Most of us have already seen a sharp increase in our monthly mortgage payments and a dramatic rise in our shopping and utility bills. We are told by the media that this is the effects of the credit crunch as it takes hold of our wallets and our lives. Well it is now time to fight back and make our money go further. Don't just pay for products you see, have a good look to see if you can make saving on every purchase you make. Let me talk you through a concept that can and will save you money everytime you shop online!

Recently I purchased two mattresses from a shop on eBay. First I looked for the lowest price on and off the internet and then I looked to see if there were any other discount offers around the internet. I discovered that the mattresses from the eBay seller were the best price I could find. Armed with the information, I then approached the eBay seller and asked whether they would reduce the cost from £169 per mattress to £145 as I wished to buy two mattresses. Be cheeky it really does pay. It worked for me and I can see no reason why with some practice it won't work for you.

If you buy goods and services from the internet then cash back shopping is a shrewd method to use. It can be used by anyone looking to save money on purchases that they would normally have made. You can sign up for an account today and start saving on ever purchase you make immediately. There are many websites that will give you money back every time you buy products and services through their website. Just look for your usual online retailers or suppliers that you would have approached anyway on these money back websites and purchase as normal. The main difference you will notice is that these websites will give you money back on every purchase you make.

Back in February I came across cash back shopping and decided to try it out. I decided it was time to see if I could find a better supplier for our gas and electricity. I went to a utilities compare website, where I discovered who was the best supplier for my gas and electricity supplies. Armed with the knowledge that Scottish Power was right for me I approached Top Cash Back and applied for a new gas and electricity account. Three months later I was paid £62 by them for having bought a dual fuel package through them or their link.

Recently, I replaced my car insurance with More Than Insurance and received £75 cash back. My car insurance was already insured by More Than Insurance before I applied and somehow I managed to receive a £9.20 saving per month on my previous policy. After this result, I replaced my wife's car insurance with More Than and the policy was slightly cheaper, again I saved £75. Todate I received £212 just for buying products and services I would have normally bought anyway - What a result!

Top Cash Back website claims to be the most generous cash back website in the UK today, they are free to join, have no annual administration fees, they give you 100% money back, they claim to have over 2000 different offers and they have a free payout by cheque, BACS or pay pal. They also allow you to donate your savings to charity if you wish.

As the credit crunch continues to take hold of your free money in your wallet and you're your mortgage costs escalate, your shopping bills and utility bills (gas, electricity and water rates) spiral out of control; we all need some way of controlling our costs. Always shop around on and off the internet to find the best price for the item or items you wish to purchase first; then armed with this information see what savings you can receive. Always do your own research first to see that you are actually buying your goods and services cheaper from your chosen provider. When you are sure that the provider is offering the same product and or service cheaper with your cash back then proceed.