Money Saving Tips and Advice

[Jeewhizz]

I'm of the firm belief that if you can save a few pounds here and there, it's all the better for my wallet.

So, I thought I'd post a few links to a few sites that I use:

Quidco - The web's cashback cooperative - Quidco is a 'cashback co-operative'. It works like this:

1) You register - it's free*
2) You login to the site, and search for your chosen online retailer - there are thousands, including all the big highstreet ones like John lewis, boots, mothercare, toys r us, pc world etc.
3) Find your retailer, and it'll let you know how much cashback you can get, any special terms and conditions etc.
4) Click on your retailer link, and then you are taken to the online store, where you make your purchase.
5) Purchases are then 'tracked' on the quidco system, and the cashback is applied within 2-3 months. Cashback can be sent to a paypal address or via BACS.

*Although quidco is free to signup, they do have a charge of £5 if you use the service. This £5 is taken out of your cashback, so there is no immediate up front cost.

Case Study:

When Mrs Jee and I moved into our new place, we had some vouchers left over from our wedding for John Lewis. We needed some bedroom furniture, and so decided to have a look online at the JL Sale. We ended up spending somewhere near £1,000 for the entire bedroom, and here's the juicy thing - quidco gave us 9% cashback. So within 2 months, we had £90 as a credit via BACS, simply for buying something we were going to buy anyway!

Now, the retailer has no idea that you have used quidco, so you don't get any difference in service. Furthermore, you could use this for buying your work stuff (Dell are on there, Staples too I believe), and it doesn't appear on any invoice etc. So it's cashback from your business expenses, that would normally have gone to the retailer. (I'm not sure where this stands legally on tax etc, but maybe someone else knows?)

Finally, it's worth looking at the insurance companies on Quidco. At one point, Barclays were doing £120 cashback on a buildings and/or contents house insurance policy. I read about one person on another forum who purchased both house and buildings, but separately. Total cost of insurance was approx £220, but she got £120 x 2 back - so was £20 up, and had a year's insurance. The finance retailers on quidco pay out the most, followed by mobiles, gambling & dating agencies.

So get signing up: Quidco - The web's cashback cooperative

Enjoy!

Jee

Note: I am not affiliated with quidco in the slightest, and they don't offer an affiliate/referral scheme: Quidco - Why doesn't Quidco offer referral incentives?

[pvcprinting]

Khalid,

I also find the following of vital use when looking to save money

Money Saving Expert: Consumer Revenge - Credit Cards, Shopping, Bank Charges, Cheap Flights and more

It is free to join and the savings on home shopping alone make it worth spending a few minutes to register

[Jeewhizz]

Yup! I am a member there, and was going to post that link tomorrow

[Dotwhack]

I never buy anything online without first checking out voucher codes - usually online retailers have some sort of offer available - free delivery or 10% off being the most common. Definitely worth having a look.

[pvcprinting]

I never buy anything online without first checking out voucher codes - usually online retailers have some sort of offer available - free delivery or 10% off being the most common. Definitely worth having a look.

a very very good site for vouchers is

www.hotdealsuk.com

[Fuzzy]

Thanks Jee - wicked thread!