CONSUMER champion Jane Hawkes is an expert when it comes to saving money and getting the best deal.

The 47-year-old has years of experience in saving cash and helping others do the same.

With Christmas just around the corner, Jane has shared her tips and tricks on how to have a spend-free festive season.

She herself "hasn't spent a penny" on presents, food, wrapping paper or cards so far.

Jane is aiming to continue this the closer we get to the big day and is encouraging others to do the same.

She told The Sun: "I see it as an interesting challenge and I'm going to keep going for as long as possible.

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"I hope others do it too."

The former air hostess from Gloucestershire shares her expertise on her consumer rights blog Lady Janey.

She regularly posts her tips on how people can get their money back from big companies and tricks to make big savings.

Jane has shared her top tips for how you too can have a spend-free Christmas.

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Get yourself some freebies

Jane recommends signing up to free-to-use freebie sites like latestfreestuff.co.uk and magicfreebies.co.uk.

Websites like these list various offers, giveaways and competitions from lots of different brands like M&S and Nivea.

You can grab all sorts of bits like free samples of makeup or skincare, as well as chocolate and cans of fizzy drinks.

Jane has bagged herself several free perfume samples which she said she'll put together with other bits to create hampers as presents.

She's also done the same with chocolate samples and other sweet treats.

Jane said the best way to use the sites is to create a list of the things you're after so you know exactly what to look for.

On her own list were confectionary, cosmetics, fragrances, alcohol and vouchers.

Most of the freebies can be claimed by completing surveys or signing up to be a product tester.

At the moment Jane has five perfume samples on their way to her which would usually cost around £2.50 each.

Make sure to check out the terms and conditions of each product before you claim.

Be in it to win it

Another one of Jane's top tips is to enter online competitions to get even more free stuff.

She regularly uses the site superlucky.me and said "it's amazing".

Again, Jane said the best thing to do is create a list of the things you'd like and only enter competitions which offer them.

The competitions can be accessed for free through the blog as well as on social media – you can enter multiple times to increase your chances.

Each individual competition has its own set prizes of cash, vouchers or free bits.

Competition expert Di Coke regularly updates the blog with up-to-date details on the competitions, at the moment there are ones listed from Coca-Cola and Mastercard.

Do make sure to check the T&Cs of each to avoid disappointment.

So far, Jane has won £20 worth of Amazon vouchers which she'll use as gifts.

She said it's a great way to get freebies as the competitions "make it a bit more fun".

Skill swapping your way to free gifts

Do you have a special skill that other people can't do as well as you?

Jane said one of her best tips is to trade your special skills with someone else to get some great gifts.

With her five plus years of experience working on social media and writing for her blog, Jane has offered her services to friends and family and managed to grab some lovely presents in return.

Most recently, she helped her friend set up social media for their business and was then given a bag of homemade fudge which she'll give this Christmas.

She has also traded her skills for a delicious brownie bomb for the perfect gift for a chocolate lover.

The fudge and the brownie bomb are usually sold at £4.50 and £12.95 respectively, so that's a big saving.

Put those supermarket reward points to good use

We all wrack up thousands of supermarket reward points just from simply doing our shopping every week.

This year Jane has saved up her Nectar points by shopping at Sainsbury's and has picked up several gifts without spending an extra penny.

Using her points she bought a bottle of Baileys (usually £9) and two bottles of wine (£6 each), which used around 3,000 points.

She has saved herself just over 6,000, around £30, which she'll use on groceries.

Also, through her Boots Advantage Card points, she also managed to pick up a Lynx set.

Get paid for answering questions on what you're interested in

Jane has managed to win more Amazon vouchers by simply anwering questions about TV programmes she watches.

She does this by completing online surveys at freestuff.co.uk.

She said: "You get paid for answering questions about things you're already interested in, so it's really not a chore."

Through taking part in the surveys and questionnaires, you accumulate points which then can be withdrawn in the form of vouchers.

You can give the vouchers as gifts or use them to buy other presents.

'Don't ask, don't get' – free beauty samples

One thing Jane swears by is that "if you don't ask, you don't get".

She uses this philosophy to get free makeup minis from big department stores like John Lewis.

She has managed to bag herself mini mascaras, eye cream, foundation and cleansers by simply asking at the counter.

You don't have to buy anything in store to get the freebies, but just ask for a tester and most shops are happy to oblige.

Each can be given as mini presents, stocking fillers or as part of a larger hamper.

Don't forget about the free cash you already have

Jane is an avid user of TopCashback – the cashback website that allows you to earn as you spend.

Sites like TopCashback give you money back on your shopping, but they require you to spend the cash first.

You then get reimbursed, whether it's a set amount or a certain percentage off your shopping.

The site, similar to rival Quidco, pays when you go through its website to spend with retailers or providers.

Jane said she uses the free cash she earns to buy gifts, so she's not spending any extra.

Re-use, recycle

Websites like nextdoor.co.uk and freecycle.org allow people to list their unwanted bits and bobs for others to pick up for free.

This tip isn't one that Jane has used herself but she said she's always on the lookout for something she might want.

She said there's always pre-loved toys which would make great presents for kids and don't cost a thing.

Make your own vouchers

This year Jane and her husband have agreed not to spend any money on presents for each other.

Instead, she'll be creating her own vouchers offering things like doing the washing up for a month.

Jane said: "It's the thought that counts and things like that can really mean a lot."

People can offer whatever they like on the vouchers and the recipient can cash it in when they need a favour or nice thing being offered.

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If you're looking for ways to make some free cash before Christmas we've rounded up some easy ways here.

Also, this savvy dad has managed to pay for most of his gifts this year by using a cashback site.

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