How to halt soaring energy costs

Huge predicted hikes in wholesale energy prices mean there are strong rumours that gas & electricity costs will soar between 20 and 35% this summer/autumn, which could put many people’s bills up by £200 a year.

If this happens, grabbing a tariff now which caps the price you spend should save you some serious cash. It means paying another 10% extra for now but less in the long run.

If surety is important and if you're financially on the brink it is best to gamble. If prices don’t rise you’re not locked in so you can always switch back.

To ensure you have the best energy deal, read Martin's full Cheapest Gas & Electricity guide.

Fantastic plastic to use abroad

Holidaymakers have some good news from Abbey whose Zero credit card is now the best for using overseas. Not only is there no foreign exchange fee but it doesn’t charge a fee if you need to take out cash from an ATM when abroad.

The Abbey card is great for anyone needing a new card to use overseas. But there’s no need to switch if you already have the other two leading cards from Nationwide or the Post Office as they are still essential travel companions.

For extra tips to cut the cost abroad, read Martin's full Spending Overseas article.

 
Are you Game for a cheap deal?

Nintendo refurbished GameCubes can be picked up for just £12.99 from Game stores. And, as part of the promotion, Game's also selling four preowned games for £10 so you can pick up a console plus four games for under £25, though it's best to call the store to check availability before making a special journey. Unfortunately not all Nintendo games are being sold so cheaply, such as the hugely popular Mario Kart.

For more information read the GameCube Forum note.