In an effort to single-handedly stimulate the British economy, I’ve applied for a new credit card to go on a little shopping spree (I want a new lens for my camera and I a new backpack for my travels). In the process, I thought I’d kick the housing market into shape too by applying for a mortgage as it’s about time I bought a property.

Well, the good news is I’ve managed to secure a new credit card with 10 months 0% APR on purchases. It wasn’t even the best deal on the market as I found out. Here’s the best cards for 0% on purchases:

- Virgin were doing a card with 16 months at 0% APR, but they appear to have pulled it now.

1. -I picked up a leaflet at Tesco and their credit card has 12 months at 0% APR. No details online though.
   

2. -The one I went for from M&S which offers 10 months at 0% APR.
   

The bad news is that the bank won’t lend me the money that I need to buy a house. Seems as though the market is no good for first time buyers with little deposit. I’d list the best mortgage deals available here, but there really aren’t any! The one that I applied for was the only one that I thought might lend me the money, which has a 90% LTV, 5.49% fixed for 2 years at HSBC. It appears that they’re willing to loan 3.5x your base salary, however, which for me is not enough for the mansion I want to buy. Not with my measly deposit anyway.

Time to go shopping then? Or save for that deposit?