Cheaper Car insurance, premium bonds up, switch deals worth over £1000, 0% interest credit cards.
This edition was published on 21 August 2026. Offers and rates mentioned were correct when published and may have changed since. See today’s verified offers →
TL;DR
Insurance is down from 2023 - Don’t settle for the same quote.
(This post is made in partnership with Mysupermarketcompare.com)
Premium bonds now increasing average interest to 4.35% up from 3.8%
Over £1,000 in switch offers available
0% interest credit cards up to 26 months
Insurance prices are down - Don’t over pay.
Average insurance in 2023 £995 vs 2026 £719
Source: Confused.com
If you haven't shopped around for car insurance recently — now is the time.
Car insurance prices peaked at £995 in December 2023 and have since fallen by £284 — a drop of 29% over nine consecutive quarters.
That's a potential saving of £276 per year compared to the 2023 peak — just for shopping around.
To make sure your not overpaying - Use a good car insurance comparison site like https://mysupermarketcompare.com/car-insurance which will compare over a hundred quotes in one search.
This post is made in partnership with Mysupermarketcompare.com
Some top tips to get cheaper insurance -
1. Time it right
Compare 3 weeks before your renewal date. Last minute quotes are significantly more expensive. The sweet spot is 20-23 days before renewal.
2. Pay annually not monthly
Monthly payments add 10-20% interest on top of your premium. Pay upfront if you can — significant saving.
3. Increase your voluntary excess
The higher your voluntary excess the lower your premium. Only increase it to an amount you could actually afford to pay if you needed to claim.
4. Add an experienced named driver
Adding an older, experienced driver with a clean record can reduce your premium. Never add someone as the main driver when they aren't — called fronting — illegal.
Premium bonds rate increasing to 4.35%
NS&I has just announced the Premium Bond prize rate is rising from 3.8% to 4.35% from the September draw — the second increase this year and the highest rate since December 2024.
The odds of winning are also improving. Each £1 bond will have a 1 in 21,000 chance of winning each month, up from 1 in 22,000 currently.
Sounds great — but here's the honest reality.
The 4.35% is an average prize fund rate, not a guaranteed return. In practice, most people with typical luck will win considerably less than that figure. The prizes are heavily weighted toward the smaller £25 payouts, and many holders win nothing in any given month.
For most savers, guaranteed easy access accounts still win. You can currently earn 5% with Spring Savings on up to £5,000, or 4.5% guaranteed with Chase — both of which beat the Premium Bond rate with certainty.
Lots of switch deals still available - 4 paying £200 or more!
🏆 HSBC — £220
Biggest standard bonus available. Pay in £2,000 and spend £500 on your debit card within 60 days. Apply via the app only. Not available if you've held an HSBC or First Direct account since January 2023.
🔵 Barclays — £200 ⚠️ Ends 27 August
Pay in £2,000 within 30 days and start your switch by 27 August — this one is expiring in days so act fast if you want it.
🟣 NatWest — £200 + £36/year ongoing cashback
Pay in £1,250 and log into the app within 60 days. The Reward account also gives you net £36/year cashback after the £2/month fee — dropping to £24/year from October.
🟤 Co-op Bank — up to £200
£125 upfront plus £25/month for three months if you keep meeting the criteria. Also unlocks a 7% regular saver on up to £250/month.
🟢 First Direct — £175
Not quite £200 but worth flagging — £175 cash. Also includes a 7% fixed regular saver and a £250 0% overdraft for most.
0% interest credit cards up to 26 months!
Most people think credit cards are dangerous. Used correctly, they're one of the most powerful financial tools available.
Right now there are cards in the UK offering 0% interest for up to 26 months. Spend on the card, pay zero interest — as long as you clear the balance before the deal ends.
The best deals right now are M&S Bank and TSB — both offering up to 26 months interest free. Barclaycard Platinum offers up to 24 months.
Three ways to use this:
The obvious one — spread the cost of a big purchase over two years. Boiler breaks, car needs fixing, new appliance. Zero interest. Zero cost to borrow.
The smart one — use the 0% card for everyday spending and leave your own cash in a 5% savings account earning interest. Your savings work harder while the card costs you nothing.
The debt one — already paying interest on an existing credit card? You can transfer that balance onto a 0% card and pay zero interest while you clear it. Most balance transfer cards charge a small one-off fee of around 3% — but that's still far cheaper than paying 24.9% APR every month.
The golden rule: always set up a Direct Debit for the minimum payment, never miss it, and always clear the balance before the 0% period ends.
Always check eligibility with a soft search before applying — no impact on your credit score.
OTHER NEWS
Get a 5% easy access saver up to £5000 with Spring savings
Amex still offering big incentives to join.