Saving money doesn't need to be complicated - and one woman says she is £1,682 better off in the space a year by making simple changes.
Nicola Frapwell, aged 32, a data manager from Crawley, West Sussex, has cut down her bills and made money through bank bribes and cashback websites.
Looking after our money has never been more important, as the cost of living crisis continues to squeeze all our finances.
Nicola said her first easy tip to save cash is to set reminders for when your contracts end, so you know when to shop around for the best deals.
This is important, as the cheapest prices are also normally reserved for new customers - with existing customers often hit with a "loyalty premium".
Have you got a money-saving tip to share? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
Nicola estimates switching her broadband provider has saved her around £6 a month, which adds up to £72 a year.
“I always shop around when my contracts come to an end,” said Nicola.
“I make reminder notes on my phone to make sure I don’t forget when my contracts expire so that I can shop around for the best price.“
Nicola has also made changes to her shopping habits to help her cut back on spending - and says switching from Tesco to Aldi has saved her £15 a week, or an impressive £780 a year.
“I’ve discovered some great items at a fraction of the cost,” she added.
Her third tip to save cash involves changing your habits around your home, to try and lower your energy bill after prices skyrocketed earlier this year.
Nicola says she was able to save £15 a month, or £180 a year, on gas and electricity by being more aware of how much power she was using at home.
For example, she now makes sure to only stick a wash on when she has a full load, and has shorter showers to cut her costs.
But as well as saving money, Nicola has also found ways to give herself a little financial boost.
Nicola said switching bank accounts three times - taking advantage of switch offers in the process - and using cashback sites were two lucrative ways to make money.
She now uses cashback sites with all of her spending, earning approximately £200 a year and on top of this, switching bank accounts has made her £450.
Nicola now feels much more in control of her money as a result of the changes she has made.
“I feel more at ease with my finances now and if an unexpected bill comes about I do not worry as much as before,” she said.
“I am also able to treat myself and not feel guilty about it.”
She added that she’s still looking for further ways to cut costs moving forward.
“I am considering buying a bicycle to use for running around to save using my car for short journeys,” she said.
The savings - and money made - in full
- Switching broadband - £6 a month saved (£72 a year)
- Switching supermarkets - £15 a week saved (£780 a year)
- Using less energy - £15 a month saved (£180 per year)
- Using cashback sites with all spending - £200 a year made
- Three bank switching deals at around £150 each - £450 a year made
Total savings = £1,682
Louise Bastock, editor at personal finance comparison site finder.com commended these savvy saving tricks - and said it highlights how budgeting doesn't mean having to cut back on absolutely everything.
She said: “I commend Nicola’s organisation when it comes to managing ongoing payments like her broadband. If you’re someone who’s not quite as organised, you might want to consider an automated budgeting app like Emma.
"These apps use open banking to review your linked bank accounts and credit cards, and calculate how much you can afford to save each month.
"Apps like Emma will also be able to review your outgoings and alert you where you might be wasting money on a subscription, for example, if you’ve accidentally doubled-up, or where your bank has charged you a fee and why.
"For even more peace of mind when it comes to paying your bills, consider apps like Monzo and Starling which allow you to create a separate savings pot just for bills and then pay your bills directly from that pot.”
