Price cuts, discounts, yellow stickers... there's a sense of achievement in not paying full price, after all everyone looks a bargain don't they? But it has been reported that thousands of teachers have been missing out discounts through a free scheme specifically aimed at the sector.
On board with the discount scheme are the likes of Amazon, Sainsbury's, Asda and Harvey Nichols, and some people are said to be saving around £100 a month on their shopping, according to Hull Live. The Discounts For Teachers promotion has meant that shoppers at designer fashion retailer TK Maxx can get up to 60 per cent off while there is 50 per cent off on certain products at online giant Amazon.
The scheme is open to anyone who works in the education sector and discounts apply to retailers and hotel stays. For instance, booking.com is offering 15 per cent off some stays and 10 per cent discounts at Hoseasons. Rhian, a 29-year-old primary school teacher, estimates she saves £50 on groceries and £50 on other expenses each month, according to the Mirror.
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Rhian admitted she had not heard of it before it being brought up by a fellow staff member. She said: "A whole group of us had never heard of it [the Discounts of Teachers scheme] before". Adding: "It's definitely meant savings in the hundreds of pounds over five years.
"It's made a huge difference since the cost of living started going up, especially as I have had a pay cut every year since starting my job, when you factor in inflation. I get a lot of use out of it, and I use it most weeks. It is great when buying gifts for people. I can get people things I would not be able to afford otherwise."
University staff, cleaners, admin staff and even volunteers and retired education workers can use the scheme. Rhian's favourite deal was discounted AA Breakdown cover after her car broke down a mere two months after buying it. Without the cover, she said she would have been forced to pay for overnight accommodation and the cost of a mechanic – and wouldn't have been able to afford food and rent for the month.
It is free to sign up to the scheme, but there is an optional paid-for Ode Card that lets you earn cashback on purchases at 50 retailers. This card is free for 12 months, then costs £2.99 a year.
But it lets users earn cashback of 3 per cent in Waitrose and Sainsbury's and 2.5 per cent in Asda. In the M&S department store you can get 3 per cent, and in John Lewis it's 5 per cent. It also lets users get 4 per cent cashback in Wilko and B&Q and 5 per cent in Argos and Halfords.
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