How to click and save money

By LUCY TOBIN FOR MAILONLINE
Updated: 08:21 EST, 6 July 2009

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There are bargains to be found online on everything from holidays to restaurants and utilities. Read our guide from the Daily Mail to 50 brilliant money-saving websites...

Click and save: Read our list of the top 50 money-saving websites

• SHOPPING

Quidco.com
A cashback website that has saved me hundreds of pounds. When you buy something from one of 1,200 online shops (including Play.com), you receive a percentage of the price back.

Normally, a site such as Google receives a referral fee. Through this 'online cooperative', the cash is paid into your bank account. For example, there's 5% back from shopping at M&S. Other cashback sites - each covers some different retailers - include pigsback.com and greasy-palm.co.uk

chemistdirect.co.uk
Promises to beat any other UK chemist's price on prescriptions.

kelkoo.co.uk
Scours the net to find the cheapest price for a huge range of items, from electronics to handbags. For a big purchase, compare several sites. Others include savebuckets. co.uk and pricerunner.co.uk

cosmeticresearchonline.co.uk
Instead of buying new cosmetics, sign up here as a volunteer to trial new beauty ranges. The products have all been declared safe.

pricecutreview.com/UK/
Lists Amazon items that are half-price or less.

bookbrain.co.uk
A specialist price-comparison service for books.

fatfingers.co.uk
Save money on eBay bids. Type in your desired item and the site searches eBay for listings with common typos, so you uncover items with low bids.

furnituredeal.co.uk
Online furniture retailer that cuts out the storeroom salesmen and offers low prices on a wide range.

retaileyes.co.uk
One of the several online mystery shopping companies that pay cash when members sign up to test their clients. Retail Eyes' companies include Virgin Active gyms - you receive free membership and a small payment when you join the gym and compile reports on your experiences.

mydigitalprints.co.uk
Finds the cheapest online photo developer for the exact quantity and size of prints for your needs. It also compares the cost of photo gifts such as mugs, calendars and greeting cards.

• EATING OUT (AND IN)

moneysavingexpert.com/ tipnote/cheap-restaurant-deals
Lists current offers at hundreds of restaurants, including buy-one-get-one-free deals. Includes nationwide chains and, in the forums, area-specific dining out bargains.

5pm.co.uk
Restaurant reservation site with discounted deals available if you book to eat on the same day, after 5pm.

mysupermarket.co.uk
Compare the price of any single item or the price of your whole (online) supermarket trolley here. It will calculate the total cost of Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda and Ocado (Waitrose), and you send the order to the supermarket you choose.

fixtureferrets.com
Lists promotions on groceries at major supermarkets. Search via shop, brand, promotion or category.

quafferoffers.co.uk
Compiles details of up-to-date wine offers at major supermarkets and off-licence chains. Search via grape, shop, country, price or colour.

Money saving tips - Discount vouchers

Find out all the latest deals, discount vouchers and codes...

• TRAVEL & DAYS OUT

liftshare.org
Sign up for free and enter your journey, then find someone else to share it with. The nationwide car-sharing scheme now also includes cycling and walking groups.

petrolprices.com
Search via town or postcode to find the cheapest petrol near you.

carrentals.co.uk
Compares the prices of 40 car-rental suppliers in the UK and abroad to find you the cheapest.

dayoutuk.com
Has around 300 discount vouchers for days out in the UK and Ireland, including theme parks and attractions such as Cadbury's World (£10 off a family ticket) and the London Dungeons (free child entry).

• VOUCHERS

myvouchercodes.co.uk
This site has discount coupons for thousands of stores, including Asda, Comet and Next. Some are online offers, others can be used in-store.

oscaruk.co.uk
Features discount deals and concessions especially for over-60s.

studentbeans.co.uk
Search via your university (or home) town for student offers.

>> January sales: Desperate discount guide

• INFO

saynoto0870.co.uk
Don't call expensive numbers such as 0870s. Use this site to find a local rate alternative or Freephone option. A simple, useful site to help you calculate your benefits and tax credits.

thephonebook.bt.com
Search online instead of using expensive directory inquiries.

niftylist.co.uk/calls
Don't call an international number straight from your BT phoneline - search the destination here and find an access code to dial first and save cash. Or use an online phone service such as www.voipcheap.co.uk to make cheap or even international calls from your computer.

• INSURANCE & UTILITIES

moneysupermarket.com
One part of this massive site finds you the cheapest motor, home, travel and life insurance deals; another focuses on utilities; another shows credit card and mortgage offers.

simplifydigital.co.uk
An Ofcom-accredited specialist in phone, broadband and digital TV offers and bundles. Compare prices and buy digital deals from this impartial site.

onecompare.com
Finds cheap mobile deals, including pay-as-you-go options and best-value contracts. Search by phone, features or inclusive minutes/text bundles.

confused.com, CompareTheMarket.com, uSwitch.com
The cheapest quotes for home, life, car and van insurance.

energysavingtrust.org.uk/ calculator/checklist
A government-backed site giving tips on how to cut fuel bills.

RECESSION BEATERS: The best money-saving tips

How to...

• HOLIDAYS

halfpricehotels.co.uk
Cheap UK deals.

hotelscomparison.com
Compare hotel prices in one place - this site searches others, including AlphaRooms and Hotel Club, to find best value rooms worldwide.

hotwire.com
Very cheap, top quality US hotel rates are available at this site, selling anonymous rooms. You're told about the hotel's facilities, rough location and star rating before booking, but the hotel name remains a secret until you have paid. In the UK and elsewhere, lastminute.com/topsecret offers a similar service.

priceline.co.uk
A travel specialist with a twist: its 'name your own price' feature allows customers to bid for a hotel rate. A low bid can bag a bargain, but you can only bid once a day.

kayak.co.uk
Another travel search engine which hunts through other sites for cheapest deals. Best for flight searches.

couchsurfing.com
Find a place to stay for free at home and abroad when you register on this free, international site and request to 'couchsurf' at members' homes.

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