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 2009, as every year, getting started early is your best route to a cost-effective Fringe. Most venues are offering discounted previews right now, as they clamour for attention from the fickle Festival crowd.  At the Pleasance, for example, there are a range of tickets for just £5; the Underbelly and Assembly are offering cut-price deals today as well, while many of the smaller venues are running previews right through the weekend.

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, for most venues, 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 on the Royal Mile or at Bristo Square, or anywhere else they're handing out flyers... 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.