Make January 2013 the month of mega shopping savings with these top tips

Dec 29th 2012, 10:00 | By Sarah Jordan | 1 comment

Get savvy with your finances so you can buy everything you want and spend less...

We've been combing the pages of Ausperity: Live the Life You Want for Less by financial journalist Lucy Tobin, to find out how we can splurge on clothes and save money at the same time.

Here are her top tips for becoming a savvy shopper in 2013...

1. Price comparison

When you're out and about smart phones offer a really easy way to do a quick price check. Sites like kelkoo.co.uk, pricerunner.co.uk and Google shopping will show you where to buy your chosen item for the cheapest price. You can also try free app RedLaser, which allows you to scan in barcodes and check to see if the item is available cheaper nearby.

2. Befriend a student

Who doesn't remember the good old days of student discounts and cheap train fare? If you've got a student in the family make sure you take them along when you buy expensive computer equipment. Anyone with an 'ac.uk' email address is usually given offers on Microsoft software, laptops and gadgets. Plus, NUS cards can help you get a nifty 10% of clothes, shoes and accessories.

3. Cash back services

If you're not a member of Quidco.com you need to join NOW! This shopping cash back service allows you to buy online and receive a percentage of your total back.

So, how does it work? Well, retailers pay a commission each time a customer completes a transaction through Quidco. This commission is then returned to your bank account in the form of cashback. It's really that simple. Other great sites include topcashback.co.uk and greasypalm.co.uk.

4. Take a road trip

Designer outlet villages and factory shops can also offer big bargains. Some of the best known are The McArthur Glen Chain, which has six outlets across the country, the Bicester Village Outlet near Oxford and Clarks Village in Somerset. All of these places offer significant discounts on designer brands like Molton Brown, Donna Karan, Jigsaw, Gap, Monsoon, Burberry and Prada.

5. Price check

If you're a keen Amazon buyer it's worth checking out zeezaw.co.uk. Type in the items you want to buy and the price you want to pay - the site will then watch the products on Amazon and drop you an email when they reach the right price.

Or if you're an eBay obsessive, tell fatfingers.co.uk what you want to bid for and it will search the auction site for listings incorporating common typos. This way you find items others aren't tracking down and much lower bids. Result.

6. Get group buying

Make the most of Groupon, Wowcher and LivingSocial to get incredible deals on holidays, spa treatments and experiences. If you're a beauty junkie join Wahanda.com which specialises in facials, mani/pedis, massages and spa breaks.