As this month is Frugal February, now’s the time to take charge of your finances. Here are three tips to help you save and prosper.
1. If it’s a takeaway – walk away
Steer clear of anything that’s a takeaway – whether it’s a coffee, sandwich or full meal. You can usually enjoy the same thing (maybe something even nicer) by making it yourself.
February is a good month to fill your own flask with hot coffee or soup for work and cook up a casserole or curry using leftovers.
Even if you love your takeaways, resolve to try this tip for the rest of February. You might enjoy it so much that you carry on for the year.
2. Have a no-spend day
Try to have one day a week when you spend nothing. Zero, zip, zilch, nada.
Instead of buying something new, do your utmost to fix or improve something you already own or just go without.
Pull out that forgotten dress or shirt from the back of the wardrobe, fix that missing button, freshly launder it and wear it again.
When you feel the urge to make an impulse purchase, take a deep breath and leave it for 24 hours. You’ll probably feel differently about it by then.
While having a no-spend day can be hard, you can make it rewarding by saving the money you otherwise would have spent.
If, for example, you have one no-spend day every week and save just £30 each week on average, you’ll have £1,560 (plus interest) after a year.
3. Switch and save
Whenever you need to buy something, stop – and look for a cheaper alternative before you do.
Switch branded items for an unbranded alternative – or just a lesser-known brand. And instead of buying goods that are new, go for used, refurbished, or pre-loved ones.
Switching like this can give you a real sense of achievement, especially when you find a substitute item that is even better than the higher-priced original.
We hope that you find these tips handy and that they help you save and prosper in Frugal February and throughout 2025.
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