Premium Bonds

We bought premium bonds when we retired instead of putting money in a low interest savings account, which was all there seemed to be at the time. This was a few years ago. I have patiently waited for Mr Million and he has never called. Mr £25 has called a few times and once Mr £500. I have complained to DH and but he just says I am being ridiculous and tha that millions and millions of people have them so the chances of winning are minute. When I was putting my £25 cheque into the bank once, the teller said 'do you know in all my years working here, I have never seen one of these for more than £25.' You can however check online to see the winning Bond numbers and the location of the winners. Good luck Katey .

I've had a couple of (literally two) £50s and £500 a few years ago. I'd checked online and called DH in excitedly to see what I'd won. His disappointing/disappointed answer was that he thought I must have got a big prize. I thought I had! My DM won £1,000 back in the 70s when it was worth a lot more.

I've got £6 worth of bonds that were bought for me in 1956. I'd really love one of them to come up. I think this might be my month.

I kept a record for the last twelve months. It worked out to 1.5% return overall. Better than the ISA, I'm hanging on to mine!

My mother had a few bonds and regularly won £25 or£50. I have more than she had but only a couple of wins of £25.

My BIL had a good few bonds so when they bought a house he used the bonds as a budget system - he worked out his annual spend on insurance and regular bills etc and bought bonds to 1/12th the amount each month - then when a bill same in he cashed in the old bonds to pay it - because of the frequent movement on his account he seemed to win frequently - in fact almost monthly although never a really big prize.
My nephew was given two bonds when he was born and 18 years later he won £25 one month and the same again the next month on the other bond!!

ww I think you have hit on something here - when I sold my house I used some of the money for PBs and it seems to me you're much more likely to win with newer bonds - or is it just me?

I saw ages ago that if you needed to make any changes to your 'account' such as added new bonds or changed address etc it sort of kick started the system and you had more chance of winning in the next few months than when all stayed quiet.

I like that theory, Welshwife. Might well be worth a try. I've just had a look online at where the big prizewinners are this month and none of them are from round here.

I've done quite well with mine so far this year - no huge amounts but better than nothing. The ones I had from when I was born have never won a penny, only the more recent ones. I don't have a clue how it works either

I have all of £2:00 of premium bonds. I've no chance of winning anything! ?? They were bought for me as a gift when they started. My DD won £50 when she was five years old. Not a sausage since.

Had a few £25 over the years but that's it.

When we were planning to relocate and cashed in some investments to put towards the new ( more expensive) house we bought PBs as a medium term investment until we found a house. We won quite a few £20s , one £50 and £5000! Well worth it !

I make as much on premium bonds as I do on some of my bank accounts and there is always the chance I will win a million. Strangely the same group of numbers come up over and ove, I wonder what the odds of tha are.

We use PBs as our holiday saving fund. I set up a standing order to pay in monthly, easy to change if I want to, and then the money is there to withdraw to pay for holiday. Always hope that the regular in and outs keeps Ernie noticing me! Occasional £25 and when I work it out it is pretty comparable with most saving rates, plus it is easy to get at when we want it. Keep hoping there might be a big win, but at least I don't lose anything as I would with the lottery. Regard that as a wicked waste

I wonder if Ernie is a member of Gransnet? After all my complaining above, I have just checked August's winners and we have won £100 ! Practically unheard of here. Thanks Ernie

Well Money Saving expert has a premium bonds probability calculator. But it is all about the odds so stating the obvious the more you have the more likelihood there is of winning the big prize, although having a quick scan of the article on the website even this is not quite true. They rate they pay out is 1.15% but apparently with average luck you wont get this. I won £25 this month BTW!

Devongirl
I won a large amount and I take mine out every January and then buy new ones.

I've just checked and I've won 2 x £25!! I don't normally check but after reading this thread I was tempted

A friend of mine has the bought the full £50000 and it is rare for her not to win something and it is usually at least £25x3. She is on holiday at present so I do not know what today's winnings are for her.

This is the second month in a row I have not won at least £25.

I got your £25 this month Charleygirl!

I have a friend who has the full amount and she has won at least one x £5,000 and always wins something every month.

Pshaw, humf, and other disgruntled exclamations. Nothing for me this month.

Jalima I will definitely be getting at least £25 next month and I have had premium bonds for so long I must be close to top of the queue for a million.

This month was my turn for a million but ERNIE didn't listen.

He never does, goes his own sweet way and it is never remotely in our direction.

I had a letter from Ernie the other month and got really excited as I've never had one before. That must be a big win! It turned out to be £25 from about 5 PBs that weren't included in the email notification system because I had been bought them when I was a child and we'd missed adding them on. Humph from me too!!