This Week’s Top Offers
Last week to get a free lunch at Ikea, see details in our updated info on meal deals and restaurant promos in Spain.
3 days of fashion at El Corte Inglés, extra reductions start today in store and online.
Seen on Oportunidades Dia: Elizabeth Arden 5th Avenue 125 ml for only 25€ with free delivery (compare with El Corte Ingles 75ml for 44,28€). However, it turns out that the same 125 ml bottle is available at Bodybell & Juteco for 24.90€ – it pays to compare!
Find lots more offers after the news…
Consumer News
The new 10€ banknotes have been revealed by the European Commission. These notes will start circulating on 23 Sep 2014.
Smartphone repairs were up in Spain by 75% in 2013 compared with the previous year. Most repairs were due to broken screens (60%), with software problems the second most reported problem. In Spain there are more than 50 million mobile phones and repairs are becoming a lucrative business, so shop around if you need this service and if considering insuring your phone remember to check exactly what’s covered.
Spanish consumer organisation OCU has concluded from a study that home appliances don’t last as long as they used to, with an increase in breakdowns happening around 3 to 4 years after purchase. Washing machines tend to be more problematic than dishwashers or dryers.
If you don’t agree with the amount you have to pay at the chemist in Spain for your prescriptions, check with your local health clinic. If on their database you have the code DES assigned, this classification is Unknown (desconocido) meaning you’ll have to pay 40% of the cost of the medicines.
The biggest supermarket in Spain stocking ecological articles, Mandala Fresh, has opened this week in Valencia. The supermarket stocks not only food items but also articles for pets, cosmetics and fair trade products.
A town near Madrid has approved increasing the annual IBI tax (Impuesto de Bienes Inmuebles) by 50% for all unoccupied homes. It’s not clear yet if this will be an isolated case or if the initiative will be taken up by other municipalities.
Changes introduced last month mean that some perks enjoyed by employees, such as lunch vouchers, are subject to new legislation. We’ve updated our post on lunch and nursery vouchers but be aware that there are other items affected such as private medical cover, transportation allowances or company contributions to private pension plans. Check with your employer as the rules came into force at the end of December and many companies were unable to apply the changes to December’s salary.
Latest Offers & Articles on Money Saver Spain
– Correos offer: 4×3 on package service, and just for requesting info you’ll have the chance to win an iPad Air or Samsung 50” Smart TV, ends 31 Jan.
– Ono fibre optic promos this month: 50MB internet & landline with free national calls for 24.08€ or 20 MB internet & landline for 19,24€. Prices include tax and are valid for first year, check if Ono covers your area (put in postcode on website).
– Sephora 50% off Xmas gift sets at Sephora stores and El Corte Inglés corners.
– New tags to classify jamón (Spanish ham) are being introduced, see what they mean in our article.
– If you’ve already finished off the Xmas chocolates, Nestle personalised chocolate bags are offering a 10% discount for online orders only, use code NESOLOPARAMI14 before 31 Jan. Remember: delivery is temperature controlled.
– Discounts on a selection of items at Women’secret new arrivals section. Also check out their online outlet. (English website)
– Oysho free delivery until 19 Jan (English website).
– Everything free for kids under 12 on holidays to Disneyland Paris (flights, hotel, meals), need to reserve before 29 Jan for stays until 2 Apr 2014. Promos for adults available too.
– Win a day trip in Andalucia with Toma Tours for 4 people, easy to enter – see full details on their Facebook wall.
– Sale on at Zavvi (DVDs, games, CDs), with free standard international delivery to Spain or tracked delivery from £3.99. Don’t forget to take a look at the outlet section and remember to check prices (ads show prices in GBP, article prices shown in EUR).
– Nonabox monthly subscription boxes for pregnant & new mums, discount 40%-50% depending on length of subscription. Valid till end Jan.
– Sales at Marks and Spencer EU (multi language website) end soon, don’t forget to sign up to their 5€ off welcome voucher (new customers only) for orders over 35€.
– If you like to read books but find them a bit expensive to buy, check out a couple of book exchange websites in our post.
– Decathlon sports stores have sales items in stores and online. If buying online, remember you can collect free in store in order to avoid the 60€ minimum order for free home delivery. You have 30 days to return articles.
– Sign up for Casa Shops newsletter to get a 5€ discount when you spend 25€ in store (sign up form in English, newsletter in Spanish).
– NYDJ jeans 40% off each sale item (NOT “up to”), free returns (collect at home).
– Get 10€ off first order at Clarks EU site, need to sign up for their newsletter at bottom of home page, free standard delivery & 60-day returns in Spain (mainland & Balearics).
– Cruise offers at Viajes El Corte Ingles: discounts, pay in 10 months interest-free, kids travel free, reserve from only 60€ and get up to 10% of the total cost back as an El Corte Ingles gift card. If price reduces after booking they promise to match the new price.
– C&A online sales, 10% discount with first order (sign up for newsletter).
– Freebies: Kikkoman Soy Sauce, Escada Born in Paradise fragrance, La Mer Lifting Contour Serum (available at El Corte Ingles until 19 Jan). Still available: 12 coffee capsules from Cabú Coffee.
– Discount coupons for ViveSoy products, save up to 4.50€.
– Read our new guest post about QROPS and find out exactly what Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes are all about.