MoneySavingExpert's Money Tips Email

This was my party trick in the early noughties (sexy, eh?). In fact, I think I likely got my first TV series in 2005 when the production company boss suggested the ITV commissioner hand over his wallet for me to do it on. These days, for many, the wallet is now a phone or even a watch - but savings are still possible, and often even bigger. So let's open them up...

1. Pick up your photo driving licence and check SECTION 4B. Photo licences only last 10 years. You should get a notification before it expires, but many don't notice - and over two million are estimated to be out of date. If so, and you get stopped, you risk a fine. Don't panic though, if it's out of date, our driving licence help shows how to safely renew.

2. Had your debit card for years? Get PAID £220 to get a new one. Debit cards are just the front end of a bank account. If you've had the same one for years (unless it makes you feel special), now's the perfect time to get paid to ditch and switch to a new-customer offer, as the choice is huge. Full best-buys, pros and cons, eligibility criteria and Q&A in Top free cash bank accounts, but here are the main runners and riders in brief, in order of upfront cash...

HSBC* FREE £220. It rarely does this. Available if you haven't had HSBC or First Direct accounts since 1 Jan 23.
Barclays* FREE £200, plus optional half-price Apple TV.
NatWest FREE £200 on its Reward Account and possible £3/mth cashback.
Santander Edge* FREE £180 & top (joint) bills account. You pay £3/mth but get 1% cashback on bills.
First Direct* FREE £175 & top-rated for service. 92% rate it 'great'. Interest-free £250 overdraft for many.

Switching bank is easy. Just use its switch service, which closes your old account for you, auto-forwards any payments made to that account, and moves all Direct Debit and Standing Orders for you. The super-savvy willing to play can earn £1,000s multi-switching.

3. Travel in London... due a share of £500m in unclaimed Oyster or contactless card credit? Plus, if you paid via Oyster or contactless and failed to touch your card at the journey's end, or were delayed 15 mins by Tube, you may have money waiting too. See our quick Oyster & TfL contactless reclaiming guide.

4. Paying interest on credit cards? TWO-MINUTE test to see if you can move it to interest-free.Even if you've been rejected before, it's worth checking if you can get a 0% balance transfer. This is where you get a new card that pays off your existing cards for you, so you now owe the new card - but interest-free. That way, more of your repayments clear the actual debt (just try not to do any more borrowing).

Step 1: Take the test... Use our 0% Balance Transfer Eligibility Calculator and it'll show the 0% deals you're most likely to be accepted for - and checking doesn't impact your ability to get future credit. Even only a 20% chance is worth trying if it could cut debt costs.
Step 2: If you've a choice of cards... Go for the one with the lowest fee, within a time you're sure you can repay. If you're not sure, play safe and just go long. Examples for accepted new cardholders...

- New. Longest definite deal & cashback: HSBC (existing customers use this link) gives a definite 3yrs 0%, for a now lower 3.09% one-off fee. Plus, transfer over £500 and you get £25 cashback, effectively reducing the fee.
- Shorter yet NO FEE: Virgin Money gives a definite 12mths 0% with NO FEE, so no cost whatsoever.
Step 3: Follow my golden rules. If you get a card and do a transfer (usually has to be within 60 days)...
a) Clear the card or shift the debt again before the 0% ends, or you pay the full rep APR.
b) Never miss the min monthly repayment, or you can lose the 0%.
c) Don't spend/withdraw cash - it isn't at the cheap rate, so a simple tip: don't put your balance transfer card in your digital wallet as you don't want it accessible to spend on.

5. NOT got a credit card? Get one to get paid £100s... (just don't borrow on it).When we spend on credit cards, the retailer pays the card firm a fee, and there's a way to get some of this back in your pocket, plus extra Section 75 protection too. The key to this, though, is you must pay off the card IN FULL at the end of the month, preferably by Direct Debit, to avoid interest. That way you turn it from a debt card into a transaction card. Though only do this if you trust yourself not to be tempted to borrow on it. Full best-buys and Q&A in