It’s no secret that money worries are a common source of stress among UK adults. The pandemic has caused widespread disruption, and as restrictions ease, many of us are looking for ways to make our money stretch further. In this guide, we’ll offer some tips and tricks to help you save more, reduce expenses and grow your money.
Budgeting
Budgeting is one of the simplest and most effective ways to take control of your finances and regulate spending and saving. If you don’t already draw up a budget every month, it’s a brilliant idea to start budgeting now. With a budget, you can analyse and audit spending, set limits and calculate how much you can afford to save, spend or use to clear debts. There are various ways to create a budget, including using apps, entering data into a spreadsheet and noting down figures in a notepad. Create three columns for your regular income, monthly expenses and one-off costs you’ll cover in the month ahead. Once you have the numbers in front of you, you can figure out how much disposable income you have. You can then decide how much you want to spend and save.
It’s an excellent idea to use your budget to try and save money if you’re trying to tighten your belt. Go through your statements and evaluate where your money goes. You might find that you’re spending a fortune on takeaway lunches or eating out, for example, or you may be paying for subscriptions you’d forgotten about. Eliminate unnecessary expenses and set yourself limits for non-essentials.
Investing
If you have money set aside or you’re looking to grow your money in the future, you may be considering investing in 2021. There are various options to explore, including trading stocks and shares, buying cryptocurrency and investing in a rental or holiday home. Before you spend any money, it’s essential to undertake extensive research. Read about Ethereum 2.0, see what’s happening in the news with prices, rates and levels of demand for different types of cryptocurrency, try free trading demos and gather information about the state of the property market. Whichever type of investment you choose, timing is key. You need to make sure that you make the right calls at the right time to maximise your chances of generating profits. Seek expert advice, keep up to date with the news and calculate risks.
Deals and discounts
Thanks to the Internet, it has never been easier to take advantage of deals and discounts. To make your money stretch further, it’s beneficial to get into the habit of comparing prices online and using vouchers and discount codes. You can save on everything from family days out and flights to branded clothing and shoes, pet supplies, insurance and broadband and TV packages. If you have insurance premiums that are up for renewal, or your TV or mobile phone contract is due to expire, it’s particularly important to compare deals. Many companies reserve their best offers for new customers and you could save a fortune by switching.
Many of us have tightened our belts in the last year. If you’re eager to make your money stretch further, take these tips on board.