Free ISA guide inside plus 50% off M&S and a Mini Cooper to be won!

Published: Tue, 03/20/12

Problems viewing this email? Click here to view it in your browser

Share this email:

Hi ,

This week sees George Osborne, armed with his red briefcase, deliver the annual budget which will affect us all. I'm one step ahead of the Chancellor with an article on how you can make your own budget and save towards something special.

So where to keep all this spare cash? Well, you could do a lot worse than put it in Santander's 123 current account, which offers up to 3% interest, or you could invest in a stakeholder pension before the 6 April deadline.

Finally, don't miss your chance to win a Mini Cooper! You're just a few clicks away from owning a piece of classic British culture.

THE ONE THING YOU MUST DO THIS WEEK

Get up to 3% interest on your savings...

At a time when most current accounts offer no interest on your money at all, Santander's 123 Account offers an excellent interest rate of up to 3% on your savings.

But that's not all - it gives you big cashback bonuses too. You'll automatically earn cashback on your bills, Direct Debits and standing orders.

The 123 Account gives you 1% cashback on your water and council tax bills; 2% cashback on your gas and electricity; and 3% cashback on your home phone, broadband and paid TV packages.

We've calculated that the average family of four could earn around £120 a year cashback with this account, while the average couple could expect around £80 a year.

So what's the catch? Well, you have to pay a £2 monthly fee to get all this (£24 a year) - but even a single person with low bills could expect to earn around £35 in cashback alone.

And don't forget the excellent rate of interest: you get 1% interest on balances of £1,000+, 2% on balances of £2,000+, and a fantastic 3% on balances of £3,000+.

So an account holding £5,000 would earn £150 a year in interest (most current accounts give you zilch), PLUS you get a big wodge of cashback money as well!

See how much you could save by clicking here.

GRAB YOUR FREE GUIDE TO THE BEST ISA INVESTMENT IDEAS

Want the chance to earn great returns on your cash? My advice is to invest in a Stocks and Shares ISA (that's what I do!).

There's a whole article explaining what they are and why they're good below - but one thing I recommend you do right now is get yourself a FREE copy of this brilliant, easy-to-understand guide: Top Investment Ideas for Your ISA.

Click here to download your copy.

It shows you:

How to choose ISA funds
How to invest
Some top ISA picks

Download your FREE guide now for the pick of the best ISA ideas.

Get your copy here.

MAKING A BUDGET

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is budget day. George Osborne is going to take us through his plans for the coming year on what he intends to borrow and spend.

Today is your budget day! My special article on making your own budget will help you make huge savings this year. Maybe even enough to take that holiday you've been dreaming of. Find out more.

Catch me on Sky News tomorrow to find out what I think about the budget, or if you prefer, listen to BBC Radio Devon from 7am or BBC Radio London from 6pm to hear my thoughts.

STAKEHOLDER PENSIONS - SIMPLE, CHEAP AND WORTH HAVING

From 6 April 2012, you'll be unable to contract out of the additional State Pension in order to invest in a stakeholder pension.

Read this article on why it's well worth considering investing money in a stakeholder pension now in order to enjoy the tax relief benefits available.

STOCKS AND SHARES ISAS - HOW TO PICK THE BEST

Stocks and shares ISAs have the potential to make you a lot more money than cash ISAs in the long term. There are impressive returns to be had, not to mention the substantial tax protection.

This up-to-date article has everything you need to know.

GET HOT DEALS WITH GROUP-BUYING SITES

We all love a bargain but sometimes it's hard to get what you want at a discount price. Enter the world of group buying, where you and your friends can help each other get the very best deals.

It's loads of fun and a great way of saving big money on the things you want. Get all the info here.

WIN A MINI COOPER!

It's a British classic, a cultural icon, a red carpet star and it's easy to see why. The Mini Cooper may be small in size but it's big on style, fun and excitement. Perfect for life in the city; great for those motorway miles; and if you and your friends have a little job to do in Italy...?

Enter now to own this car.

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

easyfundraising.org.uk is a great website that donates money to charity every time you shop online. Thousands of charities are represented on the site including the NSPCC, Cancer Research UK and Help for Heroes; you can even register your own charity!

I think it's a great idea - you don't pay anything more for shopping with your favourite retailers but you're safe in the knowledge that your money's going to a good cause. What a fantastic excuse for a bit of retail therapy!

P.S. BEAT YOUR BREAKDOWN RENEWAL PRICE!

To help curb your costs this spring, insurers Green Flag are offering to beat the renewal price of your AA and RAC 2012 breakdown cover. They already help 4.5 million drivers, getting to you in an average of just 39 minutes. They also cover your vehicle rather than the driver, so you'll be protected no matter who's driving.

This very special offer is available until 13 April 2012 to new customers who have a vehicle less than 10 years old. So join Green Flag now and save money!

P.P.S. JASMINE ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS!

I've recently launched a new section in Jasmine's World called 'Ask Jasmine'. It's your chance to ask me any financial question you like. Each week I'll select the best question to publish here.

This week's featured question comes courtesy of Michael Dubois from Templepatrick in Ireland:

Q: I have an Avios account with zero points. Avios currently have a promotion offering bonus points with 'new' customers of Shell, Tesco, Lloyds & BA but you must have at least 1 point on your Avios account. Can you suggest a way of crediting my Avios account prior to supporting the nominated merchants?

Click here to read my response.

Great question, Michael - a prize is on its way to you now!

Have you got a financial question you need answering? Don't be shy, ask me here!

Have a great week,

Jasmine Birtles, March 2012

TOP TRAVEL DEALS

1. EasyJet: 100 holidays for £100 up for grabs now!	2. KGB: Luxury Welsh getaway for two just £69.
3. Voyage Prive: 57% off luxury stay in Greece plus £20 voucher.	4. Virgin Holidays: Spring Sale ends TODAY!

BARGAIN BOX

50% off M&S sale... save yourself £££s on hundreds of goodies in this massive new sale. Includes fashion, home and food items - fantastic. Shop here .

Huge discount on long-lasting batteries... get a massive 68% off these AA batteries from Dealtastic. There's 60 in a pack and they're yours for £12.95 - usual price £39.99! Order here.

35% off Jersey Boys tickets... head over to DiscountTheatre.com and bag yourself discounted tickets to this incredible West End show. Offer ends tomorrow evening. Order here.

Up to 40% off new season shoes... if only the prettiest shoes will do, this new sale from Debenhams is the one for you. Save a small fortune on hundreds of stunning designs. Shop here .

50% off at The Body Shop... make-up, body butters and shower gels are all up for grabs in this lovely new sale. Discounts are only available while stocks last. Shop here.

COLUMNISTS

Yahoo's 18 and getting on a bit... according to our finance columnist who looks at corporate ageing.

Men are more revealing than women online... as Jasmine discovers in her latest column.

Getting lippy... Samantha Downes enjoys a make-up trial.

Give as good as you get... advises Jasmine as she looks at giving stuff away (and getting a little back).

We love otters. We love Benedict Cumberbatch. We love otters that look like Benedict Cumberbatch.

This is your free email newsletter from Moneymagpie.com, the site that helps you take control of your finances and build a richer life. Nothing in this email should be taken as financial advice - please do your own research based on your own specific circumstances. Any action taken is at your own risk.

We won't try to sell you anything, or give your details away to other people. Promise.