Subscribe to AfterDawn's weekly newsletter.
Top 10 Tips to Beat the 'Credit-Crunch'
LONDON, October 8 /PRNewswire/ -- - Mattias Berg, UK Managing Director, the Impartial Price Comparison Service, PriceRunner.co.uk 1. Don't be rash - do your research Impulse buying can leave you seriously out of pocket or, worse still, with something you don't need and don't want. Always do your homework, especially if it's an expensive item. You may find something similar in another store, that's better suited to your needs and with a lower price tag. It happens more than you think! 2. Try your hand - haggle! Don't shy away from asking for a better deal than what's on offer. Consider pushing for a longer warranty, a lower price or even a few extras thrown in for good measure - this is especially true with laptops or other expensive items. Stores often leave room for negotiation - so, if you don't ask... 3. Dine out on a deal At the moment, restaurants and eateries in particular are pulling out all the stops out to ensure they don't lose custom. Make the most of any '2 for 1' or money-off deals available - but always remember to read the small print, as some are only valid on certain days of the week or at certain times of the day. 4. Go out - with a plan There are plenty of websites offering great deals on theatre tickets, amusement parks and general attractions - use them! Planning ahead can net you sizeable savings, particularly with travel costs. Booking train tickets well in advance can significantly boost your spending money and let you really make the most of your day out. 5. Stop spending so much! Seems simple but, when the purse strings are tight, stop for a moment and think "do I really need this?" If you do, reserve the item and then step out of the shop to further test your resolve. If the answer's no, just think of all the money you've saved as you walk away! 6. Shop online Any savvy shopper will tell you that great savings can be made by steering clear of the high street for certain things. Holiday's are a great example of this, along with expensive home goods. Research shows that between June and July this year alone, internet shopping rose by a staggering 11.3%. That means more and more people are looking to the web to get the very best value for their money. 7. Use a price comparison website If you don't know where to start, price comparison websites exist solely to help you find the right item at the right price. Although most only show you items they are paid to display - meaning you never see everything that's available - PriceRunner.co.uk is the only one that lists items from as many stores as possible, whether they pay to advertise or not. On top of that, the cheapest price is always shown first, to ensure you get the very best deals. The best sites also have buying guides and consumer forums to help you shop wisely. 8. Broaden your horizons Research undertaken by PriceRunner.co.uk has shown that huge savings can be made by travelling outside the Euro zone. For example, Dalaman in Turkey is now proving particular popular with British tourists. To maximise the strength of the pound in your pocket, always avoid destinations that offer a poor exchange rate. Or, alternatively, join the growing number of Brits opting to holiday here in the UK. Look around and you'll find some great deals. 9. Buy from abroad We all know that Brits often pay more than other countries for particular goods. Well, if you can find it cheaper elsewhere, then go for it! Tokyo generally offers huge discounts on mobile phones and games consoles. Just be careful with compatibility issues, especially with electrical items from overseas. And bear in mind that goods priced over GBP18 from outside the EU are also liable for import duties and VAT. 10. ...be patient Don't be a financial fashion victim! Wait a while before you buy that brand-spanking new, 'must have' item. Delaying your purchase by only a few months can result in a significant price drop - guaranteeing you a far better deal. In uncertain times like these, that's real style! * statistics sourced from IMRG: http://www.imrg.org/8025741F0065E9B8/( httpPressReleases)/F55E3BC198301F3A802574AB002DB02D?OpenDocument (Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the space if one exists.) Contact: Sam +44(0)208-846-0708 Sam.lehane@text100.co.uk
