If you're trying to save money this Christmas, there's a treasure trove of websites that could cut your costs on everything from tickets to petrol. Here's our pick of the best online tips and tricks that could save you a ton.
Get savvy with Amazon
If Amazon's dynamic pricing drives you crazy, or you have a tendency to leave things in your shopping cart to see if prices drop, CamelCamelCamel is the solution. Just enter an Amazon product to check the current price of it, and look at how significantly it has risen and dropped over the last few months. This is less useful if you're a last minute shopper, but ideal if you're a forward planner.
Buying gifts? Enlist the help of a student
If you can get a student onside, there's a good chance that your Christmas could cost less. If you're purchasing something from a site that offers student discount, you usually just need to enter a code at checkout to get some money off. If you don't have a student to hand, you can bend the rules a little by enrolling on an online course to get a NUS card.
Are sold out tickets on the Christmas list? No problem
This great little website lets you purchase face value tickets for sold out shows. Twickets sells tickets directly from individual sellers, for the price that they were purchased for. It's secure too - if your tickets aren't as described then you get your money back. Set up an email alert for the events you want tickets for, and they'll notify you when there's a seller - perfect for Christmas presents.
Buying more gifts? Enlist the help of the Police
On Bumblebee Auctions, you can bid for items that have been acquired by the police (yes, really). The website isn't too flashy, but you can bid for everything from bicycles to electronics to instruments. If you're on a tight budget this Christmas, this is a great place to find used goods. You can get high-end items for charity shop prices - saving hundreds of pounds in the process. You will have to pick up the item from the station though.
Do the food shopping online
A ton of supermarkets offer vouchers for online shoppers; we found deals with Ocado, Waitrose and Sainsburys with just a quick Google. You might have to fork out if you want a Christmas slot, but £20 off your christmas food shop isn't to be sniffed at. Even if you're not a new customer, you can make a new account with a different debit card to get the same 'first shop' deals. Just make sure you watch out for those sneaky substitutions.
Save money on train tickets
This trick isn't just for Christmas, it's for life. If you're travelling up, down or across the country for the festive season, run your tickets through a train splitter like this one. The site will break up your journey into two or three separate journeys, and in doing so ensure that you get the best deal. You might have to change to two or three different seats (or trains) to get to London, but you're likely to save loads of money in the process.
And save money if you're driving
Or if your braving the roads over Christmas, sign up to Petrol Prices before you fill up. If you pop in your postcode, they'll tell you the cost of petrol around where you live. The difference could be as much as 30p a litre, so definitely worth checking out if you're filling up the tank before a long drive.
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