Why Saving Money Feels Different in 2025
Saving Money UK 2025: Let’s be real — life in the UK isn’t cheap anymore. Groceries bite harder, energy bills keep creeping up, and even a pint feels like a mini luxury these days. By 2025, “saving money” doesn’t sound like financial advice — it feels more like common sense if you want to keep your head above water.
I’ve been there. Some months, I look at my bank app and wonder, “Where on earth did it all go?” Turns out, it’s the little things. The coffees, the subscriptions, the “oh go on then” moments. Over the past year, I’ve tried loads of saving hacks. Some worked brilliantly, some… not so much. Here are the ones that actually stuck.
Best Tips for Saving Money in the UK
1. Energy Bills – Start Here
Honestly, this is where half the stress comes from. Switching suppliers still makes sense in 2025. Don’t assume loyalty pays (it doesn’t). I shaved nearly £300 off last year just by moving. Also, a smart thermostat isn’t just a gimmick. Mine stops me from heating the house like it’s July when it’s only me in one room.
Another thing? Those “phantom” appliances. The TV is on standby, chargers are left in all day, and the microwave clock is flashing for no reason. Switching them off properly cuts about £10–£15 a month. Doesn’t sound much, but over a year, that’s a weekend away.
And layering up! I laughed at my mate last winter when he wore hoodies and socks indoors instead of blasting the heating. Then I tried it. Saved money, stayed cosy, and weirdly enjoyed the challenge.
2. Groceries – Make a List (and Stick to It… Mostly)
Walking into Tesco hungry? Bad idea. You’ll walk out with doughnuts, crisps, and somehow forget the milk. Meal planning sounds boring, but it works. Aldi and Lidl still win for bargains, and own brands are usually just as good. Do I always stick to the list? Not really. But even trying saves me £20–£30 a trip.
Meal planning also means less stress. I started doing “theme nights” — pasta night, curry night, soup night. Makes shopping easier and reduces waste. And markets! Near closing time, stallholders basically throw food at you. I once bagged a whole tray of fruit for a fiver.
3. Cashback and Loyalty – Little Wins Add Up
I used to ignore those Nectar and Clubcard points. Big mistake. They add up. Same with apps like TopCashback or Quidco — it feels tiny at first, but by Christmas, I had enough to cover presents. Not bad for stuff I’d be buying anyway.
4. Travel Tricks – Trains Hurt Less With Hacks
Train fares are painful. But split ticketing apps can save a fortune. Railcards are still gold — even at my age, the 26–30 one was worth stretching the truth for (don’t tell). And if you’re not in a rush, coaches are way cheaper. Megabus isn’t glamorous, but neither is being broke.
Car-sharing apps are picking up, too. I once rode from London to Birmingham for under £15 using BlaBlaCar. The driver was heading there anyway, and we both saved. Not for everyone, but worth a try.
5. Walk or Cycle
I started walking short trips instead of Uber. Sounds obvious, right? But between saved fares and parking, it’s noticeable. Plus, it’s basically free cardio. London especially feels different when you’re not whizzing past in a cab.
6. Entertainment – Free Stuff Isn’t Rubbish
Londoners forget how many free museums there are. Or how good libraries actually are. I went nearly a month without doing free stuff once. Didn’t feel deprived, weirdly. Just… lighter on the wallet.
Local councils run free events too. I stumbled into a free jazz gig in a park last summer — brilliant evening, zero cost. And libraries lend out more than books now: e-books, films, even board games. Who knew?
7. Subscriptions – Cut, Rotate, Repeat
I was paying for Netflix, Prime, Disney+, Spotify — you name it. Half of them I barely touched. Cancelled three, saved £50 a month. Now I rotate. One month Netflix, next month Disney+. Works a treat.
8. Banks That Pay You
Your bank probably isn’t giving you much. Challenger banks and online savings accounts are better. Plus, switching bonuses are still a thing. My mate pocketed £200 just for moving his current account. Easiest money he’s ever made.
9. Budget Apps – Brutal but Honest
The first time I opened Monzo’s breakdown, it told me I’d spent £120 on takeaway coffee in a month. £120! I started making more at home after that. Not perfect, but it cut the habit down. Sometimes you just need the shock of seeing the numbers.
10. Buy Second-Hand First
We’ve finally ditched the stigma. Clothes on Vinted, furniture on Marketplace — bargains everywhere. I once got a nearly new sofa for £100. It would’ve been £600 new. Honestly, the best purchase of the year.
11. Batch Cooking – Future You Says Thanks
Cook double portions and freeze half. That’s it. One Sunday, I made chilli big enough for five meals. Each one stopped me from ordering Deliveroo. £20 saved each time. Do that three times a week and you’ve saved £240 a month.
12. Don’t Waste Food
Too Good To Go app is genius — cheap surprise bags from restaurants. Freezing leftovers stops them from becoming science experiments at the back of the fridge. I even turned old veg into soup once. Not pretty, but tasty.
13. Travel Off-Peak
Cornwall in August? Forget it. Prices double, crowds triple. Go in September instead. Same beaches, cheaper stays, and room to breathe. Works everywhere, from UK breaks to flights abroad.
14. Sell Your Clutter
Old phones, unused gadgets, clothes gathering dust — they’re money just sitting there. I sold random bits on eBay and made £400. Felt like free cash. Plus, less junk in the house.
15. Learn to Say No
This one’s tough. Friends want nights out, kids want gadgets, adverts scream “buy me.” Saying no feels awkward at first, but once you get used to it, it’s freeing. And your bank balance quietly thanks you.
Mindset Shifts for Saving Money
Here’s the bit nobody talks about: mindset. Saving isn’t only about hacks, it’s about how you think about money. I used to spend without blinking, then panic when payday felt too far away. Changing that meant slowing down and asking, “Do I really need this?”
Another trick is the 24-hour rule. I see something online, but I don’t buy it right away. If I still want it the next day, fine. Half the time, I forget about it. Instant £30–£40 saved.
And honestly, talk about money. We don’t do it enough in the UK. I learned half my tricks from mates being open about their own struggles. It feels less lonely, and you end up swapping ideas.
Simple Lifestyle Shifts
What I’ve realised is that saving money isn’t about massive sacrifices. It’s small swaps. Walk instead of Uber. Cook once, eat twice. Cancel one subscription. Each by itself? Tiny. Together? They add up fast. By December, you’ll look back and realise you’ve saved hundreds without even noticing.
And joy doesn’t disappear. Some of my best weekends this year cost almost nothing — a train to the coast, a packed lunch, a long walk by the sea. £20 total. Better than some expensive holidays I’ve taken.
FAQs – Saving Money in the UK 2025
Q1: What’s the easiest first step?
Cut subscriptions and switch your energy provider. Quick wins.
Q2: Are loyalty points worth the faff?
Yes. They add up faster than you think, especially if you shop in the same place often.
Q3: How do I save without feeling miserable?
Balance it. Rotate luxuries, enjoy free stuff, and don’t cut everything at once.
Q4: Can I still travel cheaply?
Yep. Coaches, off-peak trains, last-minute hotel deals — still plenty of options.
Final Thoughts
Saving money in 2025 isn’t about never having fun. It’s about being a bit smarter, a bit pickier, and sometimes just saying “nah, not today.” The little wins build up. One less takeaway, one cheaper train ticket, one cancelled subscription. Before you know it, that’s your next holiday fund sitting in the bank.
Not perfect. Never is. But better than watching it all disappear and wondering why