Delete your Apple-pay and adopt a cash envelope system
Kevin Mountford revealed: ‘You may have seen these videos on TikTok, and it’s where you use some paper envelopes to organise your budgets and to save a set amount over the month.
‘Some people split the envelopes into categories, for example, food shop, fuel, bills, etc.
‘These envelopes are then filled with a budget for each category, and your job is to stick to what’s in the envelope.
‘Another method is to number the envelopes as the date of the month.
‘On day 1, you’d put £1 in the envelope and increase the amount going in to mirror the date.’
‘For example, on the 31st of January, you’d be putting in £31. Over the month of January, that method could save you £496!’
Only buy the essentials
Kevin explained: ‘No Spend January is also a good month to kick previous spending habits.
‘Many people stop purchasing takeaways, whilst others kick the commuter coffee habit (less Costa, and more instant coffee in a reusable flask).
‘If you are participating in Dry January, it’s also a good time to save the money that you would have been spending on alcohol.’
Shop around
The co-founder of savings platform Raisin UK explained: ‘As a nation, we are incredibly brand loyal.
‘Whether it’s the Asda Pocket Tap or the Tesco Clubcard prices, many of us will go to the same supermarket for our food shops.
‘January could be a great month to try out more budget-friendly supermarkets, and to shop around for the best deals.’
Meanwhile Managing Director of MWB Solutions Warren Whitfield advised: ‘Look through what you have in your kitchen drawers, try to use up old products that have been sat there a good while and see if you can skip one weekly food shop, just using up old items.
‘This won’t work for everyone, but it can be amazing, especially if you have packs of products you don’t commonly use, such as a pack of lentils, cous cous or quinoa which have been at the back for years.’
Ditch the meal deal
Kevin added: ‘Whilst the meal deal makes for a fantastic and convenient lunch, it is rather costly!
‘Whilst we all have our favourite combinations, and people have the trick of going for the more costly meal deal items to get the greater saving (sourdough sandwich, innocent smoothie, and a packet of crisps), going for a meal deal every day could be costing you around £60 a month!
‘Instead, plan your meals and make your lunch in advance.
‘You can easily create your own sandwiches and at a fraction of the cost.’
Hunt for discounts and yellow stickers
Kevin explained: ‘If you have been in a supermarket past a certain time in the evening, you may have witnessed the crowd, and sometimes a fight, for the reduced yellow sticker items.
‘If you are wanting to go on a tight budget, these reduced items can be ideal!
‘Check to see if the product is freezable and then you can work out if the reduction is worthwhile.’
Sort through your wardrobe
Kevin advised: ‘New year, new me doesn’t mean you have to get a new wardrobe.
‘Whilst there is pressure to look your best and start the new year “right”, it’s time to go through your clothes and see if it’s something you can dress up or down, layer or make suitable for both going out for dinner, but also to work.
‘Whilst your emails will be full of January sales, it’s important to consider the cost per wear.’
Cut down on subscriptions
Kevin said: ‘From TV streaming subscriptions to gym memberships that you aren’t really planning on using, now is a great time to sit down and look at the list of subscriptions and direct debits leaving your account every month.
‘This housekeeping of your bank account will only take a few minutes of your day, but when kept on top of could see you saving hundreds from unused subscriptions.’
Meanwhile Warren added: ‘Most of us forget some that we’re signed up to, much like a gym service, paying each month without using it.
‘These apps and websites will often have a section where you can see your rate of usage, which can help to shine a light on whether you’re using them or not.’