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The UK’s top 25 money saving tips revealed

22nd September 2014 Print

Discount vouchers, coupons and apps top the list of the nation’s favourite money saving tips, with half of UK adults using them to cut the cost of goods and services.  Men reckon they make the greatest savings (£693) compared with women (£504), despite the fact that women are much more likely to make use of most of the top 25 money saving tips.

The research into the nation’s money saving habits, commissioned by Gocompare.com Savings and Nisas, revealed that, people estimate that their thrifty habits save them £596 a year on average.  Smart shoppers are also saving money on their food bills by taking packed lunches to work, ditching take-outs in favour of home cooking and downshifting to a cheaper supermarket.

Women top the table for 20 of the tips, while men only out-save or equal women in five categories:  

Rank - The UK’s top 25 money saving tips

1 Use vouchers, coupons, money-off apps 

2 Take a packed lunch to work

3 Use loyalty and cashback schemes

4 Turn the thermostat down to reduce heating bills

5 Do more home cooking and batch cooking

6 Cut down on takeaway meals

7 Shop around for insurances

8 Keep a coin jar and save change

9 Switch energy supplier

10 Cut out takeaway coffee/coffee shop treats

11 Draw up a budget and stick to it

12 Plan meals, make a shopping list and stick to it

13 Downshifting to a cheaper supermarket

14 Never impulse buy – sleep on it

15 Only use cash – not cards

16 Take your own treats to the cinema

17 Buy second-hand instead of new, use sites like eBay or Freecycle

18 Review your satellite or cable subscription or cancel it altogether

19 Don’t use a tumble dryer

20 Never grocery shop on an empty stomach

21 Review your mobile phone contract or come off a contract altogether

22 Leave the car at home and walk or use public transport

23 Cut up your credit cards

24 Transfer all credit card debt to a 0% card

25 Holiday in the UK rather than abroad

For many people (42%) the basic need to save money drove their thrifty behaviour, while 33% had picked up money saving instincts from their parents.

The survey also found that while 64% of people were actively using money saving tactics, and most (62%) were happy to share their money saving efforts, over a third (35%) said they kept them secret.

When asked why they look for ways to save money, 39% said that they hate unnecessary spending, 37% genuinely need to make savings and 28% said they were on a very tight monthly budget. For 32% saving was just a habit and 18% said that they were ‘tight and proud of it’.

Claire Peate, customer insight manager at Gocompare.com, commented: “Women have in the past controlled household budgets within homes, buying the weekly shop and doing the cooking, so it’s not surprising that they top the table when it comes to money saving schemes. Men still tend to earn more, therefore would have more disposable income to spend – so it makes sense that they would save more money by using these saving tactics.

“Our survey suggests that many people are feeling under pressure to save money to make their squeezed budgets go further.  Coupons, vouchers and money-off apps are increasing in popularity and can cut the cost of a wide range of goods and services – from tins of beans, beauty treatments, driving lessons and car tyres, to meals out - helping people to save money on the things they need or want rather than cutting them out altogether.  

“Another effective way to cut costs is to shop around for better deals – whether that’s on your weekly grocery shopping, household bills, insurances or other financial products – there are some significant savings to be made.”