Money-saving experts are giving Brits twenty-two fresh ways to save some serious cash this year.
The thrifty team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk are encouraging Brits to tighten their belt this January and pick up habits to make the year ahead less financially stressful.
Tips to save some dosh include preventative steps like leaving your wallet at home, practical ways to get more out of items and getting creative to save cash by making products at home.
Frugal families could save big time by getting tricksy with the toilet cistern, using the library instead of buying new books, switching up shopping habits and going eco to save some precious pennies.
Experts at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “January is often one of the tightest months money-wise. People are still paying for Christmas expenses or trying to recover as quickly as possible from it.
“People cut their spending right down, only splashing out on absolute essentials, so we thought we would share some ways to reduce bills, spend a little less on bits around the house and reduce the cost of food.
“Whether you pick up two, or all twenty-two of the tips, we hope the year ahead is full of savings.”
NetVoucherCodes‘ 22 ways to save money this year:
- Get the most out of items that come in tubes by cutting them open when they are towards the end. This is great for getting the last dregs of toothpaste or puree in tubes.
- Plastic food bags are used daily in most households, but they normally end up in the bin. Do your bit for the planet and your pockets by washing them out thoroughly and using them again.
- The freezer can be a saviour for any uneaten loaf or bagel however, they often defrost feeling a little soggy, or worse, stale. To get around this, instead of defrosting out on the side, pop them on top of the toaster and pop it on for a short while.
- Plastic food bags are on the list again, but this time to save space in the freezer, they take up less space so you can get more in.
- Whilst talking about freezers, stocking up is usually a good idea. They go easier on electricity and are cheaper to run when full.
- When filling the kettle, only pour in enough water needed for your cuppa, savings can be made on the water and electricity bill. Doing it once or twice won’t add up to much, but it will across the whole year.
- Another water hack for those with older loos includes putting a brick inside the cistern so that less water is needed to fill to flush
- Money can be made in the months after Christmas by selling or exchanging any unwanted Christmas presents. Having a clear out to make room for the new and selling it online is another great way to boost funds.
- Switching to discount ranges or supermarket own brands can make such a difference in expenditure. If you can’t live without certain brands, pick branded products carefully or shop smart for three weeks out of the month.
- Direct debits get lost on bank statements between our day-to-day purchases. Sit down and crack on with cancelling any unnecessary direct debits. Get into the habit of logging into your online bank account once a month and making sure you’re not shelling out for services you don’t use.
- Instead of buying straight from a shop or brand when seeing an item of clothing, do some sleuthing. Online re-selling sites often have popular, legitimate clothes and accessories listed. Search the exact brand and product name with your fingers crossed. If nothing comes up, many let users set up alerts telling you the next time an identical object goes live.
- Most women have smashed a pressed makeup powder or compact so badly it is unusable. Instead of going out to re-buy the costly product, set the smashed powder back into its container by crushing and mixing it with rubbing alcohol to stick it back together.
- No matter how tempting it gets, avoid signing up to the gym. Memberships aren’t cheap and there is a great array of videos online for both beginners and intermediates. They are free and the only thing they require is self-motivation.
- Meal planning can save quite a few pennies and avoid shelling out loads on tempting takeaways. Only shopping for ingredients needed that week will also help reduce food waste, as everything you buy will be eaten.
- Avid readers of books, magazines, specialist journals and newspapers can retain their savings by picking up books from the library instead of shopping in costly bookstores or online.
- Instead of rebuying clothes that have faded or getting rid of clothes you hate the colour of, dye them instead. There are plenty of colour options and available to pick up in most large supermarkets.
- Wise up to little purchases when out and about by leaving your purse or wallet at home or the office when nipping out and about In the warmer months it is tempting to spend money on ice creams, in the cold hot drinks are always tempting and whatever the weather, it’s hard to resist a trip to the pub on the way home.
- There are plenty of guides online that talk through the steps of making eco-friendly and penny-saving products. From homemade cleaning detergents and soaps to candles and face scrubs, they can all be made from a few cheap extra ingredients.
- Highlighting costly shopping areas, and buying those items in bulk, either online or at a cash and carry can end up saving hundreds over the course of a year. This is especially true for items that are more expensive the smaller the size or quantity, like fizzy drinks.
- Reap in the benefits of being a regular shopper by signing up for loyalty cards and the occasional email newsletter. They often offer great discounts or a certain amount of points per pound spent and only require a bit of your personal information.
- Ditching the booze after the indulgent Christmas period is still not a bad idea, even if you hate the idea of going sober for January. Not only will it likely leave you feeling healthier, but you’ll be also saving quite a bit of cash too.
- Instead of pouring away half drank glasses of water away that have been left out for too long, give it to your plants. They won’t mind if it tastes a bit odd.
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