July 17, 2025
15 Simple Ways To Save Money
By : Ellie Brown
Most people worry about their cash flow each month. Saving doesn’t need huge life changes or loads of spare cash. Small and steady steps work far better than grand money plans that fizzle out.
The tips in this guide work whether you earn £15,000 or £50,000 a year. They fit around your normal life without making you feel like you’re missing out. These methods work even when cash is tight. They focus on stretching what you have rather than earning more.
1. Track all your spending
You can start writing down every pound you spend. Any small deals add up quickly. You can use apps to track your expenses. They link to your bank accounts and sort expenses into neat groups. You’ll spot those sneaky money leaks in no time.
Most people are shocked when they see how much goes toward takeaways or impulse buys. Many people find they waste nearly £200 monthly on stuff they don’t need. Tracking your expenses helps you face the truth about your spending habits.
You can stick with it for at least a month. You’ll see clear patterns emerge in your spending. This gives you the power to make changes.
2. Make a weekly budget
You split your money between needs like food and travel, and wants like nights out. A good budget isn’t about cutting all fun things. Many people find the envelope method works wonders. You put cash for each spending group in actual envelopes.
You can also try the zero-based budgeting method if it works for you. A weekly plan helps stretch your money through the whole month.
3. Cook more, order less
You need to know that cooking at home costs roughly a third of what takeaways do. You can do batch cooking sessions on Sundays and sort your meals for the days ahead.
You can try cooking big pots of chilli, curry, or pasta sauce. You can freeze portions in old takeaway tubs for quick midweek dinners. Your packed lunches save serious cash. You can put the savings straight into a holiday fund.
4. Use public transport or cycle
Petrol prices can cost you a lot more than almost anything else. The average driver spends over £1,000 yearly just filling up their car. You also add parking fees, tax, and repair charges to the fuel charges. Buses and trains are much cheaper for daily travel.
Many companies offer cycle-to-work schemes that save you tax on bike purchases. Plus, you’ll get fit without going to the gym. You can save an extra £80-100 monthly in your savings account.
You can look into railcards if you travel often. The 16-25 card works for students of any age in full-time study.
5. Shop with a strict list
You can write down exactly what meals you’ll make this week. Then, you check what’s already in your cupboards before you shop. You need a budget and a list to guide you while shopping. Most of us bring home about £30 of stuff we didn’t plan to buy.
You can try the “one-day wait” rule for non-food items. If you still want that kitchen gadget tomorrow, maybe it’s worth buying. You can shop at cheaper stores when possible.
6. Reduce energy use at home
Any items in standby mode still use power and add pounds to bills. You can turn off your gadgets properly to save around £60 yearly. Washing clothes at 30 degrees instead of 40 cuts power use by a third. Hang clothes to dry rather than using the tumble dryer when weather permits. You can take short showers and cut just two minutes, saving about £35 a year on water heating.
Many meters help you spot which appliances cost the most to run. You might be shocked at how much that old fridge uses! LED bulbs use 90% less power than old-style ones.
7. Plan no-spend days weekly
You can set aside one or two days each week when you spend nothing. These no-spend days will break the shopping habit. You can pick quieter days like Tuesdays or Wednesdays when you’re less likely to go out.
You can plan by making lunch and brewing coffee at home only. Walk or cycle instead of using paid transport. You can look for free things to do. Many people save £30-40 weekly just by having two no-spend days.
You’ll spot the difference between wants and needs much more clearly. You can use this money towards your emergency fund. This will help you grow your fund when you are aligning your financial habits.
8. Carry cash for small spends
You can try taking out a set amount each Monday for the week ahead. You’ll think twice about that next purchase when you see your notes and coins getting scarcer.
You can split your cash into daily amounts if needed. You can take out £10 from your wallet each morning and try to make it last. The physical act of opening your wallet makes each buy more real.
Many people find they spend around 15-20% less when using only cash. It’s much harder to lose track when you’re counting actual pounds rather than checking banking apps.
9. Set monthly savings goals
You can try putting away just £50 in your first month, then slowly build up. Make it the first thing you do when paid. You can set up a standing order to move money to savings on payday. You won’t miss what you never see in your main account.
Many banks let you name savings pots for different goals. You can track your progress and try the 1p challenge – save 1p on day one, 2p on day two, and so on. By year’s end, you’ll have put away £668.
10. Avoid online shopping boredom
Late-night scrolling often leads to morning regrets about what you’ve bought. You can delete shopping apps that make buying too easy. You can remove your saved card details from all online shops. Here are the things to do:
- Create some friction between your urge to buy and the actual purchase. Make a rule to wait 24 hours before buying anything over £20.
- Sleep on it and see if you still want it tomorrow.
Find other things to do when boredom strikes and your fingers itch to shop. You can go for a quick walk, make a phone call to a mate, or read a good book. Many people save over £100 monthly just by cutting these random buys.
11. Compare prices before buying
Never buy the first item you see without checking other shops first. Price differences can be huge for the same products. Google Shopping lets you see all prices with a quick search.
You can sign up for price drop alerts on items you truly need. You can join store email lists for early sale news and voucher codes. Just five minutes of checking can save you pounds on most buys. You can buy during Black Friday, Boxing Day, and end-of-season sales. Try asking for price matches in shops, and many will beat rivals by 10%.
12. DIY small home fixes
It may cost you 80 pounds or so to call a plumber. They may also be repaired by you. There are many home repair guides on YouTube. Likewise, you are able to replace washers or tighten loose handles by yourself.
The tool kit set can be collected gradually and purchase the essentials when and as necessary. Friends can lend you some tools that you may use in an ad hoc activity. Most towns have a tool-lending library where you can rent what you need at a low cost.
13. Pay bills and credit on time
Some late fees on credit cards can reach £12. Most companies now charge extra for paper bills or manual payments. You can set up direct debits for all your monthly bills where possible.
Many companies offer small discounts for paying this way. You can put all due dates in your phone calendar with alerts a few days before. Some banks now send text warnings when big payments are coming up.
You can consider paying some bills, like car tax, yearly rather than monthly. You’ll often save 5-10% this way if you can manage the bigger one-off payment. These payments protect your credit score for future loans.
14. Watch mobile data use
One hour of watching Netflix on 4G consumes almost 1GB. Such additional costs may be as high as 10 pounds per GB on the other plans. You download playlists, maps, and shows on the way home and listen to them on the move. Most of the apps remain in the background, consuming data without your awareness.
Most allow you to put limits so you do not get those ugly bill surprises. You may examine how much you are using and change to a lower-priced plan if you are not using the full allowance.
15. Try free activities for fun
You will have many free museums and art shows in most cities. Some local parks host free concerts and events, especially in the summer months. These outings can be just as good as paid ones.
You can start a walking group with friends instead of meeting at costly pubs. You can pack a flask and snacks to make it more fun. You can host film nights at home rather than paying cinema prices.
Conclusion
There are no fancy apps needed or money expertise to start today. The majority of these tricks require only a couple of minutes to prepare, but are rewarded for over a year. Just an extra £3 a day will save you more than £1,000 a year. You cling to these means to receive long-term benefits.