Primary school teacher shares how she saves £200 on everyday purchases

A primary school teacher has revealed the simple ways in which she saves £200 on everyday purchases after overspending for years.

Avid shopper Katie Whittock says she has always loved a bargain.

But the 40-year-old often found herself snapping up an item she needed on the first website she saw – only to later realise it was cheaper elsewhere.

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It left her unwittingly overspending on both everyday essentials and larger purchases for her home; until she stumbled upon a simple way to save money.

Now, the mum-of-one is saving a whopping £200 using one simple trick that anyone can do.

“I’m definitely a bit of a shopaholic and I love finding a bargain, but I’d become overly reliant on the usual websites when making purchases,” Katie, from Peterborough, told What’s The Jam.

“Since using it, I’ve realised how easy it is to save money on everyday purchases and family treats without having to change my shopping habits too much.

“With the cost of everything rising at the moment, every little bit really does help, and it’s become a great way to make our budget stretch a bit further.”

Katie first discovered the simple solution six months ago, having scrolled past it on social media several times before realising how it might help her.

Since then, how she shops has changed.

Katie added: “[I’m] much more mindful about spending and it’s helped me feel confident that I’m making smarter purchasing decisions and getting the best possible value for money.

“I’ve benefited most from household items, electronics and personal care products.

“Through the platform, I’ve been able to save money on things like a new kettle, a heated blanket and hair products.

“It’s made me feel much more confident that I’m getting the best possible deal without compromising on quality.

“It has meant that we’ve been able to get things sooner without having to save up first.

“It also meant I could finally treat myself to a new smartwatch as my screen had been smashed for about a year – without having to compromise on quality because of budget restrictions.”

The mum of one discovered shopping platform Dig, which allows shoppers to search for items and compare prices, check availability and find an option that fits their budget.

Another simple way the platform helps Katie is via cashback, which she is keeping in a “pot” to put towards buying Christmas presents later in the year.

Katie’s top tip for anyone hoping to save money is to “make cashback platforms part of your normal shopping routine”.

She added: “I’ve actually added a shortcut link to the Dig website on my phone right next to my browser button, so whenever I’m shopping online, I automatically remember to check it first.

“It’s such a simple thing to do, but it helps make sure I’m getting the best possible deal and stops that frustrating ‘oh no’ feeling later when you realise you could have saved money.

“With everyday costs continuing to rise, even small savings can really add up over time.”

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