- AFTER the Christmas splurge you probably want to save money more than ever so this week I’ll tell you about ways to make your funds go farther throughout 2020.
- Discount codes really help to reduce the cost of your shopping, whether groceries or one-off purchases. It used to be that cutting out coupons from newspapers and leaflets was the only way to do this but nowadays it’s mostly done online. Sites like www.vouchercodes.co.uk and www.vouchercloud.com regularly collate the latest deals for money off or bonus freebies.
- I rarely buy anything without checking online for an offer. My first port of call is usually www.hotukdeals.com. It's categorised into deals, voucher codes and freebies. You can look for specific groups such as electronics, gaming, travel and groceries. The only drawback with the site is that it’s a bit of a bargains rabbit hole so you find yourself clicking on an offer for toilet seats, radiator keys or a Minder DVD box set and thinking, ‘Ooh, I could do with one of those…’ Pro tip: In the filter options on the top right, select ‘hide expired deals’ to avoid torturing yourself with ones you have missed. Consumer site www.moneysavingexpert.com has been doing a sterling job for the best part of 20 years too.
- Cashback sites are a great way to claw back money after you spend it. It might take a few months for the funds to be paid but their arrival is a welcome surprise, especially when an insurance policy or new mobile contract comes with a £50 incentive, for example. Check out www.quidco.com and www.topcashback.co.uk. They often have discount codes too. Some sites charge a fee, in that they will keep the first £5 of your payouts each year to cover admin costs. Read the terms and conditions before signing up.
- The small amounts you spend every day add up to a lot over the year. For many people, hot drinks are one such expense. Brewing your own at home or work is the most obvious measure to take but sometimes it’s more practical and enjoyable to buy a cuppa while out and about. Switching to reusable cups instead of disposable takeaway ones is not only better for the environment but also your pocket. Most cafes offer incentives for doing so. Starbucks gives a 25p discount (but check that the till operator subtracts it from your bill), meaning that a customer who buys four drinks a week would save £52 per year. Caffe Nero and many other competitors offer double loyalty stamps instead, adding up to freebies. Oh, and did you know that Ikea Family cardholders get a free tea or filter coffee in the chain’s restaurants every weekday? I’ll raise a cup to that as I wish you a happy, healthy and bargain-filled new year.
j.campbell@irishnews.com
Details accurate at time of going to print. Offers subject to availability. If you see a TinyURL link in this article, it’s just a convenient way of redirecting you to a web page that would otherwise have a long address.
