How To Save Whilst Spending – Rewards
Hello again! This is a post I started during lockdown – 17th December 2020. I’m quite chuffed that it’s finally come to fruition because it was originally a thought in my head and I know it will help a LOT of people. A lot of the reward schemes mentioned below may be unknown to some people.
I have BEEN waiting to post this and I know a few others have as well. Please note there are a bunch of affiliate links which will not only help you but will help me to keep spreading the word.
This post will be updated as and when I find new things, so feel free to subscribe to keep in the loop!
Rewards Programmes and Points
You can sign up, save money and earn cash back from the list below
AIRTIME REWARDS
Some of us have contracts, which we may not want to pay by the time the end of the month rolls round, but if you are someone who likes to spend in stores such as: Primark, Argos, Missguided, Wilko, Greggs, Argos, Boots, Halfords, The Body Shop, New Look, Harvey Nichols, Debenhams, Dropbox, Boohoo* – you will earn percentages of money back from your spend. I hope this entices you to pay your bill!
Airtime Rewards also have challenges where you can earn stamps (converted into £1 winnings) but you must opt in for this as well.
Click the below image to download Airtime Rewards for free with my code BQEAJHWX and save money off your phone bill every time you shop with brands like Boots, Greggs, Wilko, Argos and loads more:
airtime rewards
*retailers my change throughout and may not reflect time of posting
WE ARE 8
This is an online platform that, in the past few months received quite a bit of coverage on tv and on the tubes (transport for london service in London, UK). This app allows you to watch very short videos and receive a small payment each time, which can be helped towards your phone bill.
Videos tend to be ranged from short ads about drinks to cleaning products. So far I’ve accumulated the below since May 2022 (it is currently Aug 2022). Payments can be issued daily and can start off very small from 6p! However, once this grows you’ll see a difference.
Please check out my referral link below! https://weare8.onelink.me/zMp3/7pmov00w
weare8 dashboard
NECTAR POINTS
You can also spend and earn points in Argos,Sainsburys’s and more!
Up until August 2024, Bonus points could be obtained via the likes of eBay. This was often done via the app but you can do this via the Nectar app where you can also claim extra points
*As of 20/09/2024: Argos, British Airways, Eurostar, Expedia Habitat, Nectar Hotels, Sainsbury’s, Sainsbury’s Bank , Sainsbury’s Energy, VUE Cinemas. View full list here.
PERSONALISED OFFERS
I have received personalized offers for in-store purchases at Sainsbury's. For example, I used to buy canned fruits, Indomie, or crisps every time I went to Sainsbury's. Normally, I would receive 1 Nectar point for each purchase, but because they recognized it as a regular habit, they started giving me 40 points instead.
They also offer similar incentives for purchasing healthy items, especially fruits and vegetables, to encourage customers to buy these items and earn more points. You can save these offers and use them for in-store purchases.
For instance, in February 2022, I received a "Juicy Points Boost" offer and earned 500 points because I noticed it was a special promotion.
BIG SAINSBURY’S FOOD SHOPS (OR OTHER STORES WITH POINTS)
*Big food shopping (commonly known as “Bulk Buying” will help boost your Nectar points - sometimes doubling or tripling them! It's surprising to see how much you can accumulate when shopping at Sainsbury’s and the additional points you get by using your card.
A big food shop will allow you to get even more food in the future with the points you’ve saved up! I know Tesco has Clubcard points you can use to purchase food or get decent offers.
Of course, the more points you have, the more you get out of it – please be patient with saving them."
*This was before 2023
SAINSBURY’S CREDIT CARD NECTAR POINTS
When I signed up for a Sainsbury’s card, I was attracted to the opportunity to save Nectar points.
They had a great offer when I received 10,000 points for getting a credit card and double points during a specific period. This worked out well for me as I could use these points on eBay for purchases.
OVERDRAFT
Banks often provide arranged overdrafts, which can be useful for essential expenses when you're short on funds until payday. They allow you to cover urgent costs, with the assurance that the balance will be settled once you receive your income.
It's crucial, however, to ensure you can repay it comfortably, perhaps by adjusting your upcoming budget.
Some overdrafts are 'fee-free,' meaning no charge for entering that overdraft, but there may be associated fees for the feature, often accompanied by benefits like higher interest rates or cashback on other accounts.
QUIDCO
The biggest site I know with cash back. They have a variety of retailers, where you can obtain cash back through purchases. They include:
Amazon
Ebay
Expedia
Hotels.com
AO
…and MANY MORE.
Sometimes Quidco has bonuses. Cash can be redeemed for cash via bank transfer (no fee) or a gift card of their choice (Primark, Uber, Amazon).
Please note this choice of gift card can only be redeemed once. So if you were to choose Amazon this time, you wouldn’t be able to choose it next time.
Quidco also add bonuses on top when you choose a gift card. So far I’ve been lucky enough to have the choice of Uber eats!
Click the below pic to get £15 bonus (Tab will open in a new window). This will be received once you have £5 confirmed cashback.
TOP CASHBACK
After doing some research I have discovered that like Quidco the rates are pretty good. Top Cashback appear to be the ‘highest-paid’ cashback site. They also provide discount codes you can use in checkout – which is pretty handy! Retailers include:
Boohoo
AO
Ebay
Amazon
and MANY MORE.
They also have offers with mobile phone contracts so you’d get cashback whilst signing up for a new phone contract – pretty handy!
Click the link below, which will allow you to receive £30 cashback upon sign up!
TopCashback
POUCH (Google Chrome Extension )
Earn points on purchases made through various websites, such as: *Easyjet Holidays, Dominoes, Curry’s, Curry’s Business, PharmacyFirst, Sup[erdrug and more.
It basically hunts for codes as you shop. Click the below image to receive 350 starter points!
*As of September 2024
Giftcards and codes
HONEY (Google Chrome Extension Only)
Collect points through online purchases such as Treatwell, Ebay, Currensea and many others. I revived the most points (2000) by purchasing my website and then 100 for booking a massage. Points can be redeemed for gift cards which include:
Spotify, Currys, Google Play, Eurostar, Boohoo, Ticketmaster, argos
Use my link for a £10 Gift card: joinhoney.com/ref/rvio2e9
join honey
REWARD CARDS / CLUBCARDS
List a few common reward cards that you should
Superdrug Beuty card
Co-op membership card
Tesco clubcard
Morrisons
LIDL
And more……
Benefits of these cards:
Nowadays you can receive discounts on bundles of items if there is a price variance. For example, if you have a rewards card items are generally cheaper than being without one. I believe this was implemented in 2021.
You can also use points to buy food/toiletries/home products. During times when I was short on cash, I’d use this as an alternative.
BARCLAYS BLUE REWARDS + OTHER BANKS
Now with Barclays, you can open a Blue Rewards bank account if you are a Blue Rewards customer. As previously mentioned, this will incur a fee (currently £5), but it allows you to access higher interest rates.
If you have savings of £1,020 in your account at the end of the month without withdrawing any money during the month, you will receive about 84p in interest. Similarly, to the Help To Buy ISA – the interest was surprisingly high! That's probably why they got rid of it.
Barclays blue reward members can signup in the app.
Barclays Cashback Rewards
Please see if your bank allows you to sign up with a rewards scheme to enable benefits such as the ones mentioned and more. I know it’s generally something people don’t talk about but if you have any questions let me know!
*Rules – you cannot deduct with Blue Rewards otherwise your interest payments will decline – you will not get paid for that month and so on.
MARKET RESEARCH
What is Market Research?
Individuals participate in a series of surveys covering topics such as sports, broadband, food, and general day-to-day subjects. Market research companies conduct these surveys on behalf of their clients to understand their customers' needs. Participants are compensated for their time, with fees ranging from £20 to £200, depending on the survey and length of participation.
Don’t forget to mention my name (Judith) if you apply
Bunnyfield (bunnyfoot)
Saros
People4U
Vocal Views
Trend Market Research
Research Opinions
HealthCare Opinions
FTMR
and Many more…
SPENDING ABROAD
Currensea
Currensea is a great way to manage your money when traveling abroad. It helps you avoid high bank fees and offers incentives and discounts at other retailers.
I’ve been using Currensea and I’ve been really pleased with it, so I would like to recommend it to you.If you sign up with using the code or link below, Currensea will give you £10 after you have spent your first £100 in foreign currency :
JJZ93A or https://www.secure.currensea.com/referral/JJZ93A
Currensea abroad
RAILCARDS
For those who enjoy traveling across the UK to visit uni friends, family, or simply use their Oyster Card to travel around London, a railcard is the best option.
We know train fares can be high and unreasonable at times, but I must admit that having a railcard has helped me since I was 15 and could no longer pretend to be a "child" in terms of train tickets! 😄
The 16-25 Railcard sorted me out through Sixth Form College, Uni and beyond. Very surprised to hear this could be added to your Oyster Card whilst travelling around London.
Attending UEL meant that hanging out in Stratford only cost me £1 (this was back in 2011 lol). Miss those days.This has been super handy and I really recommend!
Click the image below to receive:
£10 instant discount for every passenger!
£10 off every flight ticket you buy - with no restrictions. Follow the link to sign up!
https://uk.trip.com/sale/4283/referee.html?locale=en-GB&referCode=3BC394D2C613537934F5E60BF42A3384
Variety of railcards
By Judith J
