saving money

Be a Savvy Shopper.

Making your money go further appeals to everyone, but sometimes a new pair of shoes here and a new dress there all adds up to more than you were expecting. Here are my top tips for saving you money…

Shopping online isn’t for everyone but I really think it has its perks. Online you can short the products low to high, compare similar items from different stores in browser tabs and view sale items refined to your size without the rummaging through a disorganised and messy clothes rail.

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An absolute must for me is to google a discount code for the site. There are lots of different websites and forums where people post discount codes for online stores and it is crazy how much you can save by simply finding a code.

http://www.vouchercodes.co.uk & https://www.vouchercloud.com   are a couple of sites that often have a valid code running. The other day I saved 25% with a code I found for Newlook just my simply googling “newlook discount code”.

If you are a student then I’m sure you already have UniDays, if not then why not… download it now! -It gives you discounts and deal at hundreds on high street retailers online and in store. If you are thinking of buying something online don’t forget to check for student discounts.

If you have found something you are considering ordering I think it is always a good idea to wait a couple of days; sites such as boohoo.com or missguided.com often have flash sales such as 20% of dress and so on. Keep checking a website for a few days as you could get lucky and get it cheaper. Same with free delivery. Delivery costs are often what put people off shopping online but free click & collect from store and free delivery codes make it hassle free and literally free to deliver products to your door or local store.

Check whether the store offer free returns. Asos, Boohoo, Newlook, riverisland, topshop, ect offer free returns with collect plus (you drop your return off at your local corner shops and they collect it from there, making it easier than ever to return unwanted packages) or free returns to store when you keep the invoice. This means you can order two sizes to ensure a good fit and simply and easily return the unwanted pieces.

Sign up for the newsletter. Sites often offer an introductory discount to people who sign up with their email. Sign up with a different email each time to get the code over and over.

Keep the tags on!! You often have 30 days to return something so keep the tags on until you wish to wear it just encase something better/ cheaper comes up somewhere else.

Be critical. Try something on at home. If it’s not right for you -return it, its silly to keep something and not wear it when you can simply return it for a full refund.

Know the market. Even if I am going shopping I like to look online first to get an idea of what they will have in store. This way I will be prepared and I can create aims to ensure I don’t buy unnecessary pieces.

I hope this will help everyone to find a good deal and save you money.

Check out my post on how to create the perfect wardrobe and put your money saving skills to the test. https://katielouisaclarke.wordpress.com/2015/09/07/the-perfect-wardrobe/

The perfect trim at home.

Getting your hair cut professionally is always going to guarantee you a good hair cut but sometimes there’s no time to get to the hairdressers and when you just want a trim to loose those scruffy ends I can’t see the harm in doing it yourself. I have very long, brunette hair which comes to almost my waist at the back, my hair is extremely thick so I have a couple of layers put in to lift the weight and a few slightly sorter pieces around the front to frame my face. I like me hair to be easy to wear and style, I like not having to worry about my hair or what it is doing during that day. This may not be the best technique for you and your hair type but if your hair is long then I’d give this a go.

You should always cut your hair immediately after washing when it is still damp as this makes it easier to get a clean cut. First of all I separate out the top section of my hair (from just above my ears) and clip it in a bun on top of my head out of the way, leaving the bottom section down. I then divide the bottom section into two and bring all my hair round to the front. I brush through the lengths of the hair to ensure they are smooth. I then clamp my hair between my first two fingers and draw down to about an inch before the ends; using sharp scissors I cut about 2cm off the ends of my hair. Always cut parallel to the ends of the hair to keep it even and consistent. Do this on both sides until you are satisfied the hair is even. By bringing all your hair round to the front and cutting it straight across this will result in the back being slightly longer than the front this helps it fall more naturally and give it a slight V shape.

Next take down the bun and again brush through the hair. Divide the top section into two, the top back section (the crown) and the top front section. Take the back section and gather all the hair up vertically from the head. Again clamp the hair between the first and second finger and drag through to the ends maintaining the vertical of the hair. Again snip about 2cm off the ends of your hair. Let go of the hair and let it fall into place. Cutting it vertically gives your hair layers with out horrible staggered straight lines, this way will give it a feathered softer finish.

Repeat this with the front section. I like to ensure the front section is a little shorted than the back to give me the framing pieces around my face. Afterwards I let it fall again and ruffle it up to see how it looks. It’s good to gather the top section up vertically one more time to check the hair is even through out.

That’s it! It’s that simple. Cut away the dodgy edges from the bottom section of hair and then do the same with the top section but vertically from the head, cut to a straight line and let it fall.