Without wanting to put a downer on your festive cheer, the tough times aren't over yet. We can expect sky-high living costs and super-squeezed family budgets for some time yet - so it's best to be prepared.

With that in mind, we've got the 10 best money-saving websites you'll want to know about so that you can save some serious cash in 2012.

1. Best for cashback - Quidco.com

Join Quidco for free, do your online shopping through their portal and they'll pay you cashback straight into your bank account. They have various different cashback deals through hundreds of retailers and loads of special offers too - it's a no-brainer really.

2. Best for food shopping - MySupermarket.com

Compare your usual weekly shop with MySupermarket to make sure you're getting the best deal. They compare prices at Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose and Ocado so you can make sure you're getting the most bang for your buck.

Shop at your chosen supermarket, then if you find one of the others is cheaper simply switch your online basket over to them and pay as normal - genius.

3. Best for beauty bargains - FeelUnique.co.uk

All the ladies will know that even on a tight budget compromising on skincare, make-up and other beauty essentials is hard to do, but with FeelUnique you don't have to.

They stock a huge range of all your favourite products from well-known brands like Clinique, Clarins and loads more, all at reduced prices. All the prices easily beat what you'd pay on the high street, and delivery is free.

4. Best for holiday bargains - VoyagePrive.com

Holidays are traditionally the last thing we're prepared to give up, no matter how tough times get - so VoyagePrive is well worth a look when you're planning a getaway. Sign up for free and you'll have access to limited time deals on package holidays, hotel breaks, ski holidays and more at destinations all over the world.

The breaks they offer are all top quality (four and five star) but are at incredibly reasonable prices. Of course each offer is only around for a short time, so you have to be super-organised - but it's worth it.

5. Best for fine dining - Toptable.com

It's nice to treat yourself to a lovely meal every so often and even with squeezed budgets, fine dining is affordable with Toptable. They have offers at thousands of restaurants all over the country, often getting you as much as 50 percent off your bill.

What's more, all you have to do is spend a few minutes reviewing your meal afterwards and you'll earn Toptable points towards a free meal!

6. Best for books - GreenMetropolis.com

GreenMetropolis is a must for avid readers - all the books cost £3.75 (most are second-hand, but good quality) and delivery is usually free too. There's a big charity section where 50p-£1 of your money goes to either Age UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, The Woodland Trust or The Stroke Association, so you can do your bit as well as getting a bargain.

7. Best for general shopping bargains - PriceCutReview.com/UK

This clever little site finds everything on Amazon currently being sold at a discount of 50 percent or more. It's organised into the same categories as Amazon so it's easy to find what you're after.

8. Best for vouchers - VoucherCodes.co.uk

The most comprehensive and best organised of the voucher code sites, if you're looking for a discount on just about anything, VoucherCodes is the place to go.

9. Best for higher savings rates - Zopa.com

When it comes to actual saving, the banks just can't cut it at the moment. So cut out the middleman, lend your money directly to the people you choose and make an average annual return of 6.4% with Zopa. Find out more about how it works here.

10. Best for experiences - Lastminute.com

If you want a good deal on anything from theatre tickets or spa days to holidays or afternoon tea at a top London hotel, then Lastminute is the place to go. They have a comprehensive selection of incredible offers on just about every experience you can think of. Special deals come and go quickly though, so it's worth signing up to their newsletter.