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When it comes to money saving online, it feels as though it is easy to get flooded with irrelevant information. According to a recent poll, 36% of you could spend up to 20 minutes looking for deals online, with 24% saying you could look for up to a whole hour and only 8% saying that you never look for deals. 

Most of us like a bargain, but with the lack of time available in our busy schedules, it can be hard to discover those amazing deals that are definitely out there.

With the help of our members and research of our own, we’ve come up with 3 top tips to help you save more money online.  

1)    Use cashback websites

Cashback websites are free to join and, according to our most recent poll, the most popular amongst our users is TopCashback.co.uk, with 22% saying that they use this website exclusively. Essentially, how it works is that you use their website to browse thousands of retailers and whatever purchases you make they earn commission on. This is then added as cashback to you so that you can make earnings on your shopping. One of our users said, “Anything I'm going to buy from an online shop, I check if they are on a Cashback site before purchasing and then you get the same deal plus a little bonus. No brainer I think.”. Another popular site amongst our Viewsbank members is Quidco.

2)   Plan holidays using money saving websites

Whilst planning a holiday it’s easy to get enticed by the first flights we see, especially if we’re excited to just get away! It’s important to be aware that the first deal you see isn’t always the best.  There are lots of websites out there that will do all the digging for you. Companies like Skyscanner and Expedia will compare everything for you, with one of our users saying, “£480 return to Cambodia. Skyscanner did me proud!”. 

Be sure to go through the listings as sometimes websites can be paid to place certain brands at the top of their listings, even though it may not necessarily be the best deal. 

3)   Price comparison sites

I’m sure we’re all very familiar with a certain meerkat, however, we had our Viewsbank members tell us exactly which ones they found the most useful when it came to actual savings. 14.6% of users told us that Comparethemarket.com was the only website they used when it came to finding bargains, and a close second was MySupermarket.co.uk with 12.7%. If you’re not like the 27.2% of users who will scour the internet until they’re sure they have the best deal, then our recommendation is to at least check those two. 

Here is what some of our members had to say:

“When I find a good price for an item online it gives me a little triumph”

“I’m an online shop addict”

“Love those meerkats!”          

How else do you save money? Let us know in the comments below. 

“To ensure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life.” – William Londen

Being fit and healthy doesn’t have to be difficult. And it certainly doesn’t mean that you have to eat quinoa, chicken and steamed brocolli for every meal. In fact, there are lots of effective and less painful habits you can put into practice that will help you on your journey.

In a recent poll, we asked you how many times a week on average you exercise. The response was pretty positive, with most respondents doing some form of exercise each week.

16% said that they exercise more than 4 times a week, with 14% doing between 1 to 3 exercise sessions a week.

29% of you exercise between 1 and 3 times a week, and 15% exercise at least once a week.

It is evident that we’re doing more and more to try and live a healthy lifestyle, but there are definitely other steps to incorporate into our daily routines that are as easy as ABC.

So here they are:

• Avoid processed foods and artificial sweeteners
   
• Breakfast. This is the most important meal of the day. Focus on fueling your body with proteins, fruit and whole grains
   
• Colourful foods. Set yourself up for success by making your meals as colourful as possible using a variety of vegetables, fruits and grains
   
• Drink more water. Your body needs water to function properly. If you don't like plain water, try adding flavours using fresh fruit and veggies like cucumbers, mint, etc
   
• Eat seasonally. According to a study, fewer than 1 in 10 Brits know when some of the UK’s most well-known fruit and veggies are in season. By doing shopping seasonally, you'll get the most nutrients from your food because it's at its freshest point
   
• Find your local farmer's markets. This will help you eat more seasonally, and also encourage you to try out different vegetables and fruits
   
• Get outside. Get yourself out of the house each day to soak up some natural Vitamin D. Maybe go for a walk, or get on your bike. This will boost your immune system and engery levels! Here’s why you should get outside every day
   
• Hire a personal trainer. This isn’t for everyone, but it is a really great way to stay in shape and help you stay on track with your fitness goals
   
• Imagine your ideal self. Focus on yourself and set achievable goals
   
• Junk food cleanse. Go through your cupboards and fridge, and either throw out all the junk food OR make a pact with yourself that when it runs out, you will not buy more
   
• Keep a food diary. By keeping a log of what you eat, you'll be able to see patterns of overeating, stress eating, etc
   
• Lean proteins. Never underestimate the power of lean proteins. Focus on proteins like chicken breast, turkey, eggs, and raw nuts
   
• Meal plan. Sit down for an hour or so each week and plan out your meals. This will help you stay on track and avoid having to improvise and end up with potential unhealthy meals
   
• Nap when you’re tired (and able to!). Sometimes all we need is a quick nap. Taking short breaks for yourself is a great way of boosting your enegry naturally
   
• Omega-3s. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, combat depression and improve mood and memory. Excellent sources include tuna, salmon, flax seeds, walnuts, leafy greens and hemp seeds
   
• Prepare your lunch the day before. Often, when working in an office, it's easy to make too many trips to the shop or food stand. Try to pack your lunch to avoid buying unhealthy options
   
• Quit making excuses. Living a healthy lifestyle can feel like a chore sometimes, but it really doesn’t have to be this way. Make a list of why you want to be healthy. No more excuses
   
• Reduce stress. Reduce your level of stress by looking after yourself more. Don’t be afraid to take time to make yourself happy
   
• Share your goals with friends and family. By doing this, you are making yourself more accountable
   
• Treat yourself. It’s important to still treat yourself whilst living your new healthy lifestyle. It’s okay to have that slice of cake, or a glass of wine
   
• Understand your body and your cravings. You’ll be able to combat your cravings in lots of ways with alternative food choices
   
• Vegan or vegetarian once a week. Try to go one day a week without eating animal proteins (some people call it Meat-free Monday.)
   
• Whole food diet. Try focusing on eating a whole food diet. This is a diet that includes lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
   
• eXercise. Try and exercise at least 2 – 3 times a week as this can be extremely beneficial to your body as well as your mind. Schedule your exercise in to your daily routine to make sure you don't skip it
   
• Yoga. Yoga is a great way to relax and strengthen your core. It really helps you focus your breathing and keeps your stress in check
   
• ZZZs. This is a very important step. Make sure that you get plenty of sleep. Try to avoid looking at screens and searching the web until late at night. Maybe pick up a book, or do some meditation before bed
   

Here’s what some of our members do to keep fit and healthy:

“I use my bike about 5 times a week and do about 150 to 200 miles a week”

“I do 30 minutes a day on my exercise bike and go for a walk when the weather is fine but no hard graft”

“I exercise every day by walking my dog for at least 2 hours every day. On a normal day I will walk 5-7 miles a day”

“I go to the gym and walk the dog. Play tennis and badminton”

How do you stay fit and healthy? We’d love to hear what works for you. Let us know in the comments below.

“Happiness is not out there, it is within you” – Anonymous

Photo by Caju Gomes on Unsplash

Over 60% of viewsbankers told us that they feel happy most of the time, with 30% feeling either sad or grumpy more often than not.

Happiness isn’t something that just happens to you, and you don’t learn how to be happy at school. From a young age we’re conditioned to set goals and aim high, always seeking further success, and yet this way of thinking is more likely to make us more miserable.

Behavioural experts have spent lots of time studying what makes us happy (and what doesn’t). We know that the level of happiness can impact, and sometimes predict, general health and longevity.

Being happy and fulfilled is not easy, and it requires a lot of work on your part to prioritise rather than chase happiness.

Here’s what some of our members had to say when we asked about their general mood:

“Each day can bring various emotions on how one is feeling that day.I try to be positive and don't let trivial things get to me. A happy person a happy life.”

“Always happy. Stay positive and positive will things will happen.”

“Depends who I am with. They can make it better or worse.”

So how can we become happier?

Happiness comes from within. It’s time we learn how to tame negative thought patterns and take a new approach to life.

1. Recognise what makes YOU happy

You are responsible for your happiness. It’s time to make a list of all the things that make you happy. Whether that is sitting in the garden with a book, meeting up with friends, watching a movie or going for a walk. Whatever it is, it is important to prioritise your time to fit these activities into your life.

2. Conquer negative thinking

It is natural to tend to have negative thoughts, but there are lots of ways to combat these, starting with having more compassion for yourself. You need to treat yourself like you would a friend. Don’t be afraid to challenge your thought process, make a list of the things bothering you and understand whether it realistic.

3. Get up and get moving

There is considerable evidence that physical activity is directly linked to psychological health. Even just going for a quick 15-minute walk can lift your mood.

4. Be kind and practice optimism

In a poll we asked if we could all do more to make other people happy. A massive 96% said yes. Thinking positively and surrounding yourself with positive people really does help. Remember, optimism is infectious.

Here’s what some of our members do to boost their mood:

“When I'm feeling like I can't be bothered, I put on my 60s CDs, and that brightens my mood. I even enjoy dancing about when I do the house work. That's magic!!!”

“Great thoughts to try. Just been listening to Little Wing by the late great Jimi Hendrix. Nice and loud.”

What do you do to be happy? We’d love to hear your experiences. Let us know in the comments below.

The way we like to shop has changed considerably over the years. Mainly because retailers have made it so easy for us to shop for almost anything wherever we want, whenever we want.

According to Smart Insights, the top reasons consumers give for online shopping include:

• Ability to shop 24/7
• Ability to compare prices
• Online sale/better prices
• To save time

You can see that convenience and price still remain big drivers when it comes to shopping online.

In a survey conducted by Retail Maxim, respondents were asked how much of their shopping they do online. Interestingly, 257 out 922 respondents voted less than 10% of their time. This is closely followed by 208 out of 922 voting the option of 25% to 50% of their time. 

This could suggest that the picture that has been painted about our buying habits isn’t necessarily true. Some of us clearly do still like to shop instore instead of online.

However, according to the BBC, ‘sales figures show that retailers with good online shopping operations continue to do well.’ With the main reason being fast delivery, and sometimes same-day delivery options.

With this in mind, we decided to ask you in a recent poll whether you prefer to shop online or instore. 47.4% told us that you prefer to shop online, with 43.3% that prefer to shop instore and a small 9.3% selecting neither.

Here’s what some of you had to say:

“Groceries, mostly in store with a few exceptions, everything else online”

“In store...can’t be bothered waiting for delivery and then having to return something”

“Far easier and convenient to shop in-store. Allows you to get an idea of size, material etc .”

“In store because you can see and feel what you're buying but online is easier and I'm turning more and more to online shopping now.”

I think most of us have mixed feelings when it comes to our shopping habits, but it is clear that as consumers we still like to go instore to do our shopping.

According to Smart Insights, the top reasons consumers prefer to shop instore include:

• I want to see/touch item first
• I want to try the item on
• Concerned products look different
• Delivery takes too long

Time will tell how shopping behaviours will change in the UK. Clearly, the online retail market will only get stronger, but will shopping instore ever phase out?

What do you think the future of shopping will look like? Let us know in the comments below.

Whether it’s bargain hunting or making smart financial decisions, here are some top tips to help ensure that you’re getting the best deal possible and saving some money in the process. 

1. Bargain hunting

Everybody loves a bargain, but this is where it usually ends. Getting the best price is about taking the time to look, and most of us just don’t have that time. However, it’s not as tricky as you’d think, you just need to know how to do it. Sites like Hot Bargains are great for finding the latest deals and freebies.

There are lots of other tips to help you find the best deals online, including the trick of abandoning your shopping basket to get yourself a discount code and signing up to newsletters.

Also, don’t forget the power of loyalty cards. A whole host of major retailers and supermarkets reward their customers by allowing them to collect points. These points can usually be converted into money-off vouchers in store which can prove to be a great way to save on your shop

2. Travel & commuting

There are big savings to be made on travel – you just need to know where to look.

If you are a regular train user, Trainline is a brilliant site which allows you to book cheap tickets in a very quick and easy way. The more in advance you book, the more savings you make. But on average, you can save 43% when you book UK rail in advance.

Not only can you make massive savings through Trainline, but you’ll also benefit from 2for1 deals to major London attractions when you book your train tickets.

There are lots of other bargains to be had including travel via Eurostar and getting cheaper car insurance.

3. Entertainment

We know that it can get very expensive when it comes to going out – particularly when you have a family. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to have fun without having to pay full whack.

Many restaurants offer online promotions – for example, Pizza Express regularly run 2for1 offers on main courses. You’ll also be able to find voucher codes and deals in the newspaper, so be sure to check there too.

4. Food & shopping

This is a big one. And I’m sure a lot of you would agree that food is one of, maybe even the biggest, monthly outgoing. The Office for National Statistics revealed that the average amount spent by each family in 2016/17 was £536.80 per week.

Whether you’re eating in, eating out or grabbing yourself a coffee in the morning – there are lots of ways to save money.

Buying supermarket-own brands can positively impact your spend – and in a lot of cases you’ll find that you won’t even need to compromise on taste, just on brand.

As I mentioned previously, make sure that you sign up to reward schemes so that you can collect points that you’ll be able to use in store at a later date. Major retailers like Tesco and Sainsbury’s are great at rewarding customers with money off vouchers.

And finally, keep your food fresh for longer and don’t be wasteful. Freezing leftovers will save you money AND time. Ensure you store food properly and check dates so that you don’t get caught out.

Are you a master of saving money? We’d love to hear your top tips today. Let us know in the comments below.