Ways That I Save Money, Part 4

It must be something about the New Year that gets me acting crazy, but throughout the whole month of February, and most of March, I’ve been acting like one of those possessed people of extreme couponing.  I’m obsessed!  I’m signed up to websites, I get daily emails and I’ve even got apps on my phone now to help me keep up to date with offers.  I’m addicted, but hey, there’s worse things in life ain't there? 

Printable Coupons

I’ve been checking out Hollys Extreme Couponing site throughout the last couple of months to get the best coupons online, and in doing so I’ve managed to grab several freebies.  Between the fam, so far we have managed to pick up: 3 cartons of soup, 2 bottles of lemonade, 3 four packs of Yazoo, a carton of Optiwell yoghurt drink and 3 bottles of Upbeat protein shakes.  Some of the vouchers stated one free item, others had a specific money value – all of which worked out perfectly for some super freebies when items were on offer.  Sad I know, but I get such a thrill out of picking up bits that I know the family will use for free.  I’d definitely recommend checking out Holly’s site for some fab freebies!

Shopmium

My absolute obsession right now is getting cash back on the items that I pick up in the supermarket, especially as these apps tend to have offers on the items to make them completely free.  The two I use at the moment are Shopmium and Checkout Smart, which between the two of them the apps have given me pretty decent savings over the last two months.  Shopmium is great for offering free items throughout the month – so far I’ve picked up: a loaf of bread, 3 multipacks of Go Ahead breakfast bars, a bottle of Volvic water and a bar of Graham and Brown chocolate, all completely free!  They also offer savings on other great items too, such as 50% off, try for £1 deals and multi savings when you buy two or three of the same item.  Since mid-January I’ve had £15.73 paid back into my account, which is really good considering the majority of my claims have been on completely free items.   You can use my friend code AEYYCHMF to get involved in all of the money saving madness.  You’ll even get a free bar of Lindt chocolate as a welcome gift!

Checkout Smart

This app has brought me the most joy throughout the month, because they always update it with fab offers, on products that I either normally buy, or will buy it for the kids because I know they will like it!  Using this app I’ve picked up free bread, yoghurts, beverages and fruit and nut mixes.  Not only that, but I also got really good cash back deals on other items too: 6 1l bottle of Mountain Dew for £1.50, 5 500ml bottles of Vitamin Water for £1, and other drinks for just 25p!  It’s by far my favourite app right now, and I’ve not long cashed out on my rewards – a total of £27.50 at the end of last month, and I’ve already got another £9 pending as we speak, it’s so easy!  The deals change every other day, and there is always something to take advantage of.  Take a look and see if there is anything on there that you fancy, deals are often tailored to what you but after a couple of uses – making it personal to you and helps you save the most money!

What are your favourite tips for saving some cash when you’re shopping?

Until the next one,

Ways That I Save Money, Part 2

I really enjoyed sharing with you the simple things that I do to ensure that I get the best value for my money when I’m making purchases – so much so that I’m going to continue sharing my tips until I’ve covered the lot!  Again, these are things that I actually do every month without fail, and it’s all things that I really enjoy doing too!

Vouchers and Store Magazines

A lot of the shops that I go to these days use vouchers as an incentive to get you to come back.  And If I’m being honest, this does the trick for me!  Like I shared in my last blogpost, Tesco and Boots often provide you with vouchers that you can use on your next visit, however they are not the only shops that do so!  Holland and Barrett often print a 10%/20% off voucher for your next shop with then, Morrisons like to print off point boosting vouchers or a money saving one on petrol at the till and Superdrug a good old triple points one.  Alongside these, a lot of them actually have their own promo magazines too, which nearly always contain pretty decent money off or point boosting vouchers that you can use throughout the month.  Tesco, Boots and Pets at Home always have a good variety of coupons that you can redeem in store, which is always great for helping you to save the cash!

Free Gifts

One of my favourite things about Christmas shopping at this time of year is looking out for all of the free gifts that you can pick up whilst you are making your regular purchases.  For example, I was needing to pick up a few make-up bits recently, but hadn’t gotten round to doing it yet.  Mum pointed out that Soap and Glory were offering a free gift worth £23 when you spent £15 on their cosmetics at Boots stores.  With that being said, I was sold on the spot.  I ordered a primer and a blusher online, and received for free a highlighter, mascara and lippy – not bad at all considering the total retail price would have been £38!  At the same time as picking up these goods, I was actually ordering a couple of stocking fillers for a couple of people too.  I added my desired product to my basket, and noticed that if I spent £12 on that brand (and my product was already £8) then I would receive another free gift, worth £8.  The free gift actually turned out to be the exact thing that I was looking for, and so I chucked in another lippy for me and we were sorted.  I like that on the Boots website you can actually search for the free gifts offers by using the offers link – it makes shopping that little bit easier, and often gets me to try out brands that I’ve never used before – as I’m intrigued by the free gift.  Earlier in November I picked up some concealer, colour corrector and mascara from Superdrug on a 3for2 offer – and received a pompom for my car keys – as well as getting the cheapest item free!  Looking out for offers like these ensure that you are getting the best value for your money with every spend – hence why I like to shop like this now. 

Coffee on the Go

One of the easiest ways that I can save money every month is bring a coffee with me wherever I go.  I like to treat myself to flavoured coffees for keeping at home, and so in the morning when I’m heading off out the door to uni or work, it’s a real treat to enjoy a vanilla or gingerbread cuppa on the go – without the crazy price tag.  I like to have a coffee on me when I’m sitting in lectures  to keep me going – and so If I didn’t bring one with me everyday, I’d probably be spending £3 on a Costa a day… £9 a week… £36 a month!  Easy saving tips right there, totally simple yet you’d be surprised by the amount of people who actually spend that kind of money on the stuff every month.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about those coffee dates – and if I want an extra coffee after I’ve finished my home brewed one, then I’ll get one.  I’m not about depriving myself, just being a little more conscious of my spending is all.  Right now I’m loving the LittlesCoffees – and I’m currently on a mission to find their Christmas flavoured one, which sadly is out of stock in all my local Holland and Barrett stores.  Here is hoping I get my hands on one before the festive period ends.

And there we have it, these are some of the best ways that I go about ensuring that I’ve being a little bit more conscious with my spending every month – and yes, I’m treating myself AND saving money too.

Do you guys follow any of these rules too?

Until the next one,