This season, we've been hearing a lot about retail sales dropping through the floor and the dire state of the economy etc,etc.

I am not so sure that the actual sales are dropping, transaction for transaction, but rather we the consumers are carefully picking and choosing, how we are going to spend money. For example, rather than buy a new flat screen telly, we are choosing to buy several lower priced items. I theorise transaction quantities will go up this season, even though the overall pound for pound spend compared tolast year will most likely drop.

So if you are trying to save money, yet still enjoy your festive season, here are some suggestions. 

  1. Shop online and use voucher sites and affiliate blogs to source the best deal. Many of the best deals are to be found online and here is why. In order to stimulate online sales the large companies such as the supermarkets, large retailers and telecoms companies offer amazing deals through third party agents only such as their affiliates . Our two main sites at Student deals and The seasonal spend, are always providing voucher codes that are unavailable elsewhere, as well as some truly amazing one off deals.
  2. When shopping around, do a price match. You will often find that if your favourite shop is being undersold by the competition, they will price match for you. Even the large supermarkets have the facilities to override the price and give you the cheaper price. But remember this can take some time, which may not be worth it for a pound or two, but is definitely worth it for larger items such as computers and televisions.
  3. Use shops that offer free gift wrap. You may think that you can buy a few rolls of gift wrap from poundland, but then add up the cost of the sellotape, the ribbon and the tags, not withstanding the aggravation. You will also find this service from the smaller shops who really need your business.
  4. Consider putting your spending money into the pockets of the small man and keep the small economy going. Shop at markets and online at places like etsy and Dawanda. A lot of small retailers also run an Ebay store.
By putting a little thought into your seasonal shopping this year, you could make a huge difference to your fellow average bloke on the street, whether shopping online or on the high street.

The biggest favour you can do yourself is spend your money where it will keep circulating and not get sent to the large banks and financials where it will get hoarded strangling the rest of us even more.