Your weekly money saving deals and news from money expert Andy Webb
My top articles this week
1. How to pay in a cheque with your phone
If you're doing shopping for vulnerable neighbours and friends at the moment you probably want to avoid cash. One solution - particularly if they're elderly - is to take a cheque, and it's possible with some banks to use your banking app to pay it into your account. Here's which banks do it and which don't.
It might be worth opening a new account at one of these if you think this feature will be particularly useful to you. You should be able to do this online in most cases.
2. My £1,000 Money Makeover part 2: Cut your mobile phone bill
Over the next few months I'm sharing the big ways you can save money, just as I did with the families I visited on Channel 5. Like them, I'm confident you'll find enough spare cash to be at least £1,000 better off.
This week I've shared how to save hundreds on your mobile phone bill.
3. Time to talk about death and money
Ok, this isn't the cheeriest of topics to write about or read, but it is really important - especially now. If you haven't thought about your finances and how your family could be affected when you die you really need to do it.
And you should also start a conversation with other loved ones about their money. As difficult as that might seem it can make a huge difference later on.
4. Bank support during coronavirus update
Last week I shared some of the ways your banking has been affected by Covid-19. There's now been an update to this that requires banks to give customers a £500 interest-free overdraft for three months and let you take payment holidays on credit cards and loans, as well as mortgages.
Here's more about a number of changes to what you can get from your bank.
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More on how getting your money ready for when you die over on the podcast
In this week's episode I've talked more about the conversations you need to have to make sure your loved ones don't suffer financially when you die.
Listen on the blog or subscribe (for free) on most podcasting apps including:
APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE | SPOTIFY
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A quick note on Coronavirus
As most of you know there's no team here at Be Clever With Your Cash - it's just me! With the Covid-19 picture changing constantly I don't think it's the best idea for me to give you details that could be out of date within hours.
So the articles, podcasts and videos I'll be sharing with you will either be ways to help you better manage your money during the crisis, or I'll be pointing you in the direction of organisations that offer direct support or where there are huge teams dedicated to updating guides.
I'm constantly listening to BBC 5Live and when news breaks that relate to coronavirus and your money I'll be sharing those updates on Twitter - you can follow me here to see those updates.
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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. Nationwide to cut 5% current account
Sadly the last of the high-interest current accounts is about to go. From the start of May new applicants to Nationwide's FlexDirect will only get 2% for a year - but there's still time for you to apply and get the full 5%!
As long as you haven't already had this offer you can open up a new account in the next few weeks and still get 5% for one year on savings up to £2,500. If you have the full amount that's worth £125 over 12 months. You need to pay in £1,000 every month to get the interest, but that money doesn't have to stay there - you can pay it straight back into your normal account.
You can only have one solo account per person, but you can have a joint account too, so if you have a partner there's the potential to open up three of these accounts and get 5% on up to £7,500.
Unfortunately the £100 refer-a-friend programme was paused on Monday so there's no extra bonus available. However, here's no need to switch to get the interest - you can just open this up as an extra account for your savings.
2. Kindle book savings
I'm actually as busy as ever right now, but if you have found you've more spare time to read then a Kindle can actually be a cheap way to get new books.
I've rounded up here how to get top titles for just 99p every day, how to find free books and tool that'll let you track price drops on your favourite authors.
3. Magazine deals including The Big Issue
I've had a look at a few different digital magazine offers, including a year-long subscription service for £24 and four issues of Vogue for £1.
However, the deal I've signed up for isn't necessarily a special offer - but I think it's fantastic value for money. As you've probably realised, it's impossible for sellers of The Big Issue to sell copies, meaning they're going without vital income.
However you can now buy a three months subscription to get delivered to your home for £32.50, with 50% off the proceeds going to the street vendors.
4. Easter Egg reductions
Supermarkets and shops are already reducing Easter chocolates, and if you can wait there should be some rich pickings next week as there's far more left on shelves than normal. Here are a few places to look for savings.
Also, don't forget most shops will be closed on Sunday.
5. Get credit from BT Sport
If you pay for BT Sport you can now get credit for two months or choose for that money to be donated to the NHS. There's also an option to pause it and get three months free later on. Here's how to do it.
6. Cheap Night In picks
A very quick rundown of some of the cheap and free films, TV shows, theatre productions and music sets you can watch from home this weekend.
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Quick deals
Banking offers
- Best interest: 5% at Nationwide for one year
- Top free cash: £50 cashback for opening a TSB account
Cards and bills deals
Shopping vouchers and other deals
- Free £15 for new TopCashback users
- Free £5 credit when you trade in old CDs, books, DVDs or game
- 0% finance deals on new Samsung or Apple phones
Entertainment deals
- 12 months of Spotify for the price of 10
- The best TV & film streaming offers and deals including 7-day Disney+ trial
- One month free Lucky Voice at Home
- Free issue of Ethical Consume magazine
- Free online theatre
Food and drink offers
- Free Ben & Jerry's ice cream tub
- Tastecard free trial for 50% off Pizza Hut
- Cheap craft beer deals including £10 free spend
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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.
- My money makeover part 1: How to save £1,000 or more
- Airtime Rewards review – get money off your mobile phone bill
- Can you pay less on your Council Tax?
- Mortgage holidays, overdrafts, new accounts and more
- Money saving when you’re working from home
- How to reduce food waste
- Use your spending power to help others during the coronavirus crisis.
- The best value TV & film streaming sticks
- Managing your money during social distancing and self-isolation
- Financial support if you’re hit by coronavirus
- Halifax Reward accounts to change: Is it any good?
- How secure is your password?
- ISAs explained
- The best reward and cashback credit cards
- 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
- It’s time to ditch expensive Sky and Virgin TV subscriptions
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