Life

Netting a Bargain: Earn cashback, find short-lived deals and improve your financial fitness

Quidco is one of the longest-established cashback sites
Quidco is one of the longest-established cashback sites Quidco is one of the longest-established cashback sites

Jonathan Campbell rounds up the best deals on the web and the high street

:: MADE a new year’s resolution to get financially fitter? You’ve come to the right place. Short-lived sales might save you a few pounds on one-off purchases but recouping money week after week throughout the year makes a bigger difference.

:: Start a new habit of using cashback sites regularly. The biggest and longest-established ones are Quidco and TopCashBack. Join up and then use the special links from either site each time you shop for anything, whether groceries, gifts or financial products. Your transaction is tracked and within a few weeks or months you get back a percentage of what you spent.

It’s particularly satisfying when you splash out on a holiday and get £50 or so back later in the year. Even better – you can get cashback on the things everyone hates having to buy, such as home insurance. Find out more at www.quidco.com and www.topcashback.co.uk. Already a Topcashback user? Until 10am on Wednesday January 4, classic members get £25 and plus members get £30 for inviting a friend who earns £10 cashback. Referrals can be made using the ‘tell a friend’ section of your account.

:: Regular readers will be familiar with www.vouchercodes.co.uk, which collates discount codes including many exclusives, week after week. Examples at the moment include a free £50 gift card with TV orders over £549 at Currys, valid until Sunday January 8.

:: Consumer site www.moneysavingexpert.com is a mine of useful information. Sign up for the weekly email or browse the forums and guides including advice on consumer rights. There’s an entire section dedicated to coupons for discounts on groceries (and freebies too).

:: Deals site www.hotukdeals.com has grown into a giant over the past few years. Make it your first port of call before you buy anything (or if you’re looking for a bargain but have nothing in particular in mind). There are sections devoted to voucher codes and freebies.

:: Subway Rewards members who spend £10 in one transaction in store by close of business on Monday January 2 get 500 bonus points (enough for a free 6in sub).

:: Don’t forget – until Friday January 6, children eat free at Tesco cafes when accompanied by an adult paying normal price. This offer is open to Clubcard holders only.

j.campbell@irishnews.com

Details accurate at time of going to print. Offers subject to availability.