Hi, I'm Jen! I'm a personal finance expert and money coach aiming to help you take control of your money. I went from being broke to a six-figure net worth and am now on track to be financially independent at age 40. Discover Jen's story
With these 250 money-saving tips, you have no excuse for not saving money. Saving money is easier than you think, and opportunities are everywhere.
Saving Money at Home
When you start saving money, beginning in your own house is easiest. As my 250 money-saving tips show you, there is plenty of potential that does not require you to go out.
- Turn off the tap after using
- Drink tap water
- Avoid leaving the fridge/freezer open for too long
- Make a meal plan
- Cook your own meals
- Do not let food go to waste
- Do not stockpile perishable food
- Save leftovers
- Use seasonal ingredients
- Eat three meals a day rather than multiple snacks
- Completely turn off (unplug) electronics overnight
- Ask friends or family to gift you essential items
- Decorate your home with self-made ornaments
- Do as much refurbishing yourself as possible
- Keep your house inventory minimalistic
- Turn off the lights
- Keep potted herbs in your kitchen
- Eat less meat
- Build your own furniture
- Alternatively, buy second-hand furniture
- Use a washable cloth instead of paper towels
- Turn down the heating
- Borrow items from friends/family instead of buying them
- Switch your energy provider
- Plant vegetables in your garden
- Wear less make-up
- Use less toothpaste
- Shower less often
- Use less toilet paper
- Stop using shampoo
- Switch to free TV
- Or get rid of your TV
- Cancel subscriptions such as Netflix
- Become a member of your library instead
- Or find free hobbies to do at home
- Start making money from your hobby, for example, blogging
- Quit your gym
- Workout at home
- Complete free online courses
- Stop collecting things
- Cut your own hair
- Sew your own clothes
- Use YouTube instead of buying music
- Or play an instrument yourself
- Embrace frugality
- Become a minimalist
- Clean yourself instead of using a cleaner
- Repair instead of replacing items
- Do laundry less often
- Get creative and make gifts yourself
- Move in with your parents
- Live in a house share
- Negotiate your rent
- Or become a lodger
- Share a room
- Become a live-in carer/nanny etc.
- Move out of expensive cities
- Live in a houseboat
- Or in a van
- Rent out spare rooms
- Stop smoking
- Do not use recreational drugs
- Lose weight
- Find frugal friends
- Try batch cooking
- Start meal prepping
- Keep extra meals in your freezer
- Use free software instead of paid programs
- Sign up for newsletters from money-saving websites
- Put a brick in your toilet to reduce water consumption
- Fully empty toiletries
- Cut down on electricity
- Play free games with your kids
- Use LED light bulbs
- Do not use the air conditioning
- Keep windows closed in winter
- Install solar panels
- Make use of natural light as much as possible
- Do not use candles
- Nor disposable tissues
- Use half your normal portion of laundry detergent
- Or use a laundry egg
- Wash at a lower temperature
- Cut your landline
- Learn to say no
- Do not inflate your lifestyle
Save Money When Going out
Saving money does not mean you can’t go out. It is easy to have fun and spend less.
- Discover free activities local to you
- Visit the park
- Exercise in the park
- Do pre-drinks at your place
- Or just quit alcohol
- Invite friends over instead of going to the pub
- Walk or cycle more often
- Learn to maintain your bike/car yourself
- Sell your car and use public transport
- Reduce your car’s fuel consumption
- Book your holiday in advance
- Stay home for your holiday
- Or have a holiday in your country
- Visit friends/relatives for your holiday
- Go camping
- Compare flight prices
- Use a budget airline
- Minimise your luggage
- Do not buy food at the airport
- Stay away from tourist traps
- Stay in
- Bring packed lunch
- Carry a water bottle around with you
- Use a refillable bottle
- Do not buy takeaway coffee
- Use coaches instead of trains
- Carpool
- Take part in free city tours
- Do not overdo it with buying souvenirs
- Travel at off-peak times
- Adhere to traffic regulations to avoid fines
- Pay for your parking ticket
- Or take advantage of free parking at supermarkets
- Use apps to give you free cinema tickets
- Volunteer (often you will get some compensation)
- Take an empty bottle to the airport and fill it for free at a water fountain
- Visit places such as the cinema during off-peak times
- Use Uber instead of taxis
- Study abroad to avoid tuition fees
- Keep your car tyres inflated
- Take advantage of student discounts
- Do not open the windows or the air con in your car
- Work from home
- Store food at the office
- Use free office supplies when possible
- Have group dinners
- Find the cheapest petrol station
- Do not use perfume
- Housesit
- Volunteer at festivals for free entry
- Have tap water when eating out
- Visit food markets
- Part-exchange your car
Improve Your Money Management
Money management means how you deal with your finances.
- Pay off your debts
- Or consolidate them
- Do the same with your credit card
- And your overdraft
- Pay your bills on time
- Negotiate your bills if you have leverage
- Split bills with friends if possible (and share the service)
- Keep a money diary
- Make a budget
- And stick to it
- Use current accounts that are free of charge
- And pay interest
- Have an emergency fund
- As well as sinking funds
- Pay into your workplace pension scheme
- Open a SIPP
- Invest in index trackers
- And stay away from shady investments
- Do not gamble
- Or play the lottery
- Pay for things annually instead of monthly
- Monitor your spendings
- Leave your wallet at home
- And your bank cards
- Read finance-related books
- Get a sugar daddy or mummy
- Get a Pay-as-you-go SIM for your phone
- Set yourself a money-saving challenge
- Try no-spend days
- Open a savings account
- Have a no-spend month
- Or a no-spend year
- Bring loose change to your bank
- Speak to the cancellation team and threaten to cancel
- Cancel unnecessary insurances
- Use an old phone as a sat nav or dashcam
- Get a travel card if you use public transport frequently
- Take advantage of your workplace’s benefits program
- Only take cash with you on nights out
- Complain when you are not happy with a service
- Use free ATMs
- Apply for grants, sponsorships, etc.
- Refinance your mortgage
- Overpay your mortgage
- Cancel services you do not need
- Avoid cash advances
- Always stick to the law
- Minimise text messages and phone calls
- Share your broadband with your neighbour
- Improve your credit rating
- Switch to paperless statements
- Ensure your tax code is correct
- Set up direct debits
- Use a cash envelope budget system
- Have a saving goal
- Apply for any benefits you may be eligible for
- Check your credit record regularly
- Get free debt counselling
- Look after your teeth
- Fet at least three quotes before you buy anything
- Never set up auto-renewals
Save Money When Shopping
Shopping has the most potential for saving money. One way is to buy less or cheaper products.
- Make use of cashback websites
- And receipt cashback apps
- Sign up for reward programs
- Buy quality that lasts longer
- Stay away from temptations
- Look out for discounts
- And free stuff
- Shop at charity shops
- Or car boot sales
- Or eBay
- Check whether a purchase is worth it
- Eat before you do your grocery shopping
- Shop in the evenings
- Shop at discounters
- Do not buy brands
- Buy local products
- Buy in bulk
- Enter competitions
- Take advantage of free giveaways
- Collect coupons
- Look at the unit price
- Avoid display offers
- Do not spend on impulse
- Write a shopping list
- Do not go shopping when you are hungry
- Avoid emotional buying
- Become a mystery shopper to get freebies
- Search for deals online
- Do not buy new electronics
- Or new cars
- Go bargain hunting
- Return unwanted items
- Try haggling
- Buy past best before dates
- Go to auctions
- Set up price alerts for things you want
- Abandon your online shopping basket
- Round up our spending and save the rest
- Use free click & collect delivery
- Trade in old electronics for new items
- Barter for free stuff
- Go foraging
- Take out a free trial with Amazon Prime
- Wait 30 days before you buy something
- Buy discounted gift cards online
- Print less
- Get early-bird deals
- Buy together with family/friends for additional discounts
- Pick things up yourself rather than have them delivered
- Do not let yourself be pressured into buying something
250 Money-saving Tips Summary
As you can see from these 250 money-saving tips, many methods exist to save money. All you have to do is make use of them. Cutting your expenses allows you to save money for more important things.
If you are on a low income, the UK government can help you to save.
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