Brits are continuing to tighten their belts throughout the ongoing cost of living crisis but no matter what state the economy is in, Christmas is always an expensive time of year.
That being said, as inflation has hit a 41-year high this month, we could do with more tips and tricks on how to pinch the pennies than ever and, thankfully, finance guru Martin Lewis is reminding festive shoppers of a brilliant way to save money when ordering from Amazon.
The Money Saving Expert team recently detailed more than 30 different Amazon tips and tricks for saving money and one of them is so annoyingly simple we’re annoyed at ourselves for not thinking of it.
Ranked second on his list after simply looking for promotions and discount codes is to shop via the Amazon Warehouse, specifically, rather than scrolling for hours through the main website in hopes of saving a couple of quid between sellers.
While this might be nothing new to the shrewd spenders amongst you, for others (a.k.a. half the people in our office) this simple Amazon tip is an absolute revelation to many people.
ADVERTISEMENT
For those still unaware, the Amazon Warehouse is basically a specific section of the online shopping site where either slightly damaged, used or even just returned items are sent and, as a result, have to be resold at a marked-down price. It’s really that simple.
Better still, because there are certain standards surrounding what Amazon are able to take back and resell, the quality and condition of most of these goods are much better than you think — sometimes nothing more than a couple of scratches.
ADVERTISEMENT
Either way, since they cannot sell them at full RRP, everything from technology, kitchen appliances, toys and more are regularly sold at a significantly discounted price. They even have an Amazon Warehouse price checker and discount finder to help you see how much you can gain in savings.
For example, as shopper Angela emailed in as an example: “Bought a £200 Tefal Actifry for £70, listed as cosmetic damage. Arrived with not a mark on it. Total bargain.”
Now, we’re obviously not going to pretend that you’re always going to get north of 50% off – what deals are on and how much you can save changes from day to day – but it’s always worth a look.
Of course, you can always shop around to see if you can’t get it cheaper elsewhere, but the convenience of Amazon stocking pretty much everything you can think of is rarely beaten.
Other tips included sharing Amazon Prime subscriptions, searching for products on the even lesser-known Amazon Outlet and using price comparison tools just to name a few.
You can see the full list of suggestions as to how you can soak up the most savings possible when ordering from Amazon on the Money Saving Expert website. Every little helps.
Given the tough times we’re all going through right now, as Lewis himself has suggested, there is also another alternative beyond trying to budget on presents this Christmas.
Featured Image — The Martin Lewis Money Show (via ITV)
Christmas
The Holiday is apparently getting a sequel after 17 years and it’s featuring the original cast
Emily Sergeant
One of the best-loved festive films is apparently set to get a sequel 17 years after the original was released.
There’s no denying that The Holiday is an absolute Christmas classic at this point.
Released all the way back in 2006, the romantic comedy film stars Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz as Iris and Amanda – two lovelorn women from opposite sides of the pond who arrange a home exchange to escape heartbreak during the Christmas season.
However, their lives change unexpectedly when they meet and fall in love with two local lads played by Jack Black and Jude Law.
The Holiday is a film many like to stick on each time the festive season rolls around, and if you’re one of those with it on your watch list each year, then you’ll be pleased to know that the whole cast has reportedly agreed to film a sequel.
According to reports in The Sun doing the rounds today, Winslet, Diaz, Black, and Law are all said to have “signed on” to return.
The Holiday is reportedly getting a sequel after 17 years / Credit: Universal Pictures
Filming for the sequel is set to kick off next year, according to insiders.
The insider told The Sun: “The plan is to start rolling on scenes next year, primarily in the U.K. and in Europe, but the main talent are all signed up and on board.
“It’s one of the most successful movies of its kind and still enjoyed every year by millions of fans around the world – it makes perfect sense to revisit those characters and find out what became of their lives after they hooked up.
“It’ll be funny, poignant, and heartwarming – just what everyone wants for Christmas.”
The original was released back in 2006 / Credit: Universal Pictures
Although the sequel is said to be in the works, it’s all very up in the air at the moment as no further details about the plot have been released.
Given the years that have passed though, we can probably expect plenty of big life events to have happened.
Featured Image – Universal Pictures
Christmas
A Horrible Histories Christmas-themed stage show is happening in Manchester this month
Emily Sergeant
You can discover the story of how Christmas came to be what it is today in a new Horrible Histories stage show in Manchester later this month.
With the festive season officially upon us, temperatures dropping by the day, and Christmas soon to be here before we know it, parents and guardians who are keen to keep the kids entertained but still educated while schools are out can grab tickets to a special Christmas-themed Horrible Histories stage show.
Heading out on a UK tour and stopping off at The Bridgewater Hall here in Manchester in a couple of weeks time, the impressive stage show is described as a festive celebration in the most “wonderful, funny, and moving way you’ll ever see”.
A Horrible Histories Christmas-themed stage show is happening in Manchester / Credit: Horrible Histories
For many of us, when we think of Christmas, the magic of family, joy, goodwill, presents, and more usually come to mind, but how about Oliver Cromwell? Or even Henry VIII?
When Christmas comes under threat from a jolly man dressed in red, it’s up to one young courageous boy to save the day – but can he rescue Christmas? From Victorian villains, to medieval monks, Puritan parties to Tudor treats, you can join the Horrible Histories presents cast on a hair-raising adventure through the history of Christmas.
You’ll be in the company of Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, King Henry VIII ,and St Nicholas as they all join forces to save the festive season.
Danny Jones -
17th November 2022 
