Our fear of haggling, reluctance to call in favours from pals, and refusal to complain could be costing us a small fortune according to experts from PromotionalCodes.org.uk.

And with money tighter than ever, being polite could be holding us back from some fantastic deals.

“While the British public’s desire to always be polite is something to be admired, in recent years it’s becoming more of a problem. As people are looking for more ways to save some cash, it seems silly to be losing out on money because we’re too shy to speak up from time to time,” said Darren Williams from PromotionalCodes.org.uk.

Here is a list of top tips to help us save cash by being a little less awkward:

1. Haggling

The concept is very simple, they say one price and you say another. Haggling is done all across the globe, yet avoided in the UK. While getting a high-street chain to reduce their price isn’t likely, why not try out some independent stores?

2. Get to know your neighbours

Brits are so shy they rarely get to know the folks living next-door. Yet knowing your neighbours could save you more than just a few awkward encounters. For example, if your washing machine was on the blink, you may not need to bother with the cost of a launderette – your neighbour might be happy to let you use theirs.

3. Travel agents

We can now book our holidays quite easily ourselves, which is why many travel agents will offer a much better deal if you suggest you’ve found something superior online.

4. Complaining in a restaurant

Even the most polite wouldn’t ignore a fly in their soup or a hair in their coffee, but you can complain about a lot more in restaurants. Many people forget a big chunk of the price tag in food establishments is based on the service and atmosphere so if there’s anything you’re not happy with (from slow service to bad air-con), tell a member of staff. You may receive a discount.

5. TV subscriptions

More and more people rely on the use of online streaming platforms today. Many come with a sizable price tag, which could be halved by simply asking a friend to split the cost. Most streaming platforms allow at least two devices per account, and you could halve the bill.

6. Make the most of your friends

People avoid asking their friends for their professional help even though it could save us money. If you’ve got a friend who works in plumbing and you need to figure out what’s up with your boiler, don’t be afraid to ask. After all, if it were the other way round most people would happily offer a friend some help.

7. Price-match your bills

Whether it’s gas and electric or TV and broadband, many companies will happily discount their rates if you suggest you’ve found a better deal elsewhere. Don’t worry about them turning you away – companies want your business, so be a bit more persistent.

8. Carpooling

The number of hours consumer spend sat in the car is going up every year, which means the amount they’re spending on petrol is too. Try asking someone who lives nearby to carpool to work.

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