Your best savings tips

[Seiheiki]

I came out of a divorce with £20k of ex husbands debt. Over 3 years I've paid the lot, but savings accounts are pretty empty now. I have various savings accounts for many different things - renovating my house, and also professional courses.
I've picked up amazing packing and travelling tips from MN, so now I'm hoping to pick up some savings ones too.

Don’t buy/consume unnecessary stuff. I know that sounds obvious but we’re so conditioned to replacing things which are functional but scruffy. My slippers are 7 years old, they look gross, I’ve replaced the insole a couple of times, but they still work. Some of my friends have a new pair a year, that’s at least £120 they’ve spent on slippers that I haven’t. Same for my dressing gown. Resist the ‘ooh a magazine and a nail varnish’ and that’s £10 in the bank. I basically remember that once my money is spent I’ll never have it again. Loads of my friends think I’m ridiculous saving a few pounds here snd there on things but if you’re consistently frugal it adds up to £££.

Meal plan.

Give yourself a weekly budget in cash and if you run out go without!!

Put money into savings as soon as you get paid, so it’s like another bill.

I also really recommend chip (or other apps similar to it) because it takes random amounts out of my bank account that I don’t notice. The interest on it is 1.25% up to 10k, and I don’t have to think about it, it just happens!

Another good one is to have a clear out of outgrown/unwanted/unused things and sell them on eBay. I then either save the money or use it to buy replacement clothes for the DTs so it’s not really costing me anything to dress them.

Topcashback/Quidco for purchases, eBay is on there too! I’ve made a couple of grand on things I’d have bought anyway.

Put money into savings as soon as you get paid, so it’s like another bill.

This is always my top tip.
Even when we were broke I still did this, as you have to make a conscious decision to take it out, it isn't just "there" and available to spend.

Then get into habits to look after the small amounts, and it starts to add up.

There are all sort of things you can do if you want to get into it seriously - forums that share tips etc.

Definitely save a chunk on pay day and set yourself targets. Our banking app allows us to set up a target, it tells you how much you need to save daily to reach it. Often when I'm out I'll look at something, decide if I really need it, most of the time don't and then transfer the money into the savings account.

My biggest tip is to resist impulse purchases. If I want to buy something online I try to keep the item in my basket for three days before purchasing. If I still really want it after 3 days I check out. But very often I’ll decide I don’t really need it.
Similar to this is self imposed ‘no spend week’. Not buying anything that isn’t strictly essential. Even in the supermarket. Its amazing how often I chuck in a book , a new cleaning product I don’t really need, or some fancy spice mix (Waitrose, I’m talking about you!). All these little things really add up.