Don't miss those last order dates for Christmas
Last order dates for Christmas delivery, flash currency sale, half-price No7, and up to 50% off M&S and 80% off Christmas decorations. 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.
LAST ORDERS! Retailers’ pre-Christmas order dates
There are exactly seven shopping days left to find last-minute bargains, but in the online world the deadlines for last free or cheapest Christmas delivery are ending far sooner. Some, like Matalan’s, have already gone; todayTesco Direct’s cheapest £3 delivery-cost ends at 5pm (£5.95 after), whileHouse of Fraser’s cheapest £3.50 delivery ends 6pm tomorrow (£6 after).M&S’s deadline is 10pm Saturday for cheapest delivery, and at Amazon,ASOS, BHS and Dorothy Perkins it’s Sunday. The deadline at The Body Shop and New Look ends Monday, Next on Tuesday.
These increasing delivery charges mean if you want to ensure you’re getting the cheapest, do it now using a ‘shopbot’, or shopping robot, to price compare first. If you leave it later it becomes more expensive as the key is all about the urgent delivery.
Two-hour FLASH currency sale today If you’re heading away for Christmas and haven’t sorted your foreign cash yet, today (Thursday), from 11am – 1pm, Travelex have a sale on all its currencies. This rate boost includes pre-order for airport pick-up (you can also get delivery) – useful as at-airport rates are usually hideous. Sainsbury's Bank is boosting all currencies until 9.30am this morning (online and via phone) and Asda's boosting euros, US dollars and a few others till 8am tomorrow morning.
But don’t assume a rate sale means it’s the cheapest. Though it’s far better than any ‘walk-in’ rate, it’s best to always do a comparison – some smaller firms react to boosted sales by upping their own rates. You can use Martin’s Travel Money Comparison to find the best during the sales. Though as always, specialist overseas credit cards can beat these.
And a final thought if you are away this Christmas whether abroad or in the UK – don’t turn your heating off. No heating risks burst pipes – so much so some insurers won't cover you for damage if your home's unoccupied for more than five days and you turned the heating off. Rule of thumb is keep it to a minimum 14°C.
Martin’s Quickies:
£37 No7 gift bundle: Now in the final week of Boots weekly ‘star gift promotion’, if you go online or into a store till Christmas Eve you can get a No7 ‘Ultimate Collection’ beauty bundle for £37.50 – half price from £75. In the nine-piece gift bundle you’ll get day cream, night cream, body wash, body milk, cleansing lotion, dry skin rescue cream, bath milk, hand cream and mascara. I’ve totted these individually, and separately they sell for over £120, so it’s a decent deal if you use No7. Or you could split them up and give them as individual presents to help spread the cost.
M&S up to 50% off: If you go online or into an M&S store by 11.59pm on Monday you can get between 30% and 50% off some departments. There’s 30% off some womenswear lines such as coats and knitwear, while 50% off is on other womenswear, such as party wear and dressing gowns. I spotted a snowman Christmas jumper down from £28 to £19.60. There’s also 30% off men’s shirt and tie sets, Christmas jumpers and hats, and 50% off men’s toys and gadgets, as well as bedding, cards, diaries and puzzles. Delivery is £3.99 or free for orders over £50.
Up to 80% off Christmas goodies: This is the time of year that specific Christmas goods are reduced in most stores. So if you haven’t bought your cards or wrapping – now’s the moment. And it’s likely if you wait until Monday prices will be reduced further. Different stores have different clearances, but as an example I spotted John Lewis clearance goods – eg, 25p baubles which had been £1.50 and a string of lights for £5.60 reduced from £8. M&S has a Disney Frozen Olaf tree decoration for £3 down from £6 and a small LED Christmas tree for £2.50 down from £5. House of Fraser, Debenhams and BHS have also reduced the price of their Christmas stock.