|
|
|
|
---|
DON'T believe the fake 'Martin Lewis' or 'MSE' ads |
Martin's latest energy update, including... Last week, my 16 energy price guarantee need-to-knows took you through the seismic energy bill changes from 1 October. It's worth a read if you missed it. In a nutshell, the price cap most homes are on, that was due to rise 80% in Oct (& more again in Jan), has been replaced by the new 'price guarantee' rate, which is a cap lasting two years. As always, there's no total limit on what you pay, it's the unit rate and standing charges that are capped in each region, so use more, you pay more. The new rate averages 27% more than now (nearly double last winter) - though scarily that's far less than it was due to be. Last week there were lots of 'we're waiting to hear' - so here are the key updates...
|
The Martin Lewis Money Show Energy Special, Thu 8.30pm, ITV. In a change to the scheduled programme (we've always wanted to write that), Martin's got a special show to help & answer your questions on energy. Do you pay for childcare (including nursery, breakfast or after-school clubs)? 800,000 working families are missing out on 20% off. With children across the country now fully back at school, it's a good time to check if you're missing out on a Government top-up on childcare costs worth up to £2,000 a year. If you've a child under 11, and are paying for nursery, breakfast, after-school clubs or more, see if you're eligible to claim in Tax-Free Childcare. Extra 10% off 'beyond best before' food code, including 9p Mini Cheddars, 23p Coke, 23p Cadbury. MSE Blagged. Approved Food sells already-discounted groceries near or past 'best before' dates (NOT past 'use by' dates, which are about health). Minimum £22.50 spend, delivery's £3+. Approved Food Reminder. Free £175 for switching bank AND up to 3% cashback on bills. Our top pick bank account for bills (or joint bill accounts), Santander's 123 Lite account* costs £2/month but pays 1% to 3% cashback on direct debit household bills paid via it (worth £40-£80/year for medium bills even after the fee), and new switchers get a FREE £175. Our other top pick is First Direct's FREE £175*. No cashback here, but it's our long-term top pick for service (88% rated it 'great' in our last poll), plus it has a 3.5% linked regular saver, and offers many a £250 0% overdraft. Full options, help and crucial eligibility info in Best bank accounts. TWO pairs of designer prescription specs from £25 delivered. MSE Blagged. Includes Aspire, Scout, Levi's, DKNY and more. See Glasses Direct. 10-day warning. Spend or cash out unused packaged holiday credit notes or lose vital protection. If you got a Covid credit note and haven't used it, you need to do so or swap it for cash by Fri 30 Sep or you lose ATOL protection. Full explanation and help in Covid travel vouchers deadline. £137 of Lottie London beauty dupes £29 all-in. MSE Blagged. 20-piece bundle, including 'dupes' for Fenty highlighter, Ciaté lip gloss and more. 2,100 available. Lottie London. Related: Beauty downshift challenge. Claim disability benefits? A £150 cost of living payment is being sent this week. It'll be paid automatically into the account in which you receive your benefits. How to check if you'll get it. |
|
|
---|
|
One month's 'FREE' Paramount+ TV & movie streaming via a bag of crisps. Normally £6.99 a month. For how, see free Paramount+. Find if you're eligible for a free flu jab - or where to get it for £10 if not. See free & cheap flu jabs. Grüum shampoo bar £3 delivered (normally £12). MSE Blagged. Plastic-free alternative to bottled shampoo. 20,000 available. Plus £5 voucher to use on anything you like for your next purchase at Grüum. 'I'm saving £500 a year on broadband after switching to a social tariff.' This week's success of the week comes from Emma. Our broadband comparison includes all the main cheapest tariffs, but we've also a list of cheap social tariffs for those on certain benefits. Emma wrote: "After reading about BT's social tariff, I made one phone call to see if we were eligible, as we're currently receiving universal credit, and got our bill reduced from £65 a month to £21 a month - that's a saving of over £500 a year. We couldn't believe it. Thank you so much." Send us your MoneySaving successes. Get 'PAID' to recycle old clothes, make-up and more. It's National Recycling Week, and there are ways to earn while you do your bit for the environment. Many high street stores offer incentives for recycling their old clothes and beauty containers - from £5 for old clothes, to 'free' MAC lipsticks and more. See recycling rewards round-up. |
AT A GLANCE BEST BUYS
|
THIS WEEK'S POLL How do you pay for your energy bills? With so much happening with energy at the moment (see Martin's latest update), we want you to know how you pay for your energy (for example, by direct debit, prepayment meter), as this'll help us with the campaigning work we're doing. Half of MoneySavers say the school uniform they buy for their children must be branded from a specific supplier (other than shirts, trousers or skirts). A couple of weeks back, we asked how many of you with school-age children are allowed to buy them cheap uniforms. More than 2,000 people responded - with the majority (49%) made to buy most uniform from a set supplier. Just over one in 10 (14%) said they could buy an entire uniform from the supermarket or other cheaper suppliers. See the full poll results. |
MONEY MORAL DILEMMA Should I tell my lodger he's using too much water and energy or increase his rent? I let my spare room, with the rent including household bills as it makes life easier. However, my current lodger uses an insane amount of water - he takes 45-minute showers, and leaves the tap running when he's doing the dishes or shaving. I've left out a washing up bowl and plugs for him, but he hasn't taken the hint. As well as being wasteful, given the energy price rises (it's hot water he's using), it's becoming a financial issue too. Do I tell him to use less or should I put the rent up? Enter the Money Moral Maze: Should I tell my lodger he's using too much water and energy or increase his rent? | Suggest a Money Moral Dilemma |
MARTIN'S APPEARANCES (WED 21 SEP ONWARDS) Wed 21 Sep - Guest-presenting Good Morning Britain, ITV, from 6am MSE TEAM APPEARANCES (SUBJECTS TBC) Mon 26 Sep - BBC Radio CWR, Breakfast with Phil Upton and MSE's Gary Caffell, from 7.45am |
COSMETICS, NUTELLA & KNORR SAUCE... WHAT BARGAINS DO YOU STOCK UP ON ABROAD? That's all for this week, but before we go... following Martin's summer update to his Get cheaper Zara clothing abroad blog, we asked Forumites what bargains they bag on their hols. Cosmetics were popular - one mentioned the Le Petit Marseillais range in France that makes handwash and shower gels for a few euros, far cheaper than on Amazon, while another Forumite buys moisturisers that cost £6+ online for under £1 in India. Stocking up on cheap Nutella in France was also popular, as was buying Knorr sauce packets from Germany, which apparently taste a lot nicer than our version. Add your own and read more in the What bargains do you stock up on when you go abroad? MSE Forum discussion. We hope you save some money, stay safe, |
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 sainsburysbank.co.uk, santander.co.uk, uk.virginmoney.com, novunapersonalfinance.co.uk, bank.marksandspencer.com, cahoot.com, firstdirect.com, moneysupermarket.com, comparethemarket.com, confused.com, waggel.co.uk, manypets.com, directline.com, petplan.co.uk, petplanequine.co.uk, exoticdirect.co.uk Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Note MoneySupermarket.com Financial Group Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (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 MoneySupermarket.com Financial Group Limited. To change your email or stop receiving the weekly tips (unsubscribe): Go to: www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips. |