You must have heard of them at least once - discount code platforms that offer services seemingly free of charge. You have wondered whether that’s true or not but never actually tried them, worried you would be required to pay ridiculously high fees.

Discount codes are one of the most rapidly growing trends in the e-commerce world. Available across the world, they offer opportunities to save money on products as basic as groceries or on high--end brands. Is this actually true?

Picodi.com/za proves that you can get things for free, with no strings attached. Subscription is optional, logging in with each session - not necessary and you are sure the codes will work every time. How is this possible and, more importantly, why?

The company, founded in Poland, offers its users various types of promotions. There are the actual codes, which need to be applied at the checkout of the online store, or free delivery. The latter helps to save money on the additional costs, which stores often impose on us as compensation for their lower prices. Users can also find free gifts, which are offered as a way of promoting a new product or replacing warehouse stock.

Where is the catch? What does the store or the website want in return from us - the customers? The secret to the company’s success isn’t based on the premise that they receive money from their users but on the fact they are so user-friendly. Why should we - the regular people, even bother to use them?

South Africans spent almost 2 million ZAR in the last quarter of 2016, which is an increase of 10 thousand ZAR in just three months. On the one hand, it might suggest people of South Africa do have more money and by spending it, they fuel the economy. On the other, the consumer confidence dropped from -3 to -10, which proves an average household is worried about the overall condition of their finances.

Discount codes, which give you 20% off on your average shopping session could save you a stable ⅕ of what you spend monthly. This money, placed on the proper savings account or invested in bonds with a stable interest rate, could contribute to the wellbeing of your family in the future. 30% off your fashion spending with a Spree voucher code is something that brings an instant relief to your financial concerns.

When you know how to use discount codes properly, your savings are no longer hypothetical. Nothing stops you from becoming your own financial super-hero that knows exactly where each rand is going. More importantly, you can learn to make informed decisions on all orders you place and know they are the right ones. This is priceless.