Beat the crowds and start using this year’s individual savings account (Isa) allowance now instead of waiting until the last minute next April. Newcastle Building Society is offering a rate of 3.4% on its Balance Builder Isa. You just need to make nine monthly contributions of between £100 and £500 over the year. This account also allows you to transfer in any existing Isas. That’s a market-beating rate for transfers, given that you can have instant access to your money. I’d snap up this Isa, because it probably won’t hang about for long.
• Overpay your mortgage without penalty. Coventry Building Society has launched two new fixed-rate mortgages that allow people to overpay without paying penalties. There is a two-year fixed mortgage with a rate of 3.99% available to people with a 35% deposit. The second option is a three-year 4.49% fixed deal for anyone with a 25% deposit.
• There’s a new best-buy credit card for balance transfers. Santander has finally knocked Virgin Money off its perch at the top of the credit card best-buy table. Santander’s new card offers 0% on balance transfers for 15 months, whereas Virgin Money has reduced its deal to 14 months. But the transfer fee with Santander is 3% (it’s 2.98% with Virgin).
• Nationwide is sending customers to the cash machine. From 7 June, Nationwide customers with cash cards who want to withdraw less than £100 from their account will have to use a cash machine. The move is to reduce queues in branches.
• Get into Alton Towers for half price. If you are planning a trip to Alton Towers this spring then act now to cut the cost. Raring2go.co.uk have a voucher that allows adults entry to the park for £17 and children for £12. On the day, tickets cost £38 and £29 respectively, so that is a huge saving. Just register on the Raring2Go website and print off the voucher.
• Buy The Daily Telegraph. Get a copy of either Saturday or Sunday’s paper (17 or 18 April) to get a voucher for £10 off a £75 shop at Waitrose.