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Revenge Saving: Turning Regret, Frustration and Uncertainty into Financial Power in the UK
Vicky Parry
23rd Sep 2025
For MoneyMagpie, and for its Head of Content, Vicky Parry, the revenge saving trend represents both an opportunity and a responsibility. As someone who champions “solutions journalism” and helping readers of diverse incomes find practical ways to manage their money, Vicky is particularly well placed to unpack what this trend means in everyday life. She’ll want to dig into how people are doing it, how sustainable revenge saving can be, and what this shift suggests about broader consumer behaviours in the UK — especially as inflation, mortgage rates, and living costs continue to bite.
In recent months, “revenge saving” has surged from buzzword to bona fide trend, especially among those feeling squeezed by rising costs, uncertain job markets, and global economic instability. After a period of “revenge spending” post-pandemic, many people are shifting gears — prioritising putting money aside, building up rainy-day funds, and pulling back on non-essentials.
Revenge saving is the new way many people are saying “enough” to impulsive spending, economic anxiety or financial mistake‑driven regrets—and instead channeling that energy into building up their savings. In the UK, with cost‑of‑living pressures, inflation, and rising bills, this mindset is gaining traction. This article explores how revenge saving works, who is doing it in the UK, practical steps, and what to watch out for.
UK Stories That Inspire Revenge Saving
To help bring the trend to life, here are real UK stories & quotes of people who reacted to financial regret, overspending, or instability by committing to saving. These add emotional depth and show revenge saving in action.
Story 1: Ashleigh Meale — Lockdown Regrets Turned Savings Habit
Who & Where: Ashleigh Meale, Sheffield, 27‑year‑old recruitment consultant. (This Is Money)
What happened: Before lockdown, Ashleigh used to spend a lot on socialising—bars, restaurants, commuting. After restrictions began, she noticed many of these costs disappeared. She began saving £500‑£700/month, more than she previously did. (This Is Money)
Key quote:
“She has now realised how much she spends unnecessarily and hopes to remain mindful about what expenses she reintroduces when restrictions are finally lifted.” (This Is Money)
Why it resonates: This is revenge saving in its simplest, clearest form: using a forced frugality as a reset, then deciding to keep some of the good habits.
Story 2: Jenni — Redundancy, Discipline & Building a Buffer
Who & Where: Jenni, a 29‑year‑old writer and personal finance blogger in Manchester. (Metro)
What happened: After becoming redundant, she started saving £300‑£500 every payday by automating transfers into savings, doing bulk cooking, cutting down waste, using budget banks and changing banks for better bonuses. She had already built a £4,000 cushion. (Metro)
Key quote:
“I was saving for an emergency and I’m so grateful to my past self!” (Metro)
Why it resonates: It’s a classic revenge‑saving move: setback (job loss) → reclaim control via saving discipline.
Story 3: Vanessa Pereira — Ambition, Identity & Savings Drive
Who & Where: Vanessa Pereira, 23, Surrey, content writer. (Metro)
What happened: Though she earns less than £30,000/year, Vanessa has saved about £30,000 through strict budgeting, using savings/earning apps, deal hunting. Her drive stems from wanting early financial independence and giving stability for her family background. (Metro)
Key quote:
“I want to become financially independent … I find the actual deal hunting very exhilarating and fun.” (Metro)
Why it resonates: Her story combines long‑term goals + emotional motivation + concrete actions.
Story 4: “Pandemic Savers” & Regretful Splurges
Who & Where: Multiple UK individuals (eg. Jessica Moran, Naaman Kisby) from BBC’s “Pandemic Savers” reporting. (BBC)
What happened: During lockdowns, people who’d normally spend freely found themselves saving inadvertently. Many felt regret over past spending and saw saving as a way to gain control. Jessica Moran said:
“Saving the money made you feel like you could control something…” (BBC)
And Naaman Kisby, after returning home, reflected:
“I had always planned to save over the years, but I am terrible for squandering a lot of money … now it’s like a good habit.” (BBC)
Why it resonates: These are relatable, widespread stories of accidental saving evolving into intention, with emotional undertones (regret, empowerment).
UK‑Harsh Truths: What the Data Says
These stories are powerful, but they sit alongside sobering data in the UK:
- Many UK adults have very low savings: several surveys show large numbers of households with less than £1,000 or no savings buffer at all. (Metro)
- Conversely, some are doing very well: younger people like Vanessa (above) who save aggressively, or those who shifted spending habits during lockdown are boosting current savings substantially.
These contrasts are useful because they show revenge saving isn’t just for people with high incomes—it’s often about mindset + discipline.
How Revenge Saving Works in the UK Context
Here are UK‑specific strategies & considerations, informed by these stories and systemic features:
- Use existing saving tools: ISAs (especially Cash ISAs), high‑interest savings accounts, Help to Save, etc.
- Automate small wins: As Jenni shows, automated payday transfers help remove temptation.
- Reevaluate fixed & variable expenses: Eliminating unnecessary subscriptions was common in many of the stories.
- Budgeting & money tracking tools: Many use apps, or “deal hunting”, coupon clipping, etc.
- Mindset / emotional driver: Regret from past overspending, job loss, fear of future instability are powerful motivators.
Risks, Balances & Maintaining Well‑being
While many UK savers have benefitted, some caution:
- Overly aggressive saving (e.g. FIRE like extremes) can come with regrets—missing social life, mental stress. Some people in these movements later adjust priorities.
- Be careful not to feel shame if you can’t save large amounts—many are constrained by wages, housing costs, family obligations.
- It’s important to leave some margin for enjoyment, rest, treats. Saving habit is more sustainable when it doesn’t feel like constant deprivation.
Practical Step‑By‑Step Plan for UK Revenge Savers
Here’s a UK‑tailored game plan, drawing from the stories above:
- Set a modest emergency buffer (e.g. £500‑£1,000) to avoid financial shocks.
- Choose one “trigger regret” or emotional driver—e.g. post holiday overspend, job loss, paying too much in bills. Use that as fuel.
- Automate a savings transfer each payday — even a small % (1‑5%) if larger is not possible at first.
- Audit regular costs: streaming services, clothes budget, commuting, food out. Cut what doesn’t give enough joy.
- Track progress & celebrate small wins: like Ashleigh saving extra monthly, Vanessa hitting £1000 increments, etc.
- Optimize where possible: Put savings in good ISAs or fixed‑term savings where interest is decent. Shop around.
- Don’t lose self‑care / enjoyment: allow periodic small treats; maintain flexibility so the saving journey doesn’t burn you out.
Conclusion
Revenge saving in the UK isn’t about deprivation—it’s about taking back control, building resilience and choosing priorities. The people above remind us: whether you have a modest income or more flexibility; whether regret hits you after a spree, job change or simply seeing bills spiral—saving with purpose can feel like revenge, but it’s also self‑care.
If you have a personal story about revenge saving then please get in touch and we could pay you £25 to share it. email [email protected] and title the email “Revenge Saving”.
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