When I first started using the internet, way back in 1996, I remember it being quite a frustrating experience. Sure, there was email – but no one I knew had an email address, so what was the point? Similarly, I could find very few worldwide websites that were worth visiting – unluckily for me, Fool.co.uk was not set up until 1997.

But still, I could see its potential.

Well, sort of. If I had really seen its potential, I wouldn’t be writing this. I’d be off enjoying my millions on a yacht somewhere, after setting up a website that allowed you to search the information superhighway using strange musical beats that, I am reliably informed, are called algo-rhythms. And then I’d call it something really silly, like Gaagle or You-hoo!

So OK, no, I didn’t see its potential. But I did see was that the internet was a fabulous place to spend a lunch hour – particularly if you were just a teensy, eensy little bit bored.

(You, dear reader, are the exception to the rule, of course. Clearly, you’re not reading this blog because you’re bored. Oh, no. Far from it….. Zzzzzzz)

Um, er, anyway, my point is, however much the internet has changed, this aspect of it has not. It is still a wonderful place to spend a lunch hour – especially if that hour makes you richer.

Here are three websites I use to regularly save myself some dosh (apart from The Fool – obviously!):

- HotUKdeals. On this website, you can find details of ‘hot deals’ and discount vouchers – but with a twist. These deals and discounts are not publicised by the companies, but by you and me. It’s an exemplary example of how people use the web to help other people, from the kindness of their tight-fisted, penny-pinching hearts. I always look on there before I do my online grocery shopping, because – as Laura Starkey pointed out in this podcast – you can always find a voucher worth at least as much as the cost of the delivery. (In terms of deals, my favourite find on there today is a crockpot slow cooker from Woolworths, marked down from £32.99 to £15.)

-Quidco. This is a cashback website - fantastic if, like me, you often spend money online. So far, I’ve earned £85.83 and I joined less than two months ago. And I promise, I haven’t bought anything I wouldn’t have bought anyway… although it is very tempting. Especially if you can combine the two sites – so find a bargain on HotUKdeals and then buy via Quidco.

- Mysupermarket.co.uk. I’ve already banged on about this in a previous post, but I have to say, I’ve used it twice now and I will never go back. On last shop I cut down the cost by 30%! OK, so I did end up with an unexpectedly huge tub of butter because it was the cheapest per gram but I guess sometimes you just have to take the rough with the smooth. (Groan.)

That’s it for now. I have some nifty tools I like as well, so that will be my next post. In the meantime, if you have any cool websites you use regularly to cut your bills/save yourself cash/hunt down a bargain, do comment and let me know about them – I realise these three are probably only the tip of the money-saving iceberg!
Edited at 2008-09-02 16:56:57