2 ace ways to make money PLUS £2 airport parking and an 80% Debenhams discount

Published: Tue, 04/17/12

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Hi ,

There aren't many things that really get my blood boiling (lack of tea and cake, for example), but the hardship faced by first-time buyers is one of them! As mortgage rates continue to rise and the base rate stays firmly put, getting on the property ladder is as tough as ever. Well, I've decided enough is enough and compiled this guide to upping your mortgage chances.

I've also got goodies galore for you this week - as if free kids' holiday accommodation, £2 airport parking and 70% off at Debenhams (see our Bargain Box below for an extra 10% off) weren't enough, I'm also giving you the chance to win a luxurious Fortnum & Mason hamper worth £175!

Finally, I'm still on the hunt for a name for our faithful Magpie Mascot. Send me your suggestions and, if I think yours is the best, you'll receive a £250 holiday voucher!
 
Now where's the tea and cake...?

THE THREE THINGS YOU MUST DO THIS WEEK 

The Legal & General UK Alpha Trust - Invest before May 31 2012 and get 50% cashback on your 2012 annual management charge.
 
Realise your investment potential with Legal & General's UK Alpha Trust. The fund selects a concentrated portfolio of companies, and aims to deliver long-term returns. Get expert fund management from their experienced team and benefit from their unique approach to stock picking. Terms and conditions apply. Please remember the value of your investment and any income from it may fall as well as rise, is not guaranteed and you may get back less than you invest.


Get free kids' holiday accommodation and hotel deposits from just £10 pp!
 
Fabulous holiday site On the Beach have some fantastic deals on at the moment - with their Kids' Clubs hotels offering FREE accommodation for children and a brand new £10 deposit scheme launched for Summer 2012.

The Kids' Club hotels are great. You could be lounging at a luxurious 5-star hotel in Lanzarote or splashing around at an action-packed water park resort in Sharm El Sheikh - all with your kids staying absolutely free!

Meanwhile their new £10 deposit scheme is great for people who want flexibility. After paying the FULL deposit you'll then have until FOUR WEEKS before the holiday to pay off the remainder of your balance - either through a lump sum or instalments. Easy! Find out more right here.


Knock 60% off the price of airport parking.

Pre-book with Park & Go and save up to 60% on what you would have paid just turning up and parking on the day.
 
Park & Go offer rock-bottom prices at 25 airports across the UK, including Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Luton, Birmingham and many others. They have some amazing discounts, offering airport parking from just £2 a day!  
 
Save yourself a packet this summer by booking your airport parking here now.

CAN'T GET CREDIT? DON'T WORRY - THERE'S A CARD FOR YOU!

If you've been turned down for credit but want all the benefits of a credit card, look no further!  The Vanquis Credit Card offers sensible, manageable starting limits of £150-1,000, helping you keep control of your finances while spreading the cost of your purchases.

As long as you keep on top of your balance, you'll get 56 days' interest-free credit on purchases, giving you the breathing space to manage your money.  While you spend you'll also be repairing your credit rating, helping make your financial future much brighter.

The simple, five-minute online application is backed up by Vanquis's friendly UK-based customer service staff, who are on hand to make the process completely stress free.

Apply for the Vanquis Credit Card here.

SPRING CLEAN YOUR FINANCES

Spring is finally in the air, so what better time for a financial spring clean?  Get organised, start saving and make some extra money! I've got a very simple step-by-step guide for you to follow to make this a painless process - leaving you ready to face the new tax year.

Sorting out all your finances could save you thousands of pounds a year, so what are you waiting for? Get started now.

MAKE MONEY AS AN EXAM INVIGILATOR (SQUEAKY SHOES NEED NOT APPLY)

Exam time... I remember all the frantic cramming, scribbled notes and the squeaky shoes of the invigilator striding up and down the rows. They weren't just doing it for kicks; invigilating exams can actually be a nice little money spinner, and practically anyone can do it. Find out how.

HOW TO UP YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING A MORTGAGE

Getting a mortgage can be tough. There's no shortage of people wanting to get on the property ladder - but the lending criteria are so tight that many first-time buyers are struggling to do so.

I'm not happy about this, so I've put together this simple guide to upping your mortgage chances and getting on the property ladder. I've got the steps you can take to help increase your chances of getting your dream home. Read on.

MAKE MONEY WITH VINTAGE CLOTHING

It's official: second hand is sexy! That's right, vintage clothing is in and it's big business. Endorsements from fashion icons like supermodel Kate Moss and top stylist Bay Garnett have helped charity shop fashion take hold on the high street.
 
You can cash in on this sudden wave of thrift shop chic by rifling through the back of your wardrobe, heading down to your local charity shop and keeping an eye out for hidden gems wherever you go. Then all you have to do is find the right buyer to make a tidy profit!  Learn all the secrets here.

WIN A FORTNUM & MASON HAMPER WORTH £175!

There's no better way to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee than with this lavish Fortnum & Mason signature hamper!
 
Filled with wonderful delights such as Majestic Marmalade, Jubilee Tea & Coffee and chocolate-dipped clotted cream digestives, all decorated with the specially-commissioned Jubilee design.
 

P.S. NAME THE MAGPIE AND WIN A £250 HOLIDAY VOUCHER!

There are less than two weeks left for you to name the faithful Moneymagpie mascot!

I've had some brilliant suggestions so far, but there's still time for you to take your place in Moneymagpie history!

There's a £250 voucher for travel site On The Beach for the best Magpie moniker received.

To enter, simply head over to the Moneymagpie Facebook page and leave a post saying:

"Hello Jasmine!  I'd like to name your Money Magpie [enter name]."

The winner will be announced on Monday 30 April 2012.  Entries must be received by 3pm on that day.  Good luck!

P.P.S. HANDPICKED TRAVEL DEALS


1. Lastminute.com: up to 50% off spa breaks for two PLUS last-second holiday deals from just £239.

2. Premier Inn: Big Bank Holiday Sale - hotel rooms for just £19! Offer ends Monday. Book right here.

3. Groupon: 39% off a stunning holiday for two to 4* Lake Garda. Prices start from just £255 including flights.
Book right here.
4. Radisson Blu: a massive 20% off your hotel break when you book 21-28 days in advance. Book right here.

Have a great week,
 
 
Jasmine Birtles, April 2012


 

MOST READ

BARGAIN BOX

£12 Travelodge sale... get a room for just £12 for stays between 1 September - 30 December. Hurry though as they sell out fast! Premier Inn also have a £19 room sale (until 23 April) for stays between 3 May - 10 June. Again you'll need to be quick!
Get 6 issues of Marie Claire delivered for £6... then it's just £14.99 for 6 more issues. That's a whopping 72% cheaper than at the newsagents, PLUS you get a free gift worth £35 by clicking here.
Free entry to National Trust attractions... this weekend (April 21-22) you can explore over 200 National Trust attractions for free. Just download your free entry voucher (and see what's on near you) here.
70% off at Debenhams... get up to 70% off at Debenhams with their Blue Cross sale. Plus you can get an extra 10% off most items by using discount code TX77. Grab a discount bargain here.


Get money-savvy with these FREE guides from finance experts Dianomi.

COLUMNISTS

The big mortgage con... and my predictions for the coming months.
Have insurance, will travel... Hilaire Gomer looks at travel insurance for over 50s.
Mobile savings and freebies... I made a video with O2 to show how much you can save with your phone.

This week's prize question comes courtesy of Malc Holmes from Coventry who wanted to know if pensioners can get home loans.

Read my response here!

If you've got a question, don't be shy, ask me here!

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.

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