How do you spend your vouchers?

crayola

Hi all

I'm in the happy situation of having received £100 crisp John Lewis vouchers for xmas, but I am horribly indecisive and for some reason I tend to just panic-buy when I get vouchers, usually coming back with something I didn't want in the first place! I'd like to avoid this and if possibly try and get a real bargain this time. So how do you tend to 'use' vouchers and what sort of purchases do you spend them on or put them towards?

Do you usually try and bag something in the sale, or wait? Do you always reserve them for something 'luxury' or get as many essentials as you can with them? I'm curious to know and this may help me make up my mind!

I've just moved house so anything home-related is a good idea, and I'm happy to spend an extra £50 or so for something lovely.

Thoughts?

minnie123

If it was me I would wait until I actually wanted something and then use the vouchers for it - John Lewis sells lots of lovely homeware so i'm sure you will think of something in the next few weeks. I have been known to keep vouchers for over a year before spending them.

crayola

That's the prob, Minnie...there is so much there I want (and need) that I can't prioritise! I think I will just have to decide between getting a 'luxury' item I wouldn't normally buy (e.g. some really lovely bed linen) or the stuff I do actually need from there e.g. curtains, rugs, etc). So I was interested to know how others approach this dilemma.

Diamond shoes are pinchy!

tamsle

John Lewis accept gift vouchers online so you can shop from the comfort of your home and take your time thinking about what you really want.
Where I used to work we would get given John Lewis vouchers as incentives/prizes as if we were given cash there were complications with tax etc, but the reason they gave us specifically john lewis ones is that you can take a £50 voucher in store, pick up something for £1 and they give you the change back in cash - not vouchers

So, if you decide there's something you like elsewhere you could always buy something small from john lewis and take the cash to spend later.

Kirri

I nearly got a sewing machine but then decided to use them for more essential needs of the weekly food shop for a month

CathWales

OMG I am glad I am not the only decisive one lol!

Christmas of 2009 my sis gave me £25 Love To shop High St vouchers and New Year 2011 I still have them! They are valid til March this year but I do not know wether to spend them all in one shop or spread over the few shops that are near me so have hung on to them. I tend to shop online tho and the main things I have been thinking of geting are a new toaster (but mine still works ok, just isn't as shiny as my newish kettle) an external hard drive to back up stuff on laptop and mu mum nags me to get a new tv every time she comes over (I am in my 30's and feel like the character Ronnie Corbett played in Sorry re the relationship with the mum lol!) but I am so indecisive and don't want to be landed with something I hate or that will break down soon after! So if anyone can find me a great tv that has a 32" or 37" screen they would recommend then I would be grateful lol, tho I have only looked at Comet and Argos as they cover the voucher re tv.

Sorry OP, just realised I am rambling a bit of topic lol!!

Happy New Year!

claret1980

You could spend them at Waitrose - bit boring but will save some house keeping pennies!