H&M Clothes from 99p!

H&M is one of my favourite stores. Their clothes are good value for money ie reasonably priced without being too cheap and tacky looking. Of course I should add this isn't just clothes, but accessories, shoes, cosmetics and home items as well. Over on the H&M website there are currently two codes, 0769 and 1304 that can be used together for free delivery and £5 off your order. You are able to use the codes on purchases at a minimum of £5.99, making some items come in at as little as 99p! Here's how:

1. Add an item or items of your choice to your shopping bag. Needs to be a total of at least £5.99.
2. Now if your items do not total £11, add something else to your shopping bag (doesn't matter what as you won't be buying this item).
3. Click checkout and log-in or register to the site.
4. Add the codes 0769 and 1304 to take off delivery charge and the £5 discount.
5. Make sure on the left hand side of the page you have selected you wish to pay by card and ticked the T&Cs box.
6. Click remove on the extra item we added in step 2.
7. As soon as you see the total has reduced to the correct price, QUICKLY press the enter card details button.
8. Enter your card details and congratulate yourself on getting a bargain.

I have to remind myself that just because it's cheap doesn't mean I need to buy it. I've bought a few sensible items for work (black trousers for £2.99) and a few little treats from the sale section (black maxi dress £1 and a raspberry blazer £2). If you want to make a second order you'll need to wait until your first is showing as dispatched in order to use the codes again, or you could set up an account for somebody else in your household and use that... Happy shopping!

You're a sales assistant, how can you afford to travel?!

As a minimum wage, part-time sales assistant I know it's not easy to save up money to travel. But it is possible. Having been white water rafting in Nepal, bungee jumping in New Zealand and paragliding in Colombia, it definitely is possible. I am fed up of people telling me they would love to travel to other countries but that they could never afford it. If you live in the UK, or other western country, then you CAN afford it, IF you want it bad enough. I'll admit some things I have had to cut back on. I can't buy new clothes whenever I feel like it, I can't go out drinking all the time or eat out every night. My lifestyle might be slightly simpler than others, but it certainly isn't basic. All it takes are a few changes, and you'll soon start to see the savings grow.

Where would you rather be in six months time, still working the same boring job or at Tayrona National Park, Colombia?

The first rule has to be live BELOW your means. If living in that swanky new apartment is going to eat up all your salary, then you need to downgrade. That might mean sharing a house/flat with somebody. I know that won't be to everybodys taste, but it's up to you, how badly do you want to save up? Do you buy lunch out everyday? If so, make a pack lunch. Those extra couple of pounds everyday will pay for a night's accommodation in some countries. Don't jump in a taxi everytime it's raining, invest in a new raincoat and if possible, walk! So many times people have been shocked when I've said I'm walking home from work (half an hour) in the rain. These are all basic ideas but it is amazing how many people think the odd pound here or there doesn't matter.

So, if you want help saving money for the trip of a lifetime, or for any other reason for that matter, I'll show you how.