
Martin Lewis: Are you an overdraft prisoner? How to escape it
The old adage – that banks will lend you an umbrella when the sun shines, and ask for it back when it rains – feels like a modern reality for many with overdrafts.

Martin Lewis: A warning for all wannabe first-time buyers or even those years away from buying
Never owned a home? Open a Help to Buy ISA – even if you've no savings, just put £1 in. This special ISA – that gives first-time buyers up to £3,000 free towards their first mortgage – closes to new applicants on 30 November 2019, so there's now less than six months left. Yet open one before then and you bag the facility in case you ever need it later.

Why the energy price cap is broken – it doesn't reflect the price people pay today (video)…
On 1 January 2019, a cap was introduced on the prices that energy firms could charge on their standard (ie, default) tariffs.

Martin Lewis: Eight urgent post-Brexit travel need-to-knows
We're heading towards the summer, millions turn their hopes to future sunny days both here and abroad. Yet, especially with Brexit round the corner, if you've booked a trip to Europe, there are some crucial checks you need to do.

Martin Lewis: A warning to every UK worker aged 22 or over – you’re likely about to get a pay rise, but it may cost you
On 6 April 2019, most UK workers aged 22 or over are due a hidden pay rise – but your employer needn't tell you. This is all about 'auto-enrolment', where your employer must contribute towards your pension. Now it'll have to give you even more, though then again, you'll have to shell out much more too. So I'm bashing out this blog to take you through it.

Martin Lewis: Why it’s the PERFECT time to check if you can reclaim £100s of energy credit
The sun has got its hat on – hip hip hip hooray. The sun has got its hat on – check your bills without delay. Well, it almost scans, but at least my message is on point.

Martin Lewis: What happened to my pledge to give £10m to charity in 2012…?
In June 2012 I pledged £10m for charity when MSE joined the MSM group and that for transparency I'd periodically bash out a blog explaining what was happening with it. Over the break I realised 2015 was the last time I'd done that, so an update is overdue…

Martin Lewis: I averaged 23,513 steps per day (burning 3,600 calories) in 2018 – here's how...
Regular blog readers will know I'm obsessed with fitness tracking statistics. So it's time for my annual report. According to my tracker, I did 8,582,412 steps in 2018 – a silly amount, but not quite as ridiculous as 2017, when it was 9,278,393.

Bravo to the Personal Support Unit, which helps those facing civil or family court without lawyers
A couple of months ago I became a patron of the PSU charity, which helps those facing civil or family courts. I went along to the Royal Courts of Justice to explain why and to meet a superb collection of volunteers – who provide a mix of hand-holding of scared people, to providing excellent guidance to help them navigate the court system.

Martin Lewis: How to go Christmas cold turkey
If there was a big red CANCEL CHRISTMAS button, would you press it? While the festive season is usually portrayed as unerringly joyous, not everyone feels that way. It can put stress on you and on your pockets. So, forgive me, but to relieve that pressure, and possibly increase happiness, it is worth considering going cold turkey.
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Recent Blogs
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Martin Lewis: Payment holidays coming to an end – but should you take one? Mortgages, credit cards, loans, payday loans, car finance and more
23 March 2021Within 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?