IF you’re finding it hard to get ahead, there might just be a few things you can do to instantly save £1000.
This doesn’t mean you have to give up on the things that you love, but it does require a few simple changes.
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Savings-obsessed Chloe Carmichael, GlasgowFabulous shares her knowledge on smart spending.
Here is Chloe. founder of Chloe’s Deal ClubThis video explains the easy home swaps that you can make to save money and why shopping for discounts is not always the right answer.
Get cashback when you shop at Cashback Sites
If you’re not using cashback, you need to start today as it’s a surefire way to make money back and fast.
“Almost every time you shop online, you could be earning a percentage of your order total which you can withdraw to your bank account or convert to gift cards,”Chloe:
“I know many people are still wary of cashback but you can earn hundreds of pounds each year for just doing your normal, everyday shopping.”
Swapi, TopCashback and Airtime Rewards are her favourites. You can use any of them or all.
Deal stacking
It’s like finding a discount code online. But imagine finding many and then using them all in one purchase.
Chloe says: “Whenever you’re shopping, Check out the various discount codesRefer a friend credit, loyalty points, and cashback are available. You can stack these for additional discounts.
“You can often stack discount codes with rewards from automated cashback apps like Airtime Rewards and Daali so you’re earning money back too.”
Supermarket downshifting
“It’s no secret that branded products are more expensive, so make the easy switch to supermarket-own brand items,”Chloe:
Sometimes, you might prefer the taste of a certain product over another, but making smart food swaps where you can will save £100s on your shopping.
You may find that you are unable to tell the difference between premium brands and your own brand’s taste.
Retailer Loyalty Programs
“You can typically save up to £4 for every £100 spent with retailer loyalty schemes,”Chloe:
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You can typically save up to £4 for every £100 spent with retailer loyalty schemes.
Chloe
Some examples include Sainsbury’s Nectar, Tesco Clubcard, Lidl Plus, Asda Rewards, Boots Advantage and Superdrug Health & Beauty.
Shop online… In private
Sometimes, shopping online can be a good idea.
This means that search history is not saved and tracked.
This is the best method to book online travel. You can also use it to book accommodation and flights. The price of these items often increases each time you visit.
Subscribers for the first time get special offers
Chloe said: “Brands offer massive discounts on their first subscription. This is a great way to save big.
“There’s pretty much a subscription for everything – from skincare to washing machine pods to dog food.”
You could be saving big if you sign up for their special deals if you’re thinking of buying a home improvement.
Refer a friend
Chloe recommends that you check to see if the brand has a refer-a friend program if you love a product.
“It’s usually in the footer of the brand’s website or within your online account,”She says.
“When you refer a friend, they’ll likely get a discount or freebie and you’ll likely get a credit towards your next order, free product or may even earn money. “
You’ll be surprised how many brands offer referral schemes, she says, from food subscription boxes to bank accounts.
Bank Transfer
Chloe says: “There’s been several great bank switching offers recently, such as Nationwide offering £200 to switch to them which is paid to you within 10 days.
It’s very easy to get caught up in the hype and buy things you don’t need.
Chloe
“It’s simple, easy and hassle-free to switch your bank account using the Current Account Switch Service and they take care of everything for you.”
Beauty dupes
Consider cheaper options if you are a beauty lover and feel tempted to buy expensive skincare and makeup.
Chloe believes that some budget-friendly finds are as good as expensive ones.
Chloe loves a bargain and shares her finds often on Instagram with her 20K+ followers.
Discounts are not always a good idea
It is easy to be enticed by a bargain, but it’s possible that you end up buying unnecessary items.
Chloe recommends that you create a list with the items you need, then continue to shop until you find a good deal.
“It’s very easy to get caught up in the hype and buy things you don’t need,”Chloe:
“Doing this means you’re spending money and not saving.”
Buy items to reduce energy costs
Be careful about what you do to save money as the cooler weather is approaching.
“Some items can be a great investment to help with reducing energy bills, such as electric blankets, blanket hoodies and slow cookers, as these are relatively affordable to buy,”Chloe
“However, I’m seeing many people spend a lot of money on items that may take a while to see a return.
“For example, £150-£200 air fryers. There are options that are much cheaper and regularly go on sale too so check multiple sites to find more affordable options.”
Chloe also suggests that you can buy battery-operated lights rather than turning on a light.
“The initial cost of buying the lights and the batteries as well as the ongoing cost of replacing batteries may not be cheaper than having a LED light bulb switched,”She explains.
It’s a great deal or not?
There are ways to determine if every discount is a good deal.
“There’re price comparison sites like CamelCamelCamel for Amazon or PriceRunner which covers most other sites, that compare prices of items and also shows you their price history,”Chloe explains.
“This means you can buy with confidence knowing you have the best deal available and you’re not overpaying.”
