As we scramble about for the best deal and take a new pride in saving money, voucher code, cash back and price comparison websites are becoming even more popular, offering savvy shoppers a way to save or even make money when buying online.

VOUCHER CODE SITES

Voucher code sites work by advertising deals and discounts from high street retailers and online shopping sites, which can be picked up by entering a special e-code online. When a visitor uses this code to buy something from a participating site such as Argos or Boots, the voucher code site takes a commission from that company. It’s a great way for the voucher code site and the company running the offer to make money, while you save cash.

Recommended voucher code sites:

MyVoucherCodes – Bookmark this site for the latest deals and discounts from a wide range of retailers.

Vouchercodes.co.uk – A nice clear layout. Click on the company logos featured on the homepage for today’s deals or browse all stores via the search bar.

PromotionalCodes.org.uk - Over 5000 promotions listed, many that are exclusive to the site. Offers and discounts from over 1300 UK stores.

Discountshoppinguk.co.uk – Clear interface with updates on featured, recently added and exclusive offers.

Codes.co.uk – Free voucher codes across a broad range of clearly listed categories.

Voucherstar.co.uk – Voucher deals searchable by store or category with a list of the ‘hottest voucher offers’ listed down the right hand side of the homepage.


CASH BACK SITES

Cash back sites allow you to in effect earn money or rewards as you shop at a number of different retailers. Like the voucher code sites, these receive commissions from the retailer when a customer clicks through and buys something from a participating company. The only difference is that the cash back sites pass some of that commission back to you, giving you better value for any money you spend online.

Recommended cash back sites:

Quidco.com – No flashing banner ads or in your face promotions. This passes on all referral commissions back to the consumer in exchange for keeping £5 a year as an admin fee.

Kidstart.co.uk - Register for free and shop online at hundreds of well known retailers and KidStart will give you up to 20% back which can be put into any Child Trust Fund or Bank or Building Society account.

Cashbackkings.com – Well designed site with clear deal categories listed down the side of the homepage and over 2000 retailers signed up to give cash back to shoppers.

Rpoints.com – Almost identical design and layout to Cashbackkings.com and does the same thing.

TopCashBack.co.uk – All the best deals are clearly laid out on the homepage with a number of ‘top tips’ for moneysavers listed down the side. If you’re feeling generous, you have the option to give your cash back to charity.


PRICE COMPARISON SITES

Most of us have heard of price comparison sites by now. These have made it very hard for retailers to overcharge and get away with it by letting you compare products and prices from retailers, side-by-side, helping you to find and choose the best deal. With a Blackberry to hand you can check as you shop, meaning no more dashes to one end of the high street only to realise that top was cheaper at the other.

Recommended price comparison sites:

comparethemarket.com/energy - Whether you’re looking for a dual fuel tariff or separate gas and electricity bills for your home or business, comparethemarket.com will help you compare and find the right energy deal for you. You could find yourself saving up to £219 on your annual energy bill, as well as benefiting from Meerkat Meals & Meerkat Movies.


Kelkoo.co.uk – a nicely designed site that compares prices across a wide range of well-known retailers and covers travel, electronics, home & garden, property, sport & fitness and more, and also scouts for the best cash back offers.

Moneysupermarket.com – covers a broad range of areas including shopping, gas & electricity, mobiles, broadband, insurance, motoring and more helping you to find the best deals with ease.

PriceRunner.co.uk – one of the biggest and oldest price comparison sites and still going strong, this specialises in electrical equipment such as digital cameras, phones, tvs and household appliances.

Gocompare.com – a clear and minimalist design for this site which compares quotes for your car, home, van and bike insurance.

Confused.com – We’ve all seen the TV ads for this one which compares prices on utilities, money, travel and insurance and features a useful selection of articles relating to these subjects.

By Emily Jenkinson