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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Is it time to ban Christmas presents?
14 September 2020
Update September 2017: It’s eight years since I first braved this subject, expecting a snowstorm of protest. Instead, year after year more join in, like Julia who recently tweeted me, “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told my family I can’t afford Christmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” One year even the Archbishop of... -
Martin Lewis: I confess, I did a 'decoy effect' experiment on my Twitter and Facebook followers… and it may be why they're buying more Jaffa Cakes
7 September 2020
Behavioural economics is a powerful science. Some retailers are undoubtedly using it to make us pay more to get less. One element is the 'decoy effect' – where a higher-priced item is sold, to make items next to it look like bargains. So I wanted to do a little experiment to test it -
Martin Lewis: Payment holidays extended – but should you take one? Mortgages, credit cards, loans, payday loans, car finance and more
11 August 2020
Within the last week, we've seen the extension of coronavirus credit card, personal loan and overdraft help to 31 October 2020, with mortgage payment holidays already extended. The regulator's other help schemes are also likely to be extended too, including car finance and payday loans, yet should you do it?
