
Should you buy a PAYG or contract for your teen at Christmas?…..
I was posed this by an Express journalist writing a story the other day. It’s an interesting question. On the whole call and text charges on the best contract mobile packages are substantially cheaper than the best Pay-As-You-Go packages (see mobile cost cutting article), afterall do it right and you can pay virtually no monthly fee –...

Credit Card companies could learn a lot from McDonald’s
I was passing by McDonald’s the other day, when, near the straws and napkins, I happened to spot its brochure on nutritional explanations. Ok, when I say passing by, I mean passing by via the counter with my large fillet-o-fish meal, but let’s move swiftly on. I found this little, printed brochure fascinating. In it, there were...

I couldn’t help advertising on Vaginica!
Now I can’t say I’m proud of this, well that’s a lie, it’s making me smile at the thought this morning. Last night I watched the end of I’m a Celebrity, and on it they discussed the fact that David Gest claims his maid is called Vaginica Seamen (my guess at the spelling). Now as I was...

Dear X-Factor Contestants, you cannot give more than 100% effort!
I’m probably going to seem like a rabid pedant, but this is one of my major bugbears. While watching X-factor this weekend young crooning contestant Ray promised to give 210% and later Robert promised 150%. Does this mean Ray is going to put out more effort than Robert? No, it means both of them are talking nonsense....

The most wasteful press release ever: “Chancellor to target CO2 emissions”. Shame on you MacIntyre Hudson
I’ve just received a six-page press release posted to me from chartered accountants MacIntyre Hudson, predicting new green tax measures in the next budget. MSE Dan received the same release, so did MSE Archna, MSE Jenny, MSE Andrea and MSE Brendan. All printed out, all on six sheets of paper, and all talking about CO2 emissions. To...

And now the MSG is setting up in competition!
There I am, happily having blogged away since my very first “Tony Blair warmed my seat??? blog entry in early 2005. Then, all of a sudden the MSG comes along and starts doing the same thing. I’m not happy with the competition. Five News has asked her do a blog of showbiz stories (see the MSGs first...

My worst ever on air slip….
I’m so embarrassed, it’s the first time I’ve ever blushed on the radio. I’ve had a nightmarishly busy day: made a speech, done countless interviews, got asked to write a major article for the Sun in only two hours, been dealing with the weekly email. Excuses over…. on to the tale… I was on LBC radio (London...

Grrrr….. If I hear ‘renting is just throwing money away’ from another interest only mortgage holder
I was speaking to a friend the other day who’s just about to buy a house, using an interest only mortgage, maxed out to the hilt. When I asked why he is buying, his answer was, “because renting is just throwing money away isn’t it, I think it’s time to own my own property!” I find this...

Gu Puds Squashed!
Now some of you may know Gu Puds as the rather upmarket decadent pudding brand (see this) seen in the supermarket, but they have another, more sinister role. They dared challenge the MSE Towers team with overt bravado in a pool tournament. You see Gu Puds also has an office in the complex where MSE Towers is...

750,000 thank yous and a tiny tiny wee confession
Today we hit 750,000 people who’ve opted to receive the weekly e-mail. Three quarters of a million people, it really is quite staggering. The site is now a healthy three and a half year old and I can’t believe how big and bonny it is. Thanks to all MoneySavers who’ve recommended it to friends and family. I’m...
Latest MoneySaving Tips
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8 travel-money must-knowsDon't overpay to pay (ole!)
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Martin's energy need-to-knowsAs bills set to rise by 52%
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New. Cheapest ever loans at 2.7%If you NEED to borrow
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44 tips to be tight (in a good way)Eg, use bulldog clips to eke out last toothpaste
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£50 two-week summer breakFor teens - free if on a low income
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Blue Light Card discounts boostedFor NHS and emergency workers
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2for1 theme parks and attractionsAlton Towers, Thorpe Park and more
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Ends Thu. 5GB Sim '£4 a month'Plus roam-like-home in Europe
Recent Blogs
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Martin Lewis: The one thing everyone aged over 66 needs to know
17 June 2022It is a national tragedy that getting on for a million pensioners, many of whom have been paying into the system for years, are missing out on a critical boost to their income. It's called pension credit, and this year it also means you get an extra £650 to help with energy bills. -
Martin Lewis: What I asked the Chancellor to do when I spoke to him on Monday...
26 May 2022With the announcement of the Government's energy cost of living plans due out at lunchtime. I thought I'd speedily bash out a note down of what (from memory) I'd asked the Chancellor for when we spoke on Monday - and the other general suggestions I've been making. -
Martin Lewis: Got a cash ISA? You should probably ditch it
24 May 2022Press the rewind button and go way back to April 2015... Possibly on the telly in the corner of your living room, I was on-air at the time urging savers as usual to use their new tax-free cash ISA allowance – because 'money was nicer in an ISA'. But things changed in 2016. -
Martin Lewis: 'UO is just as important as UX: A tip for anyone developing their website or app'
6 May 2022I set up MoneySavingExpert.com nearly 20 years ago – when arguably the modern web was still in its infancy. With an abundance of self-belief (something I had too much of then, as I realise now) I decided not to read any books, or follow prevailing wisdom on how a site should operate – and just do it my way.