Current Discounts And Deals # 12

Here's a round-up of some of the best deals on offer at the moment, including those all-important high street sales.

As we enter 2008, it's all about the sales. The high street is crammed with retailers slashing prices, and most of the big guns are offering at least 50% off selected products.

It's impossible to give a comprehensive breakdown of what's on offer - but here are some of our top new picks:

Boots is offering a wide range of products at half price, including items in its beauty, fragrance, gift, toy and photo collections. Deals include 50% off several digital cameras and camcorders which are available online only.

The British Airways sale is currently in full swing - check out the deals available on Lastminute.com.

The Debenhams sale has also cranked up a gear, with the store now offering an extra 10% off sale prices (many items were already discounted by as much as 70%).

If it's menswear you're after, have a look in Burton. Much of the range is currently half price, including jeans from £12, suits from £65 and shoes from £10.

Talking of shoes, Faith, Barratts and Office all have impressive reductions on wide ranges of footwear.

And one for the ladies: if you still have some parties to go to, there are lots of glamorous dresses in Monsoon discounted by 50%.

Are you thinking of travelling by train? Virgin Trains is currently offering bargain fares between London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly. Bookings are currently available up to February 15^th, and at the time of writing, £3, £7 and £9 tickets are all still available. 

Finally, here's something a bit different that's been suggested by a Fool reader. Poundbelow is a website which lets you know about UK-based eBay items which have been listed for under a pound.

You can search in particular categories or for particular items, and if you persevere, you can make real savings. Just don't end up with lots of stuff you don't really want!

Offers which continue to be valid:

First up is a real gem from Amazon. The online shopping giant has a little known price drop policy where if they lower the price on something you've bought within the past 30 days, they'll credit you with the difference.

However, as with most things, if you don't ask, you don't get. Check for current prices on the website by looking through all your invoices for the past 30 days.

If you've paid more than the current price, here's how to claim your money back:

1.) Go to the 'Contact Us' section of the website
2.) Go to 'Return and refund questions'
3.) Select 'I have a question about returns that's not listed above'
4.) Sign in
5.) Do as instructed in the above article to claim!

For sushi lovers everywhere, Yo! Sushi is offering a whopping 50% off your meal from 14^th January 2008. You can get up to 10 plates per person at half price if you register with the site.

Wine enthusiasts can claim a £40 voucher at Virgin Wines today. Simply enter the voucher code: AMAZWB and password WINEBANK to claim the discount.

However - be aware that you have to spend at least £79.99 to qualify for the discount, and if you use the voucher you will automatically be signed up for Virgin's Winebank. This means you will be debited £20 a month if you don't cancel your membership after you've ordered your tipple.

Virgin is currently offering one free mobile SIM card per household. What's more, you also get £5 of free credit to get you started. Simply fill out the online form to claim your SIM.

Calling all nature lovers - why not order a free Nature of Britain calendar courtesy of the Open University? Alternatively, you can pick one up at your local library while stocks last, or download a copy from the website.

For regular rail users, beat the fare hike blues and console yourself with some discounted food. Sign up for a BiTE card and you can get 20% off food and drink at many participating outlets across the country. Registration is as simple as filling out an online form - and cards valid for 2008 are available now.

For the food connoisseurs among us, why not sign up to Toptable, where you can earn points by booking restaurant tables through their website. Currently, 6 bookings will earn you a free two or three course meal, with an automatic 200 points for signing up. If you eat out regularly, the points can quickly build up, and there are lots of offers such as 2 for 1 dining available through their regular newsletters.

For bargain cinema tickets, why not check out lastminute.com, which is offering tickets at any one of 14 participating VUE cinemas (unfortunately this offer is only available in London) for the bargain price of £4.99.

If you have any more suggestions, please let us know by posting them on the Moneysaving tips discussion board, adding your comments to this article or by sending us an email at moneysavingtips@fool.co.uk