Any genius money-saving tips I’m missing?

[LauraWilliam]

I’m on a bit of a “tighten the belt” mission at the moment – trying to cut back on the little things that somehow end up costing a fortune by the end of the month. I already do the obvious bits: meal planning, switching stuff off at the wall, shopping own-brand… but I feel like there must be loads of small hacks I’ve not thought of yet.

What’s your absolute best real-life tip for saving money? The kind that actually works in day-to-day life, not the “give up coffee forever” type advice that sounds good but never sticks.

Would love to hear what works for you – bonus points if it’s something I can start doing today without spending more upfront!

Check with your utility company if they do something like EDF, where you sign up for the saver thing (sorry my memory eludes me), if you use minimum electricity between 4-7pm you get free electric/credit on a Sunday. I think quite a few do this.

Change providers, b/band, mobile, utilities, insurance - shop around. I recently changed b/band to a cheaper supplier and they paid to get me out of the contract I was in.

Slow cooker - I am no good at meal planning and batch cooking etc, I never stick to it. With slow cooker I stick everything in on a morning and because it's done when I get in I kind of have to eat it.

charity shop or vinted clothing, you can get some really good stuff - and selling on Vinted/ebay, if you don't use it make some money from it

Check all your subscriptions, make sure you use stuff you get free, for example, with amazon prime you get deliveroo plus silver, if you have a monzo account, certain accounts get you Uber subscription for free, you have music on amazon prime - if you pay for spotify, things like that

I do the edf Sunday saver (when its on). If your switching providers use a code from some one (ds used mine and we both got £50 credit).

I do the usual batch cook, meal plan. I also only shop every 10 days. This started in covid when I couldn't get a slot every week. I can sometimes go longer. You have to be organised but id definitely saves me money. I meal plan but then do the meals according to best before dates. I have tinned, frozen and dries fruit/veg. Freeze milk and bread. I do an online shop because I cant physically shop in store now which I think helps keeping to budget but dont get the yellow stickers (might need to check for deals).

In November I did a bank switch to Lloyds got £175 and Disney plus for a year (which saved me subscribing to another service). I think im going to do a bank switch every November (payed for lots of the Christmas presents last year).

If your on benefits or disabled you may be able to get capped water rates or fixed broadband price.

Sim only rolling contracts are great we had lebara and swapped to smarty when they were doing an offer.

I have a note in my app which lists all my income and outgoings, with dates I need to check when I may get a better deal. Also I have separate bank accounts so that I know what money is needed for the bills, therefore not getting any charges/late payments.

Surveys bring in a little money and also do competitiondatabase.co.uk which although not won loads over the years I've had a £1000 shopping centre voucher, chocolate hamper, crisps, books, candles, skin sets, bbq, some have been useful, some I've sold and some used as gifts.