Among other things, the web is like a massive net designed to help shoppers trawl for the best deals
Four in five (79%) Quids in! readers already have access to the internet (like you!) and three in five (60%) are online at home with a PC, tablet or smartphone. It’s easy to be better off by using the web to the full. So exactly how do we cash in and make all this tech pay for itself?
1 MINE IS BIGGER THAN YOURS
Compare online bargains with what’s in the local shops. Looking for a TV or something small like a CD? Type what you’re looking for into the search bar on google.com or yahoo.com and see who’s selling it cheapest.
2 DEAL ME IN
There are hundreds of special offers online. Vouchercloud.com, for example, will tempt you with online offers and deals you can claim locally. It’s only a saving if you were going to splash out anyway, though.
3 FREE FOR ALL
You can pick up a load of stuff for free or cheap with websites like ilovefreegle.org, myskip.com and gumtree.com. Anything from carpets to cardigans are out there, with a little virtual digging.
4 FREE YOURSELF
It can cost a bomb just to get rid of old kit but if someone else could use it, post it on ilovefreegle.org or Google search ‘charity donation pick up’ or try furnituredonationnetwork.org.
5 BILLS, BILLS, BILLS
Many are sceptical about comparison sites. More regulation is needed but in the meantime, using a couple at a time will maximise your chance of finding the cheapest gas, electric, insurance and more.
6 GET WIRED
Buying DVDs? Subscribing to Netflix or Amazon (even if you buy a cable linking your computer and TV) could save money, or check out what’s on YouTube for free. Love CDs? Listen to almost any music on Spotify. Quids in! has just launched a YouTube Channel with a free music playlist for readers – save yourself the cost of the latest Now! CD.
7 LOOKS TOO GOOD?
Most things that look too good to be true usually are but if you want to know for sure, check it out online. Search for reviews or check out the small print.
One word of caution…
Good websites are about helping their visitors. They recognise they’ll make money in the end if people feel good about their brand. But everyone is trying to make money, so watch out for the ads, requests for your email (unless you can clearly turn down spam), and ‘in app purchases’ where parents have been caught out letting their kids play games.
