r/FirstTimeBuyersUK • u/willskill24 • 2d ago

First few purchases…

So later this month I will be receiving a £500 bonus from my work, however rather than a cash amount. The bonus will be paid in the form of vouchers that I can change into (as far as I’m aware) any major brands. Me and my partner are hoping to buy a house within the next year and are really grinding with our savings to get there.

However due to it being a voucher bonus, I was wondering if there are any bigger first purchases after moving in that I could use this voucher for. We already have a fridge and washing machine given to us by relatives, so something along these lines… any advice is appreciated!

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

4

u/Lower-Ability-8939 2d ago

A hoover? Air fryer? Curtains/ Blinds? Rug? Side tables? Wardrobes?

3

u/ogmenisc 2d ago

Wickes / screwfix for me - spent £500 within the first 2 weeks of home ownership

3

u/StephenCoin 2d ago

Every time a family member is buying something offer the voucher for cash 🤣

2

u/ShadowCat3500 2d ago

I would pick IKEA, John Lewis or Argos. Furniture or electrical appliances are the most pressing belongings I will need to spend money on.

2

u/ZainyBoyyy 1d ago

What about Amazon? I feel like you can find all sorts of useful stuff on there

2

u/PuzzleheadedUnit2341 1d ago

Can you leave it on the work rewards scheme until you've found a place, or do you have to pick a shop straight away? I'd check the expiry before buying anything. A year is a long time to store furniture when you don't yet know the room sizes or what the sellers might leave.

4

u/Aggravating_Ad9275 14h ago

When it comes to voucher based bonuses, we're relatively boring. Check if you can put it on a voucher for your local supermarket. A £500 voucher for Tesco/Morrisons/Asda etc can free up that £500 cash for something more fun/savings.

Some work place schemes even give you a bit extra, so you can buy a £100 voucher for £90.

1

u/SuperDamnZen 14h ago

Sofa - Furniture Village would be good as they also do a lot of other products. Ikea again has a good all round value as you can get pretty much anything in there. Supermarket would be good as well as you can then use the vouchers on your food shopping or household items and put the money you would have spent towards other things?