3 ways to save money while you spend

3 ways to save money while you spend
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels

Do you find that’s it’s so easy to spend, spend spend? But saving seems like a foreign concept? Here’s my top tips on how to save while you spend your cash lady!

Saving with comparison sites

This isn’t rocket science, let’s be honest. But shopping around to get the best deals on your larger purchases like utilities, and insurances can mean big savings.

But which site should you choose? This depends on what you’re looking for. I recommend Compare The Market. Every completed quote gives you access to 2 for 1 cinema tickets and meals at certain restaurants for a year. So not only are you saving on your car insurance, but also your social life!

There will always be some providers not on the site, so make sure that you check those too to make sure you really are getting the best deal.

Collecting cash-back

If you’re a big spender cash-back is a no brainier. Yes it can be clunky going to a third party website but it’s worth it in the long run and it’s getting easier if you’re lazy like me!

Quidco, for example allows you to add your card details to your account and then you can claim cashback as you shop in store.

They also have Click Snap, where you can review their offers and upload your shopping receipts to claim cashback on individual items rather then the whole shop. On top of that you can earn a reward for referring a friend too. 

Alternatively, you can use new app Airtime rewards to use your cashback to pay your phone bill. This is available for all networks, simply link your cards to the app and collect cashback that’s converted into credit and redeemed against your phone bill!

Finally see if your bank offers any cashback – with Natwest Rewards on of their account offers 2% cashback on certain utilities direct debit as well on 1% on several retailers. While this account does charge £10 a month, it also includes mobile phone and European travel insurance, so it’s up to you to decide if it’s worth it to you.

Save with smart banking

Have you noticed the uprising of all these alternative online banks, or banking apps that help you manage your money better? Well I’ve been trying out two at the moment:

Monzo, if you haven’t seen the neon orange card being flashed everywhere, then where have you been? Monzo helps you manage your money by setting up spending budgets on things like shopping and going out.

The card can be used all around the world with no fees or charges,  and you can take up to £200 abroad every 30 days.

On top of that you can set up side pots for saving and let them fill up either by transferring money into them or saving your change from your card spend automatically so you are saving without even noticing.

The other one that I have been testing is Plum. Plum differs from Monzo in the way that it links with you bank account and then automatically transfers little amounts of money from your bank account to to your Plum savings account without you even noticing. It takes money based on your spending habits too. 

On top of that Plum also allows you to invest some of this money, should you want to. Obviously there is always risks with investing, but they allow you to chose from 3 options depending on how brave you are feeling.

Have you got any other tips on saving while you spend? Can you recommend other apps? I’d love to hear from you, as I’m trying to get better at saving for my future.

 

Looking for other ways to save money? Why not read my article on saving on your food shop?

Love Lilla xx
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