StyleNest chat to Ed Fleming from money saving site savoo.co.uk, for some insider money saving tips and ideas.
Ed Fleming is the man in the know when it comes to money saving. As Head of PR at money saving site savoo.co.uk, he knows how to make the purse strings stretch that little bit further whether it’s saving on the weekly food shop or sourcing the best travel deals. We caught up with the man himself to steal some of his thrifty money saving tips and ideas.
You’re Head of PR at savoo.co.uk. Tell us about the site and what it offers.
Savoo is a new kind of money saving destination site. We offer a personalised deal feed that is designed around the things that are important to you. Say good bye to the hundreds of emails with offers you have no interest in and simply focus on the things you want to save on. The site also allows you to check who has the best rate on things like flights, broadband and mobiles and then see if there is a voucher or deal to make an even bigger saving on what you know is a great price. Getting a great deal matters and Savoo is passionate about helping people become savvier with their money.
What are your top tips for finding the best deals?
It sounds obvious, but the best place to start is with Google. Type in the name of the brand you want and add ‘discount code’ or a similar variation and see what comes up. Don’t forget to use cash back sites like Quidco as you can often combine a great deal with getting some money back as well. Following bloggers who specialise in money saving hints and tips is also a good idea as they tend to be impartial and cover all aspects of retail – from fashion to babycare.
With so many money saving, voucher code and discount sites out there, what’s best to look out for to ensure you’re saving money but not lacking service?
There’s a lot of choice out there, but that can only be a good thing as it means merchants are fighting to win your custom. And with the economic outlook still bleak, now is the time to get great deals. Savoo offers a personalised deal feed for members which we encourage consumers to sign up for. It allows you to sit back and let us do the work for you as we send you deals and discounts on items or brands you have expressed an interest in. This is unique technology that overcomes the issue of all those annoying emails you get every day that clutter your inbox and your mind.
What are your tips for living stylishly on a budget?
It can be done. There are always deals to be found, whether that’s through shopping online or just cruising your local shops, but testing new things can really transform your look. Be creative with what you buy and think about what you can add or take away to create the style that suits you. The same applies at home with decorating.
Can you recommend any blogs that have great tips for saving pennies without compromising on style?
Absolutely, www.athriftymrs.com and www.balletpumpsandroses.com are both blogs that I think are well written with passionate people behind them. Check out www.beelovesbeauty.com for thrifty ways to get your beauty fixes too.
What are the best money saving sites for mums?
We work closely with a number of ‘mum’ sites and there are plenty of really good ones out there, from www.athriftymum.com to www.missthrifty.com and www.pret-a-mummy.com.
How can mums save money when their little ones have a long list of items they need to start the new school term with?
As you can imagine, back to school can be a financially traumatic time, but fear not. The main supermarkets are conducting a running battle at the moment and as a result you can pretty much get a deal on school uniforms like we have never seen before. Tesco and Sainsbury’s are the two main protagonists.
How can StyleNesters save money when it comes to travel?
Research, research and more research. I know it sounds boring, but the more time you spend on travel the more you’re likely to save. But make sure you use cash back sites when you book flights or trains as many people forget to do that. You can also download ‘toolbars’ like Invisible Hand or Drop Down Deals that show you alternative prices for all things when you are searching – not just travel.
There are loads of restaurant, bar and entertainment offers on the web, what’s best to look out for and do you have any favourites?
High street chain restaurants like Pizza Express have changed the way we can eat out. Check sites like Toptable.co.uk who always list deals in your local area. It’s totally acceptable to use vouchers now and restaurants welcome it, but read the small print as some of the deals do come with the odd disclaimer.
How can you save money on the weekly food shop?
Our research shows grocery shopping is the one aspect of everyday life (not including cars and mortgage/ rent) the UK wants to save money on. On Savoo we have a Grocery section, which shows the best deals from the major supermarkets in real time so you are guaranteed to know which supermarket is going to offer the best price on what you want in your shop.
How can readers find out about exclusive fashion discounts, shopping events, sample sales, etc?
I’d read StyleNest but there are also some great bloggers like Liberty London Girl who always post offers and sales opportunities – follow them on Twitter to find out. Be sure to check sites like www.secretsales.com or www.brandalley.co.uk regularly as they can offer up some great gems.
Finally, list three simple things our readers can do on a daily basis in order to save some cash?
- Always spend some time researching before you buy
- Use cash back and deal sites to extend your saving
- Always read the small print – there’s nothing worse than thinking you have found a great deal only to find in the small print that it isn’t what you think it is
For more offers from fashion sales to beauty discounts; visit the StyleNest Offers page here.