A NEW year is always a good time to get into new habits.
If money feels tight after 2020, you may want to think about how you can rein in your spending during the next 12 months.
Here are some small changes you can make which will result in big savings over time.
Supermarket switches: How many branded products do you buy on your weekly shop? Switching to “own brand” on as many items as you can, or using a comparison tool such as MySuper- market to find the best prices for certain goods, could soon save you a fair amount of dosh over the course of the year.
Make a change: Both Lloyds and Halifax bank members can take advantage of a Save The Change scheme.
This plan makes saving happen practically unnoticed, by rounding up amounts spent using your debit card to the nearest £1 then transferring the difference into a savings account. For example, if you spend £2.20, 80p will be added to your savings.
Monzo users can also make use of a similar feature.
If you aren’t a member of one of these banks, you can also download an app called Moneybox to do the change- saving for you.
Check your post: Make sure you keep an eye on your letterbox.
Lots of leaflets posted through your door will have discounts, offers and vouchers for local retailers.
What may be easily seen as junk mail may actually include money off at nearby supermarkets, takeaway offers, discounted eye tests and vouchers for local restaurants — when they’re open, depending on what tier you are in.
All change: If you’re spending cash, you can also save change the old fashioned way, for a kitty that tots up over the year.
Every time you break a note, put the change into a piggy bank or deposit box.
You will be surprised by how much it will add up over 12 months and it may even come in handy for next Christmas, when hopefully we’ll all be out and about celebrating more than the one just gone.
- Prices correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
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