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Need to borrow? Do it INTEREST-FREE for up to 23 months with the top 0% spending cards
Deals are getting shorter - if you've a big planned purchase, consider doing it now

Credit cards are like fire. Used right, they're a useful tool, but used wrong, they'll burn. If you need to borrow, then top 0% spending credit cards give you interest-free debt for around two years - unbeatable over that time period. Yet the market for these cards, as with balance transfers, is changing. NatWest recently cut its previously market-leading deal from 23mths at 0% to 21mths, and we don't know how long these current best buys will be around - so consider acting quick. But first, a warning...

• Only use these cards for planned, affordable, one-off expenditures. Be careful - you'll need to be able to make at least the minimum monthly repayments, and pay it off within the 0% period or you'll pay 23%+ interest. If in doubt, don't do it.
  
  - What if I need to borrow to cover gaps in income? It's never a good idea to do this, as it's not a long-term solution - think about what's likely to change in the next two years that'll mean you can pay the debt then. If you've no answer, it's likely borrowing will only compound the problem. Yet times are tough, and if it's the only option, this type of borrowing's at least cheaper than a lot of others. If you're already struggling with debt, don't borrow more - see below for help.
  
  
• Will you be accepted? Don't just apply. It's better to use our 0% Purchase Card Eligibility Calc to find which cards you've the best chance of getting without hitting your credit score. It includes the best buys below...

• Need to borrow to buy something but the store won't take credit card? If so, you'll need a 0% money transfer card, or if it's for £3,000+, see Cheap loans.
  
  
• Follow the 0% Card Golden Rules. Full info in 0% credit cards, but in brief...
  a) Always pay at least the set monthly minimum and stick within the credit limit, or you can lose the 0% offer.
  b) These cards are usually only top picks for spending - avoid cash withdrawals or shifting debt to them.
  c) Plan to clear the card (or balance-transfer away) before the 0% period ends, or the rate jumps to the rep APR.
  
  
• In debt crisis? Get free debt help. The info above is for those that can afford repayments. But if you're having sleepless nights or depression/anxiety over debt, struggling to meet monthly repayments or your total debt (excluding mortgage/student loan) is over a year's salary, you're at risk of debt crisis.
  
  The best thing to do is get free, one-to-one debt counselling help from Citizens Advice, StepChange or National Debtline. And if you need emotional support, try CAP. They're there to help, not judge. The most common thing we hear after is: "I finally got a good night's sleep." And don't feel alone, there's no stigma, you can sort this. Read inspiring stories in our Debt-free wannabe forum, and see our Mental health & debt and Debt crisis help guides.

Home insurance costs UP by nearly 30%
Check NOW if you can LOCK IN a price till 2024 & save £100s

Latest home insurance prices have been heading only one way - and that's up. According to research firm Pearson Ham, home insurance has soared by 26% in the last year and, in its latest half-year results, big insurer Admiral has stated it's likely to continue to increase prices. So EVERYONE should check now if they can save - as if you can lock in a decent price today's, you can forestall rises until next year. Our Cheap home insurance guide shows how you can save, but here's our seven-point plan in brief...

1. NEVER auto-renew. Always check what's out there, as your insurer's not necessarily going to have the market's cheapest policy, as Malcom emailed: "My elderly neighbour's 2023 renewal was £463 - I found her an almost identical policy for £248, a massive £215 saving! This is a great result from taking your advice from the newsletter and the TV shows."
   
   
2. Establish what cover you need. Everyone, including renters, should consider contents insurance, but buildings insurance is usually only for freehold homeowners (otherwise it's usually the management company or landlord's responsibility, check your lease/contract). To work out what's covered by each, imagine turning your home upside down. If it falls, it's contents. If it stays, it's usually buildings.
   
   - Contents insurance: beware underinsuring. Many underinsure, thinking: "I'd never claim for everything." But if you only insure half your contents' worth, you may only get half the payout. Use a contents calculator.
   
   - Buildings insurance: beware overinsuring. Many wrongly insure for their home's market value, but what counts is how much it'd cost to rebuild if it were knocked down or gutted by fire. Use a rebuild cost calculator to find out.
   
   
3. COMBINE comparison sites for 100s of quotes in minutes. Whichever cover you're going for, this is the route. Comparison sites zip your info to dozens of insurers and brokers at once. Yet don't just use one as a) they can cover different insurers, and b) they often have different prices for the same firm.
   
   Our current order is 1) Compare The Market*, 2) MoneySupermarket*, 3) Confused.com* (see how we order it). These sites are best for those with standard circumstances - if that's not you, and you find it tough to get quotes, see help if you're struggling to get insurance.
   
   
4. See if you can beat your cheapest comparison site price. If you've time, adding insurers comparisons miss, promo deals and cashback sites can bag you a cheaper price.
   
   - Biggie Direct Line* doesn't appear on comparisons and can be competitive for some.
   - Urban Jungle* gives a £15 Amazon voucher after seven months when you use the code MSE_OFFER.
   - If you're a member of cashback sites Quidco or Topcashback, you can do a comparison through them, and get up to £33 back. But check prices are the same through these comparisons as the main ones. See cashback help info.
   
   
5. Haggle. If you want to stick with your existing firm, tell it you want to stay, but ask if it can match your cheapest price from steps 2 and 3 - it will often work. See home insurance haggling help.
   
   
6. Not at renewal? It's still worth checking if you can save. Check to see if you can find prices cheaper. If you can make a substantial saving, provided you haven't claimed this year, you can cancel your policy and usually get a pro-rata refund if you paid upfront, minus a £35ish admin fee (and you don't earn this year's no-claims discounts). Plus you forestall rises for another year. See switch home insurance mid-year for more help.
   
   
7. Ensure the policy's right for you before buying. Go through the main terms to check you're happy, and check the firm you're buying from is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (that shouldn't usually be a problem through the methods above). And remember, if you have a claim unfairly rejected, that means you've a right to escalate any complaints to the free Financial Ombudsman if the insurer doesn't deal with them.