Live for free. (Saving tips)

Member Name: moonbailey

Product:	Saving tips
Date:	26/09/01 (115 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: tons of free services

Disadvantages: don't expect star treatment

Thrifty tips? I've got a sackload. Now, where shall I start?

Fancy an evening out with a handful of celebrities and a stand-up comedian?

Check out your local recording studios for information of up and coming shows. They need audiences more than you need a night out, so rarely charge for tickets.

You will be expected to turn up around an hour or more in advance and make sure you do because popular shows are always overbooked to guarantee a good turn out. The back of the queue doesn't always get in. However, if you are unlucky, you may be offered superior tickets for the next recording date, in compensation.

A few venues will even give out free drinks or bar vouchers to 'get you in the mood' for some of the smaller and more intimate audience shows.

You will have a bit of a wait between takes and before the recording starts but they have fill-in comedians to keep you amused - often better than the show itself!

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Most comedy clubs have 'Try-out nights' where new talent gets to air their material and see if they've got a future in the industry. Talent spotters hang out on these nights to pick out the potential crowd pullers.

If it's not free to get in, it should be no more than a couple of pounds. You take a chance as you might be cringing in the stalls - but any comedy is a night out and you might see some absolute scorchers.

Beer prices are often cheap and you might be invited to rate the acts as they go.

Heckling is always encouraged!


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Get your hair done for free by a top salon. OK, so you'll be at the hands of a trainee - but there are senior technicians on hand to advise them before each stage and tidy up any bits they've missed - so you won't be leaving with a cut that hasn't had their approval.

Look in free magazines and local newspapers f
or adverts to avoid a booking charge, or you may be asked to pay £5 when you get there.

Again, turn up early as these can be over booked to ensure each student gets a model (that's you).

Have your hair coloured or highlighted for around £15 to cover costs, on a separate visit if you're brave enough.

For both services, expect to be there for a couple of hours as it does take longer to have each stage checked by the professionals.


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Open a bank account at every bank that offers a good joining incentive (usually around £15- £20 or a free gift). It's always free to open one and you can change your mind at a later date if you choose not to keep it.


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Get every loyalty card there is going in your area - so you never buy anything without getting a little back in return.


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Join all the freebies websites (check out the dooyoo selection), and earning incentive schemes. If you do your research, you might have nearly a dozen ways of earning a few extra pounds each month.


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Shop at the ends of the aisles at the supermarket. Here you'll find all the buy-one-get-one-frees, three-for-twos and reduced (nearing sell by date) stock.

Stock up in bulk when you see a serious bargain and whack it in the freezer when you get home.

Always check the loo-roll and washing detergent aisles for special offers and deals as, if you wait until you need them - they're never on offer that week!


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Invest in Tuppaware and cook in bulk using own brand basics. This way, it's quite possible to eat well for 20p a serving and have stacks left for when you can't be bothered to cook.


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Do a deal with your mates and each
take out one magazine subscription. Subscriptions usually cut the cost by at least 40% per issue and you'll be able to pool all your copies to read and swap between you.


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Well, there's probably loads more to tell you but bearing in mind the mammoth proportions this op has already reached - I think I'd better save it for another time.


See you at the hairdressers!

Moon. xx

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