My January Sales Secrets Revealed!

Tuesday 15 January 2013


Like most savvy shoppers, I love snapping up a bargain or two in the January sales. Since my birthday is on 5th January, I usually have some extra cash to play with which I tend to blow in the sales. I’ve spent the past decade perfecting my shopping and I now Iike to pretend I'm a semi-professional sale shopper!

One of my birthday bargains from SpoiledBrat.co.uk. Was £20 Now £14. Only £12.60 with 10% off code!

We were recently contacted by Most Wanted, the lifestyle magazine from money saving-site VoucherCodes.co.uk. They invited us to take part in their 'January Sales Secrets Challenge' and provided us with a styling budget of £80 to hit the sales. The aim of the challenge was to find the best bargains on the interwebz and provide some tips on how to be a smarter shopper. 

With £80 in my purse, I headed straight to ASOS.com after spotting a tweet saying their sale was now up to 70% off! I wasn't really sure what I wanted so I let my spidey senses take over and started browsing the sale by my favourite brands. I bookmarked all items of interest and then starting looking at different stores. I used Facebook and Twitter to find out who had the best sales and continued to bookmark all the things I loved. When I was finished looking, I began sorting through my options.

My first purchase was this Wildfox Globe T-Shirt:
Kitty Bowler: PrettyLittleThing.com - 'RAWR' Necklace: NEIVZ - Wildfox Tee: ASOS.com

Was £70 now £35. It wasn't 70% off but I was instantly drawn to it because I love to travel and I love Wildfox. I opted for black over white because I wear black all year round and it isn't as sheer. I noticed ASOS were offering a discount code for a further 10% off sale, which made it £31.50. Uh-mazing. 

My next sale bargain was a pair of MinkPink Smooth Operator leggings:
MinkPink Bangles: SpoiledBrat.co.uk - House of Harlow Cross Ring: AccessoriesOnline.co.uk -  Circle Ring: ASOS 
MinkPink leggings: DiffusionOnline.co.uk 

Was £49 Now £25. Diffusion have a fantastic sale which is worth checking out, I almost paid full price for these leggings in November! These days I've started to choose leggings over jeans because they're just so darn comfy, these ones are also nice and thick. Diffusion only offer free delivery over £75 so I paid £28.99 including postage. Also shown are my birthday bangles and a House of Harlow Rose Gold Plated Wraparound Cross Ring:


Was £31.95 Now £15.98. I spotted this House of Harlow cross ring while clicking through the AccessoriesOnline.co.uk store and put it straight in my basket. A good piece of jewellery will last for years and therefore makes a great investment piece, even costume jewellery like this. There were no further discount codes when I ordered but there was one a few days later.

The last of my budget was spent on this Pieces Blex ring:
Was £7 Now £3. Since this ring only cost me £3 from ASOS.com:, I could afford to be adventurous! I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not but I was pleasantly surprised. I think it’s unusual and will work with most edgy looks.

Total spent: £79.47
Money saved: £78.48

I could have picked items with greater savings but I didn't want to spend for the wrong reasons. These were the perfect choices for me, here is some advice so you can make the right sale choices for you…

T’s Top Tips:

1. Use Social Networking sites to find out information about current/upcoming sales.

2. Bookmark your favourite items throughout the year and then check back during sale time.

3. Wait for further reductions (only for the brave).

4. Always look for an additional discount code.

5. Check yourself before you wreck yourself!*

6. Read the store’s returns policy before you buy.

*One of the most important tips for sale shopping. Before you commit, ask yourself the following questions:

a) Do I really need it? Don’t buy something just because it’s cheap/has a huge saving. 

b) Do I love it/can I live without it? Even if you answered no to question a) but you love something so much that you can’t stop thinking about it, perhaps still buy it as long as your answer is yes to c)...

c) Can I afford it? It’s not a good idea to overspend and whack your sale bargains on a credit card that you can‘t pay off. Be smart, buy what you need and what you love IF you can afford it.

Are you a savvy sale shopper? Do you have a favourite item from what I bought?

T - All shopped out. XoX

38 comments:

  1. That earth T-shirt is amazing! Want!
    Erica xo

    www.sushiturtlesandlife.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Isn't it just!? Wildfox is too cool for skool.

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  2. I want/need this whole outfit! I loveeee the shirt and the rings HOLY COW!! xx

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  3. I love the hat! Looks so cute on xx

    http://whatisinherwardrobe.blogspot.co.uk

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  4. Great idea bookmarking items then checking back when the sales are on!

    www.thumbelinalillie.com
    Megan xxx

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  5. I'm definitely gonna follow these rules next time I sale shop, I am way to impulsive!

    Gems x

    Fashion, Well Done

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    Replies
    1. Haha, I used to be but I've learned to live by these now! x

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  6. Some great sale's tips, I always look for voucher codes before buying anything! Happy Belated Birthday Tara!

    Sita xx
    http://buttonsapart.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Sita, great minds think alike! Thanks for the birthday wishes too.

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  7. Love the rawr necklace, it suits you! ;)

    Love,

    Rowan

    www.redreidinghood.com
    Ps: I just started a running blog with my best friend. If you’re thinking about starting to run, may I invite you to our blog? www.chicksrunningonkicks.com

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  8. ooooo love the haul! looks amazing! x

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! I love all my little bits, such bargains.

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  9. Great post, I really really really want that hat

    www.lookwhatigot.co.uk

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  10. those bargains are amazing! love the leggings
    http://iamcollecting.blogspot.co.uk

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    Replies
    1. Why thanks, I do try! Me too, such a good bargain.

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  11. Love the bowler!
    And the jewellery is too cute
    http://shradhaloves.blogspot.co.uk/
    S xx

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Shradha, I really love the jewels too.x

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  12. These are some really good tips thanks!
    http://thelipstickthegirlandherwardrobe.blogspot.co.uk/

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  13. Tara you look so cute in that hat! Love the sale buys, lucky girl

    http://alittlebitunique.blogspot.co.uk/

    x

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    Replies
    1. Awww, thanks sweetheart! I'm so chuffed with what I got.

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  14. love this post so much, can I have it all please?
    tie-dye-eyes

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    Replies
    1. Ummmm, if you come live next door we can share? ;) x

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  15. I know it's random but I absolutely love the colour of your nails.

    http://www.tea-and-cocktails.blogspot.com

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  16. That House of Harlow ring is gorgeee! I try to live by those kinds of shopping rules - it actually works quite well for me, I have a good ability to forget about things I really 'wanted' the previous week too, which helps haha!

    Robyn Mayday
    xx

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Robyn! Haha I know what you mean about forgetting things, I do the very same thing!x

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  17. Those rings are so pretty! Want T.T






    Lady N - www.ladybarie.blogspot.com

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Hey there, thanks for taking the time to follow and comment! Pop your thoughts here and we will come take a peek at your blog/profile too. :) T and J xo