IF you're finding it hard to get ahead, there might just be a few things you can do to instantly save £1000.

It doesn't mean skipping the things you love either, it's just a few simple swaps.

Savings-obsessed Chloe Carmichael from Glasgow knows a thing or two about savvy spending and shares her tips with Fabulous so you can too.

Here, Chloe, the founder of Chloe’s Deal Club, reveals what the simple home swaps you can make to pocket extra cash and why shopping discounts isn't always the answer.

Shop with cashback sites

If you’re not using cashback, you need to start today as it's a surefire way to make money back and fast.

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"Almost every time you shop online, you could be earning a percentage of your order total which you can withdraw to your bank account or convert to gift cards," Chloe says.

"I know many people are still wary of cashback but you can earn hundreds of pounds each year for just doing your normal, everyday shopping."

Her favourites are Swapi, TopCashback, Airtime Rewards and Daali, so you can use one of all of these or others.

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Deal stacking

Finding an online discount code is like music to our ears, but imagine finding multiple and using them all on a single purchase.

Chloe says: "Whenever you’re shopping, check for various discount codes, refer a friend credits, loyalty points and cashback and try stacking these together for extra discounts.

"You can often stack discount codes with rewards from automated cashback apps like Airtime Rewards and Daali so you’re earning money back too."

Supermarket downshifting

"It’s no secret that branded products are more expensive, so make the easy switch to supermarket-own brand items," Chloe says.

Sometimes, you might prefer the taste of a certain product over another, but making smart food swaps where you can will save £100s on your shopping. 

And besides, you may even find that eventually, you can't tell the difference and that own brand's taste just like premium brands.

Retailer Loyalty Schemes

"You can typically save up to £4 for every £100 spent with retailer loyalty schemes," Chloe says.

"Make sure you join free loyalty schemes and scan your card every time you shop to get rewarded.|

You can typically save up to £4 for every £100 spent with retailer loyalty schemes.

Some examples include Sainsbury’s Nectar, Tesco Clubcard, Lidl Plus, Asda Rewards, Boots Advantage and Superdrug Health & Beauty.

Shop online… in private

Sometimes while shopping online, it might be worth going incognito.

This means, your activity isn't saved or tracked so there's no record of your search history.

This is best used for booking online travel such as flights and accommodation which often goes up in price each time you revisit.

First-time subscription offers

Chloe says: "Brands regularly offer huge discounts on your first subscription where you can make a big saving.

"There’s pretty much a subscription for everything – from skincare to washing machine pods to dog food."

So if you're looking to buy something new for the home, check out their sign-up deals and you could save big.

Refer a friend

If you love a product or service, check if the brand offers a refer-a-friend scheme, Chloe suggests.

"It’s usually in the footer of the brand’s website or within your online account," she says.

"When you refer a friend, they’ll likely get a discount or freebie and you’ll likely get a credit towards your next order, free product or may even earn money. "

You’ll be surprised how many brands offer referral schemes, she says, from food subscription boxes to bank accounts.

Bank Switching

Chloe says: "There’s been several great bank switching offers recently, such as Nationwide offering £200 to switch to them which is paid to you within 10 days.

It’s very easy to get caught up in the hype and buy things you don’t need.

"It’s simple, easy and hassle-free to switch your bank account using the Current Account Switch Service and they take care of everything for you."

Beauty dupes 

If you're a beauty fan and are tempted by pricey skincare and make-up, consider finding cheaper alternatives.

In Chloe's opinion, some budget finds are just as good as their expensive counterparts, so why not save some cash and still have what you want.

Chloe is a sucker for a good bargain and often shares her finds on Instagram with her 20K+ fanbase.

Why discounts aren't always a good idea

It's easy to get sucked in snagging a deal, but you might find yourself buying things you don't actually need.

To help avoid this, Chloe says you write a list of things you need and continue shopping around until you find the best deal.

"It’s very easy to get caught up in the hype and buy things you don’t need," Chloe says.

"Doing this means you’re spending money and not saving."

Buying items to save money on energy

With the cooler weather creeping in, be careful what you do you try and save money.

"Some items can be a great investment to help with reducing energy bills, such as electric blankets, blanket hoodies and slow cookers, as these are relatively affordable to buy," says Chloe.

"However, I’m seeing many people spend a lot of money on items that may take a while to see a return.

"For example, £150-£200 air fryers. There are options that are much cheaper and regularly go on sale too so check multiple sites to find more affordable options."

Another example is buying battery-operated lights instead of turning a light on, Chloe says.

"The initial cost of buying the lights and the batteries as well as the ongoing cost of replacing batteries may not be cheaper than having a LED light bulb switched," she explains.

Is it really a good deal?

Not every discount makes something a good deal," but there's a way to find out.

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"There’re price comparison sites like CamelCamelCamel for Amazon or PriceRunner which covers most other sites, that compare prices of items and also shows you their price history," Chloe explains.

"This means you can buy with confidence knowing you have the best deal available and you’re not overpaying."

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