Lots of people in the past have been embarrassed about even admitting they use these, but it turns out more and more of us are happy to admit we like to save money and use discount codes and vouchers. I'm happy to tell everyone I've ever met that I buy my clothes in charity shops, barter at markets and use coupons, codes and vouchers, so it breaks my head to hear that people aren't in the same mind set. I understand that it is probably very gauche to talk about money but when I'm making the savings I am, I want other people to get in on the action and save money too. I'll admit that is partly selfish. I want more people to use them so more companies sit up and notice the demand for them and in return dish out some more lovely money saving vouchers.
The rather pretty infographic from Savoo, below is really interesting to me. In my tiny little brain I thought everyone across the board would love discount codes once they'd been educated in their ways but there is a real geographical difference, with those savy folk north of the border are doing really well when it comes to discount voucher savings.
Where abouts do you live in the UK? How much do you think discount vouchers and codes save you every week? I'm a nosy parker so I'd love to know. My voucher use varies week on week because some weeks I simply buy nothing, others I need to spend more. My best saving has been £500 in one week but that was a week in which we booked hotel rooms and bought wedding gifts on top of our regular out goings.
Infographic produced by Savoo.co.uk
Are you using discount codes on a regular basis? And if so are you too embarrassed to admit it to friends and family?
If you want to check out some discount codes I have a brand new Saturday Savings post coming up tomorrow so be sure to check back and knock some money off your bank holiday weekend shopping.
TTFN,
P.S. What are your plans for this bank holiday weekend?
P.P.S. I'm vlogging over on Thrifty Telly every day in May. I've recently filmed videos about making your own Febreze and an affordable make up giveaway.
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Never :) In fact I'm going into Dorothy perkins armed with a 20% off voucher cloud offer this afternoon. If they're offering it, why not use it?
ReplyDeleteI pretty much rely on discount codes and vouchers...it's very rare I'll buy anything online if I can't get discount or at least free shipping, and I rarely eat out these days without a little voucher tucked safely into my purse! xx
ReplyDeleteI used to be when my mum used coupons and vouchers. However, once I started paying my own bills I wouldn't shy away from using a voucher or getting something discount. I feel quite proud when I do.
ReplyDeleteI love a good discount voucher, however when I go in to Boots and have a look through what's on offer on the Advantage Card machine, I'm always really hesitant. Every single time I go in there, the vouchers don't work and I get mega embarrassed due to the dickhead staff shouting out what I'm buying. HELLO! WE'RE IN BOOTS! YOU SELL STUFF LIKE THRUSH CREAM AND PREGNANCY TESTS! PLEASE STOP TELLING EVERYONE THAT MY VOUCHER FOR SHOWER GEL WON'T GO THROUGH BECAUSE, *ACTUALLY* FEMFRESH IS A 'FEMININE PRODUCT'*
ReplyDelete*actually happened
No! No, no, NO! I don't understand the embarrassment behind this one bit. I'm one of the annoying people who constantly ask "How much do you think this was?" (though others HATE asking me because I always seriously undervalue everything and make their saving look crap!) because I'm so proud of savings I'm able to make.
ReplyDeleteI think the fight to be the most frugal is an excellent trend to be following.
No. No, no NO! I don't understand the embarrassment behind this one bit. I like to show off how little I spend on items - it has become a skill!
ReplyDeleteI think competing to be the most thrifty is an excellent trend to be following.
I love using them, and I love that i have a couple extra quid to spend because I use them! I even have a voucher wallet with all my clipped coupons also I love online discount codes!
ReplyDeleteI use them all the time on shopping, restaurants and holiday mainly and I live on the south coast x
ReplyDeleteI dont mind using vouchers I just forget to use then, and forget they are in my purse. I only use vouchers if its somthing I need or have run out of though.
ReplyDeleteI use them all the time. I never pay full price for anything- even designer handbags are from TK Maxx, Bicester Village or the factory shop!
ReplyDeleteMind you the flip side of this is my parents sometimes get upset about my bragging, as they feel some people might think that (a) I grew up on the breadline, when both of them worked very hard to ensure we had enough as kids and/or (B) they sent me off heartlessly into the wide world without the skills or back up needed to support myself. I have tried explaining EVERYONE (including them!) uses vouchers/chazzas/sales all the time nowadays but I guess maybe they overheard a comment from someone rude once...
I live in Oxford and happily buy clothes & books from charity shops as well as using my Boots vouchers but it would just never occur to me to look for voucher codes for stuff!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I shop online I alays google for voucher codes first. I'm a bit useless at remembering to use actually vouchers in shops though. I've always loved to shout out my bargains, if someone likes something I wear I'd much rather say £5, charity shop then £50 Topshop but I know people that think the more they've spent the better.......stupid people! ha xxx
ReplyDeleteEmbarrassed? Not at all! In fact I tell everyone and share online codes. Everyone loves a bit of money off, even those who might have money to burn :)
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourites is WHSmiths, but then I am a stationery geek! They regularly have 20% off voucher codes. I look for stuff I want when its not on offer and get it when I have a voucher. A fair bit of my other stuff comes from charity shops.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Bank Holiday weekend, we're visiting sets of relatives.
I'm from North West Kent (very close to the likes of Bluewater, Ebbsfleet & Lakeside - all very tempting) & have to say trying be thrifty is a relatively new thing for me. Yes I was happy when I bought things in the sales or from TK Maxx & the like but never considered discount codes, vouchers etc. I don't often buy stuff online but will definitely be using this tip when I next do.
ReplyDeleteI have learnt quite a lot from your blog having already started to scrimp in some areas. I try not to shop now unless I need to (admittedly sometimes I want turns into a I need)but really shop around and always have a look around the discount stores which have taken over my town to get the best deal, & more recently the charity shops. Only Tuesday I found an unopened Sanctuary gift set for £5!! I know this particular one was in the shops at Xmas being retailed at £20. Such a bargain & a fab way of picking up a great gift for someone without the cost. One thing I have started doing is sending off for samples of products, all kinds from tea bags to toothpastes & make up. Most of which are ideal travel sizes, great for when we go camping. This way I get to check the product out so I can decide if I like it without spending money, PLUS in most cases they send a money off coupon as well, some of which give pretty good savings.
I use the restaurant ones all the time. I am a proud owner of a Las Iguanas VIP card (free at the freshers fair!) and it gets me 20% off food. I also always look on studentbeans etc for offers. My friends and I only usually eat out places where we get money off, being impoverished students. I always use the student discounts available in shops. I make full use of those point cards that Boots, Superdrug, Sainsburys etc do. So they collect information on my shopping habits? I don't care, I get free stuff in return. I love days when the bank balance is low and I go into sainsburys and can buy food with my nectar points, or buy new shampoo in Boots without parting with any cash. Best feeling ever!
ReplyDeleteI will make use of vouchers in magazines if they interest me and I like to buy books from charity shops.
I am a sucker for vouchers, online discount codes, stamp cards for coffee shops and loyalty codes. If they are offered, use them! I regularly organise money off vouchers in my purse and have a clear idea of which I can use on my shopping to save embarrassing fumbles at the tills! Love me a bargain ;)
ReplyDeleteRebecca x
In America coupons are just the thing you use as well as money for everything from shopping to restaurants. You can get so many good deals using them so we use coupons all the time. And because we're signed up for restaurant privilege kind like a club card we're getting huge discounts on meals because it's the husbands birthday. They all just help make your money go a little further if it's things you'd generally buy normally.
ReplyDeleteI was only commenting last night how Martin Lewis has made a career out of saving money and made it more popular, mainstream. We use vouchers loads, never pay full price for a pub meal. Lots of pubs give discount vouchers if you sign up for their newsletter. Oh and the stuff we got for free last year with Tesco and their mad double the difference scheme. Hubby is addicted to it!
ReplyDeleteIt sometimes depends - I had a £30 voucher but I had to spend £60 in a shop that I didn't particularly like in order to qualify - however in my in tray I have a 20% off for the restaurant that we're going to tonight - 6 of us + 20% = one happy Hannah lol.
ReplyDeleteIn my eyes, there is absolutely no shame in using discount codes/ coupons/ vouchers/ whatever! If I can save money, I am a happy bunny! :) Love the blog! x
ReplyDeleteI watch extreme couponing and I LOVE IT just wish we could use more coupons in the UK xx
ReplyDeletehttp://www.curvyguruceri.com/
I live in London. I dont personally use voucher codes or discount coupons - not out of any form of snobbery but I simply dont shop in the type of stores that offer them nor do I eat out in restaurants etc
ReplyDeleteNo not at all! I used one today at the Supermarket and instantly felt a little bit of delight in knowing I'd saved some money xxx
ReplyDeleteI used to use discounts all the time when I was a student (a handy website called studentbeans), but now I don't really know where to find them! Where do you get them? I mean I occasionally get sent some from Tesco, but other than that I never know what websites to trust!
ReplyDeleteMoneysavingexpert is pretty good.
DeleteAlong with that, sign up to websites newsletter who you want to buy from and they often send out vouchers/codes. Dorothy Perkins have 25% off days, Asda have free delivery, stuff like that :)
Clo xox
Bits&Bows
Love them! Certainly not embarrassed but have you noticed if in a restaurant using a voucher, the service might not be that great because your one of those people with a voucher?? I've hot a Taste Card for restaurants- that is good ... I got it on an offer itself- 30 quid for the year instead of 70! Loads of places to eat in London at least, but have noticed you sometimes get a crap table... X
ReplyDeleteI use vouchers when I can. i carry them round in an envelope in my handbag. My view is if I can save money and they're available then why not! Although it did annoy me the other day in Tesco when I used a voucher and the check out (miserable) woman accused me of not actually buying the item! I took great satisfaction in producing it from my shopping bags!
ReplyDeleteNot embarrassed, but DEFINITELY forgetful haha. Love the infograph!
ReplyDeleteBesos,
Lela
Enter to WIN my hotel, afternoon tea and beauty Competition!
I love vouchers and always have my small file filled with every voucher I have in my handbag. I just wish we got more grocery vouchers over here as they're hard to come by. At christmas I bought 20 vouchers off ebay for 70p off milicano, the vouchers cost me under £2 but saved me £14 and as it's my favourite coffee I bought every pack in my local sainsburys who just happened to have it at half price...Double saving..
ReplyDeleteIt drives my husband nuts but I try never to pay full price for anything!
No, not embarassed at all. My last shop at Mr T saw me using £14 of assorted vouchers. I think the woman ehind me looked a bit envious.
ReplyDeleteOur idea is a treat is a trip to Pizza Express. Whilst my other half isn't too keen on using a coupon, I've pointed out to him that you're the odd one out in there if you pay full price.
In no way am i embarassed, most of the time there are codes online for money off, so why would you pay full price if you know you can get something for less.
ReplyDeleteI don't really use vouchers so much when i grocery shop, but i already am really careful with what I spend so i don't bother so much with that.
Last christmas Peacocks gave out 40% off vouchers, possibly the only time i got embarrased because they wern't going to let me use it on sale items, most of the time if you're polite to staff they are okay, and i ended up being able to afford alot more xmas presents :)
Clo xox
Bits&Bows
I've never been embarrassed about using discount vouchers, but I know that when I was younger my parents were very embarrassed about needing to use them. I've always thought it's great to be able to save money on something!
ReplyDeleteHehe your article reminded me of this article by Arabella Weir (Of 'Does my bum look big in this?' fame - never read that book yet): http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-1360274/This-life-Arabella-Weir-differences-men-women.html
ReplyDeleteShe suggests men are the more embarrassed when it comes to discount...so it is interesting that this research shows the opposite. I never feel embarrassed to use a voucher, but I think that it must be hard to get an accurate statistic on who is the most discount-savvy from just monitoring how many people use vouchers available to them or not...you have to know the reasons behind the choices people make. I mean I might buy a load of alcohol on special offer at Christmas to have enough drinks for visitors and guests or in summer I might buy a shed load of meat for a bbq because it was on offer, even though I wouldn't normally get that much per week if it is something that I would be buying for a season or event and it would save me money. However, if it is a matter of my normal weekly shop and my local supermarket has a litre bottle of dr. pepper and say multipack crisps on special offer, like half price, I am not going to buy it just because there would be a saving on it, if it is not a part of my normal grocery shop. That would actually be less savvy and not good for my housekeeping budget.
Its the same as buying a glossy magazine for £4 just to get a 50p off coupon for loo roll or something. If it is a magazine you'd usually buy, then great, you can make a saving, but if not you've just spent £4 to save 50p...lunacy!
I wonder how many people who didn't use vouchers in the survey actually managed to stay more within budget on their groceries compared with those who used vouchers?
Hi I’m Nick
ReplyDeleteI really like your blog, content is great ,very useful info,
keep up the good work.
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Thanks
See, reading that graphic, my mind was boggled - in fact the whole thing boggled my mind because I just thought everyone used vouchers and discount codes and it was accepted as a matter of fact. I'm in the catergory of age that apparently would feel the most embarrased, as are my friends, but all of us feel happy to use them. To me it makes sense if there's a saving to be made, then why on earth not? After all, the places that have the vouchers and codes are happy to have them, so why feel awkward at all?
ReplyDeleteI live in the Midlands,which I always think being in the middle means you can go either way on things. My mother's family is from the North, so I suppose I've got that northern desire for a bargain if we're going on stereotypes and how that graphic shows it.
But yeah, bring on the discounts I say - it means more money for other things!
I absolutely love using vouchers and you'll normally find me at the Boots till with a small handful. I love telling people I got things for a fraction of the price and I make bargain hunting part of the shopping experience.
ReplyDeleteThe more money saved the better.
Before I buy anything online I always google discount codes quickly, it just makes sense too!
ReplyDeleteBut I think the problem is many shops aren't aware of what vouchers they have out at any given time. So many occasions I've handed over a voucher at the till and the assistant looks at me like I've tried to pay with monopoly money! In supermarkets I always try to use the self service, just to avoid wittering and tuts about holding up the queue (even though it takes 2 seconds to scan the code!)
I always use discount codes but in shops it's always awkward as they don't know which vouchers they have at any given point!
ReplyDeleteMaria xxx
I love using discount codes! As a student, I wouldn't get to enjoy eating out as much as I do if I didn't have discount vouchers.
ReplyDeleteR xx
I love discount codes, we mainly use club card vouchers and online discount codes. To be honest, at the moment we are living on a tight budget so we dont have money to buy new clothes/electricals etc so dont use the vouchers!
ReplyDeleteOn the subject, has anyone noticed that if you get a money off coupon from Tesco (the ones that come with your clubcard statement) its usually for tesco brand or named brands and even with the discount it is usually still cheaper to buy the value brand. I often have a purse full of coupons that I dont use because we buy value and it is still the cheapest!