Jasmine Birtles
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How to Save Money in 2026: 101 Ways to Cut Costs (And the 10 That Matter Most)
Vicky Parry
14th Oct 2026
Everyone tells us to save money. But where are those savings supposed to come from when food, energy and everyday essentials already swallow so much of our income?
We’re told to stop buying coffees, make packed lunches and cancel streaming subscriptions. Yet some of the biggest potential savings may be hiding in bills we pay automatically, financial support we haven’t claimed and contracts we’ve left untouched for years.
At MoneyMagpie, we believe saving money should make life easier, not more miserable.
That’s why we’ve put together 101 practical ways to save money in the UK, alongside the 10 checks we’d prioritise, an interactive savings calculator and a 30-day challenge.
You don’t need to follow all 101 ideas. You just need to find the ones that make a difference to you.
The 10 money-saving checks worth making first
These are our editorial priorities based on potential impact and practicality. Tick each one as you investigate it.
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Where the biggest savings might be hiding
There’s a reason the usual money-saving advice can feel frustrating. You can spend an entire week resisting coffees and cutting back on little treats, only to find that your energy bill, rent or mortgage payment has swallowed up the difference.
That’s why it makes sense to start with the bigger picture.
Some of the most useful savings come from reviewing things we rarely think about: household contracts, overlooked financial support, insurance renewals, food habits and the way we pay for everyday services.
Here are the 10 areas we’d investigate first.
1. Check whether you’re missing out on benefits, grants or other support
Before cutting back on things you enjoy, it’s worth finding out whether there’s money you could already be entitled to.
Depending on your circumstances, this could include Pension Credit, Council Tax Reduction, help with childcare, support with energy costs or charitable grants.
Some benefits and schemes depend on household income. Others take account of age, caring responsibilities, disability or particular living arrangements.
Importantly, eligibility can change. Even if you checked a year ago, it’s worth looking again if your circumstances are different.
Free benefits calculators such as entitledto and Turn2us can help you investigate your options.
MoneyMagpie verdict
Checking what you’re entitled to could be more valuable than dozens of small spending cuts. If you qualify for additional support, investigate that before making life unnecessarily difficult.
2. Examine your energy bill properly
Most of us know roughly how much we pay for gas and electricity. Far fewer of us could tell you our unit rates, standing charges or whether our monthly Direct Debit reflects our actual energy usage.
These details matter.
Start by checking whether you’re on a suitable tariff. Compare available deals, but remember to consider the whole contract, including exit fees and any fixed-term conditions.
Next, check your meter readings. Estimated readings can mean you’re paying for more or less energy than you’ve actually used.
Look at your account balance too. If you’re significantly in credit, you can ask your supplier about a refund or adjusting your payments, although it’s sensible to allow for higher winter usage.
Finally, investigate help with energy costs. Depending on your circumstances and the current rules, schemes such as the Warm Home Discount or local assistance may be relevant.
Find more practical advice in MoneyMagpie’s Save Money guides.
Quick check: If you haven’t looked at your energy tariff, actual usage and account balance in the past six months, put it on your list for this week.
3. Stop paying for contracts you’ve forgotten about
One of the easiest ways to lose track of spending is through automatic payments.
Streaming services, gym memberships, mobile contracts, broadband, cloud storage, premium apps and subscription boxes can all become part of the monthly background noise.
That doesn’t mean you should cancel everything. A subscription you use and enjoy may be worth every penny.
But paying for something you barely notice is a different matter.
Look through three months of bank statements and write down every recurring payment. Ask yourself whether you still use it, whether a cheaper alternative exists and whether the contract has ended.
For broadband and mobile services, compare deals available to existing and new customers. You may also qualify for a social tariff.
The £20-a-month example
Finding £20 of unnecessary monthly spending and removing it would save £240 over 12 months.
That’s an illustration, not a promise of what every household can save. But it shows why recurring payments deserve attention.
4. Change how you shop for food, rather than simply buying less
Food shopping is one of the first places people look when trying to save money, and understandably so. Unlike rent or council tax, supermarket spending can often be adjusted from week to week.
But shopping cheaply doesn’t necessarily mean buying the cheapest version of everything.
For a start, think about the food you actually eat.
A bargain multipack isn’t good value if half of it ends up in the bin. Likewise, driving to several supermarkets for individual offers may cost more in fuel and time than you save at the till.
Instead, compare your regular basket, check unit prices and experiment with supermarket own brands.
Frozen vegetables, dried pulses, tinned tomatoes, rice and pasta can all be useful ingredients for affordable meals, depending on what your household enjoys.
Try planning two or three meals around ingredients you already have before buying more food.
And don’t overlook convenience. If an inexpensive supermarket meal prevents an expensive takeaway, it may be a sensible choice.
MoneyMagpie tip: A realistic food budget is better than an ambitious one you abandon after three days. Start with small changes to your usual shopping habits.
5. Make sure you’re paying the right council tax
Council tax is a major household expense, yet it’s easy to assume the amount on the bill is fixed and there’s nothing you can do about it.
In reality, some households qualify for discounts or reductions.
For example, an eligible household with only one adult counted for council tax may qualify for a 25% discount.
Other discounts or reductions may apply depending on household circumstances, income and local rules.
It’s also possible to check your property’s council tax band. However, challenging a band isn’t risk-free: a review could result in an increase, so do your research first.
Check the rules for your nation and local authority before applying.
6. Treat childcare and family costs as a priority
If you’re paying substantial childcare fees, it’s unlikely that skipping the occasional takeaway will transform your finances.
That’s why families need to investigate the support specifically available to them.
Depending on your circumstances and where you live, you may be eligible for funded childcare, Tax-Free Childcare, Universal Credit childcare support or other schemes.
The rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so use the relevant official guidance.
School costs are worth reviewing too. Check free school meal eligibility, uniform rules, second-hand uniform schemes and local support with school-related expenses.
For family days out, libraries, parks, free museums and community events can be alternatives to expensive attractions.
Family money check
Before paying for childcare, school meals or holiday activities, check whether there’s an entitlement, discount or local scheme that could reduce the cost.
7. Look for duplicate insurance and unnecessary extras
Insurance is one area where automatically choosing the cheapest option can be a mistake.
It’s important to have appropriate protection, particularly for major risks you couldn’t comfortably cover yourself.
However, you may be paying for overlapping policies or extras you don’t need.
For example, some packaged bank accounts, employment benefits and existing insurance products include services that are also sold separately.
Check what cover you already have before purchasing more.
When comparing policies, examine exclusions, excesses and cover limits as well as the premium.
And don’t cancel important protection without understanding what you’d lose.
8. Give second-hand and refurbished shopping a proper chance
Second-hand shopping is no longer limited to charity shops and car boot sales.
Online resale platforms, refurbished technology retailers, furniture reuse schemes and retailer-operated second-hand marketplaces have made it easier to find alternatives to buying new.
Children’s clothing, books, furniture, sports equipment and some electronics are all worth considering.
It’s also worth checking whether you can sell things you no longer use.
Just remember that condition, safety and consumer rights matter. Be particularly careful with electrical products, child safety equipment and purchases from private sellers.
9. If money is extremely tight, prioritise support over saving
There’s a difference between wanting to spend less and not having enough money to cover the essentials.
If you’re struggling to afford food, housing, energy or priority bills, the answer isn’t simply to become better at budgeting.
Check benefits and grants, investigate social tariffs and speak to your suppliers about available support.
If you’re worried about debt, free organisations such as StepChange and Citizens Advice can help you understand your options.
Important: If you cannot afford essential living costs, seeking appropriate help should take priority over trying to complete a savings challenge.
10. Don’t cut the things that make life worth living
Perhaps the most important money-saving lesson is that spending less shouldn’t automatically mean enjoying life less.
Not every purchase is wasteful.
If you love your weekly cinema visit, a particular hobby or a coffee with a friend, there’s no reason that has to be the first thing you sacrifice.
Instead, look for spending that doesn’t improve your life: forgotten subscriptions, expensive contracts, unnecessary fees, food waste and purchases made out of habit rather than enjoyment.
Good money-saving habits should give you more control over your finances, not make you feel guilty every time you spend something.
101 ways to save money in the UK
Now for the complete checklist. We’ve divided our 101 ideas into nine categories so you can concentrate on the areas most relevant to you.
Open each section to see the tips. You don’t need to tackle everything at once.
Frequently asked questions about saving money
What is the easiest way to save money?
One of the easiest starting points is reviewing recurring payments. Cancelling something you no longer use or finding a cheaper suitable contract can create an ongoing saving without requiring daily effort.
How can I save money fast?
Look for unnecessary subscriptions, upcoming non-essential purchases and food you can use before buying more. If you need urgent help with essential costs, investigate benefits, grants and financial support rather than relying solely on spending cuts.
How can I save £100 a month?
Start with your biggest flexible expenses. A combination of lower recurring bills, reduced food waste and more deliberate shopping may help, depending on your circumstances. Use the MoneyMagpie savings calculator to explore realistic possibilities.
How can I save money on a low income?
Check benefits, grants, social tariffs and assistance with priority bills. If your income doesn’t cover essentials, specialist support may be more useful than conventional savings targets.
Should I save money or pay off debt?
That depends on your borrowing costs, financial security and circumstances. High-interest debt can be expensive, but accessible emergency savings may also be important. If you’re struggling, seek free independent debt advice.
How much should I save every month?
There’s no amount that works for everyone. Choose a realistic figure after essential costs, and review it whenever your income or expenses change.
The bottom line: you don’t need to do everything
There are 101 ways to save money in this guide, but that doesn’t mean you should try all of them.
For some households, reviewing one expensive contract could make more difference than a month of small sacrifices. Others might find that better meal planning, second-hand shopping or cutting food waste gives them more control over their spending.
And sometimes the most important step isn’t spending less at all. It’s finding out whether you’re entitled to help you’ve been missing.
Start with three things you can do this week. See what difference they make. Keep the changes that work and forget the ones that don’t.
Saving money should help you live better, not simply spend less.
Discover more ways to save with MoneyMagpie
Explore our guides to cheaper food shopping, energy bills, family finances, benefits, freebies and everyday savings.
This article provides general information rather than personalised financial advice. Schemes, eligibility criteria and prices can change. Check official sources before making financial decisions.
How much money could you save?
Enter amounts you could realistically save. Food is calculated weekly; everything else is monthly.
Estimated monthly saving
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Estimated annual saving
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These are illustrative estimates, not guaranteed savings. Avoid counting the same saving twice.
The MoneyMagpie 30-day money-saving challenge
Week 1: Find the leaks
Check your bank statements, subscriptions and regular payments. Identify three costs worth investigating.
Week 2: Reduce everyday spending
Plan meals, compare supermarket prices and use what you already own.
Week 3: Check the big bills
Review energy, broadband, insurance and available financial support.
Week 4: Make the savings stick
Calculate what you’ve actually saved and keep the changes that work for your household.
Example: Saving £5 a week over 52 weeks produces £260. Cutting a recurring bill by £20 a month adds £240 over 12 months. Together, that’s £500, provided the savings continue and don’t overlap.
MoneyMagpie tip: The cheapest option is the one that works for your real life, not an imaginary perfectly organised household.
Want even more ways to save money?
MoneyMagpie has guides covering supermarket savings, energy bills, benefits, freebies and affordable family life.
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