Top tips for staying on budget at the January sales

About to tackle the January sales to try and find some bargains? Bedford Credit Union are here to help you avoid the pitfalls and make some genuine savings.

The easiest way to bag a bargain is to snap up stuff for next Christmas. Wrapping paper, Christmas cards and gift sets may all be reduced, and as long as you don’t forget where you stored them, you know they’ll come in handy when the festive season rolls around again- and will even give you a headstart on the wrapping! 

Avoid false bargains and make sure you’re making real savings. Some shops inflate the price before a sale, and others ship in extra stock that might not be the same quality as their usual offerings. And remember, “Buy one get one free” is only a half price saving if you want or can use two in the first place, otherwise you’re buying one at full price and another which will create waste.  

Get savvy with second-hand sites. While others might be rushing out to replace old for new, the stuff they replace it with might be exactly what you need at a fraction of the cost! Use sites like vinted, ebay and facebook marketplace to grab some pre-loved bargains. 

Plan ahead and make a list of what you need. Try not to impulse-buy fast fashion products- if they’re last season’s look and poorly made then you’re not saving money in the long run. 

If you’re a member of Bedford Credit Union, check out the Benefits Website for exclusive discounts and vouchers. Members can access the site through our member newsletter. And if you’re not a member yet, check you live or work within our area of common bond,  and then apply to join online

Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash 

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