Money-saving tips that work

Start with the shop

Groceries are where small habits add up fastest, because you repeat them every week. A saving of a pound or two on each shop is easy to ignore, but across fifty-odd weeks it is real money, and it needs no special account or app.

• Plan the week, then write a list. Decide the meals, check the cupboard, buy only the gap. It stops the "just in case" purchases that end up in the bin.
• Compare unit prices. The price per 100g or per litre on the shelf label tells you more than the pack price, and the bigger pack is not always cheaper.
• Use loyalty prices, but compare. The CMA found that loyalty prices are generally among the cheapest but not always. Our loyalty cards guide converts points into a percentage.
• Check dates and freezer space. Food close to its date is often reduced. If you will not eat it in time, freeze it the same day, labelled with the date. A freezer full of portions you actually cook beats a bargain you throw away.
• Look for rescued food. Too Good To Go is an app where businesses sell surplus food as "Surprise Bags". You find a nearby business, pay in the app and collect in a set window. You will not know exactly what is inside.

Get things for free

Olio lets neighbours share surplus food and household items; it is a registered company and a certified B Corp, not a charity. Freegle and Freecycle are free giving-away networks for furniture, baby equipment and the rest. Freegle is a registered society run by volunteers, and it split from Freecycle in 2009.

Free is only a saving if you would otherwise have bought the thing. Before you collect anything, ask whether you have space for it and whether you will use it within a month. For larger items, check them in person and take a friend if you are collecting from a stranger's home. Giving things away works the same way in reverse: a cleared cupboard is a gift to a neighbour, and it stops you buying a duplicate next time because you can see what you own.

Check the price before a big buy

For anything over a few tens of pounds, look at the price history first, so a "sale" does not catch you out. CamelCamelCamel tracks Amazon prices over time; PriceSpy and PriceRunner compare shops. Hotukdeals collects deals shared by its community, so treat each one as a lead and check the price yourself. A useful rule is to decide your price first. If the item is cheaper elsewhere by more than the cashback is worth, the cashback was never the saving. Cashback on top of a price you were already going to pay is a bonus; see our cashback guide for how to make it track.

Check your energy deal

Ofgem set the price cap at £1,723 a year for a typical household using both gas and electricity and paying by Direct Debit, for 1 October to 31 December 2026, up from £1,663. The cap limits the unit rates and standing charges you pay, so your bill still depends on how much you use. Ofgem's announcement says fixed tariffs are available at £100 or more below the October cap. Ofgem has a guide to switching supplier and the full price cap announcement. Whatever you choose, take a meter reading on the day a new tariff starts, and keep a copy of it. If you are struggling with bills, Ofgem advises contacting your supplier as soon as possible to discuss repayment plans and financial help.

Check you are getting what you are owed

The Turn2us benefits calculator is free and run by a registered charity. GOV.UK also has a page to check benefits and financial support. A few minutes with either can matter more than any amount of coupon clipping.

Have your income, savings, rent and household details to hand before you start, because the calculators ask for them. The result is an estimate, not a decision, and you will still need to apply to the relevant body to claim. If the answer surprises you, talk it through with Citizens Advice before you apply. Nobody should feel embarrassed about asking; these schemes exist so that people claim them.

Cancel what you do not use

Subscriptions are the quiet leak in a budget, because each one is small and none shouts at you.

Go through the last two bank statements and list every recurring payment: streaming, apps, gym, magazine and software subscriptions. Cancel anything you have not used this month. You can usually rejoin later if you miss it. Also check free trials you started and forgot, since they often renew automatically. Put a reminder in your calendar on the day any new trial starts, a day or two before it ends, so the decision is yours and not the bank's. Once a quarter, repeat the exercise; the list always creeps back.

Free, impartial help

MoneyHelper is the free, impartial money and pensions guidance service run by the government-sponsored Money and Pensions Service. Citizens Advice gives free advice on benefits, debt and consumer problems. MoneySavingExpert and Which? publish consumer guides; MoneySavingExpert is part of MONY Group.

Finrato's own tools

• Budget calculator: see where the month's money goes.
• Budget planner: plan income and spending ahead.
• Inflation calculator: see what rising prices do to your money.
• Benefits checker: a first look at what you might claim.
• Cut heating bills: practical ways to use less energy.
• Economy 7: whether off-peak electricity suits you.

Scheme terms checked on 29 October 2026.