Martin's Deals of the Week
Flash currency sale, ‘free’ EE £20 power bar’s back, free sausage roll, last chance Tesco double-up and from £1 Kids’ book sale. These are 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: free sausage rollGet a voucher from VoucherCodes or go via theVoucherCodes app (iOS/Android) and you can grab a totally free savoury snack from Greggs until Sunday 28 June. Choose either a free sausage roll or a cheese and onion bake (usually 80p-£1ish). There are 6,000 codes/vouchers up for grabs every day from 7am. It excludes concessions so check your nearest is participating.
Flash Travelex currency saleThe pound has hit a seven-year high against the euro - £1 now buys €1.40, compared to €1.24 a year ago (sadly due to the Greek crisis). The big question is should you buy now? Well if you’re going soon there’s no problem, if you’re going later in the summer then just because the rate is good now doesn’t mean it won’t get better.
There is no way to know. So really it’s far more about your attitude towards things. If you’re happy to bag the rate now, knowing that it’s decent and you can have an affordable holiday, and won’t kick yourself if the rate gets even better, there’s nothing wrong grabbing the rate for surety now.
The cheapest way to spend abroad is the Halifax ClarityMastercard, provided you repay it IN FULL each month, or it’s 18.9% rep APR. It gives you the nearly unbeatable Mastercard wholesale rate in every country. But if you want cash, there are two flash sales on right now.
Travelex has a two hour flash sale on today from 11am until 1pm on all currencies bar euros and then the same time tomorrow for euros. The boon here is you can pre-order at this rate to pick up at its airport bureaux (never just change at the airport though – rates are hideous).
Plus Sainsbury’s Bank has a sale on euros, dollars and more that ends at 9.30am this morning. But don’t assume these sales makes them the best rates on the market, as some smaller bureau tend to boost their rates in reaction to the big boys sale so always do a comparison to check at the time.
‘Free’ EE £20 portable mobile charger is back – go quickThe massively popular deal was paused in April due to over-demand but it’s now back again. EE contract and pay-as-you-go customers can text the word POWER to the number 365 (costs 35p) to receive a code to show in any EE store to get the power bar.
The power bar includes a micro USB lead, which is used to charge the bar but also to charge the phone from the bar. Once the power bar has been used to charge a device, you can then recharge the portable battery yourself or, if out and about, swap it for a full-charged replacement at an EE store. Technically this is a hire agreement, so if you leave EE you’ll have to give it back or you’ll be charged a £5 fee.
If you got a code before the deal was paused in April, you can collect a power bar until 19 July, though of course it’s dependent on stock.
Martin’s quickies
Starbucks 2for1Tax coffee giant Starbucks by taking advantage of its 2for1 on hot and cold drinks (not bottled) until Friday 26 June. Just download a voucher from the Evening Standard website or pick up a paper if you’re in London, show it in a store when you order two drinks, and you’ll get the cheapest free. It’s valid in participating stores (excludes franchises) across Great Britain, not just in London – though the further away from London you are, the more chance the branch might not have heard of it and reject it.
Tesco points double-upCurrently you can swap every £5 of Clubcard vouchers for a £10 voucher valid in-store and online on items including Garden & BBQs, Opticians, Clothing, Toys, Home, cook & dine, Mobile phones & accessories, Skin care, cosmetics & fragrance, Electricals, Entertainment & books, Gaming, Sports & leisure, Travel & camping, yet it ends on Sunday.
Kids’ book sale – Guinness World Records £5Go online to children’s bookseller Scholastic and you’ll find more than 100 popular kids’ books from £1 each until Friday 3 July. There’s a minimum £10 spend on books, plus you’ll need to factor in the £3 delivery charge. The £1 books include Horrible Histories, SpongeBob SquarePants and Horrid Henry. Plus you can get the Guinness World Records 2015 for £5 (usually £12-£15).