If money is to tight to mention then read on for our top tips for beating the recession.
1. Reduce your credit card bill by transferring your balance to a lower rate card. Many credit card companies offer interest free promotional offers for a limited period. But be careful most will have a handling fee of 2%-3% so make sure it worth doing. See Virgin Halifax MBNA Barclays Egg for their latest offers.
2. If you are a lottery player who has never won, then invest in National Savings and Investment premium bonds. You have to invest a minimum of £100 but every month your bonds will go into a draw where the top prize is £1m and millions of other smaller prizes. Your money is always safe as its backed by the government and you can get it back when ever you want. See NS&I for more details.
3. Window shop often, the more frequently you visit a shop the more likely it is you will find real bargains. Shop are always getting rid of stock that is not selling well or is an older model, don’t wait for the sales window shop often.
4. Don’t buy new if you don’t have to, there are lots of places to buy second hand or nearly new goods, try out auction sites as well. Try CeX EBay or Cash Converters. You can also sell unwanted items to these sites as well.
5. Buy clothes from charity shops if your not too bothered by labels.
6. Many companies will also sell their demonstration goods at discounts, or like Dell or PC World they will also sell re-furbished or returned goods, normally with a warranty.
7. If you have to buy new shop around, Amazon is usually a good place to start, try going to the manufacturer and seeing if they have an outlet they sell directly from. If you do buy from a brick and mortar shop don’t be afraid to haggle over the price, most store will offer a discount or an accessory for free.
8. If your a student or teacher, some companies such as Microsoft and Adobe offer their software as Education/Student versions at much cheaper prices. For example Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 is available for £38.95 if you are a student or teacher, it normally sells for £354.
9. If you like reading, check out your local library, I know it sounds obvious. But why pay for magazines or books when you can read them for free. These days libraries have lots to offer. See the Libraries page for your local one.
10.Why buy cook books when there are thousands (if not millions) of recipes free on-line.
11. Be in the audience, enjoy the show. Get free tickets to BBC shows and ITV shows.
12. Glitter with free jewellery from the Silver Jewelry Club (£5 postage may apply).
13. Snap up 40 free prints when you join for free with photobox.
14. Get free MP3’s from Last.FM
15. The Royal Albert Hall has free lunch time music every Friday, its called ignite.
16. If you register with Pampers or Huggies you can get vouchers and free products.
17. Learn 1 of 36 languages for free with on-line courses from the BBC.
18. Give away stuff you don’t need for free and of course find stuff you want for free. Visit freecycle
19. Get free cinema tickets, see freecinematicketsuk or momentum pictures.
20. Get 2 for 1 tickets using an orange mobile phone, you don’t have to have an Orange contract just buy the cheapest SIM card.
