The Martin Lewis Podcast Christmas Special: The best of Question Time!
Dec 25, 2025
In this festive discussion, Martin tackles intriguing questions like the risks of smart meters and whether you can refuse one. He dives into the intricacies of payment protection with PayPal, exploring its impact on credit card guarantees. Cash at home vs. banking safety comes into play, with plenty of practical advice. The conversation also covers the confusion surrounding student loans for blended families. And of course, there's a lighter moment as Martin debates whether he’d rather face one man-sized duck or ten duck-sized men!
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Options When Your Meter Is Out Of Date
- If your electricity meter is out of certification date, the supplier can replace it with a smart meter and you may be required to accept it.
- Ask for the smart meter to be put into 'dumb mode' if you want it to behave like an old meter and stop remote readings.
Protect Section 75 By Avoiding Intermediaries
- Use your credit card directly with a retailer (or Apple Pay) to retain clear Section 75 protection.
- Avoid using PayPal balance or logged-in PayPal where it could act as an intermediary and break Section 75 coverage.
Why Banks Beat The Mattress
- Keeping cash at home exposes you to theft and limited insurance cover while banks offer depositor protection.
- Savings are taxed on interest or gains, not the capital, and are protected up to the FSCS limit.