14 ways the internet can save you money

It's easy to save money online - if you know where to look...

Here are 14 ways the internet can seriously save you some cash:

1) Online is cheaper

Goods bought online are often much cheaper than goods bought on the high street - even after you've factored in postage and packaging.

Read Online shopping is cheaper to find out how much you could save by shopping online for ten popular items.

• Watch our video: The best ways to shop online

2) Price comparison

Price comparison websites like Kelkoo or PriceRunner allow you to track down the very best deal at the touch of a button.

These sites will scour those retailers with an online presence, to find out where to get the item you want at the cheapest price.

3) Cashback

Certain credit cards allow you to get cashback on the items you purchase. But if a cashback credit card isn't for you (or if you just want to make even more money) it's worth using cashback websites like Quidco, Top CashBack, RPoints and GreasyPalm.

In a nutshell, these sites will give you a percentage of what you spend back (in cash or vouchers) when you shop through them.

Each one operates a slightly different membership system and payment scheme. Read Earn cashback on everything! to find out which is the best one for you.

4) Travel

In May 2009, a House of Commons committee criticised the fact that low-cost rail fares are sometimes only accessible to people with internet access. In fact, offline travellers are missing out in every area of public transport.

For example, Ryanair customers are now required to check-in online - and print off their boarding cards - before they leave the house. Anyone not following this procedure will face an extra £40 fee at the airport.

And although you can book £1 Megabus coach tickets over the phone (as well as online), you'll be charged an enormous call rate of 60p per minute from a landline.

5) Food and drink

Comparison website MySupermarket makes it much easier for you to hunt down the cheapest groceries, because it compares the price of items sold at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Ocado (Waitrose's online store).

And if you feel like eating out, restaurant discount websites like TopTable and 5pm have a huge range of money-off deals, offering cut-price set menus, 50% off meals and much more.

On top of all that, many meal deal vouchers are now only available online. Have a look at our latest Frugal Friday blog to find the offers currently valid.

• Adopt our goal: Cut your food bills

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Cut your food bills

As food prices continue to rise, here's some handy ways to keep your food bills under control.

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6) Voucher sites

Talking of vouchers, there are now several websites dedicated to rounding up money-off promotions and vouchers for everything from clothing and cosmetics to electronic equipment and furniture.

7) Online billing

Several companies now offer financial incentives to customers who forgo postal billing and view their bills online, instead.

For example, BT will give you £1.25 off your monthly bill if you're willing to give up the bits of paper and pay online by direct debit. If you do need a physical record, you could print the bill off yourself for far less than that.

8) Free phone calls

If you sort yourself out with a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) system like Skype, you'll be able to make free calls through your computer to other Skype users anywhere in the world.

If a close relative is living in another country, the installation costs may quickly be covered by the savings you make. Read Make free calls through your computer to find out more.

9) Cheaper utilities

Online comparison services can reduce your utility bills by helping you to easily find the cheapest deals on gas and electricity.

• Adopt our goal: Lower your household bills

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How to cut your energy, insurance, phone, broadband, water and TV bills, lower your council tax and save thousands of pounds a year!

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10) The best financial products

And when it comes to financial products, it isn't just about comparing what's on offer. Many of the best deals and most competitive products are only available to apply for and/or operate online.

For example, web-only deals very often top the tables when it comes to car insurance and home insurance. 

11) Loyalty means more

If you have a loyalty card (like a Nectar card or a Tesco Clubcard) your points will probably be worth more if you spend them online, rather than at the supermarket.

Read How to make the most of reward points to find out more.

12) Freebies galore

In recent years, the internet has become a freebie hunter's paradise. There are now several community sites dedicated to recycling items given away by their users.

Start by signing up to Freecycle and SnaffleUp and see what's on offer in your local area. Just remember to give something back when you can, to keep the whole system ticking over nicely.

13) Swap don't shop

Alternatively, use one of the net's many swapping sites to exchange something you don't want for something you do. There are now websites dedicated to swapping clothes, books, gardening equipment, holiday homes, skills and almost anything else you care to mention.

In most cases, no money has to change hands. Read Stop spending, start swapping! to find out more.

14) Talk it over

Finally, the web is a fantastic resource for help and support on everything to do with money. If you want to ask for financial advice or just get money worries off your chest, I wholeheartedly recommend our Q&A tool.

Remember, on the web you're never alone with your financial problems. There's always someone to talk to, even in the dead of night.

Getting started

Do you know someone who's reluctant to get online? It may not be as complicated, difficult or expensive as they think.

If you want to give them a hand, read Get your granny online!, Kit out a PC for free! and Get a better broadband deal to help put them on the right track.

This is a classic article which was updated in April 2010.

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