Best Money Saving Sites

In these unsettled financial times, it's no longer about what you've got, but how cheap you bought it and this means being proactive about finding the best deal. Thankfully, this no longer requires hours of hard work and determination: the internet is a goldmine of fantastic money-saving websites. We pick out some of our favourites below.


1. Look for the best money saving advice at MONEYSAVINGEXPERT.COM

Love him or hate him, Martin Lewis really knows his stuff when it comes to making the most of your money, and his comprehensive website, www.moneysavingexpert.com reflects this. Whether it's credit cards, phones, utilities, savings, investments, loans, insurance, travel, mortgages, or almost anything else money-related, this site is sure to have some sound advice to offer. The content is always fresh, relevant and topical and there is a lively chat forum, which, in these tough times, reflects this website's ever increasing popularity.

Read The Good Web Guide's full review of Moneysavingexpert.com by clicking here


2. Find the lowest prices on the best hotels at LASTMINUTE.COM

The first of its kind for cheap flights and holiday deals, www.lastminute.com now has a number of rivals - but, in our view, it still nudges ahead of the competition for good value and interest. Its ‘Top Secret Hotels' service is a particular favourite of ours with top hotels offering an exclusive 45% off already discounted prices to lastminute.com customers. The only catch is that, because the deals are so phenomenal, participating hotels wish to stay anonymous until you've booked! A spontaneous break and an unbeatable bargain in our view…..and it tops staying at home.

Read The Good Web Guide's full review of Lastminute.com by clicking here


3. Get an insider's guide to discounted homeware at HOMES&BARGAINS.CO.UK

Set up by property and interiors expert Alison Cork, www.homesandbargains.co.uk offers a wealth of relevant and current home-related advice, a constant stream of exclusive bargains and a mine of information on the best bargains outlets and sales across the UK. Whether it's high street furniture at half price, a one off designer homeware sale in East London or a little known bargain outlet in Cheshire, Homes & Bargains will point you in the right direction. As the credit crunch forces us to make cut backs, homesandbargains.co.uk offers some much needed ‘luxury for less' and has really cornered the market for home-related bargains.

Read The Good Web Guide's full review of HomesandBargains.co.uk by clicking here.


4. Keep abreast of the best offers, promotions and deals at LYNKU.CO.UK

Little known but highly relevant, www.lynku.co.uk is a very thorough and well-thought out website which quite literally ‘links you' to the best sales and promotions taking place right now. You can search by Ladies Clothing, Men's Clothing, Home Furnishing, Health & Beauty or Children's and find, within each category, a wealth of really juicy money-off deals on anything your heart desires really. Whether it's t-shirts or toys, candles or coats, the choice is diverse and the offers come from a broad range of retailers. And watch out for the exclusive offers available too.

5. Earn cash while you shop at GIVEORTAKE.COM

A genuinely original and valuable website, www.giveortake.com gives you cashback as you shop at dozens of stores including M&S, Argos, Boden and many more. For example, if you spend £50 on flowers at Bunches, you'll get £5 and so on. Each store displays the amount of cashback you receive as a member, either as a lump sum amount, or a percentage of the purchase price. You are then asked whether you would like to keep the cash, or give it to charity. Only one question remains: are you a giver or a taker?


6. Compare prices and find the best deals at PRICERUNNER.CO.UK

One of the best known price comparison sites, www.pricerunner.co.uk hands the power back into the hands of the consumer, helping them to find and choose the best deals out there. At pricerunner.co.uk you can compare prices on almost anything you would care to spend your money on as well as finding competitions and a great chat forum where you can post and reply to all types of questions posed by members of the public.


7. Get rid of old junk and find things for free at FREECYCLE.ORG

What better way to save money than to get rid of it all together? Launched in a bid to promote waste reduction and help reduce landfill sites, www.freecycle.org offers an electronic forum, used by members across the globe, through which you can give and get stuff for free. Members wishing to get rid of anything, just send an email out to members of their local group. Whoever wants the item responds, after which a pick up time is arranged - it's that easy. A local facility making changes on a global scale - in a world of cutting edge commercial enterprise, this is a breath of fresh air.


8. Save money on your medications at CHEMISTDIRECT.CO.UK

Allergies? Quitting smoking? Chesty cough? Before you slog off to your local chemist, it's worth looking up www.chemistdirect.co.uk, where you can shop for medication at up to 70% less than the usual high street price. Covering areas from Pain Relief to and Mouth Care to Headaches and Chinese Medicines, this has something to treat most ailments. And with fast delivery direct to you door, you don't have to even leave your bed.


9. Let the best car deals come to you with AUTOEBID.COM

While some car buyers like to smell the leather and hear the purr of an engine before making a purchase, the lure of a bargain is driving many online. Part of a growing trend for reverse auction sites and particularly relevant at a time when car-related costs are rising (think fuel, congestion charges, large vehicle penalties etc), www.autoebid.com helps you to buy your next car cheaper. Simply pick a model of car that you would like at Autoebid's ‘target price', then ask dealers to bid down to win your business. You can save thousands, but be prepared to pay Autoebid's commission of up to £295 plus vat if the target price is reduced.

10. Or you could always try your lucky hand with LOQUAX.CO.UK

On this competition website, you'll find literally hundreds of things to enter, giving away masses of great prizes from cash to holidays in the sun. Used by professional compers and those wanting to dip in now and again, Loquax Competitions is the UK's leading competitions portal with an active forum.


By Emily Jenkinson

July 07