Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert Freebies and Promotional Offers

MoneySavingExpert (MSE), the consumer advice website founded by Martin Lewis, regularly identifies and verifies a range of freebies, promotional offers, and financial incentives available to consumers. Based on the provided source material, MSE highlights opportunities that include direct cash incentives, switching bonuses, product coupons, government-backed energy efficiency schemes, and benefit entitlement checks. These offers span various categories, such as financial services, food and beverage, and household goods. The following overview details the specific freebies and schemes identified by MSE, including eligibility requirements, redemption processes, and the nature of the offers.

Financial Incentives and Bank Switching Bonuses

One of the most prominent categories of freebies identified by MSE involves bank account switching incentives. These offers provide substantial cash or product bonuses to customers who transfer their current accounts to new providers.

Virgin Money Bank Account Switch MSE identified a high-value offer from Virgin Money, described as the "best switching offer available right now." This promotion provides new customers with 15 bottles of wine claimed to be worth £180 upon switching their bank account to Virgin Money. In addition to the wine, the account offers a 2.02% AER variable interest rate on balances up to £1,000. MSE emphasized the time-sensitive nature of this offer, advising consumers to act quickly as it may not remain available for long. The requirement to switch banks is the primary condition for receiving this freebie.

M&S Bank Credit Card Offer Another financial incentive highlighted by MSE is the £40 cash offer for signing up for an M&S Bank credit card. This offer is contingent upon the applicant being accepted for the credit card. In addition to the £40 cash incentive, successful applicants receive a guaranteed 0% interest period for 18 months. This type of offer combines a direct cash reward with a longer-term financial benefit regarding interest-free borrowing.

Pick My Postcode MSE featured a daily prize draw scheme called Pick My Postcode (formerly known as Free Postcode Lottery). This is a free-to-enter competition where participants can win cash prizes. The main daily jackpot is currently £200, which rolls over if not claimed. The largest prize claimed through the scheme since its inception in 2011 was £2,500. Participants can also earn a daily bonus of 3p for checking the site, which is added to any winnings. The scheme is funded by advertisements and links to freebies and surveys on its website. MSE notes that this should not be confused with the Postcode Lottery, which requires payment to play.

Product Samples and Coupons

MSE regularly curates lists of available product freebies, particularly focusing on food and beverage items available through digital coupons and app-based promotions.

Supermarket Coupons MSE maintains a weekly updated list of supermarket coupons. At the time of the reporting, the list featured 13 different coupons for free food and drinks. Specific examples identified include: * PG Tips: A digital coupon available through the site provides a free box of PG tips valued at £2.50. * Lindt Chocolate: An app-based hack allows consumers to obtain a free bar of Lindt chocolate worth £2. * Jord Oat Milk: Another app-based offer provides a free carton of Jord Oat Milk valued at £1.80.

These offers typically require the consumer to access a digital coupon or utilize a specific application function to redeem the free product at a participating retailer.

Government-Backed Energy Efficiency Schemes

MSE identifies government initiatives that provide free home improvements, categorizing them as valuable "freebies" that can result in significant long-term savings.

Great British Insulation Scheme MSE is urging low earners to check their eligibility for the Great British Insulation Scheme. This government-backed initiative offers free insulation or even a new boiler to qualifying households. The potential value of these measures is up to £3,500, with the potential to save households an average of nearly £1,500 per year on energy bills.

Eligibility for this scheme is divided into specific categories:

Low Income Category: To qualify under this category, applicants must:
- Own their home.
- Have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rated D or lower.
- Have at least one person in the household claiming a qualifying benefit (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Child Benefit, Income Support, or Housing Benefit).
- Alternatively, eligibility extends to those living in social housing or considered by their local council to be on a low income (total household income under £31,000 annually) and vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home.
General Group: For those not meeting the low income criteria, there is a "general group" that may still qualify for free insulation, although a free boiler is typically not included in this category.

The process involves filling out a free online eligibility tracker. If eligible, the applicant's energy supplier contacts them within 10 days to arrange a property assessment.

Benefit Entitlement Checks

MSE highlights the significant amount of unclaimed financial support available through the benefits system, framing the check for eligibility as a crucial step in securing financial aid.

Unclaimed Benefits Research cited by MSE suggests that over eight million people are missing out on a share of £25 billion in unclaimed benefits across eight different types of support. MSE urges consumers to check their entitlements using their free Benefits Calculator, which can determine eligibility in approximately 10 minutes. The organization emphasizes that while eligibility criteria vary, consumers should not assume they do not qualify.

Council Tax Support Specifically, MSE notes the availability of Council Tax Support, which can reduce council tax bills by an average of roughly £1,300 annually. This benefit is intended for people on low incomes. However, the qualification rules and the application process differ from one council to another.

Conclusion

The freebies and promotional offers identified by MoneySavingExpert cover a diverse array of consumer needs and opportunities. From immediate financial rewards like bank switching bonuses and cashback credit cards to practical household savings via government insulation schemes, the offers require varying levels of action from the consumer. These include switching financial providers, signing up for credit products, entering daily prize draws, clipping digital coupons, and checking eligibility for government and benefit programs. Many of the most valuable offers, such as the Virgin Money wine bonus and the M&S credit card cash incentive, are explicitly time-sensitive, requiring prompt action. Furthermore, MSE emphasizes the importance of verifying personal eligibility for significant support schemes like the Great British Insulation Scheme and unclaimed benefits, which can provide substantial long-term financial relief.