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Archives for November 2012
Discussion List
How much on your Christmas grocery bill - including booze?
We have just finished doing our Christmas grocery shopping, and have bought everything we need except pork pies and the trifle which we get from Sainsburys. All the stuff we will need is in the pantry, freezer and fridge. Creams and cheeses are in date til mid January, and so are mince pies and nibbles, so we were able to…
Thanks again Martin; another £19k
Just screwed AmEx out of 3 weeks, 5 star next summer, with 1st class flights thrown in. Total cost £1012.50, worth about £28k through Avios. This was amassed through usual spending for business and pleasure at around £12k a month, and a £140k bill I've put on last month in 7 goes for work (£26k limit). Thanks again Martin.
Unnessary bills......
I'm a great m'ser (or miser), extreme couponing, getting reduced food at the end of the day, finding bargains at carboots, charity shops etc. but I can be disorganised and lose unnecessary money. :( So far, this year, I've lost; £60 parking fine - I contested this, got refused and then forgot to pay within the time limit…
My challenge to save 4k
I'm not the best at saving so am going to use this thread to log how i am doing. My aim is to save 4k by Oct 2013. I know i can do it If i put my mind to it. My ptoblem is unecessary spending so i am going to have to work on that If i want to achieve my goal. Saving now - £881.70 Still to go - £3118.30
10k in 18 months
I hope to save 10k in 18 months, a lot but I am determined to reach it. And if its just below, thats fine, if I have £5k thats a fail and I'm determind not to fail. The aim is £555 a month. There is me and 3 children, school age so plenty of I want's and school needs. But they are gradually coming round to the saving idea.…
Saving to move out - my savings diary
Hi everyone! I've read a lot of savings diaries over the last week or so and it's really made me want to write my own... so here I am! :j I'm 25 and I live with my grandparents but I've been here for five years and I'd really like to live on my own now. They are lovely people and played a big part in my upbringing but…
airmiles/loyalty cards
I can't help myself if I see a loyalty card I have got to have it! Back in 2002/3 I picked up a Tescos card and transferred the points to airmiles, over the years they accumulated and I ended up with 6000+ Last year this changed to Avios and it was suggested that you should use up your airmiles. I have a cousin in Boston…
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MSE News
Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.
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