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🚆 Beat train fare increases | Real overdraft costs | Stockpiling tips | 🎥 Once Upon A Time In Hollywood for £2.50 | Body Shop £5 | Amazon £5 |

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Your weekly money saving deals and news from money expert Andy Webb

My top articles this week


1. What an overdraft really costs you

Did you realise that it can often be cheaper to use a credit card than an overdraft? The confusing way the fees and charges are often displayed doesn't help.


That's all set to change with all banks having to introduce a single percentage showing the interest that's added by April 2020 - though some are doing it sooner, with Nationwide announcing a rate of 39.9% from November!


The changes will make it easier for you to compare different overdrafts (and different ways to borrow), but it could also mean some overdrafts get more expensive.


So this week I've taken a look at how these debts work (yep, they are debts), what the changes will mean, and some tips to help you clear or avoid using your overdraft.


2. Cash hack: 10 tricks for cheaper train fares

Rail fares are going up again! On Wednesday it was announced the increase on regulated fares in January will be 2.8%, while other fares, including advance and First Class could go up even more.


But it's possible to bring down the cost of your ticket to help not just beat this increase, but travel for significantly less money.


3. How to pay in a cheque with your phone

I got a cheque this week! An actual cheque. It's been a while since I've had one, making this the first chance I had to try out a feature on a few of my banking apps that allows you to pay in the money by taking a photo of the cheque. Here's how it works, and which banks let you do it.


4. Should you be stockpiling?

As a no deal Brexit seems more and more likely, news this week revealed that one in five people have started building up a stash of food, drink and medicines.


We're certainly going to see some shortages and probably price increases too, so I think it makes sense to at least pick up a few things. In fact, even ignoring Brexit having some staples in the cupboard with a long life is a good idea.


Back in February (ahead of the previous deadline to leave the EU), I wrote two articles on the topic of emergency stockpiling, and I thought it was worth sharing them with you again.



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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.


1. Watch Tarantino's latest and three other movies at the cinema for £9.99

I really like the idea behind the film membership scheme Mubi. For £9.99 a month you get a ticket to see a selected film every week, and from this Friday it's Tarantino's new film Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, starring Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio.


So for a tenner you get four cinema tickets and streaming access to watch lots of classic and independent films at home. I think it's a cracking deal, even if you only go to a couple of the films each month.


It won't work at every single cinema, but there are lots of independent cinemas in London and around the country, as well as loads of Vue, Showcase and Curzon venues. You'll need to cancel if you don't want the subscription to carry on every month.


2. Free £5 Amazon voucher if you stream Prime Video

If you're an Amazon Prime member and haven't used the Prime Video service for at least six months you can get a free voucher, worth £5 off a £20 spend, just by watching a TV show or movie. Sadly I wasn't eligible as I do use the service, but if you don't it's worth snapping up the offer.


3. Save 25% off wine and fizz at Tesco

This popular offer is back at Tesco for the next couple of weeks. Buy at least six bottles of wine or fizz and you'll get 25% off the price. A good opportunity to stock up.


4. HSBC £175 bank switch offer is back

The bank switching offers are getting smaller (First Direct is now £50) or disappearing. But the big £175 offer from HSBC is back for a few weeks. If you didn't get this last time it's worth grabbing it now.


5. Recycle at The Body Shop and get a £5 voucher

Take five empty Body Shop containers into a store and you can swap them for a £5 off voucher. I use Body Shop shower gels and deodorants so I've got a few empty containers ready to drop off once I've got all five.


Quick deals


Banking and bills offers


Shopping vouchers and other deals


Entertainment deals


Food and drink offers


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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.


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Follow me on social media


Want to stay connected throughout the week? I'm on Facebook & Twitter, and there are videos over on YouTube.


Listen to the podcast


My Cash Chats podcast tackles all sorts of money topics and I'm often joined by a guest to share their experiences of money saving and money making. You can download or subscribe at iTunes or in all good podcasting apps.

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