How to spend less on everyday costs

Before you move in

• Check any DIY that needs doing, like clogged gutters, doorbell not working or carpet stains and loose door handles
• Ask for these small problems to be fixed before you move in
• Think about moving somewhere else if there are serious problems like damp, mould, leaks, and faulty electrics
• Try haggling with the landlord on rent. You do not need to take the first price you are given
• You could back up your request with facts. Such as it being expensive for travel in that area, the crime rate in the neighbourhood, or noisy neighbours
• Think about renting with other people to split the cost of rent and bills. You could always ask to be charged less if you take the smaller room
• Consider renting without furniture and find what you need for cheap or free

After you move in

• Make sure you get meter readings for gas, electric and water the day you move in. This is so you don’t get charged for usage from previous renters
• Get the best deal on your electric and gas bills by switching supplier or to a cheaper tariff
• It sounds obvious, but being a polite tenant and keeping a good relationship with your landlord goes a long way

Before you move out

• Light wear and tear is normal when a place is lived in. But some landlords will try to keep your deposit if the home is not exactly like when you moved in
• Give the house a deep clean
• Take photos to show it is in a good condition

How can I protect myself from an untrustworthy landlord?

• Check they are National Landlord Association (NLA) accredited by contacting your local council or the lettings agency
• Check your tenancy agreement lists all the information it must do to be legal. These are things like the agreed rental price, the deposit amount and when it can be held back, and the names of all people involved
• Keep a copy of the tenancy agreement to check if you ever have problems

You can apply for your council tax payment to be reduced if:

• You live on your own or the only other members of your household are full-time students, apprentices or have certain health conditions
• You are above pension age and meet other criteria
• Someone in your house is disabled and you have adapted your property
• You are on a low income or benefits

Each council has different schemes. Check with your council to find out if you can apply for a discount.

Insurance is important when you drive or own a home, but there are ways to cut the costs.

Check your bills

• Keep track of what you are charged each month
• You have a right to complain and switch providers if the price rises
• Set reminders on your phone to check renewal prices before the contract runs out
• Renewing the policy often costs more, so you could save money by switching providers

Ask the company for a better deal

Haggling on price can make many people nervous or uncomfortable. But if you don’t ask, you will not get!

1. Gather details of the deals you found
2. Call your provider and tell them you are thinking of switching
3. Ask them to match or beat the other deals you found

This can often work.

Don't wait to switch to a better deal

Make the move if:

• You find a cheaper insurance policy with a different provider
• Your current provider cannot match it

Switching is straightforward. But be careful of paying extra to stop a policy early. Then you do not need to worry about it again until your next renewal.

Looking at your monthly bill can help you:

See patterns in your energy usage

• How much are you actually using?
• When are you using it the most or least?
• What appliance or time seems to be costing the most?

See patterns in your energy usage

• How much are you actually using?
• Can you lower your heating thermostat or turn down radiators?
• Are there times of the week where you can do less washing?

Make sure you are paying the right amount

• Are you being charged the right rate?
• Is it the tariff you signed up for?
• Do any amounts seem way too expensive?

Save when washing clothes

• Try doing one less machine wash per week
• Only put the machine on with a full load
• Check your tariff for any off-peak hours where using the machine will cost less
• Set the temperature to 30°C. This is often the setting for most 30 minute ‘quick’ washes
• Try a slower, more energy-efficient ‘eco cycle’ setting
• Hang dry instead of tumble drying. Or only tumble dry awkward items like bedsheets and towels

Save on your heating

Make sure your heating system is in top shape

• Bleed your radiators once every year
• Keep the area around your radiators clear so heat can move around the room
• Think about putting a heat reflector behind your radiators if your home is not well insulated
• Check your boiler pressure. It should be between 1 and 2 bar when the heating is on and 1 to 1.5 bar when it is off
• Get your boiler serviced every 12 months

Turn the temperature down

• Turn your thermostat down by one degree
• This could save you around £100 a year

Hack your central heating

• Check your thermostat turns on the heating at a sensible temperature
• Think about getting smart valves for each radiator so you can control them separately
• If you have smart controls, set up the app on your phone so you can turn the heating off when you are not home
• And when you want your home to be warm when you get in, the app can do that too
• Ask a plumber or heating engineer if any of your pipes are worth insulating with tubes

Energy providers compete with one another to offer the best deals. They sometimes offer big discounts to new customers. Keep a close eye on the comparison sites.

Here are a few things to think about before you switch.

Are you on a fixed term contract?

Most suppliers charge an exit fee if you leave a fixed term contract early.

Make sure your exit fee is less than what you save when you switch.

An Ofgem Confidence Code accredited comparison site can tell you:

• If leaving your current supplier is better for you
• Even with the exit fee

Are you living in a rented property?

Some rental contracts say you cannot change supplier. This is unfair and is actually not legally binding. Your landlord or letting agent cannot stop you changing supplier.

But, you should ask your landlord before changing from a normal meter to a prepayment meter.

Do you have a prepayment meter?

You can still switch energy suppliers and transfer debts of up to £500.

You must use the prepayment meter with your new supplier until you pay off the arrears.

Can you get a better deal from your current gas or electricity supplier?

Most companies offer a discount for paying by Direct Debit.

Or, if you get your gas and electricity from different suppliers, you could switch if one offers a dual fuel discount. Contact your supplier to find out.

Utility switching in Northern Ireland

Energy comparison sites in the UK will not work if you live in Northern Ireland.

To compare tariffs you will need to visit the Consumer Council website

Batch cook, stick to a strict shopping list, make the most of coupons and special offers. These small changes, and more, all add up. You can eat well and spend less.

It is tempting to cut your food costs. But you should never cut back too much.

Meal planning and cooking to save money on food

Using up what you have in

It sounds obvious, but it can make a difference. If you base your meals around what you have already, you might be able to:

• Buy less each week
• Base your meals on cheaper store cupboard items with lots of carbs and protein

Take note of any:

• Tinned foods
• Dried foods such as rice, noodles and pasta
• Sauces
• Frozen foods
• Fresh food that will go off soon

Making food go further

Getting more than one use out of a meal can save you money. You start off with one basic meal and add things to it to make it into a different meal.

You could try:

1. Start with classic mince and potatoes. Vegan mince works just as well
2. Then add tomatoes, herbs and pasta to turn it into a spaghetti bolognaise
3. Then add more vegetables, beans and cheese to turn it into a pasta bake
4. And then if you still have some mince left over: Add some spices and tortilla chips to make a chilli

There are lots of budget chefs on social media who make videos about finding supermarket deals, making the most of your freezer, and reducing waste.

Batch cooking

This means cooking enough to make multiple meals. It only really works if you have a freezer. You freeze your meals so they are there when you need them.

It can help you by:

• Saving time during the week
• Saving money on energy bills - as you cook in one go
• Using up food before it goes off
• Making the most of multi-buy offers

Spending less at the supermarket

It is far too easy to spend more than you mean to. Supermarkets have been planned out to make you do that. Try these tips.

• Keep to a carefully planned list
• When you have checked what you have in you can make a list of what you need
• Stick to the rule: If it isn't on the list, you are not buying it
• Don't be tempted by special offers
• Don't guess what you have run out of - that is an easy way to buy too much

Use coupons and loyalty points

Before you go shopping:

• Check for any special offers on supermarket websites
• Also check websites for products you buy a lot

A lot of supermarkets have loyalty cards. By using them, you can:

• Get some items cheaper
• Earn points as you shop
• Cash in points when you need to use them

As with all special offers, only use coupons on items that you know you need.

Make a note of prices

Make a note of what you spent on each item.

Over time, you will remember what you needed to spend each week. This will help you plan ahead and keep your budget up to date.

Buy healthy foods that fill you up for longer

Some foods release energy more slowly. They make you feel less hungry. And they are full of goodness. Such as:

• Porridge oats
• Pulses, such as beans and lentils

Sometimes we treat clothes as a luxury, but they are a necessary living cost. By following these simple tips, you could spend less on clothing and find managing your budget easier.

Keep track of what is in your wardrobe

There will be items in your families’ wardrobes that you do not need or wear. Here is what you can do:

Sell anything you have not worn in a year

• Except formal outfits for weddings or job interviews
• Put the money towards your debts or into a savings account

Set aside clothes you want to keep

You want enough outfits to get you through a typical week.

• Can you make 7 outfits from the clothes you put aside?
• Can you wear 3 of these to work?

Try putting your clothes on hangers instead in drawers. This makes it easier to plan outfits and keep track of what clothes you have.

Invest in a bobble remover

• Remove frays or ‘bobbles’ from wool coats and sweaters
• Takes years off a garment and makes it look new
• Bobble removers are cheap on the high street and online

Find bargains with pre-loved clothes

Why not try your local charity shop?

Most charity shops pride themselves on selling high quality items. Go to charity shops with an open mind. Look at the clothes you have at home. Think of colours and fabrics that will match.

Look out for items that can go with many pieces of clothing. Like a good pair of jeans or a smart jacket.

Sometimes high street stores donate extra clothes to local charity shops. They might cut the labels out of clothes before they donate them. Look out for this, it could be something brand new that is cheaper than its original price!

Get to know the volunteers in the charity shop and let them know what you look for. They may keep an eye out for things you want.

Tips for buying clothes online

Try it on in store first

• There may be fees to send it back when bought online
• Check clothes for faults like loose buttons or holes

Be mindful of clothing sizes when buying vintage or older garments

• Clothing sizes have changed over time
• An older size might feel a bit of a squeeze

Look out for fees and postage costs

• It might look like a bargain but places like Vinted and Depop have extra fees
• Add up how much it will actually cost you once postage costs and things like ‘buyer protection’ are added on

Planning and shopping around can help.

Find out if your school has support for struggling families

Your local council may help with school uniforms and PE kits. Visit their website to find out more.

You may qualify for a school uniform grant if you live in:

• Scotland
• Northern Ireland
• Wales

Visit GOV.UK for more information

Governing bodies or parents’ associations may have financial support or advice about school uniforms. You can find this at the school or on their website.

Trade union members may qualify for a school uniform grant. Get in touch with your union for more information.

Other ways to cover the cost of school uniforms

When you are on a long-term debt solution, your budget has a section for clothing. Try to set aside some money every month towards school uniform costs.

We know how often families need to replace uniforms that no longer fit!

Find out what your child’s school requires

Some items must fit specific guidelines, like:

• The school blazer
• Jumpers with school badges
• 'Official' colour shades and materials

Other things are more flexible like:

• Shorts
• Skirts
• Polo shirts
• Non-branded PE kits

You can buy these in your local supermarket for a reasonable price.

Does the school sell their logo as a patch?

• Stitch it onto items like blazers and jumpers instead
• This is cheaper than buying things with the logo already on

Put your child’s name on their clothing

• Name tags cost a few pounds, but replacing lost clothing costs more
• You can also write their names on the inside label with a marker pen

Travel costs can take a big chunk out your monthly budget. But there are some ways to spend less on public transport.

Bus and train travel discounts

If you rely on buses and trains to get around, these tips might help you save money.

Find out if you qualify for a discount bus pass

You may be able to get one if you are:

• Over 60
• Have a disability
• In full-time education
• Aged between 16-25
• A full-time carer who travels with the person you care for

You need to check your local bus company's website as they all have their own rules.

Children under five may be able to travel for free on many services.

Research railcards

Railcards can help you save up to a third on your train travel costs.

You may be able to get one if you are:

• Over 60
• Have a disability
• In full-time education
• In the armed forces
• Under 25

You may have to pay upfront for some railcards. If you use the Railcard often enough, you should soon make that money back in savings.

Some local train operators run their own railcard schemes. Check with their website to see what they offer.

Is a season ticket a better investment?

A season ticket means you pay ahead for daily travel tickets and get them cheaper. You can usually pay for tickets for the week, month or year ahead.

The more you pay for in advance, the cheaper the tickets will be. So, if you can afford to pay for this upfront, it can be a good deal.

Some companies now offer more flexible options. There may be some that suit you if you do not have to travel every day of the week.

You can also make savings at the weekend as you have already paid for your transport.

Some employers also offer loans to cover travel to and from work. They take the money from your wages each month, before tax.

They can often be cheaper than normal season tickets.

Look out for seasonal deals

During school breaks and bank holidays there can be some great offers.

• Some coach companies offer fares as little as £1
• Some local operators also offer cheap group tickets for adults and children

Book train tickets in advance

It is often much cheaper to book well ahead. Especially if you are travelling to London or another big city.

Do check there are no booking fees that bump up the final price.

Check online for discount codes

The best deals are often only available for a short time.

• Sign up for train operator emails
• Follow their social media accounts
• You can set up alerts to grab the codes early

Save money on taxis

If you rely on taxis, these tips might help.

Share cabs where you can

If you live near someone who travels the same way as you, share a cab. There are also apps that help you find people to share with to lower the cost of the fare.

Make the most of rewards

Some taxi firms offer:

• 'Refer a friend' codes
• Loyalty points
• Money back for good reviews

Ask for flat rates for long-distance

This can be cheaper than paying by the mile or the hour. But you may need to pay these upfront.

Ask for a cheaper deal as a regular

Many local taxi firms will offer deals for people who use them a lot. It is always worth asking!