In today’s world, where the cost of living is ever-rising, it’s vital to manage our money wisely. Whether it’s slashing unnecessary costs or making the most of what we have, our community is a treasure trove of practical advice.
Recently, members of the RiseUp community shared their top money-saving tips on bills, pensions, insurances and subscriptions. Here’s what they had to say.
1. How can I save smart on bills?
Daniela shared a tip for reducing fixed bill costs – negotiating at the time of contract renewal. “Threaten to leave and go to another service provider. This works particularly well with broadband and mobile phone providers.” Companies often respond with discounts to retain loyal customers. “I got £15 off my Virgin broadband bill every month a few years back when it was time to renew,” Daniela added.
Darren shared that switching supermarkets can make a big difference to your food bill. He decided to swap Tesco for Lidl. Alice backed this up by adding, “I’m always so surprised how much cheaper my Lidl/Aldi shop is than Tesco.”
For those with cars, Darren also shared a useful hack to save on fuel costs: “If you have an older car, I’d recommend using Eco fuel saving mode. It saves me a lot on motorway driving.” Joanna also suggested using the PetrolPrices app, which can save you up to £200 a year by finding the cheapest fuel nearby.
2. How can I leverage offers on insurance?
Pensions and insurance might not be the most exciting topics, but getting the best deals can result in big savings. Daniela had an insightful hack for getting more from your insurance policies. Buying travel insurance through Compare the Market, even a cheap policy, unlocks a year’s worth of 2-for-1 cinema tickets. “So what is meant to cost in the £40 region for a trip to the cinema for 2 is now under £20!,” Daniela explained.
3. How can I cut down on subscriptions?
Subscriptions are sneaky expenses that can quickly add up. However, our community had plenty of creative solutions to keep these under control. Matt uses the subscriptions tracker Subly to notify him of his upcoming subscriptions, and said this used to work well for him in Google Calendar, too.
For those using meal kit subscriptions like HelloFresh, Daniela shared a savvy way to avoid paying full price: “I cancel one account, use another, and then wait for the first account to send me offers to lure me back. So I never end up paying full price for a box.”
The wisdom shared by the RiseUp community highlights the importance of being mindful and proactive with our money. Whether it’s as simple as switching supermarkets or as strategic as negotiating a better deal, there are countless ways to save money without compromising your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Start with the basics: check where your money’s actually going. Look at your bank statements or use an app to break spending into categories — you might be surprised how much slips through on things like takeaways or subscriptions you forgot about. Set small spending goals, automate a bit of savings right after payday, and keep an eye on your “fun money” so it doesn’t eat into essentials.
Making the most of your money starts with knowing your numbers, especially your disposable income. Use that to plan smarter. Are you paying more than needed for energy, broadband or insurance? Could cashback tools or loyalty apps earn you something back? RiseUp can highlight those money moments where small actions (like moving idle cash into savings) make a big difference.
Think of this like a spring clean for your bank account. Cancel subscriptions you’re not using. Check if you’re overpaying for broadband, mobile or insurance. Switching providers can often save £100s a year. Also, watch out for “sneaky” spends like premium features you don’t really need. Bundling services or paying annually (when it makes sense) can also cut costs.
Timing really matters here. Set a reminder before your renewal date and use it as your chance to shop around. New deals often beat loyalty. If you’ve just bought a car or moved house, you might be eligible for better cover (or bundles). Some services spot those key life moments and prompt you with relevant offers, so you’re not overpaying or under-covered.
Subscriptions can be sneaky. Check your recent transactions – are there streaming services, apps or memberships you’ve stopped using? Cancel or downgrade the ones you no longer need. Shared or family plans can be more cost-effective, and switching from monthly to annual (if you’re using it regularly) often saves money in the long run.
