Happy Christmas!

May all your computing be jolly and fun!

Keep a note of your passwords in a special place.  Don't use the same one for every site you visit.

Christmas Shopping

Many of you will be getting ready for Christmas and buying presents for your friends and family.  Shops are busy but full of atmosphere and lots of ideas, they open later so that you can shop after work, and are often less crowded in the evenings.  If however you want to avoid queues and bustle, you may want to shop online.  This can be done at any time of day, but is as about as time consuming.  

Here are a few tips to help you cut down on some costs this Christmas whether you are visiting shops or online:

·      Write a list and stick to it.

·      Make your own presents or cook them.

·      Make the most of buy one get one free.

·      Gather up loyalty points and use up your vouchers on presents or food.  Look out for triple points days to get more points on shopping.

·      Shop when there are promotions or price matches in store.

·      Use cashback credit cards.  Earn money as you spend.

·      Visit Aldi, Lidl, TK Max and Primark for great deals, or treat yourself to a day out at Bicester village, Clarks village or Swindon.

·      Get on eBay, but check the prices against Amazon and other online retailers.

·      Amazon in other countries can be cheaper despite the postage.

·      Look up discount codes for online shopping at www.moneysavingexpert.co.uk and Hotukdeals.co.uk before you buy.

·      Compare prices with mysupermarket.co.uk, Kelkoo and Pricerunner.

·      Avoid paying postage by using “click and collect”.

·      Try a cashback website such as Topcashback.co.uk and log on to shop at selected retailers and get cash back on your shopping. 

·      Buy vouchers but careful with the expiry dates.

On this note, I would like to mention that I offer vouchers for computer lessons, which I can customise for you to give as gifts for Christmas or any other occasion.  If you know someone who is struggling with technology or is about to receive a new gadget for Christmas, this could be a good option.  I would like to thank Mrs Jones who wrote in last month to propose that I should make this suggestion.   She thought there would be many people who could do with a helping hand, and being taught how to do things on a PC, laptop, tablet or phone. 

I teach on Windows computers and Apple, which includes Mac, iPhone, iPad as well as Kindles, cameras, smartphones.  My technicians can offer help with setting up new devices and transferring data, as well as trouble shooting and Wi-Fi networks.

Lessons are an hour long and technicians and teaching is the same price per hour.  Currently £40/hour.  We come to you and if it’s a lesson, it’s geared around what you want to learn.  There a lots of small things that can be done to make your computer time easier and simpler.  We aim to give confidence so that you learn to love your computers and make the most of what you have.  We have years of experience and patience really is our speciality.

Do get in touch to arrange a voucher.  Send an email to info@mrspc.co.uk or call me on 

07920 578194.

Wishing you and your families a very Happy Christmas and do try some of my shopping suggestions.