The unstoppable juggernaut that is the Fringe is chugging into life... and there are bargains a-plenty waiting for you, if you're ready to hop on board.  With over 2,000 shows and 200 venues clamouring for your attention this year, cut-price previews and early-bird 2-for-1 deals make a great way to catch a little extra action without breaking the bank.

In 2008, as every year, getting started early is your best route to a cost-effective Fringe. The show officially starts on Sunday, but most venues are offering discounted previews from today.  At the Pleasance, for example, there are a range of tickets for just £5, on varying dates between now and Saturday; the Gilded Balloon is offering half-price deals right up to the weekend, while the Assembly joins the party too with a good selection of discounted deals.

Although there are disadvantages of going to the previews - not least that we haven't seen any reviews yet - teething problems are rare, and the visiting companies are normally well-rehearsed.  You can book preview tickets through any of the normal box offices, and you'll get the discount price automatically.

After the previews, Sunday and Monday are given over to 2-for-1 offers on many shows. Unlike the previews, you'll need to book these through the Fringe box office... and there's a limited allocation, so get in there now.  Look for the red "2 for 1" flashes - either on their website or in the printed programme - to find out which shows are participating.

Trumping even the 2-for-1 offers, canny early-bird visitors can often get their hands on comps - complimentary tickets offered as a way of getting a show off to a good start.  Finding comps is a dark art, but if you have an hour to spare looking for them you should be in luck.  The best approach is to hang out where shows are flyering - and to make sure you chat to the performers you find, as many companies keep quiet about their comps until they know you have a genuine interest in their show.

And finally, if you're not in town this weekend, don't worry - the bargains don't stop there.  For more ideas for great value shows, take a look at FringeGuru's detailed guide to saving money across the Festivals.