Do you feel like your relationships with friends and family have weakened over the course of the last 20 months? You’re not alone. As the Washington Post reported last year, the stress of the pandemic was increasingly destroying previously close bonds held between loved ones.

A more recent investigation by Relate pointed to the lasting impact of the crisis on families, with the strain that lockdown placed on relationships still present as we look forward to some semblance of normality resuming. 

If you’re keen to arrest this decline, extend an olive branch and start afresh as we all adapt to the new normal, then here’s how to improve your bond with friends and family.

REPLY TO MESSAGES 

There are two types of people in this world, those who reply to text and WhatsApp messages promptly and those who open a message, read it with the intention of replying, and then don’t.

Sound familiar? Well, here’s a couple of things you can do. If you’re really busy or simply don’t feel in the mood for chatting, just acknowledge the message and tell them you’ll reply later – and actually do reply later.  

Or, if typing and texting feels too time consuming, then it’s much, much quicker to leave a voice note. What’s more, as the Metro in their article on The Psychology of Voice Notes points out, “you get the intimacy of sharing your voice, and hearing the voice of your loved one, without the pressure to engage on the spot”. 

Moreover, voice notes tend to take less of your attention, meaning you can fit them in around your life more easily; you can send one while you are walking to the shop, or listen to one while you make a cup of coffee. 

PICK UP THE PHONE

Yes, we realise that you probably fear picking up the phone as much as we do. Type ‘’Millenials hate…’’ into Google, and ‘’phone calls’’ is the search engine’s first suggestion. ‘’Talking on the phone’’ is its third. 

Incidentally, ‘’mayonnaise’’ comes second, which is curious. Imagine eating mayonnaise whilst making a phone call. Pure fear… 

Anyway, regardless of this untold, somewhat irrational hatred of phone calls, never underestimate the value of making one. Research shows that phone calls create stronger bonds than text-based communications and that’s what you’re here for, right? 

One of the best ways to overcome the fear of phone calls, then, is also the most simple; expose yourself to more of them. Start off small; just phone a friend to say hi (hey, you could even warn them first!), and slowly evolve this into 5 minute conversations, before you allow yourself to let go and embrace a full on ramble-chat. 

The more calls you make, the less overwhelming the phone calls will be. Eventually, you might even grow to like them.

BE A GOOD LISTENER & ASK QUESTIONS 

One of the best ways of connecting with people is to practice active listening, as opposed to simply waiting for your turn to speak. In doing so, you’ll learn more about your friends, provide a supportive ear to someone’s problems, and invest in your relationships, nurturing understanding and compassion.

If you’re not a good listener, it will be difficult for people around you to open up or feel connected, and eventually, they might stop sharing their lives with you at all. Make efforts to be fully present in conversation, asking as much as answering, without a single glance at a phone, and you may well find your own life is enriched just as much as your loved one’s.  

But what exactly defines a good listener? Well, back in 2016, Harvard Business Review analysed the data of almost 4’000 participants in a development program designed to help managers become better coaches in order to identify what makes an effective listener. 

They found that good listening isn’t just about staying silent and occasionally nodding in agreement. Instead, it’s those who asked follow up questions that demonstrated they’d comprehended the nuances of the conversation who were regarded as the best listeners. Those who genuinely wanted additional information and managed conversations as a two way street ticked all the right boxes as good active listeners, it seems.

This ‘active listening’ is also defined by the listener’s ability to create a safe environment for conversation where deeper thoughts and feelings can be conveyed. This is facilitated by a sense of cooperation rather than competitiveness in conversation.

The analysis also found that truly great listeners made suggestions and gave advice based on an implicit, deep understanding of the conversation, rather than basing responses on their assumptions of what the speaker might mean.

So, can we ask you; what’s your opinion on all of that?

CUT YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY SOME SLACK 

Everyone has their flaws, even when it comes to the closest relationships with friends and family members. If you expect your connections to be flawless all the time, then you’re guaranteed to become disappointed when people don’t meet your expectations. 

Remember that no relationship is perfect, so there’s no need to compare yourself with others to feel good about yourself. Instead of putting pressure on others or yourself, focus on nurturing emotional connections by loving one another unconditionally while accepting each other for who they are, flaws and all. Your friendships should become much stronger over time if you embrace this mindset.

It also pays not to build up unrealistic expectations of just how ‘in touch’ and connected friends and family should be. As NBC explains, “Some people do have a tendency to withdraw if they’re going through a tough time (a lost job, divorce or some other problem)”. So, cut your friends and family some slack if contact isn’t constant; there could be a whole host of explanations why.

Being ‘always available’ in the digital age can become tough. Instead, focus on strong relationship maintenance and embracing the quality time you do spend together. Speaking of which…

QUALITY NOT QUANTITY TIME

Relationship maintenance depends on a variety of communication methods, from those phone calls and WhatsApp messages we mentioned all the way to that active listening you should be practicing. 

But a constant barrage of memes and asides at 1AM won’t necessarily cultivate the most healthy of relationships. Sure, that form of communication and community was so important in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, when so many of us were locked down and uninspired. Now, however, with restrictions lifting, it’s a good idea to nurture your bonds in person, at least once in a while, placing an emphasis on quality rather than quantity time.

THE BOTTOM LINE 

Sometimes, rebuilding a damaged relationship or improving an already strong connection isn’t as difficult or time consuming as it first seems. By focusing on nurturing quality time and being an active listener, and by being available but not dependent, you can build back bonds that have been lost over this impossibly trying last 20 months.

Hey, no one ever actively wanted to work in a dirty office, but the global pandemic has really brought home the importance of employee safety and security in the workplace, and the impact cleanliness can have on that.

Perhaps ‘brought home’ is the wrong term there. Instead, the ever pressing need for cleanliness, sanitation and safety has been brought into the office, and if your staff have recently returned there then it’s essential that you’re running a workplace that encourages peace of mind. 

In a recent report published by CNBC, the importance of ‘healthy buildings’ in enticing workers back into the central office space was highlighted. One of the best ways to do this as the world opens up and offices get repopulated is to instill a more disciplined cleaning regime in your workplace. With that in mind, for responsible employers, here are 6 crucial ways to keep your office disinfected and clean.

START AT THE BOTTOM, WORK YOUR WAY UP

According to an investigation by real estate experts JLL, ‘’traditional cleaning methods are being upgraded amid heightened expectations around hygiene’’. They go on to report that there has been a huge rise in interest in floor cleaning robots in the USA, with four fifths of businesses now considering ‘’cleanliness and sanitation their top concern’’.

Here in the UK, the robotic cleaning revolution hasn’t quite picked up the same speed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t clean your office’s floors with precision. As explained by the folks behind Glenn Cleaning & Support Services, a simple process of daily vacuuming can help reduce the number of contaminants in your carpet by up to 85%. When combined with mopping of hard floors, you’ve laid a sanitised foundation for future success.

Bear in mind that hard floors don’t trap dirt and microbes in the same way that carpeted ones do. This, it has to be said, is a blessing and a curse. But in the terms of the latter, all sorts of bacteria and – potentially, at least, viruses – can be kicked into the air and breathed in. As such, disinfecting hard floors more regularly than usual is a wise move. Usually, you should use bleach for this, but if your floor is porous and therefore not safe for use with bleach, then a mixture of water and white vinegar produces similar results.

EVERYDAY ITEMS THAT MIGHT GET MISSED WHEN SANITISING

There are several items in the workplace that are often overlooked for a thorough sanitising effort, but which may actually harbour more germs than some more obvious places around the office. 

Did you know, for instance, that according to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, every 1 out of 6 smartphone screens is contaminated with faecal material. The study also declared that the average smartphone is 7 times dirtier than a toilet. Wow. 

Keyboards are another item that come into contact with our fingers constantly and accordingly, bacteria and viruses can often be found lurking in the crevices of each and every key. The same goes for the office kettle, landlines in the workplace and, of course, door handles. 

A sanitising regime, including education about these often missed items, is essential, then.

CLEAN THE AIR CONDITIONER FREQUENTLY

Research published by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (as highlighted in that JLL report we mentioned earlier) has suggested that improving indoor air quality in offices could add as much as $20 billion annually to the US economy.

This is because air quality plays a key role in staff contentment and productivity. One of the best ways you can improve air quality in your office is to clean air conditioning units regularly.

If you don’t want respiratory illnesses or other types of infections spreading through your office (you don’t; no one does), make sure that the air conditioner in your office has its vents and filters cleaned thoroughly once every three months (for companies that require 24-hour operations). This will not only keep contaminants away but also help maintain the quality of air inside your establishment. 

Read: 5 maintenance tips to maximise your air conditioner’s efficiency

Other ways to improve the air quality of your office and boost staff morale is to introduce some greenery in the form of indoor plants. Certain house plants can also assist in enhancing interior air quality, which may help in the alleviation of the symptoms of sick building syndrome.

An office setting with air-purifying plants, such as spider plants and chrysanthemum, can improve the atmosphere in more ways than one. And even if the science behind the air purifying qualities of plants sometimes grows out of shaky ground, the aesthetic lift they bring can’t be denied. For something simple to care for and attractive, too, you can’t go wrong with succulents.

Adequate ventilation is also more important that ever, so if you have the budget, consider installing new windows or bivalve doors in your office. 

PROVIDE PERSONAL HAND SANITISERS & FACE MASKS

Sure, you could set up hand sanitation stations (you should, in fact), but if you’re keen to show off your caring credentials, why not hand out a simple PPE kit containing waterless hand sanitizers or alcohol-based gels, which are proven to kill up to 99% of germs. 

Not only will this help reduce illness in your workplace but it will also inspire employees to maintain cleanliness even outside the office – when on the commute for example – by using these items regularly. 

As well as this, in these personal safety kits, why not include spare face masks for those who choose to wear them, and antibacterial wet wipes for disinfecting those commonly forgotten places we mentioned earlier.

KITCHEN CLEANLINESS

Kitchens are also a haven for bacteria. They are the breeding ground of microorganisms because they contain food items that provide nutrition to these organisms, while the moist environment inside the kitchen provides an excellent medium for growth.

One solution is to wipe your kitchen’s surfaces clean with disinfectants at least twice a day or after every meal preparation. 

Make it a point to provide different types of cleaners depending on the type of surface that you have in your office kitchen, whether it be stainless steel, plastic, ceramic, or porcelain. You should also keep in mind that disposable towels and sponges should only be used for specific tasks, such as wiping off countertops and surfaces exposed to spills. Installing a dishwasher would further reassure staff of your cleanliness intentions.

It is important to make sure that the products you use to clean your office are top-notch, organic and harmful chemical free as well, not only for staff safety but also a statement that you, as a responsible employer, value your staff. 

ALLOW FOR FLEXIBLE WORKING TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY FOOTFALL

A crowded office is one more likely to foster germs and one far more difficult to keep spotlessly clean. Accordingly, and as the responsible employer that you’re striving to be, make sure that options for flexible working, whether that’s a hybrid or an at-home model, are on the table for your staff. Check out these tips on ways to encourage a flexible working environment for more on that.

THE BOTTOM LINE

As you can see it is really not difficult to maintain hygiene in your workplace. All you need are the right tools and the proper know-how on how to properly clean your office space. If you don’t have enough time or resources for more complex methods of sanitation,  you can always start with the basics and work your way up from there. Just make sure that you have a plan in place before going all out so that you can guarantee results without compromising health and safety standards.

As the old Irish proverb goes, ‘’If you’re lucky enough to be Irish, you’re lucky enough’’. But if you’re lucky enough to be moving to Ireland, then firstly, congratulations! It’s a warm and welcoming place to live.

But more importantly, when settling in the Emerald Isle, you make your own luck. And to put your best foot forward in the country, it’s best to get clued up about Ireland’s culture before you arrive.

Whenever the country of Ireland comes up in a conversation, people might think about St. Patrick’s day, the four-leaf clover, U2, and of course, a properly pulled pint of Guinness. But the country is so much more than a couple of cliches; it’s a place rich in culture, folklore, incredible food, world conquering music and some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. 

If you’re moving to Ireland, here are some useful things to know about Irish culture.

LANGUAGE

English and Irish (Gaeilge) are the official languages of Ireland, and you’ll find English is generally spoken everywhere, though along the West Coast of Ireland, Irish speaking areas (known as Gaeltacht) are more common. 

That said, some Irish names may, at first glance, not be completely straightforward to pronounce if you apply English phonetic rules. Before your visit to Ireland, you should get to grips with the sounds associated with various letter patterns, so you don’t end up mispronouncing someone’s name in a clumsy way. Here are just a handful of popular Irish names that are often mispronounced:

• Siobhan – pronounced Shiv-awn
• Seamus – Shay-muss
• Kiera – Kee-rah
• Aoife – Eee-fah
• Eoghan – Ow-an
• Caoimhe – Key-va

Do make an effort to learn the correct pronunciation of names before you arrive in Ireland; good manners cost nothing.

FOLKLORE

If you’ve investigated Irish ancestry and the origin of names, you’ll have likely discovered that many Irish names are rooted in folklore and Irish mythology. The name Aoife, for instance, is derived from the word ‘​​aoibh’, meaning ‘beauty’. According to Irish mythology, Aoife was a warrior princess – the greatest female warrior in the world – who gave birth to the Celtic war hero Cuchulainn’s only son, Connlach. Pretty cool, huh?

These connections to myth and folklore should come as no surprise. Indeed, Ireland is a nation of superb storytellers, and the country has produced some of the finest writers to have ever done it; James Joyce, Maeve Binchy, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, Bram Stoker, Roddy Doyle, Sally Rooney…the list goes on.

But the Irish art of telling a great tale goes back way further than these acclaimed authors. Dating back to medieval times, everyone will be familiar with the mythology of the leprechaun, who keep their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But did you know that the very idea of a fairy comes from Irish folklore, too? Other stories with roots in Irish mythology include the Children of Lir, the Shamrock and Finn McCool.

Read: The Arans:The best things to do when visiting this very Irish archipelago 

SLANGUAGE

Bringing things back to the 21st Century, and the Irish still boast a wicked way with words and a fine sense of humour. You’ll hear some interesting and inventive slang being used while you’re here, and whilst we can’t detail all of it, here are a few of our favourite sayings:

• Grand – You’ll have heard ‘grand’ before, we’re sure. Rather than denoting opulent or luxurious, though, in Ireland, ‘grand’ is used to indicate that something is ‘okay’ or ‘fine’. 
• Craic – You’ll no doubt have heard ‘what’s the craic?’, too, meaning ‘what’s new?’. But ‘craic’ can also be used to say something was fun…it was ‘good craic’. You may also hear the word ‘gas’ used in a similar way, though we wouldn’t recommend asking ‘what’s the gas?’. Instead, say ‘s/he’s a gas + an expletive of your choosing’ to denote someone is amusing.
• Banjaxed – A lovely one to say, ‘banjaxed’ means ‘broken’. It can also be used to mean ‘drunk’. Another Irish term we love for ‘drunk’ is ‘locked’.
• ‘Deadly’ – Simply meaning something is ‘excellent’, often referring to music or a film.

These are just a few of our favourites. Keep your ears open and your arms outstretched and we’re sure you’ll find a few favourite Irish slang terms, too.

SAINT PATRICK’S 

Everyone knows St. Patrick because of the renowned celebrations on St. Patrick’s day. However, there’s a lot more to know about the Christian saint than just the Guinness fuelled celebrations associated with his name. 

Contrary to popular belief, he wasn’t the one who brought Christianity to Ireland and neither was did he banish snakes from Ireland (that is a simple matter of geography and the country being surrounded by the sea).

Believed to have been born into Roman Britain in the fourth century, when St. Patrick was 16, it’s said he was taken from his home by Irish raiders and forced into slavery. For six years, St. Patrick worked as a herdsman before he fled to Great Britain. 

He returned to Ireland after a brief while as a missionary and started his mission to convert the locals to his own faith. He is now arguably the most important patron saint of Ireland, and St. Patrick’s day is celebrated across the world on March 17th (believed by many to be the date of his death).

Whilst, globally, the day is associated with revelry, in Ireland families will attend church in the morning of the 17th. Later in the day, a traditional meal of bacon and boiled cabbage is eaten. And a deadly meal it is at that.

THE EMERALD ISLE

There are a couple of reasons why Ireland is referred to as the Emerald Isle. This is because Ireland is a lush green country with almost no dry patches and also because there have been many poets and authors over the years who have taken a liking to this term. The only spots on the Emerald Isle that you’ll see without some sort of grass or other vegetation are the rugged ones with their rocky landscape and the cities. 

The climate that prevails in Ireland is also very conducive to this type of lush green vegetation as the summers are moist and warm while the winters are cold and wet. Therefore, it’s no wonder that anyone who sees Ireland from a distance will automatically assume that it’s an island made of emerald. 

Whilst the saying ‘the grass is always greener on the other side’ is a well used proverb, when casting your gaze at Ireland, the phrase becomes literal. It’s simply the most beautiful place on earth.

THE BOTTOM LINE

These are just a few things that any visitor to Ireland should know about the country’s unique and fascinating culture. Visitors, particularly those from Britain, should also endeavour to learn about the history of Ireland and its relationship with imperialist Britain, which sadly isn’t often taught in British schools. Before arriving in Ireland, do dig a little deeper into this relationship. 

Do so, and you’ll learn to appreciate a beautiful country with a complicated history, but one which is very much thriving in 2021.

As the night’s turn colder and the nights dra…zzzzzzzz. Oops, we appear to have just nodded off there. You know the drill. It’s winter, we stay in more, yada yada yada. And now let’s segue into the content…

Those cosy evenings at home and lazy winter weekends spent hibernating don’t necessarily have to be devoted to Netflix binges, hearty stews, pumpkin spice lattes and reeling off cliches. Just because the weather’s turned a little gloomy doesn’t mean you can’t be productive; here are the best crafts for a winter weekend, IDEAL for making your indoor days colourful. 

CUSTOMISE YOUR CLOTHES

If you want to get something tangible out of your winter craft endeavours rather than just keep your hands busy, then why not spend some time cheering up some of your old clothes and give them a new lease of life? 

Frilly, lacy and Broderie anglaise style collars are big news for winter and are a great way to breathe new life into old tops. Create and sew a collar directly onto an old jumper or T-shirt, or make a detachable collar that you can wear with lots of different tops. All it takes is a sewing kit and some initiative. 

Christmas jumpers are a festive season must-have, but they do all tend to look the same, not to mention that they are bad for our environment. As the Independent reports, “Environmental charity Hubbub examined 108 jumpers from 11 online and high street retailers and found that 95 per cent were made either entirely or partly from plastic”. 

So, why not create your own truly unique Christmas jumper with embroidery, using tasteful alpine trees and a flicker of glitter? What’s more, embroidery is a hugely relaxing and productive way to spend the coming months inside.

Here at IDEAL, we’re huge fans of pearl-embellished cardigans and jumpers for winter, too. It simply takes an old blouse, T-shirt, knit or long sleeve top and a few pearls or buttons to create a statement top this winter. Don’t just stop at pearlifying your jumpers; update your denim jackets with pearl studs or add pearls to collars and cuffs…there are so many ways to incorporate elegant pearl details into your everyday looks. Your only limitation is your imagination.  

CRAFT YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS CARDS, DECORATIONS & WREATHS 

Winter weekends are the perfect time to whip out the glitter and get to work on a whole range of handmade Christmas decorations. 

Firstly, consider creating your own Christmas cards – much more thoughtful than going to the pound shop last minute only to find that only a bad selection of cards remain, and much more kind to the environment, too. 

Go further and make your own wreath this year out of Christmas baubles for a unique festive display. All you need is baubles of different sizes and colours, tinsel, a wire coat hanger, a wire cutter and a glue gun. Fun for all ages, painting your own baubles is the ideal Christmas activity. Make sure those baubles are shatterproof (any colour or size will do), and buy some paint, a paintbrush, glitter and glue. You can even buy packs of ‘paint your own bauble kits’ to make things even easier. Now, it’s time to get creative.

If you have children, then the winter period is the ideal time to roll up those sleeves, get out the Pritt Stick and string, and give it the ol’ Blue Peter treatment. There are plenty of Christmas crafts for kids to keep them entertained. Salt dough decorations are a great idea; these can be hung on the tree or given as Christmas presents and look really beautiful when they’re painted and varnished.   

Check out our article on 6 IDEAL crafts and activities to do with your children this Christmas for more inspiration.

MAKE YOUR OWN CANDLES 

We all like to make our homes look cosy in winter. Moreover, smell plays a huge role in bringing the comfort of the season into your domestic space. Enter the scented candle; an autumn and winter mainstay if ever there was one. 

Indeed, there’s nothing quite like the glowing flicker of a candle giving off a gentle scent to warm up the ambience of your home on those dark winter nights. However, those expensive Jo Malone candles soon start adding up. Instead, why not make your own candles? Channel the energy of winter here and get creative by making your own signature scent. 

With the right know-how, it’s easy to melt down some wax, add some essential oils, and luxuriate in your seasonal creations until the year’s out. There are some great Youtube videos on candle making to help you get started.

MAKE YOUR OWN CHUTNEYS & JAMS

We know what you’re thinking; that bubbling pan on the stovetop, preserving the season’s fruits and vegetables for the more barren months…it’s such a cliche. But chutneys truly are delicious things to have, not only in your own cupboard but also to give away as gifts. Check out this great Christmas recipe for apple and cranberry chutney for some inspiration.

If chutney isn’t your thing, you could create your own signature craft gin. Check out the BBC’s guide on doing just that here. And when you’re done, why not send us over a bottle as a Christmas gift? 

Black Friday, every shopping lover’s favourite date in the calendar, is just 23 sleeps away. And whether you spend those nights sleeping soundly or staring at the ceiling in despair will largely depend on two things; your state of mind regarding shopping and the state of your bank balance. 

Splurgers and spendthrifts beware; Black Friday and its tech-obsessed cousin Cyber Monday can be fraught with fake deals and dodgy discounts that turn out to be anything but. As such, the day requires a sensible, cautious approach if you’re to end up with the best bargains.

But for those with a frugal state of mind, these two days can be an enjoyable endeavour that may just result in a great deal. For the latter, here are 5 tips for bargain lovers to save money on Black Friday and beyond.

PAY IN CASH

Perhaps the most important tip for a bargain lover is also the most simple; pay in cash. Various studies have shown that when you have a set amount of physical money to use, you will generally be more conscious of what you spend and will be able to avoid the danger of overspending.

Most shopaholics tend to forget how much they have spent when paying by credit card or debit card. In fact, they usually buy more when they have a credit line or overdraft facility granted to them by their bank. Instead, try to budget a set amount and take out the equivalent amount of cash to use. Sometimes, seeing the physical amount of money and holding it in your hand can remind you starkly of just how much you’re spending.

If you’re doing all your shopping online for Black Friday, Cyber Monday or even Christmas, then it’s a good idea to use only the money you have in your current account (on your debit card) rather than going into an overdraft or using a credit card.

SEARCH FOR COUPONS & ELICIT DISCOUNTS

As anyone who has searched for a ‘deliveroo discount’ on a hungover Sunday will attest, discount codes and coupons have become increasingly ubiquitous in the online shopping world in recent years.

If a simple Google search doesn’t yield a free discount code or coupon that actually works, then the discount and deal experts at Super Saver Mama coupons tell us that there are a couple of tricks you can employ to elicit the offer of a discount from online retailers.

A popular trick is to fool them into giving you a code by abandoning an online shopping basket mid shop. You’ll notice that shortly after you close the shopping window, an offer will have appeared in your email inbox. 

Or, why not take to Twitter and tweet publicly @ the company you’re targeting, and request a discount code? They may well decide that the positive PR from granting one publicly is worth the cost of the discount they send you.

Alternatively, you could just use a website which sifts through the offers to find the best discount codes, like those discount experts we mentioned earlier.

MAKE USE OF LOYALTY CARDS

Before paying cash on something you’ve deemed essential, check if you can get a discounted gift card on the item and get instant savings. Several gift card shops, such as High Street Vouchers or Card Yard, sell discounted gift cards and e-gift cards that save you a whopping 5-16% on high-end stores. 

So, while it may seem long-winded, it’s super thrifty to invest in a gift card for a store you’ll likely be doing your Black Friday or Christmas shopping in, at this discount price, and then buy your desired items using it. 

BUY OFF-SEASON ITEMS

Off-season items are usually cheaper than those found during their respective season period due to lower demand. For example, many people buy sweaters and jackets during the winter months due to cold weather conditions. However, during spring and summer, these items will likely become less sought after as people tend to wear lighter clothes in these seasons.

It means that if you buy products during the off-season, you can save a good amount of money in the process. Make sure not to wait too long as seasonal products tend to become popular again as soon as they enter their respective season period.

SIGN UP FOR PRICE ALERTS ON ALL YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCTS

Finally, if your steely focus has fallen on a specific product, then it’s well worth manually signing up for price alerts across a variety of retailers and platforms. 

Alternatively, you can now even outsource this task, by signing up to a price tracking tool. You can do this on the Google Shopping Tool, or on a dedicated app, such as CamelCamelCamel, Price Alert for Amazon, Honey, Keepa, and WikiBuy. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

Thrift and frugality shouldn’t be reserved only for Black Friday, Cyber Monday or Christmas, but rather, it’s a year round, full time profession when you do things properly and comprehensively! By paying in cash, using discount codes and coupons, making use of loyalty cards, only buying off-season items and setting up price alerts, bargain lovers can snag great deals at any time of year. Good luck!