Cash for phones

There are so many television adverts for mobile phone-buying websites offering cash for old handsets. But the price they pay varies daily, based on the company and the phone. For example, on one day the same 16GB iPhone4 in good condition could earn between £114.07 and £255 (for top condition).

So it really is worth a rummage through your drawers to see if your old handset is worth anything.

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Money myths, separate fact from fiction

Did you know that you accidentally swallow eight spiders a year in your sleep? Or that you only use 10 per cent of your brain? Fortunately, these are not true. They are urban myths.
But there are worse myths abound in the money world, which can be dangerous as they lead to bad decision making.

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It's time to haggle

We will barter with the best in a holiday market but on home turf many become complacent and cowardly, thinking that haggling is rude. Yet when demand is low, companies prefer to reduce prices than lose custom.

Right now, when sales are still on, the high-street is open to reductions.

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Make your new year's resolutions count

Is it wrong to admit a secret love of January? For one month only, being savvy with cash becomes sexy. People lust to sit down and tackle bills. So let me take advantage of this and suggest the key money-saving resolutions that could save thousands.

● I resolve to… properly assess my finances

I am sure you know how much you earn but do you know how much you spend each year?

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Be quick on returns

Chanucah is over and you may have a drawer full of tat you want to return.

In my last column, I wrote about your return rights but, with the January sales now upon us, here are a couple of points that you must understand when taking things back.

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My gift: a lesson in the law of returns

With Chanucah and Christmas coinciding this year, if you're buying for yourself, family and colleagues, the list could be serious. Far too many people throw cash away thinking "I can always exchange it later".

Often that's just wrong. Shops can be sticklers at this time of year, so the only way to protect your pocket is bone up on your legal consumer rights.

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Activate paid-for bank accounts

I've never been a big fan of bank accounts that charge you up to £25 a month just to have them. Yet, in some cases, the additional travel, mobile and breakdown cover they give offers real benefits.

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Saving accounts - they're child's play

The new ISA has just launched and it is just for kids. Yet not every child is eligible and even if they are, it is not always the right deal. So here are my top ten things that everyone should know about children's savings accounts:

With Chanucah approaching, if you are planning to splash out on the kids why not buy them less and put the money in the bank instead?

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Are you paying too much tax?

Hundreds of thousands of people may miss out on tax refunds if they are not careful. Six million new refunds were recently discovered by the Revenue during an annual check. Yet underpayments were also found meaning you may owe more.

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End of Airmiles

The Airmiles reward scheme is being turned upside down and the big news that will leave many growling is that you will need to pay taxes and charges when redeeming flights.

On 16 November Avios will launch. Effectively it is a merger of the Airmiles, British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus rewards programmes.

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The credit cards that come up trumps

Credit cards could be more beneficial than you think. Provided you neuter their borrowing ability, for many, credit cards are by far the best way to spend.

Not only do you get extra consumer protection but get the right ones - cashback cards - and you get paid to use them. Better still, now is the perfect time to grab one as you can get a lot of cashback over the next couple of months.

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It's time to start saving... for Chanucah

Chanucah is coming. Now I hate the early creep of festivities as much as the next person, but if you want to have more and pay less there are some things you need to do soonish.

January is always a frustrating time to be a Money Saving Expert. Many people complain that they are broke because of all the present giving during Chanucah.

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Money Mensch: Loans to mortgages can be a big trap

It feels like a no-brainer: shift expensive credit cards and loans onto a cheap mortgage and, bazinga, you're quids in.

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Money Mensch: Texting for free

Many packages include free texts but for those that don't, costs can soon add up - some providers charge 10p a go.

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Tesco treats for its Clubcard holders

If you are one of the millions holstering a Tesco Clubcard in your wallet, it is time to sit up and listen. Tesco's latest Clubcard vouchers flopped through letterboxes this month, earned by spending at the giant.

To coincide, it has relaunched its double your vouchers' value in-store promo.

Yet it is possible to further play Clubcard points like a symphony. I am going to show you how.

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Free West End show

It is Kids Week, meaning that from 12 August to 4 September a child aged between five and 16 can see West End shows for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult. Up to two additional children can also get half price tickets in the same transaction.

There are 31 shows to choose from including Shrek and The Wizard of Oz.

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How to drive down your petrol costs

It is no longer safe to mention the cost of petrol and diesel in a public place.

The vapours of fury from everyone in earshot are enough to send even the most placid vicar into apoplexy.

For many households, putting fuel in the tank has become one of their biggest bills, costing thousands a year - up there with mortgage or rent, and gas and electricity.

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End that mobile menace - spam texts

Spam texts are a real nuisance. They blight our handsets with unwanted adverts. What was once a trickle has now become a deluge. I asked over 4,000 of my website users and 95 per cent have received spam texts in the past sixth months. If you get them, here is what to do.

Put it in context

There are three different types of unwanted marketing texts.

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Going abroad?

Using mobiles outside the UK can cost a fortune. Yet new rules in force mean calls in the EU are cheaper. The maximum cost to make calls is now €0.35/min + VAT (about 38p) and to receive is €0.11 (10p)/min + VAT, while texts will remain capped at €0.11 (10p).

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