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January 28, 2020   |   Articles

Refer-a-friend: Get paid when your friends switch bank

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If you bank with Nationwide, TSB you can get up to £100 for every friend who signs up – and they get a bonus too.

*These offers are no longer running, but you can find more bank switching and opening deals in our banking offers guide.*

Latest bank switch offers (A-Z)

As of 12/3/25

Click the links for further details and analysis

The best bank switch bonuses

Check out my list of all the offers you can get when opening a new current account

the best bank switch offers on a blue background

How bank refer-a-friend schemes work

Very simply, the banks are asking you to recommend them to your friends and family. In return they’ll give you a sweetener that is paid into your account. Right now both TSB and Nationwide are offering £100. Recently both Santander and First Direct have also had similar offers, while many digital banks offer a smaller incentive.

Obviously you need to have an account with the bank in order to play matchmaker, but once you do it’s a nice way to earn a little extra.

And your friends will get something in return too. Both banks are offering a £100 sweetener, as well as high paying interest.

Here’s what you need to know for each scheme.

Nationwide referral bonus

This is my pick of referrals – and possibly my top bank switching deal too. You’ll both get £100, and your friend could potentially get another £125 in interest. To refer someone you need to go the Refer-a-Friend page and enter in some details. You’ll be emailed a unique link to give to your friend. This link is only valid for 90 days.

Once they’ve got the link they need to follow it and open up either a FlexDirect, FlexAccount or FlexPlus account with Nationwide and then switch their old bank over. They also need to transfer two Direct Debits set up to come out of this account.

You’ll get the money within 30 days of your friend completing the switch. However, make sure they don’t close the account within three months as Nationwide reserves the right to get the money back from all of you.

You can recommend five people every financial year, which runs from April 6th to April 5th the following year. You also don’t need to have a bank account with Nationwide to refer someone – it works if you have a savings account or mortgage too.

On top of the £100, your friend will get 5% interest for a year on a balance of up to £2,500 if they choose the FlexDirect account. This is that extra £125. Your friend can also apply for an interest-free overdraft for the first year.

> Refer a friend to Nationwide

TSB refer a friend bonus

The latest bank referral offer from TSB ends on the 28th February 2020, though it could well be extended. You and your friend can both get £100 as long as they complete a full switch that includes two active direct debits and pays £500 into the account. They also can’t currently have a TSB account or have received a switching bonus in the past.

To make a referral you need to fill in this form, which requires your account number and sort code. You’ll then get emailed a link for you to forward to your friend. You can refer up to five friends while the offer is running.

The TSB Classic account is actually not a bad one to have as you can earn 3% in interest on balances up to £1,500 – only the Nationwide account above beats this.

> Refer a friend to TSB

Digital bank referral schemes

To get new customers many of the new digital-only banks are offering cash rewards as incentives. Monzo did this for a long time (though sadly not anymore) and I’ll share those I know about below. Comment if you’re aware of any others.

Monese refer a friend bonus

Monese offers £25 via it’s invite and earn program. You’ll part of the cash when you use the card for the first time and the rest after a set amount is spent via the card.

It’s not clear on the app right now what that level is, but when the promo was £20 the split was £5 then £15 after spending £500. If you don’t have an account and want to get one then you can sign up here with the code ANDR4552 to get your own sign-up bonus.

N26 referral scheme

Similarly, N26 offers £15 to each of you. I don’t have this account (yet).

Closed referral schemes

First Direct referral bonus

First Direct has put its referral scheme on hold at the moment but should return at some point in 2020. Previously you would need a recommend a friend pack which you could order via your online banking, though I got sent a copy in the post. The pack had a handful of cards to hand out, and on each there’s a gap to enter your name and postcode.

When your friend called up the number on the form they needed to quote both of these in order for you to get your bonus. On the call they then applied for the new account, which is often voted the number one for customer service.

Then, as long as they also switch their existing bank into this one and pay in £1,000 within three months, they got the offer, normally between £50 and £100, As long as that all went ok you got your £50 with 28 days. You’re limited to three referrals in total.

> More on how to recommend First Direct

Santander refer a friend bonus

As with First Direct you can’t currently get a Santander bonus for referring your friend. Previously they offered both you and your friend a £50 Amazon voucher for a full switch. The offer finished in June 2019. If it comes back I’ll update it here and on my bank switching deals page.

Monzo golden tickets scheme

Popular digital bank Monzo closed its scheme in 2019.

Bank switching and other offers to consider

These are both decent deals for you and your friend, with the Nationwide one a top pick. In fact they’re both worth getting referred to even if you’re not a customer with them and getting your own bonuses (if you know me then get in touch and I’ll send you the links!).

But these aren’t the only bank switching incentives, and you might be better off at a different bank, depending on your circumstances. These deals change frequently, so I regularly update my bank switching and incentives page. Do check it out.

You also need to remember that bank switching involves closing down your old account completely. However, as part of the Current Account Switch Guarantee, all your Direct Debits and standing orders will be transferred, and any payments in (such as your salary) and out will be forwarded. If something was to go wrong you’d get compensation. Here’s more on how to switch bank.

More financial refer-a-friend schemes

Though these are the only decent bank account schemes, other credit cards and savings accounts offer similar incentives.

Though there are quite a number of credit card referral schemes out there, you need to think carefully before recommending a credit card to someone. Will they pay it off in full each month or will they borrow more than they can afford? If you think they can manage it, then there are additional benefits with the Amex.

Get a mate to successfully apply for an American Express Platinum Cashback Credit Card and you’ll get £30 (up to £150 per calendar year) and they get £25, which makes it fee-free. They’ll also get the normal introductory offer, currently 5% cashback for three months up to £125. Other Amex cards have similar schemes though the rate might vary. It’s also possible for your friend to get a similar bonus via cashback sites but you’ll miss out. Here’s more on American Express cards.

Vanquis also offers £25 to you and your friend if you recommend someone to their credit card, but this isn’t a cashback credit card so there’s probably a better reward out there for your friend – even if it means you don’t get your referral bonus.

January 23, 2020   |   Deals

Andy’s deals of the week 23rd January 2020

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Every Thursday on Instagram and Facebook I share my latest deals of the week. In the latest episode find out how to get a three month Art Pass trial, save on digital movies, get a free McMuffin and more.

Watch this week’s episode

This week’s offers

Art Pass trial for £15

Until 31st January you can pick up a National Art Pass for three months rather than the usual 12. It’ll cost £15 so I think it’s a great chance to check out some exhibits for free or half-price.

Big digital movie deals

This week all the major download sites (Amazon, Apple, Google, Rakuten etc) are taking part in Mega Movie Week with big discounts on films to download and keep. It includes new releases such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood for £5.99 in HD and the Incredibles 2 for £4.99.

One month of Now TV for £2.99

I found this low price pass on Amazon today, saving you £6 on the normal price direct with NOW TV. It’s a good chance to check out the new Sky Comedy channel which launches next week, as well as catch up on box sets such as Westworld and Chernobyl.

Christmas food & drink final sales

Hotel Chocolat is now reducing festive treats by 70% – while stock lasts. Other retailers are also adding extra discounts to clear any remaining food and drink gifts, including John Lewis and Thorntons.

HSBC switch open to ex-customers

Most bank switching promotions aren’t open to existing customers, and generally require you to have not had an account for a good few years. Well, I’ve just spotted that in the terms for HSBC’s latest £175 deal, it’s changed that date from 1st January 2016 to 1st January 2017. Frustratingly I miss out by a couple of weeks, closing my HSBC account in mid-January of that year.

Final McDonald’s freebies

There are only a few days left to get freebies and deals on the McDonald’s app. On Friday you can get free fries, on Saturday it’s a 99p Quarter Pounder with Cheese and on Sunday it’s a free McMuffin. You need to order via the app when you’re in one of the participating restaurants.

January 23, 2020   |   Deals

Arts and culture offers and deals

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Going to see exhibitions can be pretty pricey, so I’ll share ways to save money here on this page.

National Art Pass memberships

An Art Pass will normally cost you £73 for a year. As part of your membership, you’ll get free or cut-price entry to participating galleries and museums. This includes free entry to places such as the Natural History Museum and 50% off exhibitions at places such as the Tate and V&A. It’s run by the Art Fund.

Here are a few ways to bring down the price

Three months for £15

It’s rare to have shorter offers, so this three-month trial is a good way to try it out. Offer ends 31st January 2020.

25% off if you pay by Direct Debit

When you buy a full pass you’ll have the option to pay by direct debit, and if you do this the price drops by 25% in the first year. However it will renew at full price in subsequent years, so make a note in your diary if you don’t want it to auto-renew.

Double up

For £110 you can get double membership, allowing two people to go each time. You can also add the 25% off discount to this, making it £82.50 in total. The two adults, however, need to be living at the same address.

Bring a friend

There is an alternative option to add a plus one for an extra £40, allowing you to bring a guest each time. You can still save 25% on the initial membership but it’s not taken off the extra £40

Take the family

If you also want to bring kids along when you use your Art Pass you can buy a family pass for £115. Again you can use the direct debit discount in the first year to bring the price down to £86.25

> Get an Art Pass

Cinema savings

I’ve got a separate page with dozens of ways to save at the cinema, so check that page out

Theatre savings

I’ve also got a deals page dedicated to offers for the theatre.

January 22, 2020   |   Articles

The 9 money apps I won’t go without

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If I had it my way, I’d throw out my wallet and do everything digitally. My phone has gradually replaced or enhanced how I pay for things – I must use apps for at least half my high street shopping.

I’ve more than 100 apps on my phone that relate somehow to money. From Uber for cheaper taxi rides to Amex to manage my credit card, they either help me save, make or manage my money.

Obviously I can’t possibly use all of them, and I don’t. Some have been downloaded and forgotten about, others only relevant if I happen to eat at a certain restaurant.

But there are a handful in regular use. These are the ones where I’d miss out if I didn’t have the app. I’ve not included any here which come with a membership fee, or anything where you’re better off using your computer. I’d recommend you all add of these (or equivalent) to your phone or tablet.

Listen to me and my guest Jordon Cox talk about the apps we use and the ones we don’t on this episode of the Cash Chats podcast
 

Starling

Starling, along with Monzo, is one of the leading digital-only banks that can only be opened and accessed via an app on your phone. 

The reason I’ve got it, and the reason it’s my top choice here, is that Starling is the best card for fee-free spending and cash withdrawals overseas. Even if you’re not planning on going away soon, get the app now and open an account so you’re all set for your next holiday.

I don’t use it as my main current account, though it has loads of great features to help with budgeting and tracking your spending so it’s worth considering using it on that basis too.

Yolt

Yolt is an account aggregating app. This means you can see all your different current accounts and credit card accounts in one place. I largely use it for monitoring balances and transactions. It’s really useful to give a total balance too, so you can factor in any credit card payments due.

Connecting to most banks is very easy if you already have your bank’s app installed. You just select your bank, which in turn opens up your banking app for you to confirm access. You’ll need to give permission again every 90 days in most cases, but it doesn’t take long.  In some cases (Amex and TSB for example) you’ll need to log-in, but that’s easy too.

Now I’ve got to confess that though this is in my top apps I’ve let my use slide as I keep forgetting to reverify my identity. But I’ve done it now (it was really easy) and it’s great to once more have access to all 14 of my current accounts in one place again.

Curve

Another app-only bit of financial technology. Curve is a digital wallet like the Apple Wallet or Google Wallet you’ll have on your phone, allowing you to add multiple debit and credit cards and choose which one you use. The difference here is you also get a physical MasterCard. 

I mainly use this to switch between one of my personal accounts and my business bank account, reducing the number of cards In need to carry with me.

Stocard

I HATE how many loyalty card I seem to have in my wallet, which is why Stocard is another of my top finds.

I’ve got my Clubcard, Nectar, Boots, Sparks and Superdrug cards (and many more) stored so I can quickly scan and earn points, every time I shop, not just when I remember to pack the card.

You just use your phone camera to take a photo of the card and it’s stored ready for use. If you also log into your loyalty card accounts you can see how many points you’ve earned.

Meerkat Movies

This app gives me 2-4-1 cinema tickets every Tuesday or Wednesday. To get it you need to buy an eligible insurance policy from Compare the Market – but there’s also a trick which means you get it for just £1.

This will last for 12 months – a massive money saver if you like going to the movies. You’ll also get access to Meerkat Meals, offering 2-4-1 at various restaurants.

> How to get Meerkat Movies for just £1

MySupermarket

This app works just like the website, allowing you to compare prices of food and drink at different supermarkets and see the average selling price.

But as an app it’s particularly good for checking if a special offer really is a special offer when you’re actually in the supermarket. I’ve used it in airport duty-free too, to check I can’t get it cheaper back home.

I actually even use the app instead of the desktop version at home as it’s the only format which will show you a graph of the price history – a great way to find out if it’s a product that’s always on offer or if you’re picking up a bargain.

Three

My mobile deal is with Three, so hence why it’s in the list – but you absolutely should be downloading and using the app for whoever your pay for your minutes, texts and data. The big reason – it’ll show you just how much data you are actually using every month. This is key for two reasons.

First, it means you can keep an eye and make sure you don’t go over your allowance, which can be costly. Second, and even better, is it’ll show that you most likely only use a fraction of your allowance and you can use than information to get a much cheaper deal when your contract is up. 

Idealo

Another must use when I’m out shopping, especially in the sales, is Idealo.

It’s a price comparison app, and it helps you see if what you’re looking at really is a bargain price, and if it’s on sale elsewhere for less. I also use PriceSpy.

XE

Ok, I don’t use this one as much as the others, but it’s an essential app I use every time I leave the country.

Unless you’re lucky enough to go on holiday somewhere which has an easy exchange rate, working out how much you’re spending can be a bit of a headache.

So I’ll always tap my spend into XE and get a quick conversion back to pounds. It won’t be exact, but it gives me a good sense of whether I’m spending too much, or if something is a good price to pay.

January 22, 2020   |   Podcast

Cash Chats #107 – The money apps I actually use, w/ guest Jordon Cox

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There are hundreds of apps designed to help you save, make or better manage your money – but which are the best? This week I’ve been joined by my blogging friend Jordon Cox – aka the Coupon Kid – to take a look at the ones they use on their phones and the ones which are a waste of space.

Find out which apps will earn you money off your phone bill, get you a better deal on duty-free, make some cash on the side and help you see all your bank and credit card accounts in one place – plus more.

SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN TO OTHER EPISODES OF CASH CHATS (it’s free!): 

Further reading

Andy’s top money apps

Jordon’s review of Airtime Rewards

Andy’s review of supermarket cashback apps

Jordon’s review of JobSpotter

Andy’s article on Chip, Plum and Cleo (including sign up-bonuses)

Links to the other apps

Red by Dufry

XE

Monzo

Starling

Enlightly

Stocard

Yolt

Money Dashboard

 

 

January 19, 2020   |   Articles

The easy way to cut your gas and electricity bills

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Do you find that you’re constantly avoiding sorting out your energy bills? Think it’ll be too much hassle?

Well, it’s actually pretty easy, and could save you hundreds of pounds on your gas and electricity bill for minimal effort.

If you’ve never switched supplier, or had a fix that’s ended, you’re most likely on what’s called a “Standard Variable” – AKA the most expensive – tariff with your utility company. If you think you don’t have the time to look into your bills, or that it’s too complicated to work out, you’re mistaken.

It’ll take you no time at all to find a cheaper deal. Seriously. It’s quick. I’ve literally just done it using the tips below and it took me five minutes. Just five minutes. Ok, I’m a pro at this, but even if you take your time you should be able to sort it in no more than 20 minutes.

And the money you’ll save for this minimal effort? It could easily be hundreds of pounds. I’m paying almost third less than if I’d let my last fix lapse and move onto the variable tariff. That should work out over a year at more than £400 less! 

Ok, so I’ve got a large house with high ceilings, and since I’ve gone freelance I’m at home more (and using more energy), so you might not save as much, but it will be close. If you aren’t fixed or you have a fixed tariff that ends soon, I’m confident you’ll be able to save money.

To help you switch with the least pain, I’ve come up with this step-by-step guide. So, stop what you’re doing and make the easiest money of your life!

Find your bills

This is probably the hardest bit! Once you’ve found the unopened post or recovered your long-forgotten log-in details, you’ll be able to see what tariff you’re on and what you’ve been paying.

Go to a comparison site

I like Cheap Energy Club, part of the Martin Lewis empire, as it gives the best results. Some of the others can be a little misleading if you’re half-way through a fix (read my Cheap energy comparison con blogpost for more on this).

All the info you’ll need will be on your bills. To get the most accurate comparison, enter the number of units you’ve used in the last year, rather than the amount you spent.

If this feels like too much hassle (it really shouldn’t) then you could consider an automated switching service at this stage. You put in the details from your bill and you’ll be automatically switched when you can make a saving – though you won’t necessarily be moved to the cheapest option across the whole market. More on these services here.

Take a look at all the options

After the comparison site has finished chugging away, you’ll be presented with quite a few different choices which at first can appear a little confusing.

Check the site is showing you all the deals and in price order (some are paid to put certain companies at the top of the list), then take a look at what’s on offer. Again, I’d really recommend Martin Lewis’s Cheap Energy Club as you don’t have to worry about missing the best deals.

Here’s what you need to consider:

Should you stay or should you go?

Unlike other bills such as broadband and mobile, you won’t be able to haggle yourself a discount, and loyalty doesn’t make the slightest bit of difference.

However, it might not be best to switch. Your current provider might be offering a good price, and you can get yourself moved onto that tariff by giving them a call. 

Strangely you might even be able to get paid to fix again with the same company. I’ve done this twice with EDF over the last four years, and once with British Gas, whilst I was under contract, to move to a cheaper deal – and earn cashback on top.

To fix or not to fix

A fix is when you agree a set price per unit for your energy for a fixed period of time. This will normally be cheaper than a variable rate, but not always.

Take a look to see if the fixes have any exit penalties, which are charges if you leave the contract early. If prices do drop significantly (I wish…), you might not be able to move to a cheaper deal. However some suppliers will take on your switching costs, and you can move penalty free 50 days before your fix ends.

And then there’s the question of how long to fix for… I tend to go for 12 months, though if a company offers a longer fix you will likely pay more per unit.

Smart meter or not?

You might also be required to have a smart meter for some of the cheapest deals. This is something which many people hate the idea of, and it certainly doesn’t do much for you other than automatically send through meter readings. If you do want to go for it, make sure any meter that’s installed is a SMETS2 (i.e. second generation) meter, as this means it should still work when you next switch.

Which company is best?

Who supplies your energy doesn’t affect the quality of your gas and electricity, it’s all the same stuff running through your pipes/wires. Even so, apart from what they charge, there are a few other differences.

Decent customer service can sometimes be worth paying a little extra for. I had a nightmare with NPower and I’d never use them again, even if they were the cheapest available.

Then there’s the problem of small companies going bust. Though you won’t be without power if this happens, it’s a hassle you can do without.

And if you want to be ethical, green energy will usually cost a little more.

Check for extra savings

You’ll normally get the cheapest price with “dual fuel”, where you get both gas and electricity from the same supplier.

Paying by Direct Debit will normally give a discount, and there could be more savings if you go paperless or opt for a smart meter.

Some comparison sites offer cashback to switch, giving you another £30 or so. 

If you have the 123 or 123 Lite account with Santander, you can get cashback on your bill payments too, though there are fees with both accounts. See my article on the best current account for cashback on bills for more information.

Make your decision and wait

Once you’ve decided which one to go for, enter your bank details – you’ll be credit checked – then just wait for it to go through. It will take up to 17 days for the connection to be moved and the savings to start.

You don’t need to let your old company know as the new supplier will do it all for you, though you will need to give a new meter reading.

You might actually pay more or less than the comparison site says as it all depends on how much you use. A cold year will be more expensive, a warm one cheaper. But you’ll still be paying far less than you do right now.

Don’t make one of the common energy switching mistakes

Last year I wrote about some common mistakes people make when they switch energy. It’s all stuff that’s very easy to avoid. Some of it’s been mentioned above, but do take a read of that article too to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal.

Eight mistakes you make when switching energy

Should you switch to a small energy company?

Why I’m saying no to a smart meter

Should you use an automatic energy switching service?

January 19, 2020   |   Articles

Last minute holidays – the best way to book

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Does a package holiday beat booking yourself? And where to find the best deals. 

As a kid I remember the days of Teletext, watching the late holiday deals pages go around, frantically scribbling down the phone number and prices before the pages disappeared. It was a bit of a pain, and it took ages! Fortunately, it’s all so much easier to nab a last-minute holiday now. Here’s what you need to do to get the lowest prices possible.

Isn’t it better to book early?

Well, if you have set dates you need to travel, a destination you really want to visit or requirements that need to be met, then yes. The later you leave it, the less choice you have.

But if you’re happy to be flexible where you go then you might be able to pick up a cut-price trip by booking anywhere up to one or two months before you want to go away.

You can increase your chances of getting a bargain by travelling out of season, so heading somewhere cooler when everyone is off to get some sun for example. But if you do want sun you can still save during peak beach season. Yes school holidays are expensive, but you can pay less if you go away towards the end of August rather than as soon as schools break up.

You’ll save if something is less convenient too. Getting flights early or late in the day or departing midweek can help make your holiday cheaper, as can departing from less popular airports.

Packages vs DIY

I’m a fan of the DIY holiday. It gives me more choice where I go and what I do. And I’m not one for lounging on the beach for more than one day either! In fact you can often get exactly the same holiday you’d get with a package by booking the components yourself for less.

But when you’re looking at a beach or resort destination, there’s a good chance you’ll get the lowest price via a travel agent or tour operator website. And this is even more likely if you are booking last minute.

When holiday companies produce their package, they commit to the flights and hotel rooms. This gives some decent buying power that means they can offer competitive rates – or make a tidy profit. But if any seats on the planes or rooms in the hotel are empty then they could lose money. So it’s better to sell them at a lower cost or offer extras such as free upgrades. You might even be better off going all-inclusive if the operators are keen to fill spaces, so don’t rule them out.

And of course, there’s added protection when booking a package if something goes wrong thanks to ATOL and ABTA.

How to pick your holiday

The more flexible you are, the more choice you’ll get. That’s not just in terms of dates, but also the airport you fly in and out of.

Yes, price is going to be a big indicator – but there’s no point choosing something you can’t afford. Please don’t be tempted to whack it on a credit card – it’ll cost you even more in the long run! And don’t forget to check how much things cost when you get there. Turkey for example will likely be cheaper than Spain.

But cheap doesn’t necessarily mean good. Always read the reviews. A quick google of the hotel should bring up some results, and there’s always TripAdvisor.

You should check your rights too. With packages sure the holiday provider is ATOL protected. We’ve seen a few holiday companies go bust over the last few years, but if it’s part of ATOL you’ll be flown back, or refunded if you haven’t travelled yet. If you’re booking it yourself use a credit card (as long as it costs more than £100) to give yourself some additional cover – though you should get travel insurance too, however you book.

Where to find a last minute package holiday

You can check prices and offers direct with different operators or agencies such as Tui or Virgin Holidays, or use a comparison site. I’ve read that Ice Lolly is one of the best to use, while there’s also TravelSupermarket.

You can also check out deals sites such as Holiday Pirates and Travel Zoo, while Teletext still exists online.

Compare the package price to a DIY booking

Before you book anything, I do think it’s worth seeing how much you can get the same trip for by booking each part yourself. Use comparison sites Skyscanner and Kayak to compare flights and hotels. It’s worth looking at AirBnB as well to see if you can get a private apartment or villa rather than a resort in the same destination. Just make sure you have the right insurance to protect you if there’s airline failure or similar.

And while you’re at it, look for any destinations you fancy which aren’t offered by the travel operators. You might be able to pick up a fantastic late deal.

In this video I bring down the price of an all-inclusive on Shop Smart Save Money

Not a fan of packages? Check the prices anyway

If, like me, you think a package destination isn’t for you, you probably won’t even look at the likes of Tui and Thompson. But you should.

You can sometimes get packages cheaper than separate flights, something I discovered only after I’d booked my Virgin flights to Cuba some years ago. You don’t have to stay at the package’s hotel, or you can use it as a base for holidays where you’re planning on moving around a lot.

More tips for booking holidays

These articles and videos should help you bring down the price even further.

Getting the best value hotel rooms

How to get the best value hotel rooms

How to find cheap flights

My tricks to save money on flights

All inclusive – is it for you?

In this clip from series three of Shop Smart Save Money I explain some of the pros and cons for all inc hols.

January 16, 2020   |   Deals

Andy’s deals of the week 16th January 2020

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This week I’ve shared how you can get Odeon tickets for £4.75, earn 1.5% cashback and a £20 voucher at Amazon, nab a free milkshake at McDonald’s, get up to 5% off at John Lewis and Waitrose and save on chocs, pickle and more at Lidl’s 99p event.

Watch this week’s episode

You can watch me talk about the offers over in Instagram or Facebook, or right here on the blog.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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More on this week’s deals

Odeon’s 5 tickets for £20 offer is back

Head over to Groupon and you can pick up two tickets for £10 or five for £20. There’s a 75p booking fee each time you use your tickets, meaning you’re looking at £4.75 or £5.75 a ticket – still very good value, especially at weekends.

Get 1.5% cashback at Amazon and £20 voucher

If you’re a regular shopper at Amazon then you’ll be doing yourself a favour by applying for the Amazon Platinum credit card. You’ll get a free £20 voucher to spend, and if you’re a Prime member you’ll also get 1.5% cashback on all Amazon purchases. It’s not great for other spending though (beaten by the Amex or John Lewis cards), and only use it if you can clear the balance every month.

Lidl 99p event

From Thursday 16th January Lidl is selling a range of products at 99p, from Chicago Town pizzas to Branston pickle to Ritter chocolate. Worth a look, while stock lasts.

John Lewis and Waitrose now payout options on cashback sites

I was withdrawing some cashback this week and spotted there’s now an option to get your payout as John Lewis or Waitrose gift cards, both with a little bit of a bonus. My premium TopCashback account offered a 5% boost, while at Quidco it was 3%. Here’s more about this payout method.

McDonald’s freebies

If you download the McDonald’s app to your phone you’ll be able to access freebies and deals every day until 26th January. Today (Thursday) it’s a free milkshake or Coke Zero. You need to order via the app when you’re in one of the participating restaurants.

January 15, 2020   |   Podcast

Cash chats #106 – Clearing your credit and store card debts

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Mid-January is one of the peak times for people applying for balance transfer credit cards.

In this episode I’ve explored how you can clear your credit card and store credit debts and reduce how much they’re costing you. Find out how to make a 0% balance transfer card work for you, and why it might not be the magic bullet for your debts.

SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN TO OTHER EPISODES OF CASH CHATS (it’s free!): 

Further reading

> 0% Balance transfer cards explained

> Quickly clear your credit card debt

> Santander 123 current account changes

> Natwest and RBS Reward account changes