Sarah-Jane Outten

Hi, I’m SJ. I’m an editor and content executive here at MyVoucherCodes. I started my journey here as a deals expert which gave me the skills to become a money-saving expert. You can find my tips and recommendations in various publications including The Sun, The Mirror, and The Telegraph.

I gained a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing in 2018, and I’ve put my writing skills into many projects since then. My portfolio at sarahjaneoutten.com includes my work with Cardiff Times, Buzz Magazine and more.

I write poetry and short stories for pleasure and enjoy getting creative with watercolours and lino printing. I hope that I can merge my love of writing and art into a children's book in the future - watch this space!

My time at MyVoucherCodes and my life experiences has given me the best possible understanding of budgeting and saving money. As a mum of 3, I’ve learnt how to make my money go further and I love sharing my hints and tips with our readers. And I, like the rest of us have been greatly affected by the cost of living - I know that saving money isn’t just thrifty, it’s essential.

My top saving tip is… One of my largest outgoings is the grocery shop, I’m always looking at ways to cut back the budget. Of course, reward and loyalty cards can save us a few pounds now and again but there are better ways to save no matter where you shop. Look out for yellow stickers, most supermarkets reduce food items greatly on the last sell-by date. That doesn’t mean those foods aren’t still great. I snap them up and pop them in the freezer on that day, it’s an awesome way to stock up and prevent food waste!

My greatest saving was… I’m always on the lookout for a bargain, especially when it comes to clothing. I love preloved and vintage pieces, but as a plus-size woman, the selection isn’t always great. I love ASOS for their inclusive sizing, the sale usually offers massive discounts. I recently saved 80% off a winter coat, saving me over £70! Of course, the money I saved went on matching boots and a bag...but I’m still calling that a win!

The last thing I purchased was… The last thing I purchased was a coffee grinder for my partner, he sees himself as a coffee guru! John Lewis often has discount codes and I managed to find one on MyVoucherCodes that saved me an additional 20%. Naturally, I told him that I had paid the full price! I was delighted with my bargain.

My favourite retailers are… We are a household of creatives so we love Hobbycraft and The Works for art materials. Many a Saturday is spent browsing and getting inspiration for the next project. I’m a cosmetic addict. I love Boots - it has all the brands you can think of, often with great savings and special offers. This means the Boots Advantage card works well for me. I recommend downloading the app for additional discounts you won’t find in-store. I also really enjoy shopping online at LookFantastic for skincare and fragrance, I almost always find a discount code here at MyVoucherCodes which means I can indulge in some of the pricier brands that I otherwise couldn't afford. I’m a huge fan of beauty dupes and enjoy researching ingredients that provide the same results. I often write about my findings in blogs or share them on social media.