Discuss. Discover. Save. - Your Money Matters™ Blog

As of May 14 2008, a new offer is running on the Lloyds TSB Platinum credit card.

The first feature of the offer is a reduced typical APR of 15.9% - 1% less than the previous APR of 16.9%.

Additionally, the Lloyds TSB Platinum credit card now comes with a 14 month 0% balance transfer offer and an interest-free period of three months for any purchases made on the card.

On top of this, those who sign up for a Lloyds TSB Platinum credit card will benefit from a free additional card should they need one plus the ability to manage their credit card account either online, by phone or in their local branch.

Click on the link to find out more about the Lloyds TSB Platinum credit card offer

This offer is current as of 15th MAY 2008. Please check the provider’s product page for more information and conditions. For more offers please refer to the Offers section of compareandsave.com’s ‘Your money matters blog’.
 

When searching for an insurance quote it is important to bear in mind the level of cover you are going to be getting as well as the price of the policy.

If you want to compare insurance, you need to try to set out what you expect from your insurance policies. You can then see how much each company charges for this level of cover and compare the policies fairly when it comes to how much they cost.

If for example you wanted to buy home insurance, you might benefit from setting the level and types of cover you think you will need before you start your search:

e.g.

• X amount of contents cover
• X amount of buildings cover
• Add a joint policy holder
• Accidental damage cover for buildings and contents
• Legal fees cover

After you have these conditions set out in your mind, you can then look at how much each insurer will charge you for this amount of cover and choose the policy that is best suited to your individual needs and circumstances.

If you don’t look at it this way and just look for the cheapest policy, you may end up buying inadequate cover for your needs and/or paying more for less cover.

If you opened a savings account a few months ago, the savings rate you are now getting has probably been reduced by your bank.

However, the exact same saving account is probably advertised to new customers with the higher rate that you were paid when you first opened the account.

Most people are unaware that this has happened as they do not regularly check what interest rate they are being paid by their bank on their savings accounts.

Also, the bank will not send you a letter to tell you that your rate has reduced as they stand to profit by paying you the cheaper rate.

But, if you research the interest rate you are being paid plus the interest rate being offered to new customers on exactly the same type of account and then ring up the bank to ask to be paid the higher rate, they are likely to give it to you to stop you taking your business elsewhere.

Failing that, you can compare high interest savings accounts to see which account will offer you the best interest rates.
 

Tesco have launched a new offer on their home insurance.

If you get a quote for Tesco Home Insurance between 1st May 2008 and 21st June 2008 you will receive 1/3 OFF. The quote you receive can then be saved and bought at anytime within 90 days.

This offer only applies to new Tesco Home Insurance customers in their first year only.

Buy online and receive a further 10% discount off your premium.

Tesco Home Insurance offers both buildings and contents insurance and allows the addition of optional extras including accidental damage, family legal protection and personal possessions cover.

Plus, you can use your Clubcard vouchers towards the cost and earn Clubcard points on the cost of your Tesco Home Insurance premium.

What’s more, Tesco Home Insurance will replace up to £1,000 worth of stored information, such as music on an iPod.

Further information on the May Tesco Home Insurance offer

This offer is current as of 1st MAY 2008. Please check the provider’s product page for more information and conditions. For more offers please refer to the Offers section of compareandsave.com’s ‘Your money matters blog’.
 

Tesco have launched a new offer on their car insurance.

If you get a quote for Tesco Car Insurance and buy before 25th June 2008 you will receive a voucher for a FREE Kärcher Pressure Washer worth £100. The vouchers are redeemable at Tesco Direct where delivery is available at a charge of £6.50 (max).

To benefit from this offer you need to enter the promotional code ‘pressure’ into the 'Promotional Code' box on the quote form.

This offer only applies to new Tesco Car Insurance customers and Clubcard holders in their first year only. Clubcard holder will also get 1 Clubcard point for every £2 spent on car insurance premium. 

Tesco Car Insurance customers get exclusive discounts at Nationwide Autocentres including 15% off a full car service, 20% off their next MOT and 10% off on all repairs.

Buy online and receive 15% online discount, this discount is available to non Clubcard holders.

Plus, you can use your Clubcard vouchers towards the cost and earn Clubcard points on the cost of your Tesco Car Insurance premium.

Click on the link for further information on the Tesco Car Insurance offer.

This offer is current as of 1ST MAY 2008. Please check the provider’s product page for more information and conditions. For more offers please refer to the Offers section of compareandsave.com’s ‘Your money matters blog’.
 

A major home improvement chain has advised those hoping to start a DIY project to check if they have sufficient home insurance cover to protect them if any problems arise or damage is done.

According to a spokesperson for B&Q, it is always best to check your home insurance policy wording to ensure that efforts to improve your property do not end in disaster and an expensive repair bill.

“Whether embarking on a DIY project yourself, or getting a professional in, it’s worth checking that your insurance policy covers you for accidental damage,” said a representative of B&Q.

B&Q experts also advise that you should be aware of the limits to your capabilities before you embark on a DIY project and to use professionals when appropriate.

You can compare cheap home insurance here

Filling in application forms can be a time consuming process. However, you can reduce the amount of time it takes if you have all the necessary information to hand before you begin.

First things first, you need to make sure you are applying for the right credit card, so be sure to compare credit cards before you start to fill in any application forms  and make sure the one you choose is best for your individual needs.

To make your credit card application you will need to firstly meet the lending criteria:

• Resident in the United Kingdom
• Over 18 (or in some cases 21 or even 25)
• Have a good credit rating (although credit cards for bad credit will be available to those with poorer credit ratings)
• Have a current bank account
• Have a regular income

When you make the credit card application you will need the following details:

• Personal details – Title, full name, etc.
• Contact details – Home telephone and/or mobile telephone number and your email address
• Address information – where you live, time at the address and type of accommodation
• Employment details – employment status, name of the company you work for, a telephone number at work and your annual income before tax
• Bank details – Sort code, account number and if you hold a bank account with the credit card provider
• Balance transfer information – details of credit cards with balances if you wish to transfer them over to the new card (this information isn’t always required at the application stage)

Once you have filled in these details you will probably be asked if you would like to add any additional optional features at extra cost.

Then, when the form is complete, you will be asked to read a declaration and tick a box to say whether you agree to the terms or not.

The last thing to do is hit the apply button and wait for the response from the credit card provider.

You can compare best credit card deals here.

Sainsbury’s are currently running an offer on their home insurance.

If you buy combined buildings and contents home insurance cover from Sainsbury’s before May 26 2008, you will get 12 months cover for the price of 9.

What’s more you can pay in monthly instalments by direct debit at no extra cost and earn up to 30% no claims discount on a standard policy basis.

Additionally, you will have unlimited buildings cover so you will never be underinsured, even if your house needs rebuilding from scratch.

Click on the link for more information about the Sainsbury’s Home Insurance offer

This offer is correct at time of publishing on 23/04/2008. Please check the provider’s product page for more information and full terms and conditions. For more offers please refer to the ‘Offers’ section of compareandsave.com’s ‘Your money matters blog’.

Sainsbury’s has announced a change to their home insurance policies.

As of April 23 2008 the no claims discount you can earn on your Sainsbury’s Home Insurance policy has decreased by 10% from 40% to 30% on a standard policy basis.

However, if you buy both buildings and contents home insurance online from Sainsbury’s you will get an extra 10% discount off the price of your policy.

Sainsbury’s Home Insurance comes with these additional benefits:

• Option to pay in monthly direct debit installments at no extra cost
• Unlimited buildings cover
• 24hr home emergency advice line based in UK call centres

Click on the link for more information about Sainsbury’s Home Insurance

This blog is correct at time of publishing on 23/04/2008. Please check the provider’s product page for more information and full terms and conditions. For more offers please refer to the ‘Offers’ section of compareandsave.com’s ‘Your money matters blog’.

Sainsbury’s have announced their new pet insurance offer.

If you buy a new policy online before 16th June 2008, you will receive an online discount of up to 25% depending on the level of cover you choose:

• 25% discount if you buy cover for up to £2,500 per condition
• 10.5% discount if you buy cover for up to £6,500 per condition

Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance offers your pet with cover for as long as it takes to bring your pet back to health as long as it does not exceed the cover per condition and providing your premiums are up to date.

Additionally, your pet insurance from Sainsbury’s will help you with the cost of getting your pet back if it is lost or stolen and there is no age limit on your pet for vet’s fees.

Click on the link to find out more about Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance

This offer is correct at time of publishing on 23/04/2008. Please check the provider’s product page for more information and full terms and conditions. For more offers please refer to the ‘Offers’ section of compareandsave.com’s ‘Your money matters blog’.