10 Simple Ways to Save More Money Every Month

Saving money doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul of your lifestyle. In fact, making small, consistent changes to your spending habits can lead to significant savings over time. Whether you’re looking to build an emergency fund, pay off debt, or simply put more money toward your financial goals, adopting a few smart strategies can make a big difference.

Here are 10 simple and practical ways to save more money every month, without drastically cutting back on the things you enjoy.

1. Track Your Spending

The first step to saving more money is understanding where your money is going. Many people are unaware of how much they spend on things like dining out, subscriptions, or impulse purchases. By tracking your spending, you can identify areas where you might be overspending and make adjustments.

Start by recording every expense for at least a month. Use a budgeting app like Mint or YNAB (You Need A Budget), or simply jot down your purchases in a notebook. Once you have a clear picture of your spending habits, it’s easier to see where you can cut back.

Tip: After tracking your spending, look for non-essential expenses you can reduce or eliminate, such as unused subscriptions or excessive takeout orders.

2. Automate Your Savings

One of the easiest ways to save more money is to automate the process. Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account, so a portion of your income is saved before you even see it. This "pay yourself first" method ensures that saving is a priority rather than an afterthought.

You can also automate contributions to retirement accounts, or set up automatic transfers for specific goals, such as a vacation fund or emergency savings.

Tip: Start small if necessary. Even automating £50 a month can add up over time, and as your income grows, you can increase the amount you save automatically.

3. Cut Back on Dining Out

Eating out is convenient, but it’s also one of the biggest budget busters for many people. If you’re regularly dining out or ordering takeout, cutting back even a little can lead to significant monthly savings.

Instead of eating out multiple times a week, try meal prepping at home, packing lunches for work, or cooking simple dinners. Even small changes—like brewing your own coffee instead of hitting the café—can help reduce unnecessary spending.

Tip: Set a limit on how often you dine out each month and track your spending in this category. You’ll be surprised how quickly the savings add up when you cut back.

4. Cancel Unused Subscriptions

It’s easy to lose track of the subscriptions you’ve signed up for, whether it’s streaming services, gym memberships, or magazine subscriptions. If you’re not using these services regularly, they’re likely a drain on your budget.

Review your bank statements to see which subscriptions you’re paying for, and cancel any that you’re not actively using. Many services offer trial periods or low-cost options that you might not need long-term.

Tip: If you’re hesitant to cancel completely, see if there are lower-cost alternatives or share services with family or friends (many streaming platforms offer family plans to help reduce costs).

5. Negotiate Your Bills

Many people don’t realise that bills, such as cable, internet, insurance, or even medical bills, can often be negotiated. Companies want to keep customers, and sometimes simply calling and asking for a discount or promotion can lower your monthly expenses.

For recurring bills like cable and internet, shop around for competitors’ rates or call your provider and ask for a better deal. For insurance, it pays to compare quotes from different companies to ensure you’re getting the best rate possible.

Tip: If you’re uncomfortable negotiating, there are services and apps (like Truebill or Billshark) that will do the negotiating for you, taking a small fee from the money they save you.

6. Buy in Bulk for Essentials

Purchasing household essentials like toiletries, cleaning supplies, and non-perishable food items in bulk can save you a significant amount of money in the long run. While the upfront cost may be higher, buying in bulk often leads to a lower price per unit.

To make the most of bulk shopping, focus on items you use regularly and know won’t expire quickly. Shopping at warehouse clubs like Costco or taking advantage of sales at your local grocery store can also yield significant savings.

Tip: Be careful not to buy items in bulk just because they’re on sale. Only stock up on things you know you’ll use and that you have space to store.

7. Use Cash-Back and Coupon Apps

Make the most of your everyday purchases by using cash-back and coupon apps. Apps like Rakuten, Ibotta, and Honey allow you to earn cash back on your purchases, while also alerting you to available discounts and coupons.

You can also use grocery store apps that offer digital coupons, loyalty rewards, and personalised discounts based on your shopping habits. Over time, using these apps can save you money on routine purchases, from groceries to clothing.

Tip: Combine coupons, cash-back apps, and store sales to maximize your savings. Small discounts on each purchase add up over time.

8. Shop Secondhand

When it comes to clothing, furniture, or electronics, buying secondhand can save you a lot of money. Thrift stores, online marketplaces like eBay or Facebook Marketplace, and apps like Poshmark and ThredUp offer gently used items at a fraction of the original price.

Shopping secondhand is especially useful for items that don’t need to be brand-new, such as furniture or children’s clothing, which they outgrow quickly.

Tip: Before making any major purchases, check secondhand options first. Often, you can find like-new items for much less than buying brand-new.

9. Set a No-Spend Day (or Week)

A “no-spend” day or week is exactly what it sounds like—a period where you commit to spending no extra money. You only spend on essentials, such as groceries, utilities, and bills, but refrain from spending on anything unnecessary, like dining out, entertainment, or shopping.

Implementing a no-spend day or week each month can help curb impulse buying and make you more mindful of your spending habits. You’ll be surprised how much money you can save simply by taking a break from spending.

Tip: Challenge yourself to find free or low-cost activities to replace your usual spending habits during your no-spend period. Go for a walk, visit a free museum, or have a movie night at home.

10. Unsubscribe from Marketing Emails

Retailers use marketing emails to tempt you with sales, discounts, and promotions, but these emails often lead to impulse purchases that you wouldn’t have made otherwise. If you find yourself clicking “add to cart” more often than you’d like, it’s time to unsubscribe from those emails.

Removing these marketing emails from your inbox reduces the temptation to spend money on things you don’t really need, helping you save more each month.

Tip: Use tools like Unroll.Me to unsubscribe from multiple email lists at once, or manually unsubscribe from each retailer that sends frequent promotional emails.

Final Thoughts

Saving more money each month doesn’t require drastic lifestyle changes—small tweaks to your daily habits can lead to big savings over time. By tracking your spending, cutting back on non-essential expenses, and using tools like cash-back apps and automated savings, you can boost your savings without feeling deprived.

The key to success is consistency. By incorporating even a few of these strategies into your routine, you’ll be well on your way to reaching your financial goals and building a more secure financial future.

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