The difference between ‘free’ and free
When is a freebie not a freebie? When you have to pay for it! Sounds simple, but in the real world things aren’t that clear cut. So this week we’re introducing a new site convention – the difference between ‘free’ and free. Our forums have always been clear – we have the freebies (no spend) required and...
Dear teachers – an important letter about your pupils’ future
Every good teacher wants their pupils to go to university if it’s right for them. Yet now butting up against that is the 2012 university fees increase, that offends some teachers’ personal politics and leaves others worried about encouraging pupils into a perceived large debt. I’ve struggled with this too. In January I berated 100 MPs that,...
Grrrrrr – Scrabble ignoramuses, keep your traps shut
I need a rant. Last night when Mrs MSE and I were on one of our Scrabble dates (2for1 restaurant voucher and Travel Scrabble – I know how to show a girl a good time), an American chap at the next table leant over and said: "You shouldn’t be allowed to use those silly words; you should...
Best-buy payday loans – should MSE include them?
Update: 12 July 2013: On 9 July 2013 we published our Payday loan best buys? guide. We’re in the middle of writing our new guide to payday loans (eg Wonga, Quickcash etc.) and I’d like to solicit your views. The key concept is actually to explain all the alternatives you can try before using that type of...
Ditch prepay meters for free and let MSE switch for you: ideas given to Chris Huhne
I had a meeting with the Energy Secretary, Chris Huhne, yesterday morning. The Government’s big plan is to ‘check, switch and insulate’, and as we’ve been telling people that for years, MSE Archna and I went in with suggestions and ways we could help. This meet came about on the back of the Energy Summit, (see my...
‘You can afford to go to uni’ – the message is getting through
University applications are down 9% and sadly many students and parents are being scared off 2012 applications due to myths and misunderstandings about the new fees (a few for the right reasons too). So I was delighted to get this email yesterday from John Morgan, who teaches at Conyers School and is an Ascl rep on the...
The psychology of leaving a stranger with your valuables
I’m often out and about around the country and am never without my laptop. This means on trains, in coffee shops, or elsewhere; it’s unpacked, set up and out as a portable office. The dilemma is when a ‘comfort break’ is needed – do you pack everything up and shut your laptop down? Or risk leaving it...
“I’ve had terrible service, why do you still recommend those b*****ds?”
This type of message isn’t rare. We often get people emailing, tweeting or facebooking us with things like this. The other day it was over a telecoms company, a gentleman had received hideous customer service, was angry and demanded we drop the company from our guide. Yet if we stopped mentioning every telecoms provider (or most companies...
Giving my ‘dance teacher’ a shock
I decided not to say anything when my Lorraine producer said: "Don’t worry Martin, we’ve arranged a dance teacher and a dance class to teach you some basic steps for the Real Deals film, just turn up on the day." As always with my Lorraine Real Deals films, we choose a location as a backdrop. The deals...
The top 10 real things we don’t believe in
Arthur C. Clarke’s law is that: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic". This is a comfort as I recently admitted I don’t believe planes can fly. Thankfully that blog’s comments brought many others out of the closet of confidence – so here are my remaining top ten picks of real things people don’t believe in....
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Recent Blogs
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Martin Lewis: The one thing everyone aged over 66 needs to know
17 June 2022![]()
It 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 2022![]()
With 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 2022![]()
Press 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 2022![]()
I 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.
