Budgeting Tips

Money Saving Tips: Increase your income 

• Declutter and sell things you don't use.
• Have you got the right tax code?
• Do a benefit check.
• Can you rent out a room?
• Could you increase the number of hours you work?

Money-Saving Tips: Utilities and Bills

• Negotiate your car insurance to a lower rate.
• Do you have the cheapest mobile phone contract?
• Do you need a land line?
• Change utility providers.
• Avoid monthly bank fees - move to a non packaged account.
• A water meter might be a cheaper option.
• Can you get a cheaper rate on your mortgage.

Money-Saving Tips: Shopping

• Take a break from shopping for non-essentials.
• Stop using your credit cards.

Money Saving Tips: Cutting Back

• Eat-in more often - one less takeaway per month.
• Use your car less - walk more.
• Drop a subscription (e.g) streaming service.

Money-Saving Tips: Groceries

• Shopping - consider supermarket value brands rather than the big brand names.
• Use a discounter supermarket
• Time your shopping for when supermarkets are marking down prices at the end of the day.

Money-Saving Tips: Cheaper Alternatives

• Buy second hand clothes and toys.
• Take a packed lunch.
• Go camping rather than staying at a hotel on holiday.

Money-Saving Tips: Council Tax

• Check your council tax band is not too high.
• If you are single, have you applied for the single person discount?

Money-Saving Tips: Travel

• Try driving 10 miles an hour slower than you normally do.
• Car share.
• Check out the buses.
• Use long stay park & walk/ride rather than short stay town centre car parks.

Money-Saving Tips: Power

• Only fill the kettle for the drink you are making.
• Turn off everything that is on standby.
• Turn the heating down 2 degrees.
• Use a hot water bottle, fingerless gloves and wrap yourself in a blanket if working from home.
• Only put on heating in the evening.
• Turn off radiators in rooms not being used.
• Save water - shower not bath, use water butts or save grey water for use in the garden.
• Invest in LED bulbs they last so much longer.
• Try an indoor washing line rather than using the tumble dryer.

Money-Saving Tips: Benefits

• If you're on Universal Credit and your rent increases, let them know.
• If you're on Universal Credit, you may be eligible for Council Tax Support - you'll need to make a seperate claim.