Tips to save money in the New Year!

It’s the one New Year’s resolution we probably all have in common – to save money, whether that be on household bills, day-to-day expenses or just putting a few pennies away for a rainy day. We may not be financial gurus but we do have a few years of practical parenting under our belts and that means always having an eye out for new ways to make the family finances go further. We’re also big fans of online money saving advice portals that can really help when it comes to easy, practical steps to get more out of our money in the coming year. So, here’s our roundup of the best money saving ideas and tips for 2019 – don’t forget to share yours with us on Twitter @UKMumsTV or Facebook.

1. Take stock – no, not those kind of stocks (who’s got time/cash for that?!) – we mean take stock of your current financial situation. Draw up a quick incomings and outgoings spreadsheet and you’ll be in the best position to identify problem areas and find money saving solutions. The ever helpful Money Saving Expert is a good place to start and includes a free budget planner and other tools to make the process easier.
2. Swap contactless for cash – Contactless may be the convenient way to pay but do you find yourself losing track of those quick day-to-day transactions? Try budgeting a small amount of cash for sundries each week instead – when it’s gone, it’s gone.
3. Check your utilities – There are always new deals on gas, electricity, broadband and phone contracts – find out if you could save money by shopping around.
4. Budget meal planning – From batch cooking to easy budget meal recipes the list of ways to make the most of the grocery shop each week is endless. Check out our recipes section for a few ideas to start you off!
5. Have a clear-out – Spend a weekend ruthlessly culling your old stuff and list it on Facebook (where it’s free to list/sell). Even if you don’t make a lot of money, it could give you the motivation you need to avoid unnecessary spending in the future.
6. Stop the worry – If you’re seriously worried about your finances and feel like your debts are out of control, then use the New Year as an opportunity to take control. Make an appointment with a non-profit debt counselling agency like Citizens Advice, National Debtline, StepChange or, if you’re struggling emotionally too, CAP.