Now that Christmas is over it’s time to look at how you can save a few pennies. Whether you’re planning a holiday, wedding or want to get ahead of the game before Christmas 2020, I’ve come up with 11 easy ways you can save £1,000 or more.
1. Start a side hustle…
Two years ago I invested in a converted Vauxhall Vivaro campervan. I don’t get to go away in it as often as I like, but it has been a great little money earner. Just hiring it out for Glastonbury paid for my holiday last year. Other ways to earn an extra income include pet sitting, upcycling furniture, hosting students and market research. Put all the extra income away and next year you’ll be sailing into the sunset.
2. Ditch the Saturday night takeaway…
I love an occasional takeaway but if you fork out for one every week, you could save an average of £457 a year by pledging to do without. Going one whole year without a takeaway is no mean feat – but just think about that holiday – and bikini body – you’ll have at the end!
3. Haggle over your household bills
According to consumer watchdog Which, you could save £499 a year on your household bills by haggling. If you’re not a fan of haggling (and why should you have to?) get in touch by emailing hi@brokeinbristol.co.uk and I’ll let you know about another option where you could save £100 this January.
4. Ditch the takeaway coffee and shop bought lunches
Buying a coffee every working day and a shop bought lunch will easily set you back around £130 a month, which is £1,560 over a year. Instead, take a flask to work or make a coffee in the office and take in your own lunch.
5. Declutter and sell
When Little Miss Diva asked me for holiday spending money we had a look around the house to see what we could sell. So far we’ve sold a microphone and a few items of clothing and we’ve made just over £100. Sell them online or at a car boot sale. I’m a big fan of Facebook Marketplace as it costs you nothing and it’s really convenient because buyers are local.
6. Switch bank accounts
Quite possibly the easiest way to make £100 is by switching bank accounts and it’s so easy. A quick Google search will show you who’s offering the best deals at the moment. HSBC is giving £175 but you have to be able to pay in £1750 every month.
7. Hire out your parking space
You can get £100 each month for hiring out your parking space in Bristol depending on where you are in the city. I did this for a few years and it’s quite possibly the easiest way I’ve made £1,000.
8. Spring clean your finances
I regularly check my direct debits to see if I’m still using the services I’m paying for, particularly gym membership and TV subscription packages. It’s worth doing a complete audit to see just how much you could save.
9. Earn money while you shop
If you’re not making the most of cashback yet then you’re walking away from free money! You can earn around £500 a year. Try sites like Top Cashback and Quidco or even better get a cashback card so that you can use it every time you shop in store and online without having to think about it.
10. Let someone else do the research
Follow personal finance bloggers like myself so that you can be the first to know about all the latest local deals, discounts and free & affordable days out. It means you don’t have to do the research, because I’ve already done it for you!
11. Give something up.
Believe me I’m in no position to lecture anyone but giving up smoking/drinking or something else you’d like to change for just one month could make a massive difference to your pocket. It certainly gives an added incentive to the health benefits and you never know it might lead to a long-term healthier and richer you! Lots of people are swapping cigs for vaping and the evidence seems to point towards it being a hell of a lot safer than smoking – not to mention considerably cheaper!
Even if you haven’t got anything planned for the new year yet just doing these 11 things could mean that you have extra cash for a special occasion like a day at the races. Don’t forget to like Broke in Bristol – & beyond on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for all the latest local deals, discounts and days out. Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous 2020!
