CONSUMER champion Jane Hawkes is an knowledgeable in the case of saving cash and getting the very best deal.
The 47-year-old has years of expertise in saving money and serving to others do the identical.
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With Christmas simply across the nook, Jane has shared her ideas and tips on learn how to have a spend-free festive season.
She herself “hasn’t spent a penny” on presents, meals, wrapping paper or playing cards to this point.
Jane is aiming to proceed this the nearer we get to the massive day and is encouraging others to do the identical.
She advised The Solar: “I see it as an fascinating problem and I will hold going for so long as attainable.
“I hope others do it too.”
The previous air hostess from Gloucestershire shares her experience on her client rights weblog Lady Janey.
She repeatedly posts her tips about how people can get their money back from huge corporations and tips to make huge financial savings.
Jane has shared her high ideas for the way you can also have a spend-free Christmas.
Get your self some freebies
Jane recommends signing as much as free-to-use freebie websites like latestfreestuff.co.uk and magicfreebies.co.uk.
Web sites like these record numerous provides, giveaways and competitions from plenty of completely different manufacturers like M&S and Nivea.
You possibly can seize all kinds of bits like free samples of make-up or skincare, in addition to chocolate and cans of fizzy drinks.
Jane has bagged herself a number of free fragrance samples which she stated she’ll put along with different bits to create hampers as presents.
She’s additionally carried out the identical with chocolate samples and different candy treats.
Jane stated the easiest way to make use of the websites is to create an inventory of the stuff you’re after so you already know precisely what to search for.
On her personal record have been confectionary, cosmetics, fragrances, alcohol and vouchers.
Many of the freebies will be claimed by finishing surveys or signing as much as be a product tester.
In the mean time Jane has 5 fragrance samples on their solution to her which might often value round £2.50 every.
Be certain that to take a look at the phrases and situations of every product earlier than you declare.
Be in it to win it
One other one in all Jane’s high ideas is to enter on-line competitions to get much more free stuff.
She repeatedly makes use of the location superlucky.me and stated “it is wonderful”.
Once more, Jane stated the very best factor to do is create an inventory of the stuff you’d like and solely enter competitions which provide them.
The competitions will be accessed without cost by means of the weblog in addition to on social media – you’ll be able to enter a number of instances to extend your possibilities.
Every particular person competitors has its personal set prizes of money, vouchers or free bits.
Competitors knowledgeable Di Coke repeatedly updates the weblog with up-to-date particulars on the competitions, in the meanwhile there are ones listed from Coca-Cola and Mastercard.
Do make sure that to test the T&Cs of every to keep away from disappointment.
Thus far, Jane has received £20 value of Amazon vouchers which she’ll use as presents.
She stated it is a good way to get freebies because the competitions “make it a bit extra enjoyable”.
Talent swapping your solution to free presents
Do you have got a particular ability that different individuals cannot do in addition to you?
Jane stated one in all her finest ideas is to commerce your particular expertise with another person to get some nice presents.
Together with her 5 plus years of expertise engaged on social media and writing for her weblog, Jane has provided her companies to family and friends and managed to seize some beautiful presents in return.
Most not too long ago, she helped her buddy arrange social media for his or her enterprise and was then given a bag of selfmade fudge which she’ll give this Christmas.
She has additionally traded her expertise for a scrumptious brownie bomb for the proper present for a chocolate lover.
The fudge and the brownie bomb are often bought at £4.50 and £12.95 respectively, in order that’s an enormous saving.
Put these grocery store reward factors to good use
All of us wrack up 1000’s of grocery store reward factors simply from merely doing our buying each week.
This yr Jane has saved up her Nectar factors by buying at Sainsbury’s and has picked up a number of presents with out spending an additional penny.
Utilizing her factors she purchased a bottle of Baileys (often £9) and two bottles of wine (£6 every), which used round 3,000 factors.
She has saved herself simply over 6,000, round £30, which she’ll use on groceries.
Additionally, by means of her Boots Benefit Card factors, she additionally managed to choose up a Lynx set.
Receives a commission for answering questions on what you are occupied with
Jane has managed to win extra Amazon vouchers by merely anwering questions on TV programmes she watches.
She does this by finishing on-line surveys at freestuff.co.uk.
She stated: “You receives a commission for answering questions on stuff you’re already occupied with, so it is actually not a chore.”
By way of collaborating within the surveys and questionnaires, you accumulate factors which then will be withdrawn within the type of vouchers.
You may give the vouchers as presents or use them to purchase different presents.
‘Do not ask, do not get’ – free magnificence samples
One factor Jane swears by is that “when you do not ask, you aren’t getting”.
She makes use of this philosophy to get free make-up minis from huge shops like John Lewis.
She has managed to bag herself mini mascaras, eye cream, basis and cleansers by merely asking on the counter.
You do not have to purchase something in retailer to get the freebies, however simply ask for a tester and most outlets are pleased to oblige.
Every will be given as mini presents, stocking fillers or as half of a bigger hamper.
Do not forget in regards to the free money you have already got
Jane is an avid consumer of TopCashback – the cashback web site that lets you earn as you spend.
Websites like TopCashback provide you with a refund in your buying, however they require you to spend the money first.
You then get reimbursed, whether or not it is a set quantity or a sure share off your buying.
The positioning, just like rival Quidco, pays once you undergo its web site to spend with retailers or suppliers.
Jane stated she makes use of the free money she earns to purchase presents, so she’s not spending any additional.
Re-use, recycle
Web sites like nextdoor.co.uk and freecycle.org permit individuals to record their undesirable ins and outs for others to choose up without cost.
This tip is not one which Jane has used herself however she stated she’s at all times looking out for one thing she may need.
She stated there’s at all times pre-loved toys which might make nice presents for teenagers and do not value a factor.
Make your individual vouchers
This yr Jane and her husband have agreed to not spend any cash on presents for one another.
As an alternative, she’ll be creating her personal vouchers providing issues like doing the washing up for a month.
Jane stated: “It is the thought that counts and issues like that may actually imply so much.”
Folks can provide no matter they like on the vouchers and the recipient can money it in after they want a favour or good factor being provided.
For those who’re in search of methods to make some free cash before Christmas we have rounded up some simple methods right here.
Additionally, this savvy dad has managed to pay for many of his presents this yr through the use of a cashback website.
