Maximising Your Money with 0% Overdraft Stoozing
Stoozing is a smart financial strategy that allows you to make the most out of 0% interest offers, effectively earning money by borrowing at no cost and then investing it in high-interest accounts. This method can be particularly beneficial for students who are in a strong financial position and don't need to rely on their overdraft for day-to-day expenses. Many high street banks offer students a 0% overdraft, with the majority extending this benefit throughout the entire duration of their university studies. This provides an excellent opportunity to use the funds strategically to generate interest, rather than simply sitting unused in your account.
It's not just students who can take advantage of stoozing. Members of the public can also access 0% overdrafts (see the attached table for details). By borrowing at no cost, you can deposit the funds into a high-interest savings account, effectively earning interest on money that isn’t yours—creating a risk-free profit.
0% overdrafts - available to all
| Provider | Rate | Period | Overdraft After | Pay In (Monthly) | Sign Up | Expiry |
| First Direct 1st Account | 0% | - | 39.9% EAR Variable | £0 | Get Started | - |
| Nationwide FlexDirect | 0% | 12 Months | 39.9% EAR Variable | £0 | Get Started | - |
0% overdrafts - student only
| Provider | Rate | Period | Notes | Extra Perks | Sign Up |
| Santander Edge Student | 0% | • £1500 (years 1 to 3) • £1800 (year 4) • £2000 (year 5) | • Register for online banking • Pay in £500+ every four months | • Free four-year railcard | Get Started |
| Nationwide FlexStudent | 0% | • £1000 (year 1) • Up to £2000 (year 2) • Up to £3000 (year 3+) | • Pay in £500+ each term | • £100 free cash (pay in £500+ by 13th December) • £10 Just Eat voucher (each month) | Get Started |
| NatWest Student | 0% | • £500 in the first term • Up to £2,000 from the second term until the end of year 2 • Up to £3,250 in years 3+ | - | • £100 free cash • Free four-year tastecard | Get Started |
| HSBC Student | 0% | • £1000 (year 1) • Up to £2000 (year 2) • Up to £3000 (years 3+) | - | • £125 free cash (make 5 debit card payments) | Get Started |
| Co-op | 0% | • £1400 (year 1) • Up to £1700 (year 2) • Up to £2000 (years 3+) | • Pay in £300 within the first 28 days. | - | Get Started |
| Lloyds Bank | 0% | • £500 (first 6 months) • Up to £1000 (months 7-9) • Up to £1500 (until the end of year 3) • Up to £2000 (from year 4) | • Pay in £500 by the end of October | • £110 free cash • Student event discounts • Cashback at certain retailers | Get Started |
| Bank of Scotland | 0% | • £500 (first 6 months) • Up to £1000 (months 7-9) • Up to £1500 (until the end of year 3) • Up to £2000 (from year 4) | • Pay in £500 by the end of October | • £110 free cash • Student event discounts • Cashback at certain retailers | Get Started |
| Halifax | 0% | • Up to £1500 | - | • £110 free cash (pay in £500+ by 31st October) • 0.5% interest • Up to 15% cashback with select retailers | Get Started |
| Barclays | 0% | • £500 in term one • Up to £1,000 in the rest of year one • Up to £1,500 for the rest of your time at uni | - | - | Get Started |
| TSB | 0% | • £500 for the first six months • Up to £1,000 for months seven to nine • Up to £1,500 until the end of year three | - | • 5% interest on balances up to £500 | Get Started |
Another common stoozing method involves using a 0% credit card with a lengthy interest-free period, such as 12 months, to make purchases you'd need to pay for anyway. Instead of using your own cash, you put the purchase on the card and then deposit the equivalent amount of cash into a high-interest savings account. This allows you to earn interest on your money while gradually paying off the credit card balance over the interest-free period.
Currently, there are a variety of high-interest savings accounts available, often linked to current accounts. For example, First Direct offers a savings account with an impressive 7% interest rate, though there's usually a limit on how much you can deposit each month. Even some current accounts, like Kroo, are offering competitive interest rates, with Kroo currently paying 4.1% on your balance. By carefully choosing where to place your money, you can maximise the returns from stoozing.
Whatever stoozing strategy you choose, it's crucial to stay organised, particularly with expiration dates. Failing to pay off your balance before the 0% period ends can result in hefty interest charges, which could negate any profits you've made. For those seeking a safer alternative, instant cashback offers may be worth considering. This method provides cashback on purchases right away, reducing the risk of missing deadlines or dealing with high interest rates.
To illustrate how stoozing can work in practice, consider the example of John Saver. John obtains a 21-month 0% interest credit card with a £5,000 limit. He typically spends £1,250 each month, so he decides to charge all his regular expenses to the card. Each month, John transfers the equivalent amount of cash from his bank account to a 5.15% easy-access savings account, while only making the minimum payments on the credit card.
After a little over four months, John has nearly £5,000 saved in his high-interest account, which continues to accrue interest while he makes the minimum payments on the card from a separate account. When the 0% interest period on the card ends, John pays off the remaining balance in full. After reimbursing himself for the minimum payments he has made, he’s left with a profit of £400 in his savings account. This is a perfect example of how stoozing, when managed correctly, can turn borrowed money into a source of income.
Stoozing offers a creative and low-risk way to enhance your savings, provided you stay disciplined and aware of the terms of your credit agreements. Whether you're a student taking advantage of a 0% overdraft or someone looking to maximise returns with a 0% credit card, the key is to stay organized and mindful of expiration dates to ensure you reap the rewards without any unexpected costs.
