How to save money – 83 money saving tips
Discover how easy it is to cut the cost of everything, from rent to commuting, with our big list of tips and tricks on how to save money. A penny saved is a penny made!
Credit: Linda Bestwick (background), WAYHOME studio (left), ussr (right) – Shutterstock
From 2-for-1 cinema tickets to Amazon's secret sales website, our list of practical money-saving tips below could save you £1,000s every year.
How to save money fast
These are the best ways to save money:
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Legally buy stolen goods
Yes, we're putting heavy emphasis on the 'legal' part here. You may have seen police auctions in American TV shows, but they're a great way to save money in the UK too.
How do they work? When the police are unable to track down an item's rightful owner, they'll auction it off and give the proceeds to worthy causes. It's all legit, it's all above-board, and you can bag a bargain if you submit the winning bid.
Find out more about police auctions in our guide to buying stolen goods.
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Buy past 'best before' dates
Unlike 'use by' dates, 'best before' dates are solely recommendations about food quality, not safety.
The Approved Food website can help you cash in on this. They legally sell groceries close to (or past) their best-before dates that are still safe to consume. It's one of the best ways to save money. We slashed £55 off one shop, so there are great savings to be had.
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Food shop in the evenings
After about 6pm, a lot of supermarkets start heavily reducing prices on items they need to shift by the end of the day.
You should still make a list. But, if you're flexible on brands and flavours, you could bag fresh produce that's still perfectly fine to eat, just a lot cheaper. However, don't shop on an empty stomach. Otherwise, you'll end up buying food on impulse.
For more supermarket money-saving tips, see our guide to supermarket food shopping.
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Join secret sales websites
There are a number of sites which run limited-time flash sales on everything from designer clothes to holidays. The savings are significant but you need to be signed up to hear about the sales.
Most secret sales sites rely on word-of-mouth and are not heavily promoted. However, big retailers also dabble in this market to help clear surplus stock. A prime example (pardon the pun) is Amazon's Today's Deals section.
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Have at least one 'no-spend' day each week
Having a no-spend day is a simple yet surprisingly difficult way of saving money. When you stop to think about it, you probably spend money on at least one thing every day. It could be as small as a bus fare or a small snack while you're out and about.
Exercise some self-restraint and try to have at least one no-spend day each week. We'll let you pay for travel if it's absolutely necessary, but you could also walk and get paid to do it.
It'll take some forward planning. For example, buying food in a weekly shop. But the psychological impact of learning not to spend money should make you a lot more mindful in the long term.
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Get a Big Mac and fries for £2.99
Credit: 8th.creator – Shutterstock
Bit of a dangerous one, as when the food is this cheap, it's even harder to resist. But if you can exercise some self-control, this trick should save you some money whenever you decide to treat yourself.
All you have to do is get a McDonald's receipt, fill out a quick survey on their site, and the Big Mac and fries discount is yours. When using your McDonald's £2.99 deal, you can then use the receipt from that to keep the process going.
It's a
viciousdelicious cycle, and it's just one of the many ways you can save money at McDonald's. -
Find cheap flights
Assuming the first getaway deals you find are actually the cheapest is a rookie mistake. These prices can change in minutes!
If you have a destination in mind, you can set up price alerts with momondo. Or, you can use Skyscanner's 'Everywhere' tool to find bargain-bucket seats on flights to anywhere.
Save the Student's Content Editor, Nele van Hout, has first-hand experience of this:
As long as you know what dates you're available for a trip, you can find some awesome deals with the Skyscanner's 'Everywhere' tool – plus, you may be able to visit places you hadn't considered before.In the past, I've managed to get £20 return flights from Manchester to Milan. I had an amazing time!
Complete holiday packages can sometimes (although not always) work out cheaper overall. You can compare your prices on sites like lastminute.com.
But don't dust off your bikini until you've read our tips on getting cheap flights.
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Speak to the cancellations department
Is your phone, broadband or TV subscription due for renewal? Tell your provider you're taking your business elsewhere unless they beat the cheapest alternative.
This one works especially well with mobile phone companies. If you try to cancel your contract, you can expect to be directed to their loyalty team who have the power to offer substantial discounts to retain customers. This even works for SIM only deals. Get your poker face on and remember our tips for haggling.
It's also worth noting that this works with more than just cancellations. If you've had a poor experience with a company, get in touch with their customer service team and make it clear that you're unhappy. Knowing how to complain can get you some serious results.
Just don't go too hard on the poor person handling your query, as this probably wasn't their fault.
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Switch your broadband
You could save a lot of money by comparing broadband providers and switching to a cheaper option if possible. Before you make the switch, check the terms of your current contract to make sure there aren't any hidden costs (for terminating the contract early, for example).
Switching gas or electricity is also possible. Because of the energy crisis and recent energy price caps, the possibility of finding a much cheaper provider isn't as easy as it used to be. However, some suppliers are beginning to offer deals so it's worth checking around.
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Get £200 worth of freebies
From cloud storage to condoms, food to cocktails, if you work your way through our list of free stuff you could save yourself over £200.
There's even more free stuff available on your birthday. Your big day just got even better. -
Get cash back on almost anything
Every time you shop online, get some of your money back by learning how to use cashback sites.
TopCashback, Quidco and Swagbucks are worth joining. Between them, they cover almost every online retailer in the UK. You'll be amazed at just how much you get back.
But it's not just online shopping that offers cashback. Free food (and occasionally some cleaning products and pet food, too) can be nabbed through supermarket cashback apps.
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Haggle on your rent (and everything else)
When it comes to figuring out how to save money, you've got nothing to lose by asking for a rent reduction. If you can show you've been a good tenant (which will also help when it comes to getting your full deposit back), the odds are in your favour. It's usually cheaper and less hassle for your landlord if you stay on.
Other tactics for getting cheaper rent include paying in advance or asking for a slightly shorter contract than the usual 12 months to account for the summer holidays.
But don't stop at haggling on your rent! Anything and everything can be cut down with a bit of persuasion, as we explain in our guide to haggling.
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Use the 'skimming' trick
When you experience the thrill of money hitting your account – be it your Maintenance Loan, some birthday cash, wages or anything else – skim 10% off the top and whack it in a savings account.
If you can manage £20 a month, you'll be £240 better off at the end of the year. And if you stick it in a top-paying savings account, it could be even more.
If you're not confident you'll be disciplined enough to stash money away, set up a standing order to automatically move the cash over when it lands in your current account.
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Try the 1p Savings Challenge
If taking 10% off all incoming funds sounds like too big a commitment for you, try the 1p Savings Challenge.
The premise is simple: on day one, you save 1p. On day two, you save 2p. On day three, 3p (and so on). After 365 days (or 366 in a leap year) have passed, you'll have saved over £650!
Although the challenge is intended as a way to start saving in the new year, you can basically start whenever you want. You just have to keep up in 1p increments, and you'll save the same amount of money in the same period of time.
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Shop baby and world food aisles to save up to 75%
Supermarket international food aisles hide big savings on kitchen cupboard staples including rice, lentils, beans, spices and sauces. Foreign brands can be up to 75% cheaper. Plus, they're often more authentic than domestic equivalents in the UK.
The same applies to the baby aisle for items like moisturising lotion.
The quantities can be different, so check the price tag for the price per unit of measurement. This is the real indicator of whether something is cheaper or not. Checking it is one of the best ways to save money at the supermarket.
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Get cheap phone insurance
Credit: Jan Faukner – Shutterstock
Whether you're a serious butter-fingers or you're worried about someone stealing your phone, getting insured could save you a packet in the long run.
Insurance obviously costs money. But, compared to the cost of a new phone or getting your existing one repaired, it's nothing at all. If you're notoriously clumsy, have a pricey device or you're locked into a lengthy contract, getting insured is often worthwhile.
And don't just go with the policy that's bundled with your gadget! You can get very cheap mobile phone insurance.
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Turn your old phone into a sat nav
Yes, you can use your current phone as a sat nav too. However, that will drain your battery and put out the fire flowing through the aux cord.
Since a phone's GPS can work without a SIM card, you have the super money-saving option here to download the map and route (over WiFi) for offline use.
But, if you want live traffic updates and alternate route options, the next best thing is to get a bargain SIM card and use the data on that.
Don't need a sat nav? See how much you could make from selling your old phone instead.
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Get cheaper bus tickets
If you catch the bus every day, a bus pass usually works out cheaper than buying a ticket each time.
What's more, if you're entitled to disability support, you may be able to get free travel or funds to help you pay for a pass. Check if there are free metro bus services in your area, too.
Feeling lazy? These money-saving resources will do the hard work for you. -
Call premium rate numbers for free
If there's one thing more torturous than most companies' choice of hold music, it's the rip-off rates you pay for calling their pricey 084 and 087 numbers. Even on an inclusive call plan, they can cost over 60p a minute (including the connection charge).
If you can't avoid 084 and 087 numbers, find a cheaper alternative at saynoto0870 or download WeQ4U which will also call you back once you're connected. No more feature-length calls, or paying to stay on hold.
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Get 2-for-1 cinema tickets for less than £2
How we miss Orange Wednesdays. If you were on the network (which is now EE), you'd always get half-price cinema tickets. And even if you weren't on Orange, you'd almost certainly have memorised a list of all your friends and family who could give you their code.
The good news is that the 2-for-1 baton has been passed to Compare the Market's Meerkat Movies scheme. All you have to do is make an eligible purchase with them. The best part? It includes travel insurance, which you can usually get for just a few pounds.
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Go to the cinema during off-peak hours
Weekends and evenings might feel like the best times to watch a film, but you'll be paying a pretty penny to do so. Cinemas are known to hike their prices during these hours.
You'll often save quite a bit if you catch a movie before 5pm Monday to Thursday instead.
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Go to the cinema for free
There's only one thing better than a discount, and that's getting something for free.
One way to get free cinema tickets is by signing up for ShowFilmFirst. If your membership request is approved, you'll get the chance to receive free tickets in return for constructive feedback.
Check out our cinema hacks for more details on how to secure your free or discounted tickets.
We also know of some great ways to get free or cheap theatre tickets. -
Get a three-year railcard when you're 23
Train tickets in the UK are notoriously expensive. But if you buy or renew a three-year 16–25 railcard the day before your 24th birthday, you can enjoy a third off rail fares until the day before you turn 27.
You might be wondering why it's worth doing this when there's now a 26–30 railcard too. That's because a three-year 16–25 railcard costs just £70. That's £20 less than what it would cost to buy three one-year railcards at £30 a pop, be they 16–25 or 26–30.
You can't buy a three-year 26–30 railcard, so you may as well get the three-year 16–25 railcard at a sizeable discount while you still can.
You'll struggle to find a better way to get cheap train tickets than this.
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Don't pay for a TV Licence
If you've got top-speed unlimited broadband and use streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, you could save a bundle by ditching your TV Licence.
In fact, you may not even need a TV Licence to watch live TV or iPlayer, either.
Despite TV Licensing shouting from the rooftops that you do need a licence, we found a loophole for students that means you can still get away without paying. And yes, TV Licensing even confirmed to us that the loophole is legit.
If you do have to pay for a TV Licence, remember that you can get a refund to cover the summer months you're not at uni.
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Get a cheap gym membership
Opt for any of the big fancy fitness chains and you could be paying anything up to £80 a month – if not more. While that may incentivise you to actually go, there are lots of ways to lose a few pounds for fewer pounds.
Your university is likely to offer most of the same facilities for a fraction of the cost, with no lengthy contract. Or, you could check out Hussle for hundreds of pay-as-you-go or no-frills gyms all over the country.
Not enough for you? Get more info on how to get a cheap gym membership or check out the top ways to get fit for free.
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Get everything for five pounds
Some company names leave you scratching your head, wondering what on earth they actually do. Not so with Everything5Pounds.
Everything5Pounds sells clothes, homeware and toys for (you guessed it) around £5. Now, before you turn your nose up at the idea of buying clothes for £5, a lot of their stock is high-street quality.
Sometimes it literally is high-street quality. The site buys unsold stock in bulk and sells it to you for a fiver a pop.
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Get 100s of free photo prints
Hanging photo prints is one of the classic ways to decorate a uni bedroom. Fortunately, there's a way to do it for free.
Check out our guide to free photo printing offers and you'll find companies that will print dozens, if not hundreds of photos for you for free. All you need to pay for is postage.
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Check Amazon's secret warehouse deals
You can get almost anything for less in the Amazon Warehouse. But of course, what's actually on offer varies at any given time.
These heavily discounted goods are typically things that other customers have returned. However, you still have the same consumer rights when it comes to stuff working properly.
Find out more in our guide on how to get Amazon Warehouse deals.
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Always compare and track prices
Take the leg work out of penny-pinching by comparing the cost of items using sites like Idealo and camelcamelcamel. These sites track prices over time and give you a good indication of whether the price tag is a good one, or if the price is likely to go down.
While camelcamelcamel only tracks prices on Amazon, Idealo has data for hundreds (if not thousands) of online retailers. This means that as well as tracking the cost over time, you can also use Idealo to find where it's available at the lowest price.
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Watch gigs and events for free
Events newsletters can be worth signing up for if they get you early-bird discounts on your favourite gigs.
Keep an eye on giveaways for TV and radio shows. The BBC regularly hosts big-name musicians, while ITV and other channels offer free tickets, including for jackpot-heavy gameshows.
And we have loads of tips on getting cheap concert tickets in our dedicated guide.
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Use discounted gift cards at big chains
Ever been given a gift card for a shop that you never go to? You're not the only one. People are so keen to get rid of these vouchers that they're willing to sell them for less than their worth.
eBay is probably the main marketplace for buying and selling gift cards. They have vouchers for some shops with discounts as big as 20%.
Retailers like Tesco have also been known to have sales on gift cards (like 15% off). We'll almost certainly let you know if they've got one going, so check out our deals section for the latest offers.
It's also worth checking CDKeys as they often sell gift vouchers at reduced prices.
We list more examples in our guide to buying discounted gift cards.
Obviously, this won't save you money if you just end up impulse buying. But if there's a shop you use all the time, or you're planning to make a big purchase (like electronics), this is a great way to cut costs.
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Stop smoking (or doing drugs)
If you're a smoker, you could be burning two grand a year or more to fuel your habit.
One of the best ways to quit smoking is to use a quitting kit (patches, gum, sprays and medication). These are available for much less on the NHS.
Lots of ex-smokers swear by Allen Carr's book. Have a look in the library to read it for free.
But it's not just smoking that costs. Recreational drugs and legal highs can be just as pricey, a whole lot riskier, and often get you spending more cash on munchies and impulse buys.
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Don't pay for software
No need to panic, we're not talking about illegal downloads here. These are tips on how to save money legally.
From writing to image editing, there's always a free alternative out there. Some of them are even good enough to pass for pro products that would otherwise cost £70 and up.
Libre Office does everything Microsoft Office can, GIMP (not what you're thinking) gives Photoshop a run for its money, while Google Drive and Dropbox offer free cloud storage.
Want more? We've got a full guide to the best free software.
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Browse eBay outlets
eBay's official outlets stock all the same gear that you'll find in the high street stores, but up to a third cheaper.
Why? Because these are end-of-line, returned or ex-display items. Retailers (which include Adidas, Calvin Klein and Superdry) guarantee your quality and rights just as with full-price products. If there's something you're buying, see if you can get it cheaper from an outlet store.
And eBay's not the only place you can find these bargains! Check out our list of the best outlet stores in the UK for more incredible deals.
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Always check for eBay typos
For eBay sellers, good grammar pays. Literally.
Seriously though, it's pretty easy to make a typo, and eBay is full of them – including in the title of auctions. There are plenty of perfectly good products on the site labelled as, for example, 'sansung'. This means they won't appear in searches for 'Samsung'.
As a result, these auctions get far fewer views and therefore fewer bidders than they would with the correct spelling. Fewer bidders usually equals fewer bids, which in turn should mean lower prices.
Check out our eBay buying hacks for more details on this tip, plus many more.
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Abandon your online shopping basket
Credit: Butus – Shutterstock
This is by no means the case for all websites, or even most of them, but it's certainly been known to happen.
If you put items in your basket, then quit the website and take it no further, companies will sometimes offer you a discount via email in the hours or days afterwards. For them, it's better that you spend a little less than nothing at all.
This is also a great trick for dealing with impulse purchases. Use the extra time you've gained from abandoning your basket to decide how much you need or want the item. If you still think it's a good idea, the discount is just a cherry on top.
Our Digital Marketing Manager, Lauren Nash, is a deals expert – but even she has been surprised at the offers you can get:
I tend to know which sites offer a further discount after abandoning my online basket, but was pleasantly surprised the other day when I was offered a code from an unsuspecting website.I took a few hours to decide on my Etsy purchase and was offered 10% off, not just for one, but for both sellers' items I had in my basket. It really does pay to wait!
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Get cheap event tickets
Missed the tickets you really wanted? Avoid scammers who are out to get rich from fans by securing re-sales or unwanted bookings at a fair price. Try Twickets, a site that lets you buy and sell your seat at face value or less.
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Claim loyalty points when you shop
Get yourself a reward card and hoard points to claim money off, free treats and other discounts. At the very least, get one for your favourite supermarket.
A few of the most rewarding cards are Tesco Clubcard, Nectar Card (Sainsbury's) and Boots Advantage card. Consider sharing an account with mates to reach pay-out thresholds faster.
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Furnish your home for free
It's usually worth sticking to furnished rental properties to avoid buying (and carting around) bulky furniture and appliances. But if it's unavoidable, or you want to make an addition, freecycling is your go-to.
You'll find almost anything up for grabs on Gumtree Freebies, Freecycle.org and Preloved. Then there's always eBay for paid bargains.
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Only take cash on nights out
It's one of the well-established money-saving tips, but paying by cash really is one of the best ways to spend less on a night out.
Even the strictest, most money-conscious of us are a little free-spirited with the old debit card once we've had a few drinks. If you only take cash with you on a night out, you're sure to never go over budget.
Just make sure you factor in some funds for a late-night snack on the way home. Or not, if you're disciplined enough to save money when drunk – in which case, we admire you.
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Freeze your groceries
The average UK household bins around £700 worth of uneaten food a year! Planning meals can help you cut back on that, as can freezing food to extend its life beyond the use-by date.
There is a lot of food you can freeze, including bread, milk, pasta and wine (all your essentials, in other words). When you freeze leftovers, you've got a cheaper and healthier alternative to takeaways and shop-bought snacks, too.
Make sure you know which foods should go in the fridge and which should go in the cupboard. This will keep your food fresh for longer, which in turn will save you money.
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Save £600 on lunches
Credit: Oksana Shufrych – Shutterstock
Do you buy lunch while you're out and about three days a week? At a fiver a pop, your munching could set you back almost £600 over the academic year. And that number could be even more if you include snacks and drinks.
It doesn't take much to get organised and save money. Cook extra at mealtimes and bring in leftovers to uni, or make sandwiches the night before.
You could also get a flask to have soups, stews and hot drinks on tap for less.
Our weekly meal plan could save you £100s over the year too. -
Downshift to own-label brands
Lots of own-label goods are exactly the same as the fancy packaged stuff, but without the hefty price tag. It can be true for everything from aspirin to coffee at the supermarket. Downshifting even works for substituting overpriced designer clothes for high-street brands.
Ditching expensive brand names is one of the fundamentals when you're learning how to save money. Have a look at what you could save with our intro to the supermarket downshift.
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Sign up for our newsletter, Telegram group and Facebook page
You didn't think we'd list all these life hacks without suggesting ourselves, did you?
Sign up for our newsletter and you'll get the very best deals sent to your inbox every week.
Make sure you join our Telegram group and Facebook page too. That way, you give yourself the best chance of catching the hottest deals before they're gone.
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Sign up for free trials
Whenever possible, try before you buy. Many companies offer free trials to let you try their product or service before parting with your hard-earned cash.
If you play it right, you could take advantage of the best free trials to stream films, music and more for months without paying a single penny. Just cancel and move to a new service once the trial period is up!
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Round-up your spend
If your bank runs a 'Save the Change' scheme, it's a zero-effort way to save money. Each time you pay with a debit card, your spend is rounded up to the nearest pound and the leftover is nudged into your savings account.
Lloyds, TSB and Bank of Scotland are just a few of the banks in the UK that do it, but others do too. It's worth checking if your bank has a similar scheme.
Some app-based banks also have tools that round up your spending to help you save money. These include Monzo, Starling and more.
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Don't shop when you're hungry
It might seem to make sense to go shopping when you fancy picking up dinner. However, that's a sure-fire way to spend more than you need.
If you're feeling peckish, you're more likely to want to buy any food that takes your fancy. You might end up buying items that will go off before you have the chance to use them.
Do a big shop once a week and you'll do a much better job of avoiding impulse buys.
Check out our guide to saving money at the supermarket for more great tips. -
Click & Collect for free delivery
Lots of online retailers in the UK offer a Click & Collect service. With it, you can avoid the standard P&P and get purchases of any size delivered to a local store for free.
For example, Next, River Island and Very all offer free pick-up options. Of course, some sites like Amazon (Prime) and ASOS offer free delivery (sometimes with a minimum spend) anyway, so always compare.
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Get paid for your commute
If it's a journey you'd be making anyway, recoup the cost of your fare by playing postie while you're at it.
Sign up to Amazon Flex and check the app to see available delivery blocks in your area. Select a time that suits you and get paid to deliver items ordered through Amazon or Amazon Fresh.
You could even turn a profit and make money if you can walk or cycle the route. Especially if you use these apps that pay you to exercise and follow our tips to save money on cycling.
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Put a brick in your toilet
No, we don't mean it like that. We mean an actual brick.
Toilets use a crazy amount of water per flush. It's arguably more than is needed (presumably as a precaution, just in case there's a really tricky customer that needs dealing with).
But, if you open the cistern (the box at the back of the loo) and pop a brick in, it'll stop using so much water. This could save you money on your water bill.
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Trade-up to new gadgets
When it comes to gadgets, always have a one-in, one-out policy. Either ask for money off when you're trading in, or sell your unwanted item before buying a new one.
You can recycle old phones for cash, sell your old TV on eBay, and find a new home for just about everything else.
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Get free water at the airport
As you're not allowed to take liquids through airport security, you may find yourself buying several bottles of water in duty-free. But the truth is, you don't need to.
The ban only applies to liquids, not bottles. If you take an empty bottle through airport security (they've confirmed this is fine), you can fill it up for free using the water fountains that you'll find in most airports. This is definitely one of the best money-saving holiday tips.
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Use the library to read for free
Always got your head in a book? Or just need to do some reading for your course? Rather than splash the cash on your own copies, hit up your university library (or even your local library) and rent books for free.
In fact, free access to books and journals is one of the best free things you can get from your university.
Just make sure you return the books on time to avoid a library fine.
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Complain for cheaper rail fares
The national 'Delay Repay' scheme applies to most train operators. Any time you're delayed on a prebooked train ticket by at least 30 minutes (15 minutes on some operators), you can check if you're eligible for a (partial) refund.
You've usually got 28 days to request one, with each operator deciding how much they'll refund you and for which part of your journey.
As a guide, if your train runs an hour late (which is sadly not that uncommon in the UK), you'll get back the full cost of that bit of the journey (i.e. not the full price of a return fare, unless it's delayed both ways).
Read our guide to claiming refunds on train tickets for how to put in a claim. Or, if your gripe is with something other than punctuality (like poor conditions in the carriage, for example), learn how to complain properly and see if you can get some money back.
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Get your drinks 'on the house'
There are tons of gigs out there for mystery shopping, some better paid than others. But for this one, we're talking specifically about getting paid to go to the pub.
Serve Legal pays you for your time, your travel and any booze or bets it asks you to buy.
Keep in mind that you'll generally have to be aged 18 or 19. There's no guarantee how much work you'll get, but some students have reported earning up to £50 a trip, with bars, clubs and betting shops all on the list.
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Collect vouchers and rewards
Credit: Chermen Otaraev – Shutterstock
Complete online surveys in exchange for vouchers for major retailers, or even get free products to test. We've reviewed the best paid survey sites, and have dedicated guides to earning on Toluna, on Branded Surveys and on Swagbucks.
If you're on top of your money (and have some means to repay), you can use credit cards to not only manage your cash flow and build your credit score, but also get cashback or rewards.
Opt for a credit card that offers rewards and do all your spending on it to max out the savings. Spend £200 a month on a card that pays 1% cash back, for instance, and you'd get £24 back over a year.
Just make sure to set cash aside to repay your balance within the 0% interest period.
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Always buy own-brand medicines
Nurofen packets might look nicer than Tesco's own alternatives, but they both do the same job. This applies to all medicines, not just painkillers.
As long as the active ingredient (and the amount of it) is the same, the effect of the drug will be the same (despite a price difference that often exceeds 100%). In some cases, the medication is exactly the same, down to the last detail.
If you have any allergies, make sure you check the inactive ingredients too, just in case.
Check out our guide to cheap hayfever pills and remedies to find out how to get yours for as little as 3p per tablet.
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Barter for freebies
Bartering is a bit like haggling but with less cash involved. If there's something you have, can do or are qualified in, you could swap your time, stuff or services for things you need.
It works best with small traders or personal swaps. For example, it could include things like free gym entry in exchange for promoting them on social media, or creating artwork for a local restaurant in return for a meal out.
It can take a bit of nerve to ask in the first place, but there's no limit to how creative you get after that.
These swapping sites are the perfect places to hone your bartering skills. -
Order your cab through an app
Since Uber blew up a few years ago, a few more players have entered the game, like FREE NOW and Bolt.
Compared to traditional black cabs, you can often save around 50% on taxi rides in most UK cities and abroad. Better still, these companies often have discount codes for new customers. Click the names above to see if they have any offers available right now.
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Trim the cost of haircuts
If you really can't live without a big-name salon, find one that has a local training school or ask if your usual salon needs hair models. You may not get to choose exactly what you want, but you can shave pounds off the typical £30+ cut (or get one for free).
There are lots more tricks and tips, so check out our ways to save money on haircuts.
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Don't pay to withdraw your cash
It's tempting to just suck up the cost of using ATMs that charge, but you could be paying as much as £5 to receive your own cash. That's a 50% charge if you're taking out a tenner!
Unless it's a real emergency, you could easily save money by walking to the nearest free machine instead (Google Maps is your friend here), paying by card or borrowing from a mate.
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Get free coffees
We all have our guilty pleasures. For many of us, it's spending a few quid on a takeaway coffee on an all-too-regular basis.
Fortunately for you, we've put together a list of the best free coffee deals at all of your favourite coffee shops. These include Costa, Starbucks, Pret A Manger, Caffè Nero and more.
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Or get a discounted drink from a coffee shop
Being told to actually buy a drink from a coffee shop is probably the last thing you expected to read when we said we'd teach you how to save money. But this is specifically aimed at those of you who are dead set on buying hot drinks and have raced through all the free coffee offers.
Starbucks, Costa, Pret and Caffè Nero all have their own spins on this one, but essentially they all reward you for using your own reusable cup when you buy a drink from them. To say "thanks for saving the planet" they could give you some bonus loyalty points, or even a discount on the drink.
Or, you could brew your own gourmet coffee with an Aeropress.
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Grow your own food
If you've got the patience to grow your own veg, you'll find money really can grow on... plants.
You don't need lots of space or equipment to grow herbs and small veg – a bag of compost and some seeds will do. You don't even need to shell out for pots. Lots of plants can thrive in old wellies, buckets, hanging baskets and window boxes.
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Become a vegetarian for two days each week
Just like cheese, you often don't realise how expensive meat is until you go to uni.
Eating vegetarian food for a couple of days a week will save you money while giving you the chance to eat more veg. On top of that, it's a great way to cut your carbon footprint at the same time.
If you absolutely can't cope without something meaty in your meals, there are plenty of delicious meat substitutes out there. We're big fans of products like Quorn. They can be cheaper than meat and contain less fat.
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Go foraging to eat on the cheap
Credit: Mirage_studio – Shutterstock
If the closest you've come to foraging is trying to remember where you put the Jammie Dodgers, there's a whole world of free food out there for you to discover.
We're talking wild garlic, fish, cockles, berries and mushrooms for starters. To stay safe, get a wild food book or course under your belt.
If it all sounds a bit 'survivalist' for you, try the urban alternatives: supermarket launch events, Olio and closing time in your local chippy can come up trumps for free food.
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Don't drive with a tank that's empty or full
It sounds odd to say that you shouldn't fill your tank to the top, but there is some science behind it.
A full tank of petrol will add weight to your car. That means your engine will have to work harder (and guzzle more gas) to keep you moving.
But you also shouldn't try to empty your tank. Your engine could get damaged if you regularly drive with a small amount of petrol in the tank. Try to keep the fuel gauge at 50% – 75% to ensure a happy medium.
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Open your windows at low speed and use the AC at high speed
We've all been told off for opening the windows while the air-conditioning is on in the car. But sometimes it makes more sense to open your windows and turn the AC off.
AC can use up to 5% of your fuel, so turning it off could preserve some petrol. That is until you start travelling at high speeds. At that point, having the windows open will increase drag and make the engine work harder to keep the wheels turning.
In short: windows at low speed, AC at high.
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Keep your tyres inflated
As well as being safer, keeping your tyres inflated to the recommended level could save you a bit of cash too. In fact, it could save about 3% of your petrol costs.
It takes more force to turn a wheel with an under-inflated tyre (ever tried riding a bike with a flat?), so try to keep them airy. Read our guide to cutting the cost of driving for more tips.
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Use price matching
It's only worth price matching if the retailer offering it can give you something extra. Maybe it's cheaper delivery, loyalty points, or even an extended warranty that you won't get elsewhere.
Remember that a fair number of price-matching retailers let you use the service even after buying the product. In other words, if you buy something from them and then see it available for less elsewhere (or even on their own site), you can ask them to pay you the difference.
That said, there are often a few caveats with price matching. Not all retailers in the UK offer it, and among those that do, the rules differ.
Some are very strict about the shops whose prices they'll match, while others will only give you a short window of time after your purchase to find a lower price. Always check the T&Cs!
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Squeeze the most from your toiletries
Credit: TanyaKim – Shutterstock
When it starts to get difficult to squeeze out toothpaste from the tube, don't throw it away just yet. You might be able to make it last a bit longer. By cutting off the end of the tube, you can access more toothpaste.
This tip works for most toiletries like shampoo or moisturiser, so you shouldn't need to replace them as often.
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Cut your energy usage
Energy bills are very expensive at the moment. However, there are some things you can do to use a bit less energy.
Make sure you use energy-saving bulbs and turn off lights when you leave the room.
Before turning on the heating, put on extra clothes.
Also, don't leave your gadgets plugged in when you're not using them. Turn them off at the socket.
Electric blankets are a great way to stay warm whilst saving on energy bills, as they're much cheaper to run compared to putting on the radiators.
You'll find loads more ideas in our guide to saving money on energy bills.
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Watch football on TV for free
Being a devoted football fan in the UK can be expensive, even if you're not paying to attend matches in person. If you want to (legally) watch most competitions, you'll usually need to subscribe to at least one sports package with your TV provider, if not more.
However, as we explain in our guide to watching football on TV for free, there are some hacks you can use to legally watch Sky Sports and Amazon Prime Video for less. In some cases, it's completely free.
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Make your own cheap alternatives to cleaning products
If you're old enough to remember How Clean Is Your House?, you'll know that Kim (more recently of Celebrity Big Brother fame) and Aggie were always showing you how to make your own cleaning products with things you've got lying around the house.
It turns out they weren't spinning us a yarn of lies. By making your own cleaning products, you could get the chores done using vinegar, lemons and even Coca-Cola.
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Know your discounts
Get yourself a discount card to hoover up any student savings going. It's free to sign up for TOTUM Digital, which gives you access to their online student discount.
At the time of writing, some top student offers include 45% off Spotify, 10% off ASOS or discounts on Amazon.
Like to eat out? You can get a paid TOTUM membership, which includes a tastecard. With it, you can knock 50% off at loads of restaurants in the UK. It's also worth noting that some banks offer a free tastecard for opening a student account with them.
Even if you don't want to sign up for TOTUM, you can still use your student ID instead at a range of places, such as clubs and cinemas. Check out our full student discount directory.
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Earn money from your Student Loan
If you ever have extra cash that you don't need straight away, you could stick it in a high-interest cash ISA or a savings account.
If you have other funds to live on (income from a job or a student start-up), you'll earn more tax-free interest by leaving your savings alone to accumulate.
If not, work out your living costs and siphon off what you need each month. You'll still earn interest, and making your money last for the whole term is a lesson in discipline.
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Save on postage costs with Amazon Prime
Amazon's Student Prime trial gives you six months of free one-day delivery with no minimum spend. After that, you'll still get a big discount on the usual yearly membership fee.
You also get access to the full Prime Instant Video catalogue along with other exclusive Prime offers.
Of course, after the free trial ends, a Student Prime membership will only save you money if you actually order from Amazon regularly enough to benefit from free delivery, or if you're always paying to watch films and TV. Otherwise, you might be better off cancelling after the trial expires.
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Get your tax back
Most students won't earn more than the personal allowance each year, so shouldn't be taxed on any of it. For example, if your employer has put you on an emergency tax code, you could be entitled to a tax refund.
If you run a student business, you can also claim for allowable expenses. This means that there are fewer profits to pay tax on.
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Consider alternative student accommodation
Don't assume uni accommodation is always your cheapest option. If you're prepared to get creative, you could save a ton. For example, one student previously lived on a yacht for a quid a day, and another camped out to cut costs.
If that's not for you, you could save around £439 a month by living at home. Or, use Rightmove to filter areas and private accommodation that fits your budget.
Whatever you do, make sure you use our tips to save money on rent.
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Get student funding
There are heaps of cash tucked away in bursaries, scholarships and grants. The trick is to hit as many angles as you can (location, dependants, gender, subjects studied).
Your uni will likely have some schemes, but there are also private scholarships, sponsorships, grants and emergency funds. We have a guide with some of the best student bursary and scholarship sources.
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is worth looking into if you have a disability, learning difficulty or health problem. This funding can help to cover the costs of any equipment or services you need due to your disabilities at uni.
Even if you don't meet the more common criteria for extra funding, there might still be some grants you could apply for. As our guide to weird bursaries, scholarships and grants can testify, there's cash out there for pretty much everything – it's just a case of finding out what!
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Read for free
It's possible to save a lot of money on textbooks. If you can't get hold of books through the library or second-hand websites, look on Google Scholar and Google Books.
You can often read whole articles and chapters without needing to buy the book. This could potentially save you a couple of hundred quid a year.
Get pally with your librarian, too. If anyone (except us, obviously) knows how to save money by accessing free and underused resources, they do. Your uni library will have hundreds of books to read for free, but make sure you return them on time to avoid a fine!
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Free extra tuition
This isn't a replacement for the degree you're already paying for, but with access to course content, book discussions, leading academics and further reading, free courses from the world's top universities are worth a try.
The edX website lists hundreds of courses from the likes of Harvard, Princeton and MIT. There are also loads to choose from at The Open University.
Or, if you're looking for something a little more practical, have a look at this list of free online courses with qualifications. From HTML to social media strategy, you can learn it all.
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Go abroad for postgraduate study
Finland, Germany and Iceland are just a few of the countries offering free or low-cost study, even for international students. This could save you thousands each year.
On the downside, living costs can be pricey, and you may need to know the local language to get a place (or a job). Start saving, look for student bursaries and learn the lingo ahead of time.
Next read: the best money-saving tools.
