Move your money.
Loads of good tips above of how to spend less so my tip for step 2 is to “move your money”.
I know interest rates are pretty much non-existent these days, but I find it easiest to save money when it’s in a separate account. If it’s not there you can’t “accidentally” spend it. Even £5 a month will add up. £50 a month if you can would be £600 at the end of the year.
If you’re the type of person who feels they need a specific goal then have two pots and split that £50 however you want (£25/£25, £10/£40, whatever motivates you!).
My tip on how to spend less -
Examine your kitchen and bathroom.
Pick one item at a time and try and swap it out for a cheaper version. Sometimes you might try something else and not like it, that’s fine, stick to the original - this isn’t supposed to be torture. But maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised and save some pennies down the line, and as others said, the pennies do add up.
Good luck!
Oh! Didn’t see
@hashbrown123 ‘s comment but absolutely agree and love the filtering of savings.
And that’s another useful point - just being really mindful of where your money is and what it’s doing will (hopefully) make saving easier. Not in an overly obsessive way - finances don’t need to be super complicated (as I think we are often led to believe).
It’s so cliche to say but once you’ve got a rhythm going and saving becomes second nature it is about just making your money work harder. Make the £ streeeeeetch. I have a list of certain items that I never buy unless on promotion/discounted. Mayonnaise, ketchup, drinking chocolate, fabric conditioner...I buy these all branded because I didn’t like the cheaper swaps but buying them discounted is my compromise.
And I have three pots - holiday, handbag, house. Whatever floats your boat!