Here’s some easy ways to get you started on cutting the cost of your expenses. A penny saved is a penny made!
- Buy past ‘best before’ dates – Unlike ‘use by’ dates, ‘best before’ dates are based on the food quality, not safety. The Approved Food website can help you on this – they legally sell groceries close to (or past) their best before dates that are still safe to eat.
- Food shops in the evenings- After around 6pm, the majority of supermarkets start heavily reducing prices for food they need to get rid of by the end of the day. You should still make a list, but if you’re flexible on brands and flavours, you could bag fresh produce that’s still perfectly fine to eat, just a lot cheaper.
TOP TIP – Don’t go food shopping on an empty stomach, you’ll end up buying food on impulse.
- Shop for own brand – Swapping branded products for own brand alternatives is an easy way to cut the price of your shopping bill – from cereal and pasta, to oven chips and washing up liquid. If you’re worried about the taste not being as good, ‘blind’ test them out on the family first! If they don’t notice the difference, you’re onto a winner.
- Speak to the cancellations department – Do you have a phone, broadband or TV subscription due for renewal? Explain to your provider that you’re taking your business elsewhere unless they beat the cheapest alternative. This sounds like blackmail but, trust us it always works!
- Sign up to those loyalty schemes – They can be a great way of earning extra cash or rewards from brands you love.
- Don’t splurge on payday – it sounds harder than it is! We’ve all been there, payday comes and you splash the cash, then next week you’re regretting buying that random household gadget you saw on Amazon that you most definitely didn’t need. Try putting a percentage of your income away or make a monthly budgeting plan so you’re not left with peanuts before pay day.
- Empty the loft – The place where everything and anything gets dumped! But when was the last time you used anything from in your loft? Have a clear out and turn unwanted items into cash by selling them online. It’s always good to declutter.
- Switch bank accounts – Some banks offer incentives for you to switch accounts and save with them instead.
We hope these tips will come in handy for you, they’re just to help you start your money saving journey!
