Your weekly money saving deals and news from money expert Andy Webb
My top content this week
BLOG: Chip +1 review - earn 1.25% on savings
This new savings account will let you earn 1.25% on up to £5,000 - not a bad option for anyone who still has cash in an NS&I account.
But there are a few ways it differs from a normal savings account - and to get it you need a VIP invite code.
You can read how it works in my review, plus get the code that'll give you access.
BLOG: Debenhams & Arcadia collapse - your rights
Even though shops have reopened, it's been a bad week for the high street with Debenhams likely to close for good and Topshop, Burtons, Miss Selfridge and others going into administration.
If you've bought anything recently, or have a gift card, here's what you need to know. Plus whether it's safe to still shop at these chains.
BLOG: Got a TSB Classic Plus account? Time to ditch it
On Wednesday, TSB axed the interest on the Classic Plus account. That makes it one of the worst current accounts out there as you get nothing in return.
So what should you do with your savings and your banking? Here's my pick of the places where you will get either a half-decent interest rate (by today's standards) or a better banking experience.
PODCAST: Cash Chats #152: Are Premium Bonds worth it?
With savings rates not at their finest right now, you might think Premium Bonds are a better bet - but they've just had their prize rate drop, meaning if you win, you'll likely win less.
So on this week's podcast, I'm joined by my friend and Money Saving Expert's Banking Editor, Helen Saxon, to discuss how they work and whether they are worth it.
You can listen via all the normal podcasting routes or over on the blog.
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Have you got a question about credit scores and credit reports?
I'm interviewing a credit report specialist next week so I want your questions! If there's anything you want to ask, reply to this email with your question.
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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 titles or links for more information.
I've also set up an extra Instagram account dedicated to the deals and offers I spot throughout the week. Do follow me there so you don't miss out on offers that are already finished by the time this email goes out on a Thursday.
1. 20% off at eBay
Until the 6th Nectar cardholders who've connected their account to eBay can get 20% off. It's at selected retailers, but includes Office, Currys and The Entertainer.
2. Soap & Glory bundle
This popular Christmas gift set has been reduced at Boots. For £30 you get £81.50 worth of beauty products. They tend to go quick!
3. £50 TSB bank opening bonus
Yes, I know my article above is telling you to leave TSB, but for those who don't have the new Spend & Save account with the bank can get an increased £50 from Quidco today only (it'll likely drop back to £30 afterwards).
There's no need to switch, so it's a perfect account to open for the bonus money, and then use it for future switches. There are a few conditions you need to meet so read the Ts&Cs.
It should also count towards Quidco's 'Seasonal Boost Bonanza' which could earn you extra bonuses on top.
4. Free £10 when you spend £100 at Amazon
Though I'm avoiding Amazon I know many of you will be regular users, so this is a good way to get a free tenner.
The smart card Curve is giving customers £10 in rewards if they spend £100 at Amazon in the next fortnight. That can be across a single or multiple transactions. It can even be a gift card or top-up if there's nothing you need right now.
Plus if you're new to Curve then there's a code to get £5 when you sign up.
5. 12 craft beers for under £19
Brew By Numbers is a decent craft beer company based out of Bermondsey and Groupon is offering 50% off its monthly beer subscription, making it £19. For a dozen beers, that's decent value. But you can get it cheaper still!
You can stack this with a Groupon code offering up to 30% off. When I used it I was offered 15% off - you might get higher.
Remember it's a subscription so you'll need to cancel if you don't want to pay full price in subsequent months.
6. Ikea Christmas tree for "£9"
Buy a real Xmas tree from Ikea for £29 and you'll get a £20 voucher to use in January and February. As long as you'd normally spend £20 at Ikea that effectively makes it a £9 tree.
7. "Free" VPN after cashback
Another Quidco flash offer today is 100% cashback on NordVPN. This is a VPN - essentially a service which lets you access the internet privately or browse as if you were in another country (it's how people watch iPlayer overseas).
The offer listed is for two years membership for around £68. I nabbed a similar deal back in October and got the full money back.
However, there's a line on Quidco which says maximum cashback is £25. Which obviously isn't 100%. I'm chasing them on this. Once I know more I'll share confirmation on the blog and on my deals Instagram.
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COMPETITION: Win a one-hour video chat with me
To celebrate 200,000 all-time downloads of the podcast (thank you!) I'm running a competition to win a one-hour video or phone call with me to go through your money questions!
This literally is a prize money cannot buy! All the details on how to enter can be found here.
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Your Facebook community
If you want to ask me questions, share your money saving or spending experiences and chat to other fans, then do head over to the Be Clever With Your Cash Facebook community
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Quick deals
Banking offers
- Top free cash: £50 reward for switching
- The best cash savings accounts - inc up to 3% interest
- Student bank accounts: 0% overdrafts & freebies
- Best business bank accounts: Free accounts
Cards and bills deals
- Curve card free £5
- 20 months 0% balance transfer credit card with no fee
- Free £25 M&S & £20 Amazon vouchers with credit cards
- Up to £125 bonus from American Express
- Three SIM-only 12GB of data for £5.50 a month
Shopping vouchers and other deals
- Up to £10 off Amazon - for some
- Free £5 credit when you trade in old CDs, books, DVDs or game
- 0% finance deals on new Samsung or Apple phones
Entertainment deals
- Free year of Calm for Amex users
- 12 months of Spotify for the price of 10
- Chromecast & Netflix bundle
- One year free Mubi streaming service hack
- Two free movie rentals & Kindle books
- Free and cheap Kindle books
- 12 issues of Vogue for less than £6
- Free issue of Ethical Consumer magazine
Food and drink offers
- Tastecard 90-day free trial
- £1 off at M&S with app
- Free Pret coffee for one month
- £10+ off craft beer
- £10 off your first Uber Eats order
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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.
- Reasons not to shop at Amazon
- Nationwide FlexDirect review
- How to check your credit score for free
- Free wine? Virgin Money's new switching offer reviewed
- Supermarkets on Deliveroo and Uber Eats - good or bad?
- Christmas supermarket delivery slot details
- The #FoodbankAdvent challenge
- Cashback credit card hacks
- Furlough extended until March 2021
- The best reward current accounts
- Why you need to cancel NOW TV
- Monzo Premium review
- How to sell your old phone
- Starling Bank review
- The mobile network hack to save you hundreds of pounds
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