Big minimum wage changes are on the way

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What to read right now…

It seems two thirds of Premium Bond holders have never won anything.

There’s been some changes since this was first published but here are my thoughts on whether Premium Bonds are worth it.

Meanwhile, I’m really excited by the proposed ratings system for pensions. If it goes through, and done right, it should make choosing a good provider that much easier.

There are also big changes on the way for minimum wage, including the rate bands being scrapped.

And finally, you might be able to save money if you book a holiday on your phone instead of your laptop.

The deal that’s a steal…

Feeling hot and bothered? A cooling mattress topper might help.

These are basically a skinny version of a mattress that goes on top of your existing mattress.

It adds an extra layer of comfort but, crucially, is designed to be super breathable so will help pull heat away from your body quicker.

Dormeo* is currently having a sale on lots of its bedding products.

The best one I spotted was a king-size Octasmart deluxe mattress topper* that’s being sold for £269 – down from £539 (saving £270).

And an actual freebie…

This is one for the Disney fans – the London Mint Office is giving away free limited edition Mickey Mouse themed coins*.

It is legal tender, although it’s only worth 25 cents in Barbadian dollar, which is about 10p.

And you have to pay £2.50 for postage and packaging, which I know means it’s not a true freebie.

But if you’re a Disney fan or a collector then why not?

If you only do one thing…

It’s time to review your savings again.

At the end of last month, the Bank of England dropped the Bank Rate by 0.25% to 5%.

While that’s not a huge amount, some banks are already lowering their interest rates in response.

So if you do spot a savings account with a great interest rate, it’s worth locking it in.

One option to consider is Virgin Money’s new Regular Saver Exclusive account, which is offering an interest rate of 10.38% AER until 31 July 2025.

It’s the highest rate I’ve seen around although you need to be an existing customer to get it.