Should a bank admit technical problems are because of hackers?
My various inboxes have received a number of odd conspiracy theories that RBS/NatWest’s crash is actually due to hackers trying to attack its computer systems. I’ve no knowledge one way or the other, and seriously doubt there’s even an iota of truth in it. Yet it does raise an interesting hypothetical question – should a bank admit...
Backed up your mobile/PC data? It’s useless unless…
Backed up your mobile/PC data? It’s useless unless… After the worst computer problems in banking history, causing a punitive shockwave for customers of NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank and Think Banking, it’s worth considering your own personal data backup. Running a big website, I’ve a constant paranoia about catastrophic failure and losing both the backup of the site...
When doesn’t £10/month cost you £10/month? When it’s ‘equiv’
When don’t you pay £10/month for £10/month broadband? We’ve introduced a new site convention to try to make things even clearer. I hope it’ll be obvious, even to those who haven’t read this, but I just wanted to note down exactly what the phrase ‘equiv’ means and when we’ll use it. Deals, especially in the broadband and...
The ‘social-fund.co.uk’ website is scraping beneath the barrel’s bottom
A website’s been set up which manages to drop payday loan (super high-cost, short-term lending) marketing down a notch. It’s as if those behind it saw others scraping the bottom of the barrel and just thought: "No problem, we’ll lick it up." The site’s been set up to attract people looking for official government crisis loans from...
I’ve kept my mouth shut about the Money Advice Service, but last week I let rip
The Money Advice Service (MAS) is a publicly-funded body aiming to improve financial capability – a laudable aim, but frankly, dismally executed. For years I’ve thought its website an atrocious use of millions of pounds of such funds – but I’ve kept quiet about it, as I didn’t want to put people off using those of its...
I’ve a new ITV1 prime time show starting in September
As the cat’s out the bag, after this Sunday Mirror story (they had the story when they called, even though the plan wasn’t to announce it yet), I can now tell you that come mid-September I’ve got a new prime time (7.30pm) show starting on ITV1. I’m delighted, as I think in current climes it’s important to...
Why do teenagers throw pennies in the bin?
It’s jaw-dropping, but it seems some teens now treat copper coins as rubbish, throwing them in the bin. It shows a disrespect for cash and a lack of understanding about "looking after the pennies". Here’s just some of the thoughts people have tweeted me about this: For some reason pennies were embarrassing when I was younger. Now...
Introducing MSE Junior (from November)
I’m delighted to confirm, as it has been reported in the papers (I slipped and mentioned it on Radio 5), that in early November Mrs MSE and I are expecting an MSE Junior. Like most first-time parents we don’t care whether it’s a boy or girl, just as long as it’s healthy and happy. I’m very excited...
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Recent Blogs
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Five things EVERYONE should know about student finance
21 September 2021![]()
There are more myths and misunderstandings about student finance than any other subject. So in this blog is my updated 2021/22 version of the must knows, with links to far more info. -
Is it time to ban Christmas presents?
14 September 2021![]()
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...
