Money off wine and tax overpayment advice
Avoid tax credit overpayment hell, learn a new Domino’s trick, shopping codes for Diesel, Levis, FCUK and Miss Selfridge, and a free £10ish Benefit trade-in. These are our Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis’ Deals of the Week.
Remember, deals can change quickly, even while I’m on the programme. So always double-check the terms and conditions before spending. Plus, while I hope these deals will save you cash, don’t spend if you can’t afford it, don’t need it, or won’t use it.
Web exclusive: Sainsbury’s 25% off wine/bubbles (buy six)
If you buy six or more bottles of wine, champagne, sparkling wine, sherry or port online at Sainsbury’s or in store (excludes central and local branches and Scotland), you’ll get an automatic 25% off until Saturday 30 May. It works on bottles that are already on offer and you can mix and match. Delivery’s £2.99 - £5.99 depending on the time slot. There are some restrictions on how many you can buy and please be Drinkaware.
Avoid tax credits overpayment hell
Around six million people are being sent tax-credit renewal envelopes. You might not need to send it back, but don’t ignore it. If your circumstances have changed, tell ‘em, tell ‘em, tell ‘em or it causes money nightmares. Here’s what you need to know:
- If you get/got yours in a WHITE envelope. Here, you must check the review form’s correct. If it isn’t, make any changes on the declarationform, sign it and send back. Alternatively, you could call the helpline on 0345 300 3900, report them online through the HMRC website. You'll need your NI number and the 15-digit number at the bottom of your declaration form. If you've no changes, you can renew by sending the signed declaration form back doing it online at Gov.uk doing it via the HMRC app or by calling 0345 300 3900.
- If you get/got yours in a BROWN envelope. Here, check the review notice is correct. If it is, you don’t need to do anything – your credits will be automatically renewed. Got changes? Call 0345 300 3900 or report it online at Gov.uk. You need your NI number, tax credit renewal pack, details of any changes, and total income (including your partner's) for the last year, to hand.
- Don't delay, do it ASAP. The deadline's 31 July, but don't dally as if you've got issues, the official helpline gets mega-busy. HMRC tells us the least busy time to call is 8.30am to 10.30am and 2pm to 4pm Tuesday to Thursday.
- Avoid overpayment hell. Being overpaid sounds a dream - but it's a nightmare as you must pay back the cash, even if you’ve already spent it. It often happens because people don't declare changes of circumstance (eg, moving in/out with partner, income, kids, childcare costs). So if there are any changes, TELL 'EM, TELL 'EM, TELL 'EM.
Domino’s trick to save around £5 on any pizza
Most Domino’s deals either have a big minimum spend, are 2for1s, or are on specific days. Not much good if you just want a pizza to yourself. Yet there’s a trick right now to get round this. Go to Domino’s Pizza Legends site, where you can design a pizza with any combination of toppings and currently you get an automatic 30% off.
Now you can actually use this to recreate Domino’s menus, eg, with its Vegi Supreme (green and red peppers, tomato, mushrooms, red onion and sweetcorn) you can get it for £3.65 less than ordering on the main site, or its Pepperoni Passion for £5.75 less.
Martin’s shopping quickies
As there’s a lull before the summer, many retailers are discounting goods to get customers back in the shops. Here are some of my top picks:
- Free £10 Benefit trade-in: From Saturday, take any old skincare product (any brand, not make-up) into a Boots with a Benefit counter and you can exchange it for a Benefit sample usually worth £4 - £10. It’s on until Saturday 27 June, though there are 20,000 samples so it may go sooner. Just ask for a free 5-10 minute skincare consultation and you can get one of three samples: facial emulsion, eye cream or facial serum.
- Carnaby Street flash 20% off voucher: Today only (Thursday 28 May) from 5-9pm, head to the Carnaby Street area in the West End where you can get 20% off at more than 100 shops, including rarely discounted brands such as Diesel, Dr Martens and Levi’s, plus at restaurants and bars. Register for a free ticket on the Carnaby website and either print it or show it on your smartphone or you can get one from a booth at 14-16 Foubert’s Place. Large crowds are expected, so be prepared to queue.
- FCUK 20% off: Go online to French Connection and you’ll get an extra 20% off sale items when you enter the code FC20MD until 11.59pm on Sunday 31 May. Delivery’s £3.95 or you can collect in-store for free. Or head to stores and the discount will be applied automatically. The discount’s valid on full price items, though many are excluded.