In times like the ones we are currently facing the cliché ‘every penny helps’ really becomes good advice to live by. But what little changes can you make to your lifestyle to ensure that those pennies soon turn into pounds?

Here are some tips to get you started adding to that piggy bank:

1) Don’t take credit or debit cards out with you unless it is absolutely unavoidable. Things always seem more expensive when you can see the money you’re parting with to get them, and therefore you will be more likely to analyse your spending and less likely to make that unnecessary purchase.

2) Lack of funds sounds like a perfect time to try giving up smoking. Try the maths, figure out roughly how much you spend on cigarettes each month, I bet you will be surprised it the outcome, then imagine what that money could be better spent on!

3) Most people these days pay their Council tax and water bills via direct debit. Council tax is usually taken out 10 months/year, and water 8 months. Try being disciplined with yourself and moving the money you would usually spend on these things into a savings account on the months you don’t have to pay them.

4) Got some old valuables lying around that you never use, never really wanted, but cost a pretty penny however many months or years ago? Try selling them on eBay or something. You may be surprised how much junk you have lying around and how much you can make from it!

5) Invest in a breadmaker. Not only is it slightly cheaper, but is also better for you as it avoids artificial additives. Initially it seems like a lot to be forking out for something you can much more easily get down the local shop, but it will quickly pay for itself and then some in the long run.

6) Take your own food with you into work for lunchtime, and stay in the office to eat it. This should stop you running to the local expensive sandwich shop every lunchtime, and, depending what you take with you, could save you many-a-penny in the long run.

7) Go food shopping once each week only (no nipping in after work for a couple of things), and make a list and STICK TO IT! Eat a good meal before you go to the supermarket, this will help you resist the temptation to impulse buy. You could also try shopping after 9pm when many supermarkets reduce their prices, but this could lead to lots of savings, or alternatively spending more on things you don’t really need because they were cheap!

8) Try getting plug timers and using things like your washing machine and dishwasher after 12.30 when the price is cheaper, you’ve be amazed at the difference it makes to your energy bill!

What Do You Think?

Do you recommend any more money-saving suggestions? Let us know, comment here.