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Archives for August 2008

MMD: Should you take the kids out of school for a holiday?
Here's this week's hypothetical situation for you to cogitate on: Would you take the kids out of school for a holiday? You’re strapped for money and couldn’t afford a family getaway this summer. Yet you notice a super-bargainous holiday to Majorca in the last week of September. It’s much cheaper than the sky-high peak…
Nerdy Note: Shops don't have to offer return policies
Buy something then change your mind and a shop doesn't legally have to let you return it. Often they do, though they're just being PR savvy (or nice!). They only have to when there's a fault with the item. Bizarrely one exception's online or catalogue shopping, when you can always cancel within seven days of receipt. Read…
Are you worth more than you earn? Poll results/discussion
Poll between 26 August - 2 September 2008: Are you worth more than you earn? How does your income compare to your wealth? Are you asset rich and cash poor? Do you earn a lot but own nothing? Or are you just badly in debt? How to work it out: * Wealth: Add all assets (savings, shares, home) and subtract debts (mortgage,…
Nerdy Note! Children DO pay tax
Many people incorrectly think children don’t have to pay tax. Not true, they pay exactly the same as every adult. Yet everyone under 65 is entitled to earn £6,035 before needing to pay tax. The misunderstanding stems from that while most adults hit this, most children don’t (see top childs savings guide for more.) Click…
MMD: Would you tell a charity shop that a Chloe bag was under-priced?
Here's this week's hypothetical situation for you to cogitate on: Would you tell a charity shop that a Chloe bag was under-priced? You’re trawling the local charity shop for bargains and spot a swanky Chloe bag, marked up at just £5. The bag is in pristine condition and is only a few seasons old. It would have cost about…
Are you a voucherista or voucherhata? Poll results/discussion
Poll between 18-26 August 2008: Are you a voucherista or voucherhata? The growth of discount vouchers has seen the rise of Voucheristas; people who choose their restaurants, shops and days out based on whether there’s a voucher. Yet, sadly some are embarrassed or think it's uncouth to use them, especially when eating out.…
Nerdy Note! Calling in reverse can be cheaper.
I don't mean the horribly expensive 0800 REVERSE, but the fact that bizarrely, calling mobiles from home costs up to 12p/min, but making that call in reverse (from mobile to home) is free if you’ve inclusive minutes or usually still cheaper if not. So make a pact with friends and family that when one of you calls a mobile…
Should the whole family forfeit the holiday?
Here's this week's hypothetical situation for you to cogitate on: Should the whole family forfeit the holiday? You book a long-awaited family holiday for four to Disneyland for £2,500 but the day before travelling you realise your eight year-old daughter's passport expired two months previously. There's no way it can be…
'Which paper do you read?' poll results/discussion
Poll between 12-18 August 2008: Which paper do you read? We thought it’d be interesting to find out what newspapers MoneySavers read. If you read more than one, please pick the paper you read MOST in a typical week. A. Sun/News of the World - 10% (879 votes) B. Daily Star/ Daily Star Sunday - 1% (67 votes) C. Daily…
Nerdy Note! What the Govt spends your money on?
A fortnight ago, only one in five people of the over 7,000 who voted for the correct answer in the quiz on what the biggest area of govt. spending was (see vote result). So here’s the real answer. 1. Social Protection (pensions & benefits) £169 bn. 2. Health £111 bn. 3. Education £82 bn. 4. Public order & safety (inc…
MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Should Kate return a sale frock with a full price receipt?
Here's this week's hypothetical situation for you to cogitate on: Should Kate return a sale frock with a full price receipt? Kate buys a new £50 party dress for a party at her boyfriend Will’s country house. She wears it, has a good time and spills some champagne down it. A week later, she’s back in the shop and (quelle…
'Would you forgo a payrise to help stop inflation?' Poll discussion
Poll between 04-12 August 2008: Would you forgo a payrise to help stop inflation? Inflation, which is the rate that prices rise, is on the up. Much is due to the international increase in cost of oil and food, yet one way to keep it low, that the government has requested, is to ask that pay settlements are not above…

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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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