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Welcome
As budgets continue to be stretched by the ongoing cost of living crisis, many of us are planning our expenditure earlier and more carefully to save money where we can.
However, the winter brings with it particular challenges. At this time we spend more on keeping our homes warm, while festive celebrations can pile on the pressure for splashing out on gifts, trips out and entertaining with special food.
In this digital supplement we’ve brought together our best advice and guidance to help you to deal with the extra demands of the winter period, whatever your budget. Throughout, we signpost where you can go for more information – from detailed advice guides to videos, podcasts and other Which? services.
We hope you find this supplement useful – please feel free to share it with others.
Richard Headland, Editor-in-chief, Which?
Using this supplement
This digital supplement has interactive elements that allow you to access further information.
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You can click or tap on links – bold, blue underlined text. These will take you straight to pages on the Which? website and other helpful external sources.
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We highlight certain information using boxes. These are either plain white, dark grey or blue. Some of them have large, dark blue buttons, which take you to sign-up pages for our subscriptions and newsletters.
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Please note that Which? receives a small commission from the retailers if you buy a product using the links on our website. This income helps to fund the work we do as a consumer champion.
For further help using this digital supplement, you can refer to our user guide. If you're on a desktop or laptop, you can find this by clicking the question mark icon at the top of every page. For mobile users, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then tap the question mark icon at the top of the list.
In this guide
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Section 1: Getting a good deal in the winter sales
How to make the best buying choices at the right time and avoid falling victim to scammers.
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Comparing prices and deals
There’s a vast selection of sellers out there. Let Which? steer you through the marketplace maze.
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Put to rights
Get help if you've been duped into a dodgy deal or purchased a poor-quality product.
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Section 2: How to buy different products
Whether you’re buying a fridge or a flight, a little advance research can ensure you make the right choice at the right time
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Be a smart consumer
Is it better to opt for a specialist retailer rather than one that offers a huge range of products? And how can you keep sustainability in mind while also getting a decent deal?
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Appliances and other household goods
An efficient and reliable appliance is our gold standard. Let our test results guide you through.
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Tech and smart products
Our list of must-have tech just keeps growing, but working out which is the best smartphone, laptop or TV for our needs and budget can be mind-boggling
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Avoid dangerous products
Online marketplaces offer a wide array of products often at a range of prices, but sometimes a deal can be too good to be true.
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Holidays and travel
With copious comparison sites at our fingertips, we can now be our own travel agents. We'll show you how to maximise your chance of bagging that elusive best deal.
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Section 3: How to spread the cost of the festive season
The pressure on household budgets rises as the temperature drops and festive celebrations approach
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Spread the cost securely
Stay savvy with your finances; choose safe ways to borrow money and discover easy ways to save on daily essentials.
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Save on festive running costs
Mid-winter is a time to keep cosy and enjoy comforting, warming food. We reveal how you can achieve both on a budget.