I’m always looking for ways to save money, without compromising on what I need. You’ll be surprised by how much money you can save if you make a few smart changes. Here are my top 3 tips for getting a great deal.

1. Shop Around

The Internet makes it easy to ‘shop around’ without even leaving the comfort of your home. I always check online for regular purchases or expensive purchases to see where I can save a few pounds. Think about things that you pay for each month, like your electricity bill, your groceries and your broadband bill. If you can save £5 or £10 a month on each of these things, it doesn’t sound like a lot, but over the course of the year it could be £60 or £120 which you could easily put towards a savings goal. If you do this across a few things, just imagine the total savings you can net. Getting a broadband and phone package is a great way to cut your costs on both of these things at once. Check out these great wifi broadband deals starting at just £18. Many of the deals also include vouchers or cash back offers, making the savings even more substantial.

2. Ask

It might not seem obvious, but sometimes asking is the easiest and best way to get a discount. When I used to work in a retail shop, I had the authority to offer a 10% discount on all purchases. The shopper just had to ask me and I could give it to them, but I couldn’t offer it straight off the bat. Asking nicely whether there are any discounts available or even when the next big sale is on, is a great way to skim a little fat off the price. It might not work, but you might be surprised by how often you can save a little extra by simply asking! This is even more true if you’re purchasing a few items from the same store, such as a few pieces from a furniture store. The old saying “you never know until you ask” proves true here.

3. Go Second Hand

There are so many nice options for second hand stores now, many that focus just on high street or designer brands. It’s great for your pocket, because you’re buying good quality clothes at prices much lower than retail. It’s also great for the environment because things are being reused and you can move away from fast fashion – cheap clothes from cheaper brands that wear out fast. I’ve been able to find so many great deals shopping in second hand stores and it’s almost become a bit of a hobby to see what kind of bargains I can find.

With a few adjustments to your every day living, you can save a lot of money that you can put towards the things you love.