Money Monday (26 Jan): First Direct £225 switch boost, Asda £55 off & free National Trust day out 💸

If you’re up for one slightly-admin-y task for a decent payout, this is the one.

First Direct is paying £175 if you switch a current account across and tick a few easy boxes. If you go via TopCashback, some people are also stacking an extra £50 on top (so up to £225 total). 

To qualify, you need a full switch using the Current Account Switch Service with at least 2 Direct Debits/standing orders, then within 45 days: pay in £1,000, make 5+ debit card payments, and log in to digital banking. The bonus is paid by the 20th of the following month once you’ve met the criteria. 

Gotchas: It’s new customers only (you can’t have had a First Direct product before), and there’s also a restriction if you’ve opened an HSBC current account since 1 January 2018. There’s no end date given, so it could be pulled at any time. 

Best for: Anyone with a spare “switching” account and two Direct Debits they can move.

If you do an online supermarket shop, this is an unusually chunky new-customer offer.

Asda has a new online-newbie deal worth £55 off across your next four shops — it’s basically a rolling discount you can use over a few weeks. 

You need to be a new Asda online customer and place four separate orders of £60+. Use code NEW55 at checkout, and it’ll knock money off your bill. Here’s the breakdown:

Gotcha: You must place the first qualifying order by 31 January 2026 (and obviously delivery slots can be tight, so don’t leave it to the last minute if you want it). 

Best for: Anyone already planning a couple of bigger shops (or stocking up on bulky basics).

Starling’s refer-a-friend reward is a free National Trust day pass for two people, and both you and your friend get one when they open an account via your referral link. 

What you need to do: Open Starling (if you haven’t already), share your referral link from the app, and once your friend’s account is approved and opened, you’ll each be sent a pass. 

Gotchas: Some National Trust locations may need pre-booking, and there are participating-location rules, so check before you travel. 

Best for: Anyone who’s got a partner/mate who’s been meaning to open a modern current account anyway — you both get a day out.

If your broadband contract is ending (or you’re already planning to switch), this is one of the better “money back” deals right now.

Sky’s currently showing a Full Fibre 500 deal at £29/month with a £120 reward card (which is basically cash back) if you go via the tracked deal route. 

To qualify, you need to take the eligible Sky broadband package through the deal listing. The reward card is typically sent within 8 weeks once the service is live. 

Gotchas: It’s a 24-month contract, and this specific reward version ends Thursday, 29 January 2026. Make sure the monthly price and any set-up costs shown at checkout still match before you commit. 

Best for: Households already paying a lot for broadband (or out of contract) who can tolerate the usual switching admin.