50 Proven Ways To Save Money in 2025

Start with the highest-impact moves

1. Build a real budget – map income, fixed bills and goals using the MoneyHelper Budget Planner.
2. Prioritise bills correctly – if money is tight, use the Bill Prioritiser to decide what to pay first.
3. Slim subscriptions – cancel or downgrade any unused trial, bundle or duplicate service. Re-buy only with a discount code or annual plan if you truly use it.
4. Use end-of-contract alerts – providers must warn you 10–40 days before contracts end. Act on those emails or letters to switch and save. Read Ofcom’s explainer.
5. Switch your mobile by text – get your PAC by texting PAC to 65075 then move to a cheaper plan. See how Text-to-Switch works.
6. Check social tariffs – on certain benefits you can get cheaper broadband or phone via the Ofcom social tariff list. If you are struggling to pay, see Citizens Advice guidance.
7. Know your rights on telecom price rises – new rules from 17 January 2025 ban inflation-linked mid-contract rises in new deals. See Ofcom’s ban summary.
8. Claim automatic compensation for broadband or landline faults that meet criteria under the Ofcom Automatic Compensation Code.

Cut travel and commuting costs

9. Get the right Railcard – save up to a third on fares with a National Rail Railcard or check regional Railcards.
10. Add Railcard to Oyster for off-peak Tube and rail discounts in London. See Oyster and Travelcards.
11. Claim Delay Repay – get money back for train delays. Use the National Rail Delay Repay pages.
12. Use split tickets for long routes where valid – a clear how-to is on MoneySavingExpert’s rail guide.
13. Match ticket type to pattern – check Season or Flexi Season if you commute some days.
14. Cycle to Work – get a bike via salary sacrifice using the official Cycle to Work guidance and salary sacrifice rules.
15. Use your library for maps and passes – some councils lend travel guides and offer local discount schemes. Start at Local library services.

Spend less on food and shopping

16. Rescue surplus food with Too Good To Go or share via Olio.
17. Exploit loyalty pricing – scan your Tesco Clubcard or Nectar to access member-only offers.
18. Use library e-books and magazines free with Libby – thousands of titles via your council library card.
19. Track prices before buying – set alerts on CamelCamelCamel and only buy at a true low.
20. Choose own-brand and price-match lines for staples. Lock savings by batching once your preferred item hits a documented low.
21. Plan around yellow-sticker windows – learn your store’s markdown times and freeze portions to avoid waste.

Banking moves that pay

22. Get paid to switch – check live bank switch bonuses and top accounts at MSE’s best current accounts.
23. Help to Save – eligible claimants get a 50% government bonus. Apply on GOV.UK Help to Save.
24. Use Section 75 for problem purchases – learn when credit card protection applies via the Financial Ombudsman’s guide or MoneyHelper’s explainer.
25. Use chargeback on debit cards when goods do not arrive – see Visa’s chargeback page.
26. Review insurance at renewal – the FCA bans the home and motor “loyalty penalty,” so do not accept a worse price than a new customer via the same channel. See the FCA policy statement.
27. Remortgage proactively – compare deals well before your fix ends. Start with MoneyHelper’s remortgage guide.

Claim the allowances you are entitled to

28. Marriage Allowance – transfer unused personal allowance between spouses if eligible. Apply on GOV.UK Marriage Allowance.
29. Tax-Free Childcare – get 20% top-ups for childcare costs. Apply on GOV.UK Tax-Free Childcare.
30. Rent a Room – earn tax-free up to the scheme threshold by letting a furnished room. Read GOV.UK Rent a Room guidance.
31. Check every benefit – use official benefits calculators or go direct to Turn2us.
32. Council Tax – apply Single Person Discount or other reductions via your council, and if appropriate consider challenging your band starting at GOV.UK Council Tax bands.
33. Household Support Fund – check your council for targeted help with essentials. See the national guidance then search your local council page.

Cut health costs legally

34. Prescription Prepayment Certificate – in England, a PPC caps costs for 3 or 12 months. Buy via NHSBSA PPC page.
35. HRT PPC – if you use HRT medicines, a dedicated 12-month certificate is cheaper for unlimited qualifying HRT.
36. NHS Low Income Scheme – apply for help with prescriptions, dental, eye care and travel to treatment at the NHSBSA LIS page.
37. Take your GHIC when travelling – access necessary state healthcare in the EU with a free GHIC.

Lower energy and water bills

38. Use your controls properly – quick wins on thermostat scheduling and radiator balancing from the Energy Saving Trust.
39. Free or subsidised insulation – check the Great British Insulation Scheme and supplier routes under ECO.
40. Heat pump grant – see the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for up-front support.
41. Export your solar – get paid for surplus power via the Smart Export Guarantee.
42. Should you fit a water meter – estimate savings with CCW’s water meter calculator and see Citizens Advice on changing to a meter.
43. Ask for water-company support – many offer social tariffs, WaterSure caps and hardship help. Start with your supplier’s help page or CCW.
44. Warm Home Discount – a £150 winter bill credit for eligible households. See the current status on GOV.UK Warm Home Discount.

Everyday admin that compounds

45. Library membership first – access books, audiobooks, online courses and community events. Find yours via Local library services.
46. Use consumer law – for undelivered or faulty items, escalate promptly using chargeback or Section 75 where eligible.
47. Haggle or walk – renewal quotes on home and motor insurance must not exceed the new-customer price via the same channel. Compare, then switch if needed using the FCA rule.
48. Use end-of-contract letters as triggers – set a calendar reminder to review broadband, TV, mobile, insurance and energy every time a notice arrives.
49. Leverage bank perks – packaged accounts can be worth it if the bundled insurances beat standalone prices. Cross-check via MSE’s packaged accounts guide.
50. Keep an emergency buffer – even £10 per week into an instant-access pot reduces overdraft and card interest over time.

Rachel