If you're after the very best deals when you shop, make sure you check out these top tips...
I don’t know about you, but I love a good bargain! And when I’m shopping online, there’s nothing more satisfying than finding a voucher code to save me some money, or a 2 for 1 deal at my local pizzeria.
Websites such as vouchercodes.co.uk, myvouchercodes.co.uk, discountvouchers.co.uk and voucherseeker.co.uk are great places to start if you’re hoping to slice some money off your bill, because they are packed full of discounts.
But because these sites have rapidly been growing in popularity, if you’re financially savvy enough, you’re bound to already know everything there is to know about them.
So in this article I’m going to reveal five further ways to find voucher codes - ones you may not have even heard of before.
Hot UK Deals
If you haven’t yet checked out this fabulous website, it’s about time you did. HotUKDeals offers exactly what it sounds like it offers - hot UK deals! In a nutshell, this website allows anyone and everyone to post any great deals they find on pretty much anything.
So whether you’ve found a fantastic new mobile phone tariff, or a brilliant bargain on Cadbury’s Wispa bars at your local ASDA, this is the place to post it.
And of course, it's also the place to check out if you're looking for a cracking deal! It’s a really easy way to locate discounts for all your shopping because there’s a whole section dedicated to vouchers. For example, there's currently a post stating you can save 20% in the M&S home department if you enter the online code HOMEDEAL before 7 March.
Social networking
Whether or not you’re a fan of social networking, Twitter and Facebook do have their uses.
If the idea of hunting for voucher codes on the internet sounds like a bit of an effort, using Twitter and Facebook could be the solution. All you have to do is sign up to follow websites such as vouchercodes.co.uk, myvouchercodes.co.uk, and discountvouchers.co.uk on Twitter, or become a fan on Facebook. This way you’ll continually be updated with the latest offers and all the hard work will be done for you.
Similarly, if you follow your favourite retailers, you’re also likely to find out about discounts and deals before everyone else does!
And finally, you may even manage to blag a few freebies through Twitter if you’re prepared to enter competitions. Find out more in Get free stuff from the internet.
(Don't forget - lovemoney.com has its own facebook fan page! We're currently running a competition where you can win free lovemoney.com goodies. Find out more)
Voucher Cloud
The one drawback to voucher codes is that if you’re not shopping online, voucher codes are pretty useless (unless there’s also a voucher you can print out and take with you to the high street).
However, one solution to this is the brand new Voucher Cloud app for the iPhone. This brilliant invention allows you to get discount vouchers straight to your mobile, as well as locate shops and restaurants in the local area that have special offers.
Voucher Cloud simply takes your current location via GPS and then tells you the closest offers to you. And the really great thing is, you don’t have to worry about printing out the vouchers – so you won’t have to cram your bag or pockets full of paper!
Instead, all you need to do is simply show the voucher on your screen to a member of staff for your discount.
Retailers currently taking part in this scheme include Faith, Dorothy Perkins, Slug & Lettuce, Hotel du Vin, Cafe Rouge, and Strada.
Group buying
If you’re after some fabulous discounts on the best things to do, see, eat and buy across the UK, make sure you check out brand new website Groupola.com.
This website works on the back of group buying power. Every day, Groupola will feature a new deal in eight cities (London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff and Edinburgh).
If enough people agree to commit to the deal, the company offering it will honour the deal. This could be anything from 50-90% off the full price. For example, right now you can pick up a ticket to a West End show as well as dinner, for £45 – a saving of 53%! Simply state that you want to buy it, and wait to see whether there are enough takers. You won’t be charged until the deal goes through.
Similar websites to this include Wowcher and VouchTogether – although Wowcher is currently limited to Bournemouth and London (with new cities being added shortly) and VouchTogether only offers deals in London.
Further bargains from lovemoney.com
Rachel Robson highlights four ways to save money as you shop!
The fifth and final place to find voucher codes is the very website you’re reading this article on – lovemoney.com! That’s because every week, you can enjoy our Frugal Friday and Frugal Food blogs which are jam packed with the latest deals and also feature some of the best voucher codes.
So whether you’re looking for a great deal on fashion or films, or simply want to chop several pounds off your food bill, make sure you check out these blogs every week! Simply register on lovemoney.com, and you can follow the blog and find new posts as soon as they are published, via your personal homepage.
Finally, if you’re looking for even more ways to save money, adopt our goal: Save money every day of the week. You can also watch our video: The best ways to shop online. And finally, why not wander over to Q&A and ask other lovemoney.com members for advice?