Bargain Hunter: Saturday morning at the movies - the kids can go cheap in half-term

With half-term upon us, parents will be glad to hear of low-cost ways to keep the children entertained.

If they like the movies, the weekend Vue Kids AM deal has been extended next week to every morning, until Sunday 2 November, in selected cinemas.

Tickets cost from just £1.75 for 2D films and £3 for 3D films for children and any accompanying adults.

For more information on which films are showing where on Kids AM, visit myvue.com/offers-competitions/kids-am.

Follow the code and get 20 per cent off at M&S

For 20 per cent off at M&S online – although only on clothing, homeware and beauty, and not on food and drink – use the code OCT14EM at the checkout at marksandspencer.com by Monday 27 October.

Halfords can help if you don't go under the bonnet

After its research showed that 3.9 million motorists have never checked their oil and more than 7.5 million don't know how to top it up, Halfords is offering free five-point winter checks.

The offer includes a check on car batteries, head/tail light bulbs, wiper blades, oil levels and a free screenwash top-up at Halfords stores and Autocentres.

To find your nearest visit halfords.com or halfordsautocentres.com.

Watch out if your fixed energy deal is due to end

At the end of October, 12 fixed-tariff energy deals will finish, meaning an average annual bill increase of 10 per cent, or £104, for consumers who haven't taken action and shopped around for a new deal.

Suppliers with tariffs expiring at the end of the month are: British Gas, ScottishPower, npower, Sainsbury's Energy and iSupplyEnergy.

Those who are currently on npower's Online Price Fix October 2014, and live in Yorkshire, could see the largest average bill increase of £205.01, or 20.67 per cent, warns the comparison site Gocompare.com.

Offer cash for a car and the seller will slash the price

If you're thinking of buying a motor, take plenty of money along for a discount. Research reveals car sales people will cut their prices for someone paying in cash.

One in five said they would give a discount of 5 per cent or more on the price of a second-hand or new car for those paying by cash. The research, by Sainsbury's, also reveals that the best time to get a discount is in the last three days of the month, as sales people will be keen to meet their monthly targets

Charity puts your child in touch with Father Christmas

The NSPCC has teamed up with Santa to send personalised letters to children in the UK and around the world – for a suggested donation of £5.

Santa's mailroom is open until 15 December and there's a chance to win a Center Parcs holiday. Request your letter at nspcc.org.uk/santa or by calling 0845 839 9304.

Got any deals or discounts to share with readers? Send details and deadlines to your money@independent.co.uk