Your weekly money saving deals and news from money expert Andy Webb
My top articles this week
1. Cheaper alternatives to Sky TV and Virgin Media
This week Sky announced price hikes for TV and broadband customers of 9% (depending on your package). if you're with Sky but out of contract you can save so much by switching away.
This article is a follow up to the one from a few weeks back and it goes through all the different streaming services you can use to keep watching you fave channels. Plus how to make sure you don't end up paying more by having too many subscriptions.
2. How to stop spending money
It's easy to get carried away in the sales, splurge on payday or just buy things on impulse. If you can afford what you buy and you use it that's not really a problem. But if it leads to regret, or worse you spend cash you can't afford to spare, then you need to nip it in the bud. Easier said than done, right?
Here are a few things you can do it avoid it happening, and some barriers you can put in place to make it more difficult to spend when you shouldn't.
3. Interest rates cut at TSB, NS&I and Marcus
Already this week we've seen TSB announce the Classic Plus rate will drop from 3% to 1.5%, Marcus cut its rate to 1.3% and there'll also be less chance you'll win with Premium Bonds. On top of that inflation has hit a six-month high of 1.8%. Bad news for savers.
With this in mind, here's my monthly update of the best accounts to store your spare cash.
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More on savings over on the podcast
This week on Cash Chats I've expanded on from the savings rate cuts to explore whether there's any point in savings. Plus could your money be put to better use elsewhere and just how much do you need for emergency savings?
Listen on the blog or subscribe (for free) on most podcasting apps including:
APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE | SPOTIFY
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The top deals this week
I only share deals and special offers on the blog which I think are really good value. Click the red titles or blue links for more information.
Plus, it's worth following me on Instagram where I post any extra deals which come too late for the newsletter.
1. Win tickets to Financially Fabulous
On March 26th I'll be speaking at Financially Fabulous Live, an event run by the team behind Good Housekeeping, Red and Prime. It's in London, and you can get tickets here.
However, I've also been given a couple to give away. One of those can be won via a competition on the podcast (listen to the latest episode for more details), but the other I'm holding back for one of you newsletter subscribers.
To be in with a chance I'd love you to subscribe to my YouTube channel and leave a comment on any of my videos (your choice). If you're not on YouTube then you can also do the same with my Instagram account. Just follow me and comment on a picture.
So I know it's you, please take a screenshot of your comment and email me at [email protected]. Put "FF Comp" in the subject.
You've got until 15th March 2020 to send me your entry. Good luck!
2. Free £30 John Lewis voucher and double points via credit card
If shops don't take my cashback Amex credit card I tend to use my Tandem cashback card - but the latter will stop for everyone in just a few weeks.
So as a replacement I've just applied for a John Lewis Partnership card. It's not as good as the Tandem - you only get money back on every £2 spent rather than £1, but it does have the equivalent rate of 0.5%.
Another boost is if you apply before the 29th February you'll be eligible for a free £30 voucher as long as you spend £250 at Waitrose or JL in the first 90 days.
3. 4 issues of Vogue, Wired, GQ & more for £1
A great way to pick up some magazines for just a quid. There's a choice of half a dozen or so Conde Naste publications.
I've also spotted an offer to get a year's subscription to digital magazine service Magzter for £24 rather than £100.
4. M&S 20% off weekend
Marks & Spencer tends to split the Sparks/Friends & Family discounts over two weekends, so if you didn't get the email last week do check your inbox today. You'll save on home, clothing and beauty.
5. Brewdog beer sale
Popular Scottish craft beer company Brewdog is rebranding, and as a result it's selling off loads of can and bottles with the old style designs.
You can get the likes of Punk IPA, Elvis Juice and Dead Pony Club for £1 or less a bottle, though there is a £5 delivery charge so you'll need to make a decent sized order to beat some supermarket deals.
Quick deals
Banking offers
- Top switch offer: £175 via Natwest or HSBC
- Best interest: 5% at Nationwide for one year
- Top free cash: £50 cashback for opening a TSB account
- Free £25 for opening a Monese bank account
Cards and bills deals
Shopping vouchers and other deals
- Free Amazon £5 voucher
- £100 John Lewis voucher when you spend £500
- Free £5 credit when you trade in old CDs, books, DVDs or game
- Free £5 B&Q voucher
Bills and utility deals
- Great SIM only offer: £5.56 a month for 8GB of data with Three after Quidco cashback
Entertainment deals
- 12 months of Spotify for the price of 10
- Get 5 Odeon tickets for £20
- Get 2 free movie rentals, 2 kindle books and 2-4-1 Odeon
Food and drink offers
- Free Tastecard or Gourmet Society trial for 3 months
- Free Ben & Jerry's ice cream tub
- Free Leon hot box
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Recent articles you might have missed
I know it can be tricky to read everything I write every week, so here are my main articles from the last few weeks.
- Sainsbury’s Nectar prices – are they any good?
- Are your Tesco Clubcard vouchers about to expire?
- Joint bank accounts - Good or bad?
- Money transfer credit cards – Can they save you money?
- How to get the best price on your mobile phone contract and save
- Spotify vs Apple Music vs Amazon Music vs Tidal & more
- Do you really need to switch bank?
- Should you ditch the TV Licence Fee for other TV, radio and online services?
- It’s time to ditch expensive Sky and Virgin TV subscriptions
- Should you overpay your mortgage?
- The problem with price per unit food comparisons
- The 9 money apps I won’t go without
- Santander changes cashback and interest on 123 accounts
- Can split tickets really cut the cost of train fares?
- 0% balance transfer credit cards – are you using them the right way?
- How to survive until payday when you’ve got no cash
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