Budgeting: the boring bit that actually works

Let’s start with the basics. If you don’t know where your money’s going, it’s probably going places it shouldn’t. That random £5.99 subscription to a meditation app you used once? Yeah, it’s still coming out every month. So your first job is to get your budget shipshape.

Write down (or better yet, plug into an app) how much money you’ve got coming in and where it’s heading out each month. Divide your spending into ‘needs’ (rent, council tax, gas and leccy) and ‘wants’ (cute new phone case, Pret lunches, five streaming services when one would do).

There are some cracking budgeting apps out there now – think Emma, Snoop or Moneyhub – that link to your bank accounts and do the heavy lifting for you. They can even spot things like unused subscriptions or those sneaky price hikes in regular bills. Cancel what you’re not using, downgrade where you can, and you’ll often find a bit of wiggle room straight away.

Shop like a savvy saver

Right, let’s talk food – and more importantly, how not to spend more than you need to on it. Supermarket spending is one of the easiest areas to trim without feeling deprived. Here’s your playbook for smarter shopping:

• Meal plan like a pro: Planning what you’re eating for the week not only saves you money, it saves you time and stress when you’ve got nothing in the fridge except a jar of mustard and a questionable carrot. Stick to a weekly meal plan and write a list before you hit the shops.
• Cook in batches: Make double portions of your favourite dishes and freeze the extras. It’s far cheaper – and far less faff – than ordering in when dinner time rolls around and you can’t be bothered.
• Swap brands and supermarkets: Give the big labels a miss. Supermarket own brands are often made in the same factories, just without the fancy packaging. And don’t be afraid to shop around. Switching from your usual shop to a budget-friendly one could save you hundreds over the course of the year.
• Use apps and rewards: If you haven’t already, make friends with loyalty cards, cashback sites and food rescue apps like Too Good To Go or Olio. They’re little gold mines for discounts and freebies.
• Compare before you buy: Apps like Trolley and LatestDeals let you check where your shop is cheapest before you even put your coat on. That’s modern money-saving magic, right there.

Tame the household bills

Utilities make up a big chunk of monthly expenses, but you don’t have to accept eye-watering charges as your lot. A few smart switches can make a noticeable difference.

• Switch, switch, switch! When your broadband, phone or energy deal is coming to an end, don’t just let it roll over – go shopping. Price comparison sites like Uswitch or MoneySuperMarket make it easy-peasy to find better deals. Loyalty rarely pays with this lot.
• Get smart with energy: A smart meter shows you exactly what you’re using and when, which can be a real eye-opener. Once you know that tumble drying every towel is costing you a fortune, you might think twice.
• Think about a water meter: If you’re in a smaller household and your water isn’t metered yet, it might be worth checking if you’d be better off switching. You could be paying for more water than you’re actually using, especially if you’re not running Disney-style fountains in the garden.

A few final nuggets of wisdom

Money-saving doesn’t have to be all doom, gloom and dry toast. Once you’ve got your budget down, changed a few habits and switched providers, you’ll likely free up more cash than you expected. And don’t forget – these aren’t one-and-done tips. A regular review of your spending is what keeps your finances healthy (and helps fund little treats here and there without the guilt).

Bottom line? Small switches lead to big savings. So grab a cuppa, give your budget a boot up the backside, and let 2025 be the year you get truly money-wise.