With Christmas and New Year getting the purse strings a little tight, handbag.com has teamed up with Chevrolet, the value for money car brand to offer you some great tips on how to get even better value in 2008.
Fashion
Can’t afford a hot designer item but don’t want to risk getting it on the high street in case everyone you know has the same idea? Think outside the box. If you want to rock this season’s trend for menswear, your best bet could be hitting the boys’ department at John Lewis or Gap for this season’s borrowed-from-him looks.
Beauty
Some of the best things in life are free, especially when it comes to beauty products. Many items you have in your home can easily be made into face masks that beauty gurus swear by. Try mixing a tablespoon of natural yogurt with a drizzle of honey and a pinch or two of herbal tea for a soothing and reviving face mask that’s ideal for all skin types.
Going out
Time is on your side. Many clubs, bars, theatres and museums offer special discounts if you arrive early or go at off-peak times. For the cinema, take advantage of cinemas that show films a month or two later after general release as they are often cheaper.
Dining out
Become a lady who lunches. Many star-studded (both in Michelin and celebrity terms) restaurants offer fixed price lunch menus where you can get two to three courses for the price of a main course in the evening. Pre and post-theatre menus are also a canny trick to take advantage of, even if you aren’t heading out to see a show.
Great value
Getting value for money doesn’t necessarily mean scrimping. Chevrolet has designed its new Sports Utility Vehicle, the Captiva, with style, versatility and great value for money in mind. Sophisticated, strong and chic, the Captiva is complimented by the huge amounts of space for storing your shopping as well as five or seven seater options to fit friends or family. Power windows, power mirrors, and steering wheel audio controls add even more value to the SUV, and as if that wasn’t enough it comes fully equipped with a powerful 2 litre engine, all from only £16,995.
Check out the complete Chevrolet collection at www.chevrolet.co.uk
January Sales Tips
Don’t always go on the first day. Stores often offer extra discounts (House of Fraser was offering an additional 10% this year) once sales have started to keap people coming in.
Look at the end of the sales when discounts are at their highest, although always make sure it’s the right fit, and a style that you really want.
Sign up to shops’ websites and get e-mail alerts when online sales start. You can also get usually get cashback when you buy online. Keep checking out the Internet for web only deals – these can often be the most exclusive deals around.
If you’re buying online, you have the same consumer rights as any other shopper. Make sure the company has a UK postal address and telephone number and that there is secure encryption (padlock at the bottom of the screen)