Save Smart!

Saving money can be tough, but it doesn't have to be if you're open to new experiences and willing to put in just a little extra effort which could save you hundreds of ringgit. Here are some tips on how to save smart.

1.

Check out the online auctions
Auction prices are usually much lower than the recommended retail price. You can hop visit well-known sites like eBay for international brands or Mudah.my for local ones. Being a CIMB Prime Plan customer, you also have exclusive access to Prime eBidding where you can bid for brand new items such as mobile/smart phones, fashion accessories, vouchers and even the latest gadgets below retail price.

2.

Buy online
If auctions aren't your cup of tea, try buying from the retail websites. Sometimes additional discounts are given for buying items online instead of from the physical store. And with delivery included, it also saves you a trip to the store - which means you've also saved on fuel. It's a win-win situation!

3.

Discount codes and coupons
Before buying anything online, do a quick search to see if there are any discount codes or coupons available. There may be a third party retailer with a discount code that you can use for your purchase.

4.

Groupbuy
Websites like Groupon and MyDeal offer deals for manicures, dinners, haircuts and even flying lessons at a fraction of their original price. However, the deals need a minimum number of buyers to happen. Once the minimum number is reached, the deal is activated and all buyers receive their discount vouchers to claim the deal.

5.

Rent
For special occasions such as weddings or black tie events, consider renting instead of buying. The likelihood of using the dress or tuxedo more than once is slim so it's hardly worth the hefty price. This way, you could rent different outfits for each occasions rather than just buying an expensive one.

6.

Home Swap Vacations
If you've seen the movie "The Holiday" with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, you'll know what we're talking about. Using sites like HomeExchange.com and RoofSwap.com, you can swap your home with another person in the country you want to visit. It means free accommodation and possibly free food and transport too. Before taking the leap though, please get to know the homeowners and the area you'll be residing in. The only cost for this service will be a membership fee and flight tickets!

7.

Make a list
Anytime you're headed out to the supermarket, make a list of items needed and stick to it. Wandering around without the list usually results in picking up additional unnecessary items and you'll end up spending more than you need to.

Saving smart isn't necessarily about cutting corners. It's about learning how to live within your means, being open to new experiences and doing a little extra to save.

Stand a chance to win a Club Med Holiday Package worth RM50, 000!

Do you feel like you need a break already? Is your budget keeping you from having one? Well with CIMB Prime Plan, an all-expense-paid vacation could be yours! As a CIMB Prime Plan customer, the opportunity is yours to take! Just participate in the Prime Club Med Getaways Contest and you could win the Grand Prize - a Club Med holiday package worth RM50, 000!

The best part is, you not only get to choose which Club Med resort you want to go to, you also get to bring your loved ones along! If you wish to stay in Malaysia, then Club Med Cherating is your go-to destination. If you'd rather travel overseas then use your all-inclusive package for any of the locations below:

• Club Med Phuket, Thailand
• Club Med Bintan Island, Indonesia
• Club Med Bali, Indonesia
• Club Med Sahoro, Japan
• Club Med Kani, Maldives
• Club Med Albion, Mauritius
• Club Med La Pointe, Mauritius

The all-inclusive package covers flights, transfers, accommodation, delicious international buffets, unlimited snacks throughout your stay, delightful evening entertainment, beach activities, and much more. If you're traveling with infants, the Club Med Baby Welcome service is included. If your children are slightly older, they'll enjoy the Children's Clubs for a whole host of fun activities.

You also have the option of choosing other Club Med locations. In this case, you'll only need to cover your flights and transfers. You'll still enjoy all the fun and activities at Club Med because the rest of the stay is on us!

In addition to the Grand Prize, there's a first prize which is a Club Med holiday package worth RM 35, 000 and a second prize which is a Club Med holiday package worth RM15, 000 up for grabs. Two DSLR cameras (Nikon D3100 kits) will also be up for grabs weekly. And yes, you are still eligible to be in the running for the Grand Prize if you've already won a weekly prize.

To qualify for the contest, just make sure to keep depositing into your Prime Current Account (PCA). Every incremental deposit of RM1, 000 in your Prime Current Account entitles you to one entry if you are a new CIMB Prime Plan customer or two entries if you are an existing CIMB Prime Plan customer. Here's an example:

Let's assume that your Prime Current Account balance as at the end of March 2011 is RM5, 000 and at the first draw in mid-April for the weekly prize, the balance is at RM10, 031. The incremental growth will be calculated on your total Prime Current Account balance at the point of the draw versus the balance as at March 31 2011. This means that there's been a total incremental deposit of RM5, 031. So with 2 chances for every RM1, 000 incremental deposit, you now have 10 chances or 10 entries to winning the weekly prize.

So, tell your family and friends about CIMB Prime Plan and the Prime Club Med Getaways Contest. First 10, 000 new CIMB Prime Plan customers from April 18 2011 onwards will also receive RM50 Bonus Cash and a CIMB Prime Plan Business Organizer.

The contest ends 31st July 2011. So hurry, the more you deposit, the greater your chances of winning!

Terms & Conditions Apply

For more information, log on to www.cimbbank.com.my/primeplan, call 1 300 889 800 or visit any of our CIMB Bank branches. Alternatively, connect with us on:

Good luck!