Technics 1210
Test Debutant
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2019
- Runs
- 15,012
So I thought I start this thread to share ways on how to save money during the cost of living crisis we're all living in.
Not all the tips will appeal to everyone, but every little helps!
What I found to be extremely helpful is to download my monthly statements and export to Excel which then allows me break down my expenditure.
My top 3 spending destinations:
Playstation Network
Tescos
E-Liquids (Vape shop)
I use a Halifax debit card, and Amex charge card. No credit purchases. The real value however is I look for deals on my Halifax/Amex to see where I can save money.
Example, the other day Amex had an offer of 50% off on up to £100 on Dropbox bills. I was paying £9.99 a month (£120 a year), then switched to annual subscription which was £100, paid by Amex, and my final cost was £50 for the year, instantly saving £70.
Then there's Netflix. I was on the premium subscription £15 a month, but have a habit of binge watching shows. Came to the realisation that after binging, I had to wait a month or 2 for the next binge session. So I cancelled my Netflix and plan to reactivate my account in December, by then there'd be more shows to binge and in the mean time I have saved £45 in 3 months already.
Playstation Network, I was spending between £300 to £400 a month on games, but signed up to PS Premium which costs £99 a year and can play AAA titles for 'free'.
Then I have nice to have items like Lego, I wait for double VIP points week, make the purchase, and then redeem the VIP points for discounts.
Mobile phone wise, SIM only and buy the phone separately. Far more cost effective.
For day to day groceries, my Mrs works at Tescos and she recieves a 15% discount for 72 hrs after pay day, yup, we stock up once a month, and also earn/ cash in club card points. (I was never into loyalty programs but now I have the bug!)
Then there's travel, with London, public transport isn't an issue, and I now take the bus (£1.55 one way), and avoid car and train where possible compared with a Travelcard cost and fuel.
I am now more inclined to go for an annual payments where possible, like home and car insurance, and this can save up to 20% when compared with 12 monthly payments.
Then there are news subscriptions like FT, DT, Times. This was costing me nearly £70 a month, so I switched to Apple News subscription for £9.99 a month which also includes 100s of Magazines, like Empire, Stuff, Wired, Hello, etc. All family share subscriptions too, excellent value for money.
My favourite tip (this is from 2008) for men who shave, I am sure you use shaving cream/gel and buy blades. Both expensive. But I discovered hair conditioner is far more effective! Hair becomes soft and there's less stress on the blades. Now my blades last twice as long, and I haven't bought shaving cream/gel since 2008!
Of course the above tips may not apply to everyone but thus far I have managed to save between £350 to £400 a month, and still trying to find ways where I can save.
What saving tips can you share?
Not all the tips will appeal to everyone, but every little helps!
What I found to be extremely helpful is to download my monthly statements and export to Excel which then allows me break down my expenditure.
My top 3 spending destinations:
Playstation Network
Tescos
E-Liquids (Vape shop)
I use a Halifax debit card, and Amex charge card. No credit purchases. The real value however is I look for deals on my Halifax/Amex to see where I can save money.
Example, the other day Amex had an offer of 50% off on up to £100 on Dropbox bills. I was paying £9.99 a month (£120 a year), then switched to annual subscription which was £100, paid by Amex, and my final cost was £50 for the year, instantly saving £70.
Then there's Netflix. I was on the premium subscription £15 a month, but have a habit of binge watching shows. Came to the realisation that after binging, I had to wait a month or 2 for the next binge session. So I cancelled my Netflix and plan to reactivate my account in December, by then there'd be more shows to binge and in the mean time I have saved £45 in 3 months already.
Playstation Network, I was spending between £300 to £400 a month on games, but signed up to PS Premium which costs £99 a year and can play AAA titles for 'free'.
Then I have nice to have items like Lego, I wait for double VIP points week, make the purchase, and then redeem the VIP points for discounts.
Mobile phone wise, SIM only and buy the phone separately. Far more cost effective.
For day to day groceries, my Mrs works at Tescos and she recieves a 15% discount for 72 hrs after pay day, yup, we stock up once a month, and also earn/ cash in club card points. (I was never into loyalty programs but now I have the bug!)
Then there's travel, with London, public transport isn't an issue, and I now take the bus (£1.55 one way), and avoid car and train where possible compared with a Travelcard cost and fuel.
I am now more inclined to go for an annual payments where possible, like home and car insurance, and this can save up to 20% when compared with 12 monthly payments.
Then there are news subscriptions like FT, DT, Times. This was costing me nearly £70 a month, so I switched to Apple News subscription for £9.99 a month which also includes 100s of Magazines, like Empire, Stuff, Wired, Hello, etc. All family share subscriptions too, excellent value for money.
My favourite tip (this is from 2008) for men who shave, I am sure you use shaving cream/gel and buy blades. Both expensive. But I discovered hair conditioner is far more effective! Hair becomes soft and there's less stress on the blades. Now my blades last twice as long, and I haven't bought shaving cream/gel since 2008!
Of course the above tips may not apply to everyone but thus far I have managed to save between £350 to £400 a month, and still trying to find ways where I can save.
What saving tips can you share?
