Are you getting the best Isa deal?

By Staff Writer Ruth Jackson Aug 28, 2009

Ruth Jackson

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National Savings and Investments (NS&I) has doubled the rate of interest it pays on its cash Isa. Its Direct account now pays 2.5%, up from 1.3%. But it's still not a best buy. Intelligent Finance's instant-access cash Isa pays 2.75%, whilst Standard Life's Direct Access Isa offers 2.65%.

• Cheap flights never seem to end up being as cheap as you expect, due to all the hidden charges. For example, "how on earth can 'paying for the flight' or 'checking in' be deemed added extras"? asks Martin Lewis in The Daily Telegraph. But there are still ways you can cut the cost. Make sure you opt out of the travel insurance many budget airlines will automatically opt you in for. Scan the page, find the relevant box and uncheck it. And while you'll need some form of travel insurance, check you have not already bought multi-trip insurance for an earlier trip. Failing that, you can get a single-trip policy cheaper elsewhere (try Moneysupermarket.com).

If you are looking for a cheap flight, try www.flightchecker.co.uk, says Lewis. This site allows you to search for all cheap flights going to a specific destination. Or you can simply say how much you are willing to pay and then opt to search for your chosen destination.

• Beat baggage fees by making sure you don't go over the weight limits. If you know you are going to cut it fine, then pack with cunning. "Wear your heaviest shoes, coat and a couple of jumpers" as you check in. You can take them off as soon as you get through security, as once you are into the departures shopping zone nobody – unsurprisingly – seems to bother about weight limits.

• Avoid sky-high dealer repair costs for everyday cosmetic dents on your car by contacting local mobile dent repair companies such as Dentman or Dent Devils. With basic repair work usually costing under £100, these smaller companies are often cheaper than dealerships.

Instead of covering up or filling in dents – the classic bodge job – paintless dent repair companies work from the inside of body panels, using metal rods and picks to massage out dents. It takes an experienced technician ten to 20 minutes to push out a dent in this way. Both of these companies offer a mobile service, which means quick work and convenience – no trekking back and forth to a garage and having to leave your car there.

• There are some excellent moneysaving vouchers and codes knocking around this week. For example, shoppers can get 15% off cosmetics at Benefitcosmetics.co.uk by entering the code MSCRGSLL at the checkout, says Martin Lewis of Moneysavingexpert.com. You can also get £5 off an order of £15 or more with Dominos if you order online and enter the code LNFYNRRR.

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Published in Personal finance | More articles by Ruth Jackson

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