If you're looking for expert money-saving tips, you've come to the right place! We know that every penny counts right now so we’ve asked our industry experts for their best tips to help you cut spending on everything from heating to food shopping and phone bills.
We hope you'll discover some creative and clever ways to save money in ways you might never have imagined, from DIY cleaning using cheap store cupboard staples, to apps that help you find the cheapest fuel in your area.
Read on for 34 small everyday changes you can implement right away to start saving money:
34 money-saving ideas you can start today
Switch off appliances not in use
According to the Energy Saving Trust, you can save around £65 a year simply by turning appliances off instead of leaving them on standby. Just switching them off at the wall will reduce the energy they use, but you can save even more energy and money by unplugging them fully. Click here for 22 more tips for cutting your energy bills.
Switch to direct debit payments
Some services offer better deals if you pay by direct debit. Check with your utilities suppliers to see if you could save by switching to monthly direct debits instead of quarterly payments.
Get the best broadband deal
If your broadband introductory offer is ending, call and ask your provider for a discount before your tariff goes up. They can often offer you a rate close to the one you’re already on, as they won’t want to lose you as a customer.
Compare prices
When taking out a new phone or internet contract, choosing an insurer or switching utilities provider, use comparison sites, such as moneysupermarket.com, comparethemarket.com and gocompare.com to see what different providers might be able to offer you.
Switch to a SIM-only smartphone
When you’ve paid off the cost of the mobile handset on a contract, switch to a SIM-only one, or else you’ll be overpaying and they won’t tell you!
Save on fuel
Use apps like PetrolPrices which tell you where to find the cheapest fuel in your local area.
Defrost your freezer regularly
If ice builds up on the inside of your freezer, it needs to work harder to circulate the cold air, which increases the energy cost, so defrost it regularly.
Make your own cleaning products
As well as being cheaper, making your own cleaning products is also kinder on the environment. You can pretty much clean everything with various combinations of bicarbonate of soda, lemon juice, distilled white vinegar and cider vinegar. Here are five simple DIY cleaning product recipes to get you started!
How to save money on food and cooking
Make a list
One of the biggest ways to overspend is to go shopping without a list. Always check what you already have, then make a list – and stick to it!
Shop own-brand
When you’re doing the weekly shop, always check the prices before you add items to your basket or trolley. And look for own-brand equivalents of name-brand items, especially for things like cereal, baked beans, juices, spreads, soup and tomato ketchup.
Plan ahead
Each week, make a plan of which meals you want to cook, then only buy the ingredients for those meals. This will help you save money on shopping, as well as reducing food waste.
Buy in bulk
For things like toilet rolls, baked beans and crisps, look for bulk buys or multipacks, as these will be cheaper. Also, look for great-value special offers on food and freeze it in portions when you get home.
Become a mid-week veggie
Vegetarian or vegan meals are usually cheaper than meat or fish dishes so cook up healthy, tasty veggie dishes a few days a week.
Seven veggie recipes to try this week
Shop online
By doing your weekly shop online it’s easier to keep an eye on the total, plus you won’t be so tempted to add extra treats as you wander through the aisles.
Use an air fryer
An air fryer is one of the cheapest ways to cook. Typically, 10 minutes of cooking in an air fryer costs about 5p, while electric ovens cost almost double that. You could cook two chicken breasts in an air fryer in as little as 15 minutes (under 10p), but electric ovens need about 30 minutes (20p). See our tried and rested air fryer reviews here.
Swap oven and hob for microwave
According to Energy supplier Utilita, a microwave costs just 8p a day to run, while an electric cooker costs 87p, based on the average amount of time they’re used for. If you prefer cooking on the hob, however, you could swap to an energy-efficient induction hob over a ceramic one to save cash.
Pop the lid on your pan
Even something as small as putting the lid on pots and pans while cooking saves as much as 90 per cent in energy.
Batch cook
Make the most of your freezer by batch cooking meals or buying in bulk. Dishes, such as bolognese sauce, soups, stews and casseroles can be cooked in larger batches, then frozen in individual portions and reheated in the microwave. Zwilling’s Fresh & Save vacuum containers keep food fresh for up to five times’ longer than regular containers, making them ideal for stockpiling any leftovers or extra portions, as well as reducing food waste.
Use a slow cooker
It will take longer but using a slow cooker will save money over an electric or gas oven. Energy supplier Utilita says that slow cookers cost around 16p per day to run, whereas electric ovens cost 87p per day and gas ovens, 30p. Here are a few of our favourite slow cookers on the market.
Shop at the right time
Find out when your local supermarket starts reducing prices on stock near its best before or use-by date, and do your shop then to pick up any bargains you can make use of.
Everyday ways to save money
Save pennies
Start a loose change jar – it’s surprising how quickly a few odd coins can add up!
Cancel subscriptions
Go through your direct debits and cancel any that you don’t really need (remember to notify the provider that you’re cancelling as well as your bank). This could be anything from gym memberships to streaming services.
Buy a railcard
If you travel on the train a lot, buy a railcard to get a discount every time you board (subject to eligibility, peak time restrictions apple).
Make a packed lunch
Use leftovers or make a salad, soup or sarnie to have for lunch when you’re at work or out and about. A home-made lunch is much cheaper than shop-bought sandwiches, and healthier too.
Swap the latté
Instead of buying pricey takeaway coffees, invest in a reusable cup and brew your own drink to bring with you.
Move your money
See if you can earn a new customer bonus by moving any current or savings accounts to a different bank or building society. You could earn even more if they offer a better interest rate.
Make money as you spend it
Sign up to cashback sites such as Quidco.com or TopCashback.co.uk to make money as you spend. Buy products through these sites and you can earn a small stipend on every purchase.
Staycation
Instead of forking out for a pricey holiday, plan days out at local attractions instead.
Cook for friends
Rather than going out for dinner, invite friends over and ask everyone to bring one course or drinks to spread the cost. Check out some of our delicious and simple recipes for inspo!
Cheaper parking
Avoid expensive car parks or parking tickets by using apps such as BestParking, Parkopedia and EasyPark, that show you where you can park for less, or free.
Sign up for trial offers
Save cash by getting free trials on things like Amazon Prime or Now TV. But don’t forget to cancel when the trial period ends!
Start a regular 'no spend' day or weekend
Whether it’s a day a week or a weekend a month, pledging not to spend will help you save and make you think outside the box! Why not spend the time working on a craft project or get the toolbox out and try a few of our weekend DIY tasks?
Buy (and sell) second-hand clothes
Make the most of re-sale platforms by selling your unworn or unwanted clothes on Vinted, Depop or eBay. It’s so easy and is a great way of clearing the clutter while making a bit of money at the same time. They're also a great way to add to your wardrobe on a budget, without resorting to fast fashion.
Buy and sell locally
Use your local Facebook Marketplace as well as Gumtree to make some cash selling unwanted furniture and pick up bargains, to boot.
Here at YourHomeStyle.UK HQ we're always scouring the internet for money-saving tips and energy-efficient appliances, so check out our other practical guides, including household money saving tips, energy-saving tips and Christmas on a budget, as well as buyer's guides, including best smart thermostats and best energy efficient air fryers. We've even put together some how-to features, including how to insulate a loft and how to save water in your bathroom.
