1. Make the most of offers. Brands often try to tempt you by offering free gifts when you buy certain products or spent a certain amount. Take advantage of this and only buy products when you're going to get a little extra for free. Its also a great way to try things and then you know if a product is really worth the money.

2. Get savvy with the sales and sign up for email alerts to your favourite brands. Then you'll be the first to know about them and should be able to pick up some bargains. Also they often send emails with special offers and discounts so its a really easy way to stay up to date with any potential deals.

3. Make good use of sites like Pinterest. It helps you develop your personal style which saves you money long term. If you know what you actually like then you waste less money on buying stuff you aren't really that fussed about. That leaves you more money to spend on that really nice coat you wanted instead of buying five really average T shirts you'll never wear.

4. Get comfortable with the idea of second hand. Sites like eBay and Vinted are great ways to pick up a bargain. People often sell on high end brands at significantly discounted prices.

5. Make good use of blog sales as people often sell virtually untouched or new clothes and make up at massively reduced rates. A good way to find them is to search 'blog sale' on twitter.

6. And blogs in general. Look at swatches and make certain it is what you want. Read reviews and see what other peoples experience with a product was. Doing your research on an expensive purchase is essential because you need to know if its right for you before you part with your cash.

7. If possible try to look at it in person/try it on in the shop before taking advantage of a better deal online. Particularly with perfume as its impossible to tell what something smells like just from a description.

8. Always check if you can earn cashback on purchases with sites such as Topcashback and Quidco. In the past year I've made over £200 from doing this so its well worth doing.

9. Make good use of comparison sites if you can. If you really want the latest iPhone then make sure you are getting the best deal for your money. Also take a look at your current bills and see how much of your current package you are actually using. You might be able to cut back and save yourself loads of money.

10. Sounds obvious but if you really want something but can't justify the money then ask for it as gifts. If its really pricey then you could ask for a gift voucher or cash towards it instead.

11. If you really really want something but its just too expensive then a dupe is a great way of trying it and seeing if you actually get on with it. For example you really want MAC's Ruby Woo lipstick but you decide to get a Rimmel dupe instead. If after a few months the lipstick has been hardly used or you're not too sure if the colour suits you then you'll know not to bother investing in the real thing.

12. Always be on the look out for any loyalty or reward schemes and save your points up for luxury items.

13. Learn what you can save money on. So if you don't find there to be any real difference between Maybellines Lash Sensational Mascara and Benefits Roller Lash then stick with what's better value. Then use your extra cash for items that are worth the splurge.

14. Always check sites like FragrenceDirect.com to see if they have your desired product for less.

15. Choose your most used brand as your favourite on feelunique.com and then you always get 10% off. They also offer free shipping on orders over £10 so its a great way of ordering your staples. I also recommend choosing a high value brand e.g. Chanel because you hardly ever find discounts elsewhere for brands such as these. Then if you choose to invest you'll save quite a bit of money.

16. If you're a student buy makeup from ASOS as you get 10% off. They stock some really big brands such as NARS and Benefit so the savings can really add up. If you're no longer a student then persuade a student friend to order if for you and give them the money.

17. Sites like wowcher and groupon often have really good deals on make up. For example reduced MAC lipsticks, heavily discounted fragrences and gift sets. I've saved considerable money buying feelunique.com vouchers and on my BirchBox subscription.

18. Outlet shops are often full of bargains and always have a good look in TK Maxx. You'll never know what you might find if you have a good rummage in there. For every ten smashed up eyeshadows there is a hidden gem lurking at the bottom of the pile.

If you have any other tips or tricks I would absolutely love to hear them!

Is the iPhone really the best thing since sliced bread?

Recently my beloved Samsung Galaxy S3 has started to be really slow and unresponsive. The battery life is no longer as good as it once was and to be honest it’s started to become annoying. 

I always imagined that when my precious phone finally died I would upgrade it to Samsungs current model (whatever it may be) as I thought my S3 was practically perfect in every way. 

 But when I came to choose my new phone I was shocked at how enormous the Samsung S5 was. It’s way too big to be practical for me so enter my new iPhone 5s which I am not ashamed to admit I chose it purely because the size is convenient. Such a technophobe.

So far I have to admit I’m not entirely in love with it. So while this is in no way a post about technical thingy ma bobs about how these various phones work here is what I’ve found so far. 

Things that annoy me about my iPhone:

• The charger situation is seriously annoying. Apples sneaky move of changing the charger means that I have to wave goodbye to the freedom of Androids micro usb charger. As I’ve had several Samsungs over the years I’ve acquired quite a few chargers (plus one I’ve stolen from my sister, whoops). This means I just leave my chargers scattered about where ever I may need one and never have to worry about forgetting it when I go home for the weekend. Now I am going to have to purchase several more and this is going to cost me lots of money. You can’t even buy a cheap fake version as it makes the 5s go all weird and refuse to unlock while its plugged in. Damn you Apple and your money making schemes.

•  The layout of some general apps is different on iOS then it is on Android and not always for the better. For example the way the Facebook app is laid out with the navigation bar at the bottom not the top is bloody irritating.

• My Instagram no longer remembers all my hashtags which is total pain cos I have to keep typing them all out again. Life is too short for this. Sort it out Apple/Instragram or whoevers fault this is.

• ·         Its harder to personalise settings than on Android and despite being famously simple I find the iOS interface less intuitive. Maybe I’m just stupid.

• ·         Also it’s costing me more money for my contract. Anything that makes me spend money is annoying.

Things that I actually quite like about my iPhone:

• ·         Facetime is quite cool. Or well I reckon it could be as both my Mum and my sister have iPhones as do lots of my friends so it could come in handy.

• ·         It runs quicker than my old S3 but that’s hardly surprising as its brand new.

• ·         The fingerprint scanner is so effing handy. No more having to endlessly type in my stupid passcode.

• ·         The battery life is also pretty good but again it is brand new so we’ll see if I’m still impressed with it in a few months’ time.

• ·         It’s a convenient size as it fits in your pocket and is just right in your hand.

• ·         The front camera is much better than my old phone which is great cos I’m partial to a bit of Snapchatting here and there.

• ·         Unlike with a Samsung there are a vast variety of cases available for it which as a girl is important because I want my phone to look stylish.

• ·         It’s just so black and shiny and pretty to look at.

So while right now I’m not entirely sold on the iPhone I’m sure that I will soon join the hordes of Apple wankers and wonder how I ever used a measly Android.