How to save money shopping online.

Great ideas on best websites and best deals.

It is no secret that being a single parent can be a struggle, especially financially. What is less well known is how much you can save when shopping online with some inside knowledge. 

While the end of the summer holidays can be a relief, the cost of getting the kids back to school can stretch the budget to breaking point. New uniforms, games kit, books, study aids, even laptops for the older children: it seems to get more expensive every year.

The recession may be squeezing our wallets but it is affecting retailers too. They must work harder for our custom. Many high street stores now issue online codes to enter at the checkout for an instant discount. These might be for money off, free delivery (worth as much as £5), free gifts or any number of special offers.

A whole range of useful back-to-school discount codes are gathered together in one handy place at VoucherCodes.co.uk’s Back to School Voucher Codes section to help parents save money.

Among the deals, Debenhams, Marks and Spencer and Shuh offer some of the best savings with Voucher Codes. New offers are being added all the time.

With or without a voucher code, there are a couple of sites you should bookmark if you have young children. Bambino Direct is the largest independent nursery stockists in the UK and has dozens of excellent deals. Everyone knows about Mothercare but did you know it offers online exclusive prices and voucher codes?

A superb resource for single parents is Freecycle. This online message board allows people to find a new home for unwanted belongings. From clothes and toys to furniture and appliances, it’s all free. You have to be quick though to get the best items.

Savvy online shoppers bookmark sites that offer regular discounts. Don’t buy a Dell laptop from the usual suspects. Go direct to Dell and grab one of their weekly deals for a better price. Another frequent discounter is M&S with its dedicated specials page.

Store newsletters and clubs offer rich pickings. In exchange for some advertising, you can profit from exclusive offers direct to your inbox. Sign up to Boots Parenting Club, for example, and receive an online voucher for 10% off.

Shopping for food on a budget is a challenge. Supermarkets, keen to attract online shoppers, now offer e-coupons with up to Ł10 off. Forget loyalty, it pays to see which supermarket is offering a discount each week and shop there. You can even sign up with a new account to take advantage of new customer deals – although this does mean missing out on loyalty card points.

It is better to cook from scratch but when you are just too tired, Pizza Hut Delivery can be a good value alternative. Frequent online offers include 2-for-1 pizza or 20% off orders over Ł20 with a voucher code.
Sometimes it feels like going out for a meal is something that other families do. Yet there are so many offers, if you know where to look. VoucherCodes.co.uk has hundreds of restaurant vouchers. Amazing deals include 2-for-1 mains or 50% off food at family-friendly restaurants such as Pizza Express, Giraffe, ASK and Gourmet Burger Kitchen.

Just download the voucher, print it out and take it with you to save. You can find all these offers and lots more at VoucherCodes.co.uk’s printable restaurant vouchers page.

What you might not realise is that if you stick to main courses and don’t order expensive drinks, 2-for-1 deals can be cheaper than eating at home as they work out to as little as £4 a head.

You can also save on family days out as many attractions, including Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, offer 2-for-1 entry vouchers.

Have a root around; there are lots of bargains to be found. If you find any extremely useful ones, start a new topic and share with other parents on the online groups.

Information provided by Simon Migliano of:
VoucherCodes.co.uk

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