News & guides: September 2026
Money-saving tips, plain-English guides, your rights when you shop online, and spotlights on stores worth a look.
Cyber Monday 2026: is it better than Black Friday?
Cyber Monday falls on 30 November this year. Here's what usually changes between Friday and Monday, and when to buy.
Energy bills forecast to jump 16% in January, says Cornwall Insight
Cornwall Insight predicts the January–March 2027 price cap will hit £1,999 a year for a typical household, £276 more than October's level. Ofgem confirms the real figure in late November.
Why your discount code didn't work, and how to fix it
A code that fails at checkout usually isn't broken. Nine times out of ten it's one of these six things.
Boxing Day and the January sales: how to shop them well
Boxing Day falls on a Saturday this year. Here's what tends to be cheapest after Christmas, and how to avoid buying things you don't need.
Student discounts explained: UNiDAYS, Student Beans and TOTUM
Most big UK stores offer a student discount, but you usually need to verify through a third-party service first. Here's how it works.
Price matching: how to get a store to match a lower price
Some stores promise to match a lower price you find elsewhere. They aren't legally required to, so it pays to know each store's rules.
Stacking: how to combine codes, cashback and gift cards
One discount is good. Three on the same order is better. Here's what can be combined and what usually can't.
Car insurance prices dip to £713 on average, but young drivers see rises
The Confused.com/WTW index shows the average comprehensive quote fell 1% in the three months to August, to £713, and is 3% lower than a year ago.
Free delivery thresholds: when adding one more item actually saves money
£4.99 delivery or a £6 add-on you'll use anyway? A quick rule of thumb.
Retail sales rise 0.5% in August as online shopping hits 28.8% of spending
Shoppers bounced back in August after a weak July, with online spending up 10.1% on a year earlier while drivers held off filling up as fuel prices rose.
Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75% – but three members wanted a rise
The Bank kept Bank Rate at 3.75% in September, but a 6–3 vote with three members backing a rise suggests the next move could be up rather than down.
Air fares climb as Middle East conflict pushes up long-haul prices
ONS figures show air fares rose 6.2% between July and August, three times last year's rise, with long-haul routes hit by the Middle East conflict.
Inflation rises to 3.1% as petrol prices jump – but food inflation stays low at 1.3%
CPI inflation rose to 3.1% in August, driven by the steepest jump in petrol prices in years, while food and soft drink inflation held at 1.3%.
3.5 million have switched broadband with One Touch Switch, says Ofcom
Two years after One Touch Switch launched, Ofcom says out-of-contract customers could save more than £100 a year by switching. You only need to contact your new provider.
Your rights when you buy online in the UK, in plain English
Changed your mind, or it arrived broken? The basics of returns and refunds when you shop online.
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