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MoneySaving polls

Archives for August 2013

Real-life MMD: Should we pay vet's bill for the cat our neighbour stole from us?
Money Moral Dilemma: Should we pay vet's bill for the cat our neighbour stole from us? By the time our kitten was two years old, he rarely came home and we suspected another neighbour was feeding him, as we saw him around occasionally. He seemed happy, so we eventually got another cat to replace him. Fast forward six…
Bank card readers: Love 'em or hate 'em?
Poll started 28 Aug 2013 Customer service champion First Direct is planning to introduce a card reader that you'll always need to get full internet banking facilities. These devices are designed to improve security, but they also get on some people’s nerves. How do you feel about them? Please tick the option closest to…
Would you live at a murder scene to bag a house price discount?
Poll started 20 Aug 2013 There's a house on sale in North London at a reported £100,000 discount to other similar properties because a serial killer committed his murders there. We wanted to test your attitudes to prior property history. In which of the following circumstances would you NEVER buy even at a big discount…
Real-life MMD: Missing Paypal payment - should I meet the deficit?
Money Moral Dilemma: Missing Paypal payment - should I meet the deficit? I bought a chest of drawers for £50 through eBay (collection only) and paid promptly via PayPal. When I arrived, the seller said the payment had not gone into her PayPal account - she had the wrong email address linked to it, so the payment may have…
Do you wear and return clothes to save cash?
Poll started 13 Aug 2013 Many big stores, such as M&S, have generous no-fault return policies. Some people use this as a form of free rental – you buy the clothes, wear them once, then return them. The legality is questionable – it depends on the terms and conditions. Yet with 14-day no-fault returns for internet goods…
Real-life MMD: If I'm paying rent, why should I tidy my room?
Money Moral Dilemma: If I'm paying rent, why should I tidy my room? I'm 24 and just moved back into my parents 4-bed house. I work full time and pay my parents rent, something I suggested and an amount which we all agreed on. I think my room's an organised mess, but my Dad thinks it's a tip, and wants it to meet his…
Real-life MMD: Should we keep quiet about 'free' holiday?
Money Moral Dilemma: Should we keep quiet about 'free' holiday? My husband paid the deposit for our October holiday on his debit card a few months ago - the balance wasn't due until last week. The date came and went and the money's still in his account, but the travel company says it's taken the payment and we owe it…
House of Commons - what is going on? [Poll]
Please take the time to vote in our Poll! DOT is dedicated to increasing public engagement with the House of Commons and as such we are extremely interested in finding out from users of MSE how you get your information about the work of the House of Commons – is it through newspapers (either print or on-line), through…
How do you rate your bank account’s service?
Poll started 5 Aug 2013 We run this poll on big banks' current accounts every six months to see how the experience changes. We’d love your feedback. Please vote based on CUSTOMER SERVICE for your main CURRENT account over the last SIX MONTHS. Please ignore rates or any other products, or service from before six months ago.…
Can you do maths and English under pressure?
You can't right proper English under presure. Nor can you do simple maths, apparently. See how you fare spotting mistakes and doing quick, mental maths in these timed tests to see whether you can cope: You can't do simple maths under pressure You can't write proper English under pressure Update by Martin... Right, I tried…

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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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