Your weekly money saving deals and news from money expert Andy Webb
"We should hear today what new PM Liz Truss plans to do to help with the energy crisis. I'll be uploading an article and video later today if we do, so make sure you check both out" - Andy
My top content this week
BLOG, VIDEO & ARTICLES
September's savings round-up & news
My monthly round-up looks at the best rates you can get right now, including 2.1% easy-access and 1.75% on a Cash ISA.
There's also news of Chip's new fees for autosaves and withdrawals, whether improved Green Bonds are worth a look and what you'll need to do if your Chase Roundups reset.
September's current account news & offers
In my monthly banking update, I've looked at the latest switching deals, including two lots of £175.
I've also revealed which Chase customers get their 1% cashback extended past 12 months and there's more on what happened when I opened a second Halifax Reward account.
My month in money #8
If you want to see how I'm spending and saving, check out the latest in this series, looking at August.
It includes why I was called a "Champagne socialist" for shopping at Waitrose, why even expensive festivals can be great value for money, avoiding branded medicines and why I changed my energy direct debit.
How to get an NUS student discount card, even when you’re not a student
If you're a graduate, or managed to use a (sadly closed) loophole to get a Totum student card in the past, you might be able to get your hands on an alumni card.
This'll give you access to some great discounts, including 10% off at Co-op and the Apple education prices.
Ways to save money on the new iPhone 14
Apple announced the new iPhones yesterday and as with everything else right now, the prices have jumped up. And I imagine your priorities for spending will be elsewhere at the moment. But if you are keen to upgrade, I've shared a few ways that could help you get a new phone for less.
CASH CHATS PODCAST
283 | Does money saving mean buying cheap? Plus energy cashback, NOW TV hacks & cashback rules
In the latest episode of the pod I’m talking about:
- My month in money, including:
- Why it’s ok to shop at Waitrose as a money saver
- Are discount online supermarkets any good?
- Maxing energy cashback from Santander
- Value for money at festivals
- Keeping Amex Membership Reward points
- A listener question about NOW TV savings
You can listen to episodes via all the normal podcasting apps or over on the blog.
If you do listen on one of these apps, please do remember to hit follow so you get each episode as soon as it's released.
YOUR QUESTIONS
Next live Q&A: Sunday 11 September (NEW DATE)
My live Q&As are the best place to ask me your questions.
The next one will be at 7pm on Sunday 11 September (moved from Thursday), so put it in your diaries.
Make sure you follow me on YouTube or Instagram to join in.
Ask a question in the Facebook group
Or, join the Facebook community to ask your questions and share your money experiences and ideas. There are 2,200 of us in there so far!
THIS WEEK'S TOP DEALS
I only share deals and special offers on the blog which I think are really good value. Click the titles or links for more information.
I'll also share a quick update on Instagram on Saturday morning.
1. Natwest/RBS: Digital Saver hiked to 3.82%
If you have a current account with Natwest or RBS (or both), the monthly saver rate is moving to 3.82% from Monday. You'll earn it in balances up to £1,000, though there's a £150 monthly deposit cap. Here's more.
2. American Express: Gold to Platinum upgrade offers
If you have a Gold charge or credit card from Amex, there are a couple of deals right now that will earn you 20,000 to 40,000 bonus points if you upgrade to the Platinum card and meet the spending requirement of £4k in three months.
Do that and you'll also get access to £150 a year UK dining credit and £100 Harvey Nicks credit. But the fee is huge. Here's more.
3. TopCashback: £15 welcome offer returns
I've blagged this increased deal for new TopCashback customers, earning you £15 when you sign up and shop via the site. More here.
4. Disney+: £1.99 for a month
From today you can get one month of Disney+ for just £1.99 if you're a new or returning customer. It's to celebrate Disney+ Day. More here.
5. Theatre: £15 to £45 sale extended
Bookings via the London Theatre Week has been extended until Monday. Prices are at £15, £25, £35 and £45 and you can book throughout the Autumn.
There are a lot of shows, but I spotted the immersive dance production The Burnt City is available for £35, which I think is a great price to experience the whole setup (rather than the full whack of £90 I paid - which was totally not worth it). Here's more.
6. Spotify: Three months for one ends
If you've previously had Spotify Premium then check your account as you've only got until Sunday to rejoin for three months but pay just £9.99. More here.
7. Amazon Prime: Price hike next week
Don't forget that the Prime membership will increase from £7.99 to £8.99 a month from next Thursday, and the annual price changes from £79 to £95.
Personally I'd say you're more likely to save money only paying for months you use it, rather than pay upfront. But if you are adamant you can't go without, this is your chance to save. Here's more.
SAVINGS, BANKING & CREDIT CARD BEST BUYS
Bank switching:
Top banking switch and welcome offers:
- Santander switch: £175 bonus
- First Direct switch: £175 bonus
- Nationwide switch: £125 cash bonus
- Virgin Money switch: Up to £160 cashback bonus
- Monzo welcome: Free £5 offer
- Monese welcome: Up to £30 offer
- Revolut welcome: Free £10 offer
Top banking best buys:
- Top reward account: £5 a month from Halifax
- Top cashback on bills: Up to 3% back with Santander 123 Lite
- Top cashback on spending: 1% back with Chase
- Top ethical bank: £60 voucher or donation via Triodos
Savings
Top savings best buys:
- Top regular saver: 3.82% with Natwest/RBS
- Top loyalty regular saver: 5% with Yorkshire Building Society
- Top current account interest: 5% with Nationwide
- Top easy access account: 2.1% with Al Rayan
- Top 1-year fixed account: 3.5% with United Trust Bank
Credit cards
Top cashback credit card best buys:
- Top welcome bonus: American Express Platinum (boosted 60,000 points & £200 travel credit)
- Top ongoing cashback: Amex Nectar (2 points per £1 = 1%)
- Top non-Amex cashback: Barclaycard Avios
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MORE DEALS!
Here are a few ongoing and recent offers you might have missed:
Shopping vouchers and other deals
- Amazon: Up to £10 off for some
- Snoop: Free £5 Amazon voucher
- Flowers: £10 off Bloom & Wild
- LNER: Free £5 train travel credit
- NUS card: Alumni card trick
- Birthday freebies: Food, drink and vouchers
Entertainment deals
- Spotify: Including 12 months for the price of 10
- NOW TV: 40% off passes
- Apple TV+: Up to 8 months free
- Odeon & Vue: Big ticket discounts
- Vue: Free ticket and movie rental
- Disney+: Save £2 a month
- Paramount+: 30-day free trial
- Ethical Consumer: Free issue of the magazine
Food and drink offers
- Tesco Clubcard Plus: One-month free trial
- Tastecard: 60-day free trial
- Ocado: £20 off your first order
- Gousto & Hello Fresh: More than 90% off your first boxes
- Pringles: Free pack
- Greene King: Free pint or spirit & mixer
- Deliveroo Plus: Free year via Prime
- Brewdog: £150 bar credit for £99
- McDonald's & Burger King: Freebies from new loyalty schemes
- Caffe Nero: 25% off drinks and pastries
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Recent content you might have missed
I know it can be tricky to read, watch and listen to everything I create each week, so here are some articles, videos and podcasts from the last few weeks you might have missed.
- Energy price cap increases to £3,549 from October
- Cheaper alternatives to Sky TV and Virgin Media
- Chase extends cashback for early adopters
- Money transfer credit cards – can they save you money?
- Will you pay tax on your savings?
- Amazon credit cards to switch to Pulse by November
- How to get the best price on your mobile phone contract and save
- Virgin Money offers 25% back at the supermarket for switching
- Asda Rewards: How the loyalty scheme works
- Buy Now, Pay Later explained: Should you use it?
- The best student bank accounts
- What happens if you don’t pay your energy bill
- Interest rate at 1.75%: what does the rise mean for you?
- John Lewis credit cards to close in October
- Have you still got any old banknotes and coins?
- How to stack new Amex Platinum offers to make £900 in six months
- Do supermarket cashback apps really save you money?
- My month in money #7
- Amazon Prime price increase: Can (or should) you try to beat it?
- 3 essential credit card rules
- How to switch bank accounts
- Get 2 for 1 cinema tickets all year for just £1 with Meerkat Movies
- Overpay mortgage or add to savings?
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