Welcome to our concise guide to saving money each month in the UK! Whether you aim to build an emergency fund, plan a dream vacation, or secure your financial future, we’ve got you covered.
With practical tips and insights, we’ll help you navigate the unique challenges of UK living and empower you to achieve your savings goals. From money-saving tips to budgeting to investments, we’ll steer you towards financial success without compromising on what matters most.
How much money should I save each month?
As a general rule, at least 20% of your income should go towards savings. You can do this by following the 50/30/20 rule. Under this rule, you would allocate 50% of your income to essential costs, such as rent and food, 30% to non-essential costs, such as entertainment and travel, and 20% of disposable income to savings or debt repayment.
As you gain experience, you’ll find out what amount you can save comfortably each month.
26 practical tips for saving money each month
1. Analyse your expenses
The first step to start saving money is figuring out how much you spend. Track your living expenses for a month to see what you spend your money on.
You can use an expense tracking app to connect all your bank and credit card accountsand do it for you or you can simply write your expenses down in a notebook or a spreadsheet. This will help you take a bird’s eye view of your spending habits.
2. Set clear goals
When you have specific savings goals in mind, such as building an emergency fund, saving for a vacation, or buying a new car, you’re more likely to stay motivated and disciplined in your financial efforts.
3. Automate savings
Automation is a powerful way to ensure you consistently save money each month. Set up automatic transfers from your main checking account to a separate savings account on your payday. This way, a portion of your income is saved without you having to think about it.
4. Save on your rent
Saving on rent can make huge savings that significantly impact your monthly expenses and provide you with more financial flexibility. Here are some tips to help you save on your rent:
- Negotiate with your landlord: When renewing your lease or moving into a new place, try negotiating a lower rent. Highlight your positive rental history and your willingness to sign a longer-term lease.
- Look for move-in specials: Some landlords offer move-in specials, such as a free month’s rent or reduced security deposits, which can help you save money upfront.
- Consider a roommate: Sharing your living space with a roommate can reduce your monthly rent and utilities.
5. Pay off your debt early
Paying off your debt early can be a smart financial move that saves you money on interest and improves your overall financial well-being.
Start by organizing all your debts, including your credit card bill, loans, line of credit, emergency loans alternative, mortgage payment and other outstanding balances. Make a list of each debt, the interest rates, and minimum monthly payments.
Then focus on paying off high-interest debts first. These debts tend to accumulate more interest over time, making them costlier in the long run. Allocate more money toward the debt with the highest interest rate while paying the minimum on other debts.
6. Start a side hustle to save money each month
Earning some extra income is always helpful for saving more. If you have any marketable skills such as writing, editing, digital marketing, or baking, you can use them to earn a side income. You can list yourself as a freelancer on certain websites.
7. Have ‘no spend days’
Having ‘No-Spend Days’ is a simple yet effective way to save money and be mindful of your spending habits. On these days, you commit to not spending any money on non-essential items or services.
8. Cancel unused subscriptions
Review your monthly subscriptions, such as streaming services, gym memberships, or magazine subscriptions. Cancel those you don’t use regularly or consider sharing subscriptions with friends or family to split the cost. This will help free up costs on your monthly bills.
9. Find cheaper ways of entertainment
Finding cheaper ways of entertainment can help you enjoy leisure activities without breaking the bank. Here are some cost-effective ideas for entertainment:
- Explore free events: Look for local community events, art exhibitions, concerts, or outdoor movie screenings that are often free of charge.
- Visit public parks: Spend time in public parks, where you can enjoy nature, have a picnic, or engage in recreational activities without any cost.
- DIY game nights: Host game nights with friends or family at home, playing board games or card games for a fun and low-cost entertainment option.
10. Try saving apps
This can be a great option for those wondering how to save money each month. Make the best use of technology in your savings journey. Some apps round up your online transactions and transfer the spare change automatically to a separate savings account. These small savings can add up to significant savings in the long run.
11. Limit eating out
Eating out or ordering takeout regularly can quickly drain your finances. By cooking at home and packing your lunch for work, you’ll not only save money but also likely eat healthier meals. Here is our detailed guide on how to save money when shopping for food.
12. Look for discounts & coupons
Take advantage of discounts, coupons, and promotional offers when shopping. There are numerous websites, apps, and loyalty programs that can help you find deals and save money on groceries, clothing, electronics, and more.
13. Buy second-hand
Often, you can find brilliant deals without sacrificing much in quality, leading to substantial money savings. Whether you’re exploring thrift stores for fashionable clothing or searching online marketplaces like eBay for specific items, having a keen eye will help you spot genuine bargains. The satisfaction of securing a great deal and stretching your budget can be truly priceless.
14. Keep your travels budget-friendly
You don’t have to stop travelling for the sake of your monthly savings. But try to see if you can travel on a budget. Look for websites that show you the cheapest flights to your destination. Live in hostels instead of in plush hotels while travelling. You can also save money by using local public transport while travelling.
Here is our detailed guide on how to save money for a holiday.
15. Learn about tax rebates
Research what tax rebates are available for you. Try to claim as many deductions and reliefs as you are allowed to save your taxes.
You can check out the deductions available on your expenses on the government website. You can get deductions for your uniform, professional fees, travelling, etc.
16. Avoid impulse shopping and retail therapy
Shopping online and in-store can be very addictive! But if you want to save money, you have to avoid making impulse purchases that you might regret later. Retail therapy can feel great, but it leads to lots of unnecessary purchases. Delete online shopping apps from your phone for a while and don’t visit any stores unless you need something.
17. Invest what you save
Don’t keep your saved funds idle in your savings accounts. Invest the funds into a deposit certificate, a retirement account or buying stocks. If you feel that you will need your funds shortly, keep them in a savings account. You can open savings accounts that provide a higher interest rate.
Before investing or buying stocks, keep in mind that these are subjected to market risk. So invest carefully.
18. Use your car sparingly
Try to minimise the use of your car to save on fuel. Walk to the places close to your house and try to use public transport wherever possible. This will save a lot of money on fuel and car maintenance.
19. Save electricity
Turn off the lights and the heating when you are not using a room. Make sure you switch off all electric appliances after you’re done using them. Unless it’s getting really cold, wear a jumper instead of turning on the heater all the time. You can save a lot on your electricity bill by doing these simple things daily.
20. Sell what you don’t need
Do you have some valuable stuff that you don’t use anymore? You can consider selling some of it to make extra money. Consider selling an old television, a computer that you don’t use, or even some of your furniture.
21. Pay off your credit card debt
Check if you have any outstanding credit card balances that you haven’t paid off yet. You’re charged a pretty high interest rate on your balances and by paying off your debt, you can save that amount. If you want to know how a credit card works, then here is our detailed guide on how do credit cards work. Do give it a read.
22. Review your insurance policies
Check your insurance premiums and policies to see if you can get cheaper insurance. Look at other insurance companies that may offer insurance at lower premiums. Try reducing your coverage, if you’re paying for risks that you’re not likely to face. To make sure that you’re not making any mistakes, it’s better to talk to an insurance agent before changing policies.
23. Plan major purchases in advance
Don’t buy a new phone or a new car on impulse! Plan for it months ahead to accommodate that expense in your monthly budget. Try to save even more during the months leading up to the purchase.
24. Switch your mobile phone plan
Review your mobile bills to see if you’re paying more than you need. Contact your phone company to see if there’s a cheaper plan that you can get. If not, consider changing your service provider instead. There could be some new companies in the market who are offering some great deals for promoting their new launches. Do some research and find out!
25. Check your workplace benefits
You might be eligible for some workplace benefits that you have no idea about. Talk to your employer to see what perks you are eligible for and make the best use of them.
26. Create an emergency fund
Saving for rainy days should be your top priority. Create an emergency fund to help you out during layoffs, job transitions, health emergencies, etc. Ideally, you should aim to save an amount equal to your essential expenses of 6-8 months. Keep this fund in a separate savings or bank account from which you can’t withdraw easily to make sure that you don’t end up spending it!
Start your journey today!
Saving money is a habit. Give yourself time to adjust to this new way of living and don’t rush things! Keep following these tips for saving money every month and you’ll see the results soon! You need to be financially disciplined, not adopt a too austere lifestyle!
FAQs
What is the 30-day rule for saving money?
The 30-day rule is a practice used to avoid impulse purchases. As per this rule, if you want to acquire something, you can wait for 30 days before buying it. You can follow this rule for your non-essential purchases like clothes, perfumes, bags, etc.
How to save money each month if I have a low income?
Follow the tips and advisory we have shared above to start saving whatever amount you can comfortably manage. Start small and try to increase your monthly savings over time. Consider getting another source of income like freelancing or a part-time job on weekends.
Is saving £500 a month good in the UK?
Yes, saving £500 a month in the UK is generally considered to be a good practice. Saving money regularly is essential for building financial security and achieving your long-term goals. The amount you should save depends on your individual financial situation, income, expenses, and financial goals.
Is saving £1,000 a month good in the UK?
Yes, saving £1,000 a month in the UK is generally considered to be an excellent practice for building financial security and achieving your financial goals. Saving this amount each month can put you in a strong financial position and provide numerous benefits.
Disclaimer: We are not providing financial advice. These are just tips for informational purposes. Also, we are not affiliated to any of the external parties linked, they are provided for reference only.
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