This week I have to say a very big thank you to the male shop assistants in the county who have proved an absolute treasure trove of information when it comes to buying those things you never normally buy for yourself writes Tracey O’Sullivan.

Who said men don’t like shopping – they are certainly great at selling the experience.

This week I have been sporting mad in search of presents for both my 10 soon-to-be 11-year-old stepson and my other half.

Now, determined as I am to bag a bargain, I also know that when it comes to trainers at 11 years old and golf at 35-plus (It’s not just women who are sensitive about their age) there are other things to take into consideration. The name for starters.

I realise it is part of the gift to have a name that they can show off a little but during this economy-drive Christmas that wasn’t going to take my eye off my determination to get a discount.

At Sports Direct on the Meole Brace retail Park there were plenty of bargains to be had in terms of stocking fillers although I left without the present I had actually gone in for – trainers.

Now I know how to buy shoes but they either come as boots or with very high heels.

The last time I bought any kind of sporty footwear was in the Lake District and back then the shop assistant laughed at the choice I entered the shop in – a pair of shoe boots with a four-inch heel – which I think meant he was actually more amused at my lack of knowledge about the terrain I was about to encounter.

Luckily the gentleman serving me this week was much more patient at my distinct ignorance of the type of footwear an 11-year-old would view as cool.

I watch X-Factor and know all about the One Direction adult babygros but I might as well have been looking at the kind of equation Russell Crowe tackled as John Nash in A Beautiful Mind as I stared both amused and terrified at the shelves and shelves of trainers.

But this guy was great at pointing out the popular sellers and tips on where I could find them possibly even cheaper – wonderful customer service.

I came away with a number of Manchester United themed stocking fillers and a Lee Cooper hoodie top down from £29.99 to £12.99. Trainers still to buy but I’m getting there.

My second stop this week was the Golf Shop at the Shropshire in Muxton for my hubbie. Again I reckon I stretched the patience of the young golf fan behind the counter as I mused over colour schemes on the golf bag I was looking at as he tried to take me through the practicalities of the bag on the course.

I know deep down which would be more important to hubbie but I couldn’t help weighing up the sleek but traditional black with the edgy red and grey number. But they had a great sale on and I saved £20. (But please don’t tell hubbie – it is a surprise and he has been warned not to read this column).

Talking of sales and stocking fillers I am also so impressed with the offers on at independent cookware specialist Cooking Marvellous of Shrewsbury which has a great online presence for those of you not willing to venture out in this horrible weather.

I love the heart motif spatula down from £4.99 to £2.99 for the domestic god in our house – luckily he loves cookware as a present so I am also tempted to pick up some of their other offers.

Comments to this blog about supporting local businesses are spot on and I welcome anyone to add their tips for bargains they have seen locally so we can drive some business in Shropshire.

This is about a Christmas saving the pennies so the pounds can look after themselves but also about making your money work as much as you can in your local community. Take a look at www.cookingmarvellous.com

We have also ordered our turkey from David Cartwright at Home Farm at Condover after last year’s was fabulous and saved £5 by ordering before the end of November but there are still bargains to be had so take a look at www.homefarmproduce.com

Now I am on the hunt for books for a host of people: my mum, my husband and sons – Noah aged ten and Beau aged two – nieces, nephews, our godchildren and friend’s children.

I love giving books so all tips on where to pick up the best deals or reads gratefully received.

Savings this week:

Sports Direct – Savings on stocking fillers and top – £23
Shropshire at Muxton – £20 on golf bag
Cooking marvellous – £2 off spatula
Amazon where I found Ferrari Challenge for the Wii at £12 compared to £15 elsewhere – £3
Turkey – £5

Total savings this week: £53