How to save money

In light of shifts in the cost of living, our spending habits have changed, with many understanding the value of having savings. Whether you’re saving for something special or in case of emergency, it’s a good idea to have some savings stashed away. Regardless of how much you can afford to set aside each month, there are money-saving hacks available and accessible to everyone.

If you need financial inspiration, on this page you’ll find 75 money-saving ideas of all shapes and sizes that will help you turn pennies into pounds.

Research from Raisin UK reveals that the average UK household wastes up to £4,575 per year on things like unnecessary subscriptions and current accounts that earn no interest. So, it’s worth exploring how to get better at saving by cutting your monthly expenses and optimising your savings. It might be a cliché, but it’s true: if you look after the pennies, the pounds will look after themselves.

We’ve based our 75 money-saving tips around three areas where there’s potential to save money each month: lifestyle habits, budgeting and savings accounts. Whether you’re trying to save money on a tight budget, or you’re managing comfortably but have a specific savings goal, our curated collection of money-saving tips is here to help.

The first 50 of our savings tips are all about your lifestyle. We explore how your weekly shop, bad habits and even your wardrobe can be adjusted to save money.

1. Shop at cheaper supermarkets

Supermarkets such as Lidl and Aldi often offer cheaper fresh and perishable products than stores like Waitrose and Sainsburys, along with bargains on dry goods, toiletries and homeware.

2. Make sensible swaps

Don’t be a snob when it comes to supermarket own brands. They are commonly made by the same manufacturer as branded goods and can save you several pounds per shop.

3. Get rewarded for shopping

By joining the loyalty scheme at your local supermarket, you’ll enjoy points, coupons and exclusive offers in return that can free up more of your cash to save.

4. Combat world waste & eat well with a reduced price food app

Revolutionary food apps are bringing both cheaper food and a better planet to fruition by inviting you to pay a small amount of money for food boxes containing food that would otherwise be thrown out. Rather than turning to your treasured takeaway or paying for expensive meals out, you could be doing both your wallet and the planet a favour.

5. Buy in bulk

While we’re not encouraging you to hoard, it can sometimes work out cheaper to buy products in bulk. Just make sure you calculate whether or not it is cheaper and if you will use all of the products.

6. Use coupons and vouchers

Available online, in local neighbourhood magazines and sometimes posted directly to you, coupons and vouchers are a great way to shave a few pounds from your weekly shop. So that you don’t forget the voucher itself, put it straight in your wallet as soon as you receive it or screenshot the code on your phone.

7. Check the reduced section

Another great way to reduce food waste and cut back on your shopping bill is to check out your supermarket’s reduced section for your essentials. It may also be that something has been damaged in store (e.g. a washing powder box) and is therefore available at a reduced price.

8. Share your subscriptions

We all have that one family member or friend who stays signed in to our streaming services. Why not cut your monthly cost in half by asking them to transfer you half of the charge each month? That way you can both enjoy the service for half of the price.

9. Cancel unnecessary subscriptions

Along the same lines, it’s a good idea to have a subscription service de-clutter, as you might find some ongoing payments you’ve forgotten about for a service you never use. You can usually cancel them by either contacting the service provider or cancelling the direct debit with your bank. Find out more about cancelling recurring payments here.

10. Write a shopping list (and don’t forget to take it with you!)

By being organised and only shopping for exactly what you need to make meals during the week, you won’t be tempted to buy unnecessary items during your weekly shop.

11. Don’t shop on an empty stomach

One of the worst things you can do is shop on an empty stomach, without a list. You’ll only be interested in what your stomach – not your kitchen cupboards or your wallet – is saying.

12. Make your own lunch/smoothies/cleaning products

Research from 2015 tells us that Londoners were spending an average of £6.60 a day on lunch, which amounts to £2,500 per year – an amount that could be even higher in 2021 thanks to inflation and some shortages. However, if you choose to make your own lunch, you’ll probably find that you’ll spend less than £10 per week.

The same thing can be said for other essentials such as cleaning products – did you know that you can make almost any cleaning solution with white vinegar?

13. Stop smoking

Smoking is an expensive habit, regardless of how often you do it. The average price of a pack of cigarettes is around £9.19 in the UK. If you smoke one pack per day, that’s a whopping annual cost of £3,354.35. Over five years of smoking, you could save £16,771.75.

14. Cut down on drinking

Similar to smoking, drinking can be a costly habit, with the average night out costing Brits over £70. If you were to party every weekend each year, that’s over £3,500 you could have saved.

15. Limit your social events

Similarly, social events can also chip away at your savings. Rather than heading straight to an event, it can work out much cheaper to do something fun and free with your friends instead.

16. Use cashback companies

Whether you’re making a large, essential purchase such as a fridge or shopping around for insurance, it can pay off to use cashback companies. The way this works is that the cashback company will receive commission for any purchase you make via their site, which they then share with you. It can take a while for the process to complete, but, depending on what you buy, you can get a good amount of your cash back.

17. Get a cheaper mobile phone deal

If you’ve been with the same network provider for a while, it might well be worth shopping around for a new deal. You can do this easily online, calling a provider or by going into a mobile phone store. You may also find that your existing provider will match a deal from a competitor so they don’t lose you as a customer.

18. Use pre-owned clothing apps

Rather than splashing the cash on an entirely new wardrobe, you can shop in a more sustainable way (and for a lot less) by using apps such as Vinted and Depop.

19. Organise your wardrobe

Having a good clothing reorganisation could mean you find items you’ve forgotten you have. It could also mean that you have lots of pieces to either sell or donate, earning yourself some extra cash in the process.

20. Sell anything you don’t need

From books through to houseplants, you can sell anything that you don’t feel like you need. Facebook Marketplace is great for finding people in your local area in order to save on postage, and it doesn’t incur any fees or take commission. eBay is another good, easy-to-use option.

21. Rent outfits for special occasions

Rather than buying a new dress or suit for every wedding or special event you attend, renting can often be cheaper. You’ll just need to weigh this up against the number of events you’ll be attending and how often you’ll be renting, as opposed to buying outright.

22. Share clothes with friends and family

Even better than renting, you can borrow clothes from a friend or family member who is a similar size. This also applies to shoes, which could cut both your and their costs right down.

23. Weigh in on clothing donations

A lot of companies provide cash in return for clothes, which increases in amount based on how much it weighs. This is great news for those large winter coats you don’t want anymore, along with heavy denim and thick wool items.

24. Shop second hand

Charity shops are a great place to shop for clothes and household items. As well as being incredibly cheap, they often offer a quirk you can’t find anywhere else.

25. Free/cheap parking apps

Parking can be an expensive necessity, especially if you live or work in a city centre. However, there are several apps available that can help you cut costs without compromising the safety of your car.

26. Use hostels/farm stays when travelling

Travel is a luxury that many people can’t live without, especially after the restrictions created by the pandemic. However, you can cut the cost of travelling by choosing to holiday with a host family, participate in a house swap or look for bunkhouses and farm stays during your travels. This way, you might even enjoy a more authentic experience and make friends for life.

27. If you’re more of a luxury traveller, sign up to hotel/accomodation newsletters

If you’re more into five stars than freebies, the only way you can save money is by signing up to hotel newsletters and hoping for a last-minute cancellation or discount code. Collecting hotel points and air miles will also save you some cash.

28. See if tourist attractions near you offer ‘locals rates’

Many tourist attractions offer discounted rates for people who live within a certain catchment area or share the same postcode. If you’re looking to stay savings savvy on your next day out, get in touch with an attraction near you to find out.

29. Cycle rather than drive

While you might have to initially invest in a bike for this one, you’ll soon start reaping the rewards in terms of road tax, fuel, insurance and upkeep. You’ll also enjoy the fitness benefits and improve your health.

30. Take advantage of trial periods – but don’t forget to cancel

We’ve all heard the tactic of using multiple emails to take advantage of impressive offers, and trial periods are similar. However, you are often required to input your card details when you sign up, so be sure to cancel before you get charged. A good way to do this is by setting a reminder in your phone or on your calendar.

31. Shop around for the best providers

Everything from your internet to your energy could be cheaper elsewhere. That’s why it’s essential to use comparison sites and contact different companies for quotes. While it may be time consuming, it saves you money in the long run.

32. Before making improvements in your home, check for government grants

Lining your loft with new insulation? Installing new windows throughout your home? There might well be a government grant that can help you with the cost. A good example of this is the Green Homes Grant.

33. Seen something you want to buy? Sleep on it

When it comes to online shopping, things can easily spiral out of control due to the ease, accessibility and convenience. Instead of hitting purchase straight away, a good trick is to try sleeping on it. If you’re still thinking about it around a week later, buy it. If not, you never really needed it.

34. Check your workplace benefits & perks

Many workplace schemes offer convenient and cost-cutting services that you might not know about. Have a chat with your employer to see what you might be missing, or what they might be able to help you with.

35. Switch suppliers

By remaining loyal to your suppliers, whether that’s energy, broadband or your mobile phone, you might be missing some good deals. It’s worthwhile shaking things up every now and then to see where you could be saving money, or use a competitor quote to haggle with your existing supplier.

36. Shop around for your insurance

As well as providers of utilities and phone networks, insurance policies and breakdown cover might be more reasonable elsewhere. See if you could save money by using a price comparison website.

37. Give more meaningful gifts

Birthdays and special occasions can drain your bank account when it comes to gifts. If you’re trying to save money, you could try something original and authentic from the heart, rather than trying to impress with a big price tag.

38. Charge interest on late payments

If you freelance or are self employed, chasing up invoices can be time-consuming and frustrating. A good way to make some extra money out of negligent clients is to implement an interest charge on any late payments. That way, your clients will be more inclined to pay you on time and if not, they’ll have to pay extra.

39. Remortgage to avoid ‘loyalty’ penalties

Many banks and mortgage lenders charge a ‘loyalty penalty’ to people who stick with the same deal after their fixed term expires, making it essential to shop around for a cheaper deal based on your term. You can find out more about the loyalty penalty charge here.

40. Implement a no-spend day

In an age where we have our digital cash at our fingertips, it’s very easy to spend every day and go over budget. However, if you implement a strict no-spend day once a week, you’ll soon stack up savings.

41. Earn more than you spend

A good habit to get into is to focus on earning more than you spend. That way you’ll never be left in a tricky financial spot and will probably have left over income to use each month. You can work out how much you earn vs. how much you spend each month with our easy budget planner.

42. Be tactical about shopping online

If you have an account with an online retailer, try leaving items in your basket for 48 hours or more. Chances are that the retailer will send you a discount code to close the sale.

43. Rent or holiday-let your spare room

If you want to earn extra income with little effort, you could rent out your spare room, providing you have enough space and can cope with someone else living in your home.

44. Remove your card from instant payment like Apple Pay

Many of us now enjoy easy spending thanks to services such as Apple Pay and Contactless. However, this can lead to overspending quite easily if you often give in to temptation. When trying to save, you could remove your card from your Apple Wallet (or similar), and avoid taking your contactless card out with you.

45. Turn off electrical appliances when not in use

Being savings-savvy around the home will free up some income over time and allow you to save. Even simple tricks like turning appliances off at the wall when they’re not in use will save a little on your energy bills.

46. Put on an extra layer

Don’t rely on your heating as soon as the temperature drops by one degree. Reach for a jumper instead and you’ll thank yourself when you get your bill later.

47. Have cold showers in the summer

During the hotter months of the year, you can save some pennies by opting for a cool shower over a hot one. Many people even find it much more refreshing and invigorating in the heat.

48. Invest in solar

While the initial outlay of investing in solar might be high, you’ll reap the rewards in free energy. With many organisations looking to champion sustainability, it may even be the case that you can get a grant for your investment. Contact your local authority to find out more.

49. Invest in a log burner

Similar to solar, a log burner will allow you to cut down on your gas bills throughout the winter, but it will require logs. Weigh up the cost differences and ensure you buy wood from FSC-certified sources.

50. Make sacrifices where you can

A lot of saving comes down to common sense and self-control. There are some sacrifices that can be made which may seem difficult at first, but just require a period of adjustment. For example, by avoiding buying your Friday night bottle of wine, you’ll be saving around £7 per week, which is £364 a year.

When it comes to saving money, especially if you’re trying to save money on a tight budget, organisation is key. The next 25 savings tips explore how planning to perfection and a little research on the best savings account for you can mean your spare cash piles up.

51. Schedule a regular financial admin day

A regular financial admin day gives you the time you need to review your finances and get things in order. It will also help prevent any unwarranted spending if you have a clear figure in mind. If you’re self-employed, this is also a good time to update your income records and ensure you’re ready for the next date in your self-assessment calendar.

52- Set out your budget

Having a good budget plan is non-negotiable for savers. In short, your budget plan should be your bible in terms of expenses, income, the amount you are able to spend, savings expectations and details of any debts you have.

53. Fix your current finances

You won’t be in a good position to save if your finances are a mess. Catch up with your credit cards, make details of your income after all of your household expenses and see what you can realistically save based on your budget plan.

54. Pay off any debt

Based on interest you’re likely accruing from credit card debt and loans, it will often work out more beneficial for you to pay off your debt before you start to save. This is because you might end up having to eventually use your savings to pay off your debt anyway, so it’s better to start with a clean slate.

55. Set savings goals

Having clear goals can help you stay motivated when you start to see the pounds pile up. If you don’t have a goal, it’s easy to become demotivated and end up spending your savings pot. On the other hand, if you are saving for the trip of a lifetime or a deposit for a house, you can have a clear, set amount that you want to reach and a real reason to get there.

56. Use online banking

While you don’t want your savings to become an obsession, it can be motivating to regularly check the amount in your savings account. Using online banking will not only allow you to do this quickly and easily, but will also enable you to transfer money directly into your savings account without leaving the house, making saving even easier.

57. Be aware of your online safety

In an age where hackers and scammers are only becoming more sophisticated, online safety is paramount. Ensure that you’re doing all you can by browsing in incognito mode, checking the URLs of each site you visit and never clicking on links in suspicious emails. After all, you don’t want to lose your hard-earned savings to cyber criminals.

58. Use budgeting apps

There’s a vast selection of budgeting apps available, with each one offering a different service to help you save. For example, there are apps that find wasteful subscriptions and ones that automatically accumulate your spare change by rounding your transactions up and saving the difference.

59. Make a rainy day fund your priority

If we’ve all learned anything from the financial fallout of the pandemic, it’s that you really do need to be prepared for anything. That’s why, unless you have a more pressing savings goal, it’s always best to start with a rainy day fund. The aim of a rainy day fund is to cover your expenses should the worst happen, such as an injury or job loss. For that reason, most experts recommend saving enough to cover three to six months of bills and outgoings.

60. Take advantage of tax reliefs

Savers might be forgiven for thinking it’s hard going to accumulate a decent pot of money, especially in times of low interest rate, but there are some instances when the government gives back. For example, there are certain tax relief schemes available for things like business expenses, working from home and saving for your pension.

61. Pay in on payday

By automatically paying into your savings account on every payday, you’ll ensure that your savings are prioritised and that you are immediately used to coping without your monthly savings amount. It will also prevent you from splurging on an unnecessary purchase.

62. Start small if you’re saving on a tight budget

While saving might seem impossible for those on a smaller budget, it can be done. Certain types of savings accounts allow you to start saving with just £1, and have a small monthly deposit requirement so you can save at your own pace.

63. Take the 50/30/20 approach

A manageable approach to saving, the 50/30/20 approach suggests that every time you get paid, 50% should go on living expenses, 30% on fun things you want to do or buy, and the final 20% on savings. This will allow you to both have fun and save without compromising on your lifestyle.

64. See a financial advisor

If you have a lump sum or you’ve recently come into money, you might understandably feel overwhelmed at the sheer range of options available to you. It might be an idea to visit a financial advisor, who will be able to recommend the right financial products for you based on your savings goals.

65. Adapt your approach when your circumstances change

Some things in life can’t be planned for, such as your car breaking down or your washing machine needing to be replaced. In these circumstances, don’t feel bad about adjusting your savings so you’re not going short on essentials. Conversely, if your income goes up, you should adjust your savings to put a little extra away each month.

66. Keep a loose change jar

A savings tip as old as time itself, throwing all of your loose change into a jar can give you a surprisingly big amount when you come to empty it. You could also have fun with family and friends, implementing ‘charges’ around the house – like a swear jar – to encourage a joint savings pot.

67. Compare savings accounts online

Savings accounts are just like any other product, each subject to their own terms and offering their own perks, and should therefore be compared carefully before you commit. You can easily compare savings accounts online to ensure that you find the right one for you.

68. Don’t always stick with high street banks

While high street banks are the most well-known, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they offer the best rates or customer service. In fact, relatively new challenger banks have recently scored higher in terms of customer satisfaction and can even offer higher interest rates.

69. Participate in savings challenges

Savings challenges, such as the 365-Day Money Challenge, offer a more casual, fun way to save. With this particular challenge, you save 1p on the first day of the year, 2p on day two and so on until you save £3.65 on the last day. Saving like this will give you £667.35 a year, just in time for Christmas (more on that below).

70. Don’t expect overnight success

When you open a savings account with the intention of growing your money, you’ll often be in it for the long haul. It’s important to be realistic about how long it takes to save and avoid putting any undue pressure on yourself.

71. Plan ahead for Christmas

Christmas is an expensive time of year and can often leave you struggling throughout January. However, this doesn’t have to be the case if you can start saving early enough. For example, if you start saving for Christmas by putting away just £100 a month from January, you’ll have £1,200 to spend on your loved ones in time for Christmas.

72. Use a spend-what-you-load service

If you’re really worried about your self control when it comes to saving, you could use prepaid cards for your shopping and groceries. That way, you’ll have a set limit that you’ll be physically unable to exceed.

73. Find a tax-savvy savings account

It’s well worth doing your research in terms of the different savings accounts available to you. For example, with a cash ISA, you can save up to £20,000 per year completely tax free.

74. Opt for a savings account that won’t let you withdraw money

If you don’t need to access your cash and might be tempted to make withdrawals from your savings account if you can, you might want to look into no access savings accounts. This type of savings account locks your money away for a specific period of time, normally six months to five years, and typically offers competitive rates of interest because of this restriction. This could be a great choice if you feel you lack the self control to save but have enough income to do it. Examples of this type of account include fixed rate bonds.

75. Choose a savings account that restricts access to your cash

In a similar sense to a no access savings account, some savings accounts allow you access to your cash but with certain restrictions you must adhere to, such as notice periods, which means you have to give your provider a set amount of notice – such as 90 days – before you can make a withdrawal. A good example of this type of account is a notice account.

Choose from a range of competitive savings accounts from our UK partner banks. Simply register for a Raisin UK Account to quickly and easily apply for free.