools and techniques - but can't promise to be perfect, so do note you use the information at your own risk and we can't accept liability if things go wrong. What you need to know This info does not constitute financial advice, always do your own research on top to ensure it's right for your specific circumstances - and remember we focus on rates not service. We don't as a general policy investigate the solvency of companies mentioned, how likely they are to go bust, but there is a risk any company can struggle and it's rarely made public until it's too late (see the Section 75 guide for protection tips). We often link to other websites, but can't be responsible for their content. Always remember anyone can post on the MSE forums, so it can be very different from our opinion. Please read the Full Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, How This Site is Financed and Editorial Code. Martin Lewis is a registered trade mark belonging to Martin S Lewis. More about MoneySavingExpert and Martin LewisWhat is MoneySavingExpert.com? Who is Martin Lewis? What do the links with an * mean?Any links with an * by them are affiliated, which means get a product via this link and a contribution may be made to MoneySavingExpert.com, which helps it stay free to use. You shouldn't notice any difference; the links don't impact the products at all and the editorial line (the things we write) isn't changed due to them. If it isn't possible to get an affiliate link for the best product, it's still included in the same way. More info: See How This Site is Financed. As we believe transparency is important, we're including the following 'un-affiliated' web-addresses for content too: Unaffiliated web-addresses for links in this email firstdirect.com Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Note MONY Group Financial Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA FRN: 303190). MoneySavingExpert.com Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales. Company Registration Number: 8021764. Registered office: One Dean Street, London, W1D 3RB. MoneySavingExpert.com Limited is an appointed representative of MONY Group Financial Limited. To change your email or stop receiving the weekly tips (unsubscribe): Go to: www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips. |
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