50 ways you can save money in ‘awful April’ and beyond

April has almost arrived and with it the dreaded bill rises.  

But, with a bit of savvy thinking and smart planning, you can cut costs 

Here are 50 ways you can save money in ‘awful April’ and beyond.  

1. Energy bill help 

From 1 April, energy bills are up by 6.4%, adding an extra £111 annually onto the average household bill. 

If you're struggling, check for grants or assistance to help with payments. Some energy companies and charitable trusts offer support.  

Visit Turn2Us to explore available grants. 

2. Cut energy costs  

Simple changes like lowering your thermostat, getting your boiler serviced and closing the curtains can all help reduce energy bills. 

Need more energy saving tips? Our 50 tips on saving energy are a good place to start.  

3. Consider a water meter 

Water bills in England and Wales have risen by £10 more per month on average, though there’s a lot of deviation depending on your supplier.  

If you have a low water usage, a water meter might save you money. Use the CCW calculator to see if it’s right for you. 

4. Get help with water bills 

Struggling to pay your water bill? There are schemes to help, like social tariffs and WaterSure, which caps bills for high water users, if you’re on benefits.  

Contact your provider for more information. 

5. Save on council tax 

Many councils are raising council tax by the maximum 4.99%.  

However, some people qualify for reductions. Students, pensioners and low-income households may be eligible for discounts, so it’s worth checking with your local council. 

6. Cut broadband and mobile bills  

Millions of mobile and broadband users are set to be hit with inflation-busting price rises.  

If you’re one of them and you’re worried, make sure you’re not missing out on potential savings. Social tariffs can help low-income families slash their broadband and mobile bills.  

If your provider doesn’t offer one, switch to one that does without a penalty.  

7. Switch to an annual payment on car tax 

Road tax is rising by an average of £30 a year, but the exact increase will depend on your vehicle.  

If you can afford to pay in full, switching to a one-off annual payment can save money on car tax in the long run. 

8. See if you can get a discount on your TV licence 

If you’re renewing your TV licence after 1 April, you’ll pay the higher annual rate of £174.50, a hike of £5.  

Some people qualify for a TV licence discount. For example, if you’re registered blind, you’ll get a 50% saving. And if you’re over 75 and get pension credit, you can get a free TV licence. 

It’s worth checking with TV licencing.  

9. Save on train fares 

Train fares have risen by 4.6% but you can still save.  

Book in advance, be flexible with your travel times and check for loyalty schemes or Railcards, which can still offer savings. 

Sometimes, two single tickets can be cheaper than a return ticket. So use a site like TrainSplit or Split Your Ticket to cut the cost of your trip.  

10. Travel by bus or coach 

Rather than splashing out on expensive rail tickets, travel by bus or coach. It’s often a fraction of the cost.  

11. Save on prescription charges 

If you’re on regular medication, consider a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) to save on costs. It’s like a ‘season ticket’ for prescriptions.  

Also, check if you’re eligible for free prescriptions.  

12. Meal planning 

Food prices are rising, but planning meals and sticking to a shopping list can keep your spending in check.  

13. Yellow sticker shopping 

Supermarkets often reduce products nearing their sell-by date, especially in the evenings. Shop when yellow sticker discounts are available to bag discounts of up to 75%. 

14. Avoid impulse buys 

Shopping on an empty stomach can lead to unplanned purchases, so make sure you eat before heading to the supermarket to avoid buying things you don’t need.  

15. Take advantage of loyalty schemes 

Loyalty schemes can cut down on shopping costs. Just make sure you're not buying unnecessary items just to collect points. 

16. Avoid pre-prepared fruit and veg 

Pre-prepared fruit and veg is more expensive. Save money by choosing ‘wonky’ produce that isn’t pre-packed.  

17. Bulk buy and batch cooking 

Buy items with a long shelf life in bulk and batch cook meals for the freezer. This not only saves money but reduces food waste.  

18. Store food properly 

Extend the life of your groceries by storing food properly. For example, store eggs in their box and keep certain fruits in the fridge to prevent spoilage. 

19. Buy frozen 

Frozen fruit and veggies are often cheaper than fresh and just as nutritious. Stock up on frozen items to reduce your shopping bill. 

20. Raid your pantry 

When was the last time you checked your pantry or kitchen cupboards for what food you have? You might be surprised of the meals you can make with what’s already in the cupboard.  

21. Cut down on meat 

Meat is expensive and limiting how much you eat can save money and benefit the planet. Try ‘meatless Mondays’ or cut back on meat a few times a week. 

22. Buy own brands 

Own-brand products are often cheaper and similar in quality to branded versions. If your family doesn’t mind the difference, why pay more? 

23. Shop around 

Different stores charge different prices for the same products. Consider visiting local markets, butchers and greengrocers for cheaper options. 

24. Take advantage of price-match promises 

Many supermarkets offer price-match guarantees. Use them to your advantage by registering receipts or loyalty cards for discounts. 

25. Free or cheap food apps 

Many supermarkets and café chains give unsold fresh food to Olio. The Too Good to Go app also offers unsold food at about a third of its original price. 

26. Shop around for insurance 

Price comparison sites can help you find the best deals on insurance. Always check the fine print before committing. 

There’s a great guide to getting the best out of price comparison websites for insurance on MoneyHelper. 

27. Marriage allowance 

You might be eligible for marriage allowance if you’re married or in a civil partnership.  

Find out more about marriage allowance on the government’s website. 

28. Stop smoking 

Cutting down or quitting smoking is not only great for your health but will also save you a lot of money.  

We know it isn’t easy, but there is help out there – have a look at the NHS website. 

29. Cut down on alcohol  

Cutting back on alcohol will lead to big savings and health benefits.  

One simple way to cut down is to have at least a few drink-free days every week.  

The NHS provides lots of tips on cutting down.  

30. Get cashback 

Cashback sites like Quidco and TopCashBack let you earn money on purchases you were going to make anyway. It’s usually small amounts but they add up over time.  

31. DIY presents  

Homemade gifts can be just as thoughtful as expensive ones. Bake a cake, create a photo album, or make candles. There are loads of easy tutorials online. 

32. Buy presents in the sale 

Stock up on presents during sales throughout the year. When birthdays and Christmas roll around, you’ll have presents ready to go at a fraction of the cost. 

33. Recycle used printer ink cartridges 

Refill used printer cartridges at stores like Cartridge World or sell them to companies like the Recycling Factory. It’s eco-friendly and saves money. 

34. Recycle old mobiles 

Trade in your old or broken mobile phones for cash. You might be surprised at how much you can get. 

35. Get free Kindle books 

Browse free Kindle books or sign up for BookBub to get daily emails about free or low-cost eBooks. 

36. Or join a library! 

But nothing beats the old-school way of reading for free – join your local library for unlimited access to books. 

37. Extend the lifespan of your clothes 

Sick of having to replace holey socks, bobbly jumpers and worn-out jeans? The Spruce website has an extensive guide to getting more wear out of your clothes - which could mean big savings, especially if you have a large family. 

38. Buy second hand 

Rather than splashing out on new clothes, toys and other items, go second-hand. Charity shops can be fabulous places to find a bargain, as can online sites like Vinted.  

39. Negotiate rent  

If you’re struggling to pay rent, try negotiating with your landlord. It doesn’t hurt to ask!  

40. Find a room mate   

One of the best ways to save money on rent is to live with someone else. Not only can you split the bills, but you can also share chores like the washing up.  

Websites like IdealFlatmate and Spareroom can help make the process easier, connecting you with people looking for shared housing.   

41. Move to a cheaper location  

The cost of rent can vary hugely depending on the area. City centres tend to be more expensive than the suburbs or more rural areas, so consider whether you really need to live in the city or if a more affordable suburban location might work.  

42. Furnished or unfurnished?   

Unfurnished properties often have lower rent. You can buy second-hand furniture at a fraction of the cost and take it with you when you move.  

43. Cancel unused subscriptions   

When was the last time you used Amazon Prime? Do you really need your gym membership if you’re moving to a new area?   

Take the time to go through your subscriptions and cancel any you no longer use. This small step can free up extra cash.  

44. Check your tax code  

Millions of tax codes are wrong every year and you may be overpaying in tax. Checking your code could see you get a generous rebate.  

45. Set a savings goal 

Have a clear savings goal, whether for a holiday, a rainy-day fund, or paying off debt. It keeps you motivated to stick to your budget. 

Read our blog about setting financial goals. 

46. Set a no spend challenge 

Challenge yourself not to spend on anything other than what’s necessary for a week, or, better still, a month. You’ll be surprised at how much you can save.  

47. Automate savings  

Use apps that automatically transfer money into your savings account. Such apps use technology to work out what you can afford to save, then automatically move money from your bank account to a virtual savings account. The idea is that you start building savings up without really noticing the cash is going. 

Or you could set up a standing order for money to go into a savings account each month. You can do this in your bank’s branch or via the banking app.  

48. Make a budget 

A little organisation can make a big difference. And the best way to start taking control of your finances is to make a budget. 

Use our free budget calculator to track your expenses and savings goals. 

49. Check your benefits   

Make sure you’re not missing out on money you’re entitled to by using our free benefits calculator.   

You could also contact your local council to see what support they can offer.  

50. Seek debt advice  

If debts are becoming unmanageable, then seek advice as soon as you can.  

We offer debt advice online and over the phone, where we can run through your finances and let you know what options are open to you.