Now is the perfect time to get frugal, tighten the purse-strings and make some super savings by getting savvy with our outgoings. We’ve pulled together some moola-saving tips to make that December pay packet stretch a little further.
Try a zero-spend day
Take a day off from spending one day a week and put anything you would have spent on lunch, coffee or a takeaway straight into your savings. Every little helps!
It requires a bit of planning and meal prep but it’ll help you evaluate your impulse spending habits which could be a real money-saver in the long run.
Question your impulse buys
Ask yourself, ‘do I really need this’ before you buy something. If the answer is no, walk away – safe in the knowledge that you are a pennywise & unshakeable force of nature.
Do dry Jan
Kick the boozy weekends to the curb and save some dollar instead. The bubbles might not be flowing but your bank account will be. Ka-ching-a-ling-ling.
Ditch the daily coffee
It’s a £3 a day habit that adds up to over a £1,092 a year.
It’s a £3 a day habit that adds up to over a £1,092 a year. Enjoy a homemade cup of Joe and save the planet while you’re at it. You can still treat yourself to a barista-brewed latte once in a while and enjoy it all the more.
Access your beauty-buying habits
Beauty products and nail appointments come with a hefty price tag. If you’re keen to make the pennies go further, consider swapping high-end brands for supermarket savers and brands on offer. You can even make your own exfoliator using coconut oil and sugar. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Get thrifty
Buy second-hand to save money, the sales may seem like you’re getting a good deal but if you didn’t need it in the first place, you’re still quids down.
Do an at-home workout
Save on the spenny gym membership and work out from the comfort of your own humble abode, instead. The gym is packed with over-zealous weight lifters in January anyway – JOMO is where it’s at!
Learn to budget
Sit down and work through your spending habits. It doesn’t mean all the fun has to end, it just means getting smart with your priorities and learning to live within your means.
It doesn’t mean all the fun has to end!
Subtract your monthly outgoings from your monthly income and create a spreadsheet for the rest of the month. That way you can see exactly where your money is going, what you can cut down on and where you can save.
Switch energy suppliers
Shop around and make sure you compare tariffs across the market. You may even be able to negotiate with your current energy supplier for a better deal and save money in the process. Barter away, fellas.
Clear out the clutter
January is the perfect time to Marie Kondo the hell out of your wardrobe and your home.
Marie Kondo the hell out of your wardrobe and your home
Unwanted clothes can go on Depop or you can even upload items on Instagram and ask your followers to get in touch if they want an item, hold a rail sail at your house or clear out household items and furniture on Facebook Marketplace.
Get savvy with deals
Collect money-off coupons and follow brands on their social media channels so you’re aware of the current promotions they’re running.
Delete your card details
ASOS, Topshop, H&M – the check-out always remembers your card deets doesn’t it. How very convenient! Wipe them off. Delete immediately. You’ll think twice about buying that new jumpsuit if you have to actually, ya know, move off the sofa to find your purse.
Downgrade your phone plan
If you’re not getting through your minutes each month, you could review your phone plan. Downgrade for a few months to save some moola and review your savings again when you’re better off.
Use budgeting Apps
Monzo allows you to categorise your spending into groups such as shopping, transport, health and bills to make it easy to see where your money is going. The summary tab gives you an overview of what you’ve spent in each category each month.
By setting spending limits for each category, you can avoid running out of money at the end of the month. You can also keep an eye on your day-to-day spending and the App will let you know if it looks like you’re going to run out of money.
The Automated Savings feature makes it easy to set aside money every time you spend and Roundups automatically put your spare change from a payment into savings, like a digital coin jar for a rainy day. So if your coffee costs £3.20, Monzo will take £4 out of your account and add the change to the pot.
