2 for 1 on attractions with cheap train tickets!
2 for 1 attractions when you buy a cheap train ticket, you can switch and save if you’re on prepay energy, free £8ish Lancôme beauty sample and John Lewis ‘sale matching’ a 25% off event. These are our Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis’ 90 Second Savers.
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.
2for1 attractions with National Rail
Buy a National Rail ticket and register and print a voucher from Days out Guide to get 2for1 entry to some top UK attractions, including Westminster Abbey, London Eye, Madame Tussauds, London Zoo, The Edinburgh Dungeon, Legoland, Sea Life Blackpool and more (see the full offers list).
You need to print a voucher for the relevant attraction (follow the link above and search for it) AND have a valid rail ticket bought from National Rail on the same day. It's worth doing this even if you’re not travelling by train – a cheap single ticket is available for a couple of quid, far cheaper than the entry ticket price (Thorpe Park is the most expensive at £50 on the gate).
Just stop by the nearest station on your way and pick one up, then present both to get your 2for1. Crucially, your rail ticket must show that you have travelled to one of the stations nearest the attraction.
The offer's ongoing, but check the voucher for each individual attraction's restrictions, as these vary.
‘I switched prepay energy and saved £140/year’
Last week I explained how much the majority of people were throwing away by overpaying on energy bills. On the back of it many people contacted me to ask: “I’m on a key or card prepayment meter can I save too?” The simple answer is yes, but let me run you through it.
No spiel - switching prepay tariffs isn't as lucrative as it is for other energy users - yet many can save. As Kate tweeted: "Didn't think I could switch as on prepay meter but switched this AM saving £140 a year plus cashback."
It only takes five minutes to do this, just plug in where you live and your usage into a comparison website. To do this you can use Martin’s Cheap Energy Club. It also gives £30 dual fuel (£15 electricity only) cashback if you switch via it, and then monitors your tariff to check you’re still on a cheap deal. Alternatively go via any Ofgem approved comparison site. If you’re in energy debt (many are switched to prepay due to debts) you can still switch as long as it’s under £500, though of course you’ll still have to pay it off.
As your comparison will show, finally there's a bit more choice for those on prepay. Fixes let you lock in at a set rate, ensuring no price hikes. Though of course, if you use more, you’ll pay more.
It is also worth considering if you can change to a normal billed meter – the type most people have, where usage is measured, and you're billed after. While some prefer prepay for budgeting, pay a billed meter by direct debit on the cheapest tariff, and you could pay nearer £900 a year, not £1,200. Not everyone's allowed to change though, and some suppliers charge for changing – so do investigate this first.
Free £8ish Lancôme beauty sample
Head to your nearest Lancôme counter (available in many department stores, Boots and some pharmacies) and just ask for a 5ml sample of either Genifique serum or Visionnaire serum - you'll only get one at a time. Based on the full-sized 30ml versions, these freebies are worth about £8.There are 500,000 samples available so go quick if you want one. You can also get a free 15-minute face pampering session. Of course they may be swamped, and will almost certainly try and upsell you other products too.
John Lewis ‘sale matching’ 25% off
Go online to John Lewis or to your nearest store, where it's matching an "unnamed competitor's promotion". Now by pure coincidence, there’s an up to 25% off sale at Debenhams, so I expect John Lewis to be offering discounts on the same items (this is what has happened in the past).
The Debenhams event is online and in stores until Sunday 1 March and has up to 25% off items from all departments - but only 10% off beauty and fragrances. Delivery's £3.99 or collect from a store for free.