how to save money

[If you say so...]

For me I changed my priorities. (For context - I have no dependents, and was renting a room in a house share at the time) The biggest changes to save money when I could barely survive from month to month was:

Selling my car and either using public transport or walking
Stopping Sky and other subscriptions - Audible, Amazon, Netflix, Now TV, Gym membership etc
I stopped drinking which saved me a fortune on nights out
Stopping smoking - cigarettes are so expensive in the UK!
no takeaways or picking up food when out of the house
batch cooking and smaller portions for meals
No holidays
Get a library card - they have thousands of books, audiobooks and magazines and it's completely free.

Then I started using those apps that save money automatically (Plum, chip and Moneybox). You can instantly withdraw from most of them but over I'd say around 5 years I've saved thousands so managed to buy a car again - nothing special a little old peugot but I've started walking again cause of the rise in petrol costs. Saving becomes addictive when you start! and it's a real sense of achievement knowing you sacrificed to buy those special things like a holiday or a small car, new outfit etc.

 

[Cantthinkofausername]

Food - cut down to 2 meals a day (adults only, obviously), yellow sticker, value or aldi/lidl own brand.
Walk or cycle instead of using public transport
Never buy food or drinks outside. Always take drink/snacks/packed lunch with you, or wait till you get home.
Don't buy clothes or shoes unless you really need them ie your old ones are literally falling apart. If you need something for a special ocassion (like a dress for a wedding) look in a charity shop.
Wash clothes less. If you don't have to go to work every day have a couple of outdoor outfits and get changed back into your indoor clothes when you get home.
Open a savings account and put some money, even a tiny amount, in there as soon as you get paid.
Always ask yourself 'is this a want or a need'
If you have debts seek advice on the best way to pay them off. The Moneysavingexpert site and forum is very helpful here.
Good luck!

 

[armywife119]

I’ve started to do surveys online. The one is use pays between 10p-£1.50 per survey. It can be a bit boring and not massive money but this week I made enough for a takeaway and a bit over. You don’t have to wait for the money, you can with drawer it whenever you want.

I also use too good to go app, we’ve had some from M&S that have done us for 2 or 3 meals a week for about £5.
We are comfortably off but I hate spending money as Im a Worrier and always think ‘what if’ so like to keep a good amount saved.
Although when my kids were younger we had multiple credit cards, store cards etc but as you get older things become so much easier financially.

Secret shopper is another thing I used to do. I had free hotel stays, meals out, Superdrug purchases all for not much work.

 

[Scorpihoe]

Thanks for the tips. I use prolific to complete surveys which pay straight to your PayPal when your total balance is over 5. I’ve used this site for years and can confirm it’s not a scam

I love prolific!! I do surveys in my spare time and it all adds up. The surveys are usually really interesting too or entertaining. So far saved up about £300

 

[Notworthy]

Eat meat free as much as possible. A bag of lentils is less than £2 and you can use it for so many meals (I usually sub it for mince in bolognese, chilli, lasagne, shepherds pie). It stretches really well, for pennies per meal, and really nutritious as well. I honestly don’t know why everyone isn’t eating them by the bucket load

Pulses are definitely an under used resource when it comes to both saving money and dieting.

 

[Melian]

Switch to sim only. Tesco, Sky and Giffgaff don't hike their prices during your contract.

 

[Ruby’s mum]

You can sometimes reduce car insurance significantly by adding an older, more experienced driver to your policy as a named driver. My sons passed their tests at 21 and my daughter at 19 and the quotes were astronomical until we put their dad on the policy. I can’t remember exactly but it brought the price down by £100’s.

 

[cuja8597]

Thanks for the tips. I use prolific to complete surveys which pay straight to your PayPal when your total balance is over 5. I’ve used this site for years and can confirm it’s not a scam

 

[Cantthinkofausername]

Learn how to cut/colour your own and family member's hair. There are a lot of tutorials on youtube.
(Especially for women) reassess your beauty and grooming needs. Makeup isn't essential, nor is expensive skin care/gel nails/eyebrow threading, etc. Aldi and Lidl ranges are very good and much cheaper than other brands.

 

[RR20]

I like shopping in Home Bargains for haircare/personal care stuff as everything is really cheap and they get some good brands in. They also have a good selection of cupboard foods and cleaning products at low prices.
I have a Sony smartphone instead of an iPhone and pay about £18 a month which I think is reasonable.
If I'm shopping online I try to always remember to use Topcashback to save a bit on purchases.

 

[Notworthy]

Take out your money in cash for the week rather than use your card. Its much easier to learn spending discipline if you have a set amount, the 1st 2 to 3 weeks you'll run out but then you'll find you have a spare few pounds. Make sure you meal plan before food shopping. Before getting in your car ask yourself if you can walk instead.

 

[thetis]

I started recording every penny I've spent, down to the change. This helped me to see what I was spending and where, and what could go and what could stay. I'd really recommend trying this.

With the bills skyrocketing, it's hell for so many people nowadays, I don't know if there are any good deals left when it comes to heating or electricity bills but speak to your providers to see if you can switch to a more affordable option. I'll echo others but own brand food is just as nice (except mayo for me, I can only stomach Heinz so I use it sparingly). Buying bulk and buying frozen veggies and fruit can be easier on the purse, see what you can get and make it stretch. I swear by all kinds of homemade soups for cheap meals and they can be frozen and last a good while. If your car is essential, try to limit it for only essential stuff. Are there any extra furniture or unused clothes you have that are in good condition? You can sell stuff on depop and add a few quids, it's better than nothing. Canceling subscriptions works well, it may look like small expenses but they add up.

There are some good budgeting channels on Youtube, I'd recommend watching and learning more about money and saving in general, I was clueless about how I was spending my money and the information helped as well.

 

[Souffle]

I know it’s tough but try to save money on things where you can. Can you change your tv package (if you have one?), reduce energy use, don’t buy prepared food (this is something I’ve changed as I was buying chopped lettuce, boxed pineapple etc - now I just buy it and chop it myself and put into bags or containers in the fridge and it saves money), shop at Aldi or Lidl, avoid branded stuff where possible (all this beanz meanz heinz thing is crap in my opinion - I used to think that way because of the advertising but now I much prefer Asda beans! I also buy own brand salad cream, mayo etc). Just a few ideas but hopefully it’ll help a bit

 

[Definitelyme]

Eat meat free as much as possible. A bag of lentils is less than £2 and you can use it for so many meals (I usually sub it for mince in bolognese, chilli, lasagne, shepherds pie). It stretches really well, for pennies per meal, and really nutritious as well. I honestly don’t know why everyone isn’t eating them by the bucket load

 

[Piff paff puff]

Buy bread when it's reduced, like 20 odd pence and freeze it to use when you need. Same with all food. Have a look on their websites for more info.

Use supermarket apps and club card tesco. Got £6 of my shopping other day through using club card.

 

[lurkingaround123]

I'm also going through a rough financial patch at the moment, I've been doing these things, allowing me to still have a social life but spend less

I try to not spend a single penny between Sunday-Thursday
Look for alternatives to things you usually buy - I got a sodastream to save me buying masses of sparkling water all the time
Bulk buying essentials - I have got masses of soap, loo rolls, wipes etc cheaply and now I won't have to run to the shops to stock up for months.
I never buy food in work, I brought a cheap 89p box of porridge in Aldi and portioned it in to little freezer bags, works out quite a lot cheaper than buying the oats so simple packets or the like. I also bulk brought crisps in Costco, and got a load of Heinz soup from the company shop for 45p so my lunches are all sorted.
See if you're eligible for a company shop membership - It is soooo cheap and you can really fill the freezer up, I can go a few weeks without shopping after going there.

If you can do them things, I think you end up saving on petrol because you've got all you need in so you end up driving to the shops less too

 

[Melian]

Use apps / sites like Topcashback and Airtime rewards. But these are only worth it if the item isn't cheaper elsewhere.

 

[trancejunkie]

Loads of really good tips shared already! Some of my fav ways are:
- Checking out the local charity shops and local traders on marketplace etc. first whenever you need anything new for yourself/house/garden.
- Selling your own unwanted/unused items
- If you buy a lot of online stuff, install something like DealFinder and Quidco so that you get vouchers/cashback on purchases

 

[cuncuncuncucncnncncnc]

im just curious how people save money when they really need to as right now im going through a rough financial patch, and can barley afford anything im even taking up a weekend job to survive. how do you cut costs on food, petrol and stuff. where do you shop for food etc. that's cheap
might sound silly thing to ask but im struggling as I cant cut down on my car as that's essential, my insurance is really high as I haven't been driving long that's really affecting my financials right now but a car is essential. phone bill is also a lot but also cant change it as on a contract.

I don't know how people do it im also trying to move out too but there's no way I can save! im barley surviving..very miserable.

 

[unidentified]

This may help people too.