If you shop at Tesco, and don't have a Clubcard, then you are missing out. When you shop with a Tesco Clubcard, you'll not only get exclusive pricing on hundreds of grocery products, but you'll also earn points which can be turned into vouchers that can help cut the cost of everything from your food shop to days out with the family.

While Tesco might not be the absolute cheapest supermarket, it does offer a really good reward scheme with its Clubcard. Even if you don't shop at Tesco, it's a really good idea to sign up to your supermarket's loyalty scheme to access a host of perks.

Clubcard vouchers are valid for two years from when they were issued, although there is a trick you can try if you are worried about your Tesco vouchers expiring soon.

If you're not sure what to do with your vouchers, we've found 14 family-friendly ways you can spend them.

1. Save money on your groceries with Clubcard vouchers

One of the simplest ways to use your Clubcard vouchers is to get money off your grocery shop, whether you are shopping in-store or online. Just save up your Clubcard vouchers and enter the code online or show them at the till when you checkout.

But remember, you get more value from your Clubcard vouchers if you choose to spend them with a Tesco Reward Partner rather than in-store or online at Tesco.

2. Use your Tesco vouchers to get money off F+F clothing, including back-to-school basics

Save some cash and put your Clubcard vouchers towards clothing or shoes for the kids - or for you - at F+F. Tesco’s clothing range is great quality and excellent value so it’s well worth saving up your Clubcard vouchers and putting them towards some items for next season’s wardrobe. And when the time comes for school uniform shopping, Clubcard vouchers come in especially handy.

3. Use your Clubcard to cut your fuel costs

You can use your Tesco Clubcard vouchers to save money on fuel when you fill up at any Tesco filling station. You can also use the vouchers at any Esso petrol station with a Tesco Express on site. So if you have a £5 Clubcard voucher, you could use it to get a fiver off your fuel bill.

4. Get Disney+ for three months with just £12 of Clubcard vouchers

Did you know you can exchange your Tesco Clubcard vouchers for a Disney + subscription? And because Clubcard vouchers are worth two times more when you spend them with a Reward Partner instead of at Tesco, a Clubcard voucher worth £12 is actually worth £24 when you spent it with Disney+.

If you pay monthly, Disney+ costs £7.99 a month, so with just £12 worth of Clubcard vouchers, you can get three months of Disney+, worth £24. (There are other ways you can get Disney+ for free if you've not got enough vouchers.)

5. Pay less for an English Heritage membership with Clubcard vouchers

An English Heritage membership grants you unlimited access to more than 400 historic places - as well as free or reduced entry to seasonal events. And for every £1.50 you have in Clubcard vouchers, you can claim £3 off the cost of an English Heritage membership.

Individual Adult Membership costs £69 and includes free entry for up to six accompanying children under 18 within the family group. Visit the English Heritage Membership website for more information on using your Clubcard vouchers in this way.

6. Use your Clubcard vouchers to book a mini-break

Everyone loves a mini-break but hotels can be expensive. So why not save your Clubcard vouchers and put them towards a fun-filled family getaway? If you save up to £30 in Clubcard vouchers, you can exchange them for £60 off a booking with Cottages.com.

You can also get double the value of your Clubcard points when you trade them for a booking with selected hotels, including Best Western, Novotel, Mercure and Warner Leisure, where every £5 you collect in Clubcard vouchers counts as £10 off your booking. If you want to head across the Channel, you can also use vouchers to save on LeShuttle crossings. Heading to the airport, you can also use your vouchers to save on airport parking with APH. Check out the Clubcard website to find out more.

7. Get RAC breakdown cover using Tesco vouchers

Why not use your Clubcard points to save some money on something pricey but practical? The RAC offers breakdown cover for Tesco Clubcard members and you’ll get twice the value of your vouchers off the cost of breakdown cover. You can choose from three levels of cover - Standard, Advanced or Ultimate - and each includes roadside rescue wherever you break down.

If you don’t have enough vouchers to cover the full cost of the cover you wish to buy, you can top up using a debit or credit card. Returning Clubcard customers get the same prices as new Tesco Clubcard members, too.

8. Take the family to a theme park using your Clubcard vouchers

From Alton Towers to the Eden Project, you can exchange your Clubcard vouchers for Reward Partner codes to get money off adult and child general admission tickets for a range of fun family days out and experience days.

Participating theme parks include Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures, LEGOLAND Windsor, and Drayton Manor. You can also use Clubcard vouchers for a wide range of days out. Fancy checking out the view from The Shard, taking a London Open Top Bus Tour, or visiting the London Eye? Or how about a trip to London Zoo or a day out at Madame Tussauds in London or Blackpool?

There are so many trips and experience days on offer - you're spoiled for choice.

9. Use Tesco vouchers to save at Cineworld or Picturehouse cinemas

Your Clubcard vouchers are worth two times more than their value when you use them to pay in part or in full at Cineworld or Picturehouse cinemas. So for every 50p you earn in vouchers, you’ll get £1 off at these venues. You can also use your vouchers to purchase snacks or refreshments as well as cinema tickets.

Make sure you check out these other ways to bag cheap cinema tickets to keep the cost of your trip as low as possible.

10. Take the family out to eat for less with your Tesco vouchers

Give yourself the night off and use your Clubcard vouchers to take the family out for tea. For every 50p you earn in vouchers, you'll have £1 to use at the following restaurants:

• Pizza Express
• Bella Italia
• Cafe Rouge
• Prezzo
• Zizzi
• ASK Italian
• Hungry Horse pubs
• Chef & Brewer

11. Save money on train travel and Virgin flights with your Clubcard vouchers

If you're planning a day out for your family, or even a short trip abroad, you can bag some great discounts if you have a Clubcard. But before you book, factor in that you can use your Tesco Clubcard vouchers to get money off flights and transport - including Eurotunnel and Railcard tickets.

With Virgin Atlantic, for example, you can turn every Clubcard point into 2 Virgin Points. That means £1.50 in Clubcard vouchers will bag you 300 Virgin Points. You need to be a Virgin Atlantic Flying Club member to participate, but it's quick and easy to create an account.

12. Use your Tesco vouchers to reduce your mobile phone bill

If you’re a Tesco Mobile customer, you can use your Clubcard vouchers to cut the cost of your monthly phone bill. Or you could use your vouchers to knock money off the upfront cost of a new pay monthly phone or SIM contract.

In addition, if you link your Tesco Mobile phone to your Clubcard you’ll earn a Clubcard point for every pound you spend on your phone bill.

It’s easy to convert your Clubcard vouchers into Tesco Mobile partner vouchers - you can do it in the Clubcard app or on the website.

13. Buy something for a special occasion using your Clubcard vouchers

Whether it's for a birthday present or a special life event like a wedding, jewellery is a luxury that often comes with a hefty price tag. But there's no shame in boosting your value for money by putting your Clubcard vouchers towards your purchase. You can exchange your vouchers for twice their value on lots of brands (some exclusions apply) in one of 100 Goldsmiths jewellers in the UK. However, you'll need to shop in person as you can't exchange the vouchers online.

14. Use your Tesco vouchers to donate to a good cause

You can also use your Clubcard vouchers to donate to a selection of charities including The British Heart Foundation, WWF, British Red Cross, Diabetes UK and Cancer Research UK. Simply sign into the Clubcard website to use your vouchers to make a donation.

How to collect Clubcard points

When you collect Clubcard points (by shopping in-store or online), you'll earn one point for every pound you spend, and once you've earned 150 points, you'll get a Clubcard voucher worth £1.50. You can save your vouchers up and use them to get money off your food shop or exchange them for twice their value on other goods or experiences through Tesco Reward Partners. Vouchers used to be worth triple their value when spent with reward partners, but the rules changed in 2023.

Finally, if you've just remembered that you're a Clubcard member but don't know what you've done with your vouchers, remember that you can reclaim up to two years' worth of lost Tesco Clubcard vouchers.

We’re still a couple of months away from the predicted drop in wholesale energy prices, so we’re still paying more than ever before for the energy we use in our homes. 

Families have spent months worried about how much their energy bills will cost, even more so when the £400 energy bill support scheme came to an end in March. The warmer weather might mean we’re spending less on heating our homes, it’s still important to try to save energy where possible. And lighting is a key area where families could be paying more than they need to.

New research by energy experts Loop has highlighted that more than five million households in the UK are spending £150m more per year on their energy bills than they need to - simply by not switching old halogen lightbulbs to LED alternatives. 

Switching from old, inefficient halogen lightbulbs to LED lightbulbs could save billpayers £60 per year if they switched 10 50W halogen bulbs in their homes and up to £120 a year if they switched 20. 

And according to Loop’s research, 32% of households are risking higher bills by waiting for old halogen bulbs to run out before making the switch. 

Dr Steve Buckley who is Head of Data Science at Loop, says: “With lighting making up 11% of the average household electricity bill, switching to energy-saving LED light bulbs is a simple fix to make some real savings on electricity bills.

“In the past, some people have dismissed LED lights for being overly expensive or not powerful enough, but most now offer better quality than traditional bulbs and are getting cheaper all the time. Part of the appeal of LEDs is that they’re long-lasting. Some options claim a lifespan of as much as 25 to 30 years.”

How do I know which lightbulb to get?

Loop's research discovered that nearly a third (30%) of Brits confess to LED confusion, admitting they don’t know which to choose, where to buy or what difference they make. 

Choosing the right lightbulb comes down to a couple of key factors:

•  the fitting 
• and the brightness. 

When it comes to the fitting, you might have a bayonet fitting (where there are little prongs on the side of the bulb base) which has a push and twist motion to fit, or an Edison fitting which is screwed into place. Some smaller lamps with much smaller bulbs might also have a push fitting. It's important you know what kind of fitting you need before replacing the bulbs with LED alternatives. 

When it comes to brightness, you might have tried LED bulbs in the past and been disappointed with the low level of light, but there are now a lot of options available to suit your needs, but it can be confusing to understand which bulb to get. 

We used to choose bulbs based on their wattage, which refers how much power they use, rather than their brightness. According to the Energy Saving Trust, LED bulbs are more energy efficient and have a lower wattage, so it’s best to look at their lumen value, which is an indicator of how bright the bulb is. The Energy Saving Trust also has a simple table to compare traditional wattages with lumen values of newer LED bulbs. For example, the equivalent of a traditional 60W bulb, would be an 800 lumen LED bulb. 

There may be a label on your light fitting that will tell you what type of bulb to get, so do check that before buying any replacement bulbs. Alternatively, you can take your old bulb with you into a DIY store and ask what a suitable LED alternative would be - you definitely won’t be the only person asking the question!

Money saving expert Martin Lewis has warned households to think carefully before switching energy provider if you spot a cheaper deal than the one you are on now. The warning comes as energy supplier Ovo became the first to offer its existing customers a fixed rate deal below the price guarantee.

Families across the country have spent months worrying about how much their energy bills will cost as prices have skyrocketed. And they were set to rise again in April when the price guarantee was meant to increase to an average £3,000 a year, based on typical use. But as wholesale gas prices are forecast to fall as we head in to summer, that increase was scrapped and the guarantee was extended, at it's current level of £2,500 for another three months.

Why is Martin Lewis urging caution?

Martin is warning households to be careful before switching to a fixed-rate tariff as it might not actually work out as the cheaper option. 

Ovo is offering its four million existing customers a one-year fixed rate deal of £2,275 - which is £225 cheaper than the price guarantee. So on the face of it, it seems like a no-brainer for those customers to switch. But this is where Martin urges households to be cautious.

"People need to be very careful not to just jump on a fix because it costs less than they're paying right now. If you're on a standard tariff, the rates you pay are governed by a cap. That cap is currently set by the Energy Price Guarantee, and will stay roughly stable until the end of June.

"After that, because wholesale rates - the rates energy firms pay - have dropped, it's likely the price cap will drop, and on current predictions that means you'll start paying 20% lower rates than now. That price is predicted to stay around that point until the end of the year and into early 2024.

"Based on those predictions, unless a fix is more than 15% cheaper than your current standard tariff - and this one isn't - it's unlikely to be cheaper over the year."

But Martin did also stipulate that these are predictions only, and that things can change rapidly.

Should I switch to a fixed tariff?

Energy prices will be pretty stable for the next three months thanks to the extension of the price guarantee. While prices are forecast to drop after that, it's hard to know exactly what will happen until nearer the time.

If you stay on your supplier's standard tariff, you will be protected by the price guarantee, while it is in force. Prices may go up again or they may come down, it's a bit of an unknown. 

However, if it is important to you to have some certainty about how much you are paying, you might consider fixing. But be aware that if you fix, you might end up paying more over the duration of that fixed deal, than if you had stayed on the standard tariff. Use a price comparison site like Go.Compare to see if you could save by switching.

Ocado is offering families the chance to Fill Your Freezer with five items for just £10 - saving them £'s on their grocery bills.

The ongoing cost of living crisis is pushing some families to use Foodbanks  but for those who are unable to get a Foodbank referral, supermarket Ocado is going its bit to help families make their food budget go that little bit further.

Nigella brought her peanut butter pasta but there's something else set to revolutionise meal times.

If you're looking for ways to save money at the supermarket or you're keen to donate to a Foodbank, you might want to check out the current deal that offers families the chance to select five items from the frozen dessert, ready meals and fruit and vegetable range for £10.

Sales across the store's frozen dessert range in particular has grown by 31% over the first two months of the year - and with warmer temperatures a long way off yet, it appears consumers are prioritising puddings as an affordable luxury, with frozen and suitable-to-freeze products allowing them to reduce food waste amidst the cost–of-living squeeze.

And there's been a rise in popularity among the nostalgic desserts of time gone by - remember those school dinner classic puddings - making homework just a little bit more bearable and sales of Viennetta, a staple of many childhoods, are up by 55%, with Viennetta Mint more than doubling at 124%. Arctic Roll has also performed strongly despite the chillier weather, with sales up 143% on the same period last year. 

Other in-demand frozen favourites include Apple Strudel and Jam Roly Poly. 

Ocado has launched a new promotion - Fill Your Freezer with 5 for £10 - which runs until 14th March, and gives customers the chance to stock up on everything from popular nostalgic classics like the Coppenrath Apple Strudel, as well as frozen fruit, veg, sides and proteins. There are dozens of items to choose from.

Helen Munro, Buying Manager for Frozen at Ocado Retail said, “Demand for frozen desserts has grown significantly since the start of the year, despite the colder temperatures. Many of our customers are looking to waste less so are opting for products that last longer, and frozen desserts fit that bill nicely. Desserts are one of life’s little luxuries that allow us to enjoy a sweet treat, and with almost 600 desserts to choose from on Ocado, we offer everything from new and exciting to classic and nostalgic.”

Chilled classics that are suitable for freezing have also performed well, with Sticky Toffee Pudding and Bread & Butter Pudding both more than tripling in sales, up 201%.

Meanwhile, M&S Frozen Meringue Roulades (+33%), Coppenrath & Wiese Apple Strudel (+63%) have also enjoyed a renaissance, with consumers increasingly looking to fill freezers with longer-lasting foods. 

What are you waiting for? The only thing you might need is a bigger freezer!

Households across the country are paying more than ever before for the energy they use. Since the start of the energy crisis, families have been worried about how much their energy bills will cost and how they will make ends meet. 

The government introduced the Energy Price Guarantee in October 2022, which effectively overrides the energy price cap, and aims to protect households from the huge price hikes we saw throughout 2022. 

While the price cap hit £4,279 - its highest level ever - in January 2023, the Price Guarantee caps typical annual bills at £2,500, and the government makes up the difference. But from April, the Price Guarantee will rise to an average £3,000 per year, while Ofgem’s price cap is due to reduce to £3,280. 

Why is the Energy Price Guarantee going up if the cap is coming down?

Since the Energy Price Guarantee was introduced in October 2022, we have been paying significantly less than the energy price cap for our energy. For example, from October 2022 to December 2022, the energy price cap was set at £3,549. It then rose to £4,279 for January 2023 to March 2023. This is significantly more than the £2,500 level set by the government under the Energy Price Guarantee. 

The government has been spending huge amounts of money to cover the shortfall between what households pay for their energy and the price that our suppliers pay to buy the energy from the wholesalers. 

The reduction in the energy price cap, from £4,279 to £3,280 reflects a drop in wholesale prices, but £3,280 is still more than the increased price guarantee that is due to come into force in April. 

This means that the government will be spending less money to make up the difference between what we pay as consumers and what the energy suppliers pay to buy the energy they sell to us. But it will still be spending money to make up the shortfall. 

CEO of the energy regulator Ofgem, Jonathan Brearley, says: “This announcement reflects the fundamental shift in the cost of wholesale energy for the first time since the gas crisis began, and while it won’t make an immediate difference to consumers, it’s a sign that some of the immense pressure we’ve seen in the energy markets over the last 18 months may be starting to ease.

“If the reduction in wholesale prices we’re currently seeing continues, the signs are positive that the price cap will fall again in the summer, potentially bringing bills significantly lower.

“However, prices are unlikely to fall back to the level we saw before the energy crisis. Even with the extensive package of government support that is currently in place, this is a very tough time for many households across Britain.”

What's the difference between the energy price cap and the Energy Price Guarantee?

The energy price cap is set by the energy regulator Ofgem and has been in place since 2019. It reflects the changing cost of wholesale energy, so since the energy crisis, it has drastically gone up. It's reviewed by Ofgem every three months. 

The Energy Price Guarantee was introduced by the government in October 2022 after the energy price cap was predicted to rise by another 80%. This would have made energy bills impossible to afford for millions of families. The price guarantee effectively freezes average energy bills based on typical use, at a level set by the government for two years. After than point, energy prices are expected to have stabilised and the price guarantee will end, and prices will be based on the energy price cap again.

When will I see my energy bills come down?

If wholesale energy prices continue to drop as predicted, then from the summer, the energy price cap could drop to less than the £3,000 price guarantee. While the government has not yet announced whether the price guarantee will be reduced if this happens, it could mean that suppliers are able to offer fixed rate deals again, and you could be able to lower your bills by switching to a different provider. 

But while the situation remains uncertain at this point, we could see energy prices drop later this year. While prices will likely still be more than before the energy crisis hit, this will be good news for millions of households.

If you’re pregnant or have a child under the age of four, you could be eligible for the Healthy Start Scheme - a government initiative that gives you £200 a year for all the essentials you need for your baby. 

Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, this scheme could go a long way to reduce money worries throughout your pregnancy and in the early years of parenthood. And there are a lot of money concerns that might arise during your pregnancy. For example, you might be worried about how much maternity pay you will get and who pays for maternity leave and whether you need to pay it back. But the cost of living crisis means family budgets are more stretched than ever before, and parents are increasingly concerned about how much it costs to raise a child.  

NHS data shows that more than 215,000 pregnant women and new parents who are entitled to payments under the Healthy Start Scheme are missing out. 

Personal finance expert Scott Nelson from MoneyNerd said: “Thousands of Brits are still unaware of this scheme, and even those that are aware do not realise that they are eligible to claim these vouchers. Some people don’t claim because of the stigma surrounding government help when it comes to their finances. With the cost of living increasing, it is essential for eligible families to claim them.”

What is the Healthy Start Scheme?

The Healthy Start Scheme is an initiative run by the NHS. It was launched back in 2006 to replace the Welfare Food Scheme. 

The scheme is designed to help expectant or new mums buy healthy food, milk and vitamins. Money-saving expert Roslyn Weems says: “Many will already realise that spending £1.65 on four pints of milk or £1.35 for five bananas every other day quickly adds up, so this government scheme is beneficial and a great resource.”

With the prepaid digital card, you can buy the following:

• plain liquid cow’s milk
• infant formula milk based on cow’s milk
• fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
• fresh, dried, and tinned pulses, like beans, peas and lentils

You can use your card in most places that sell milk, infant formula, fruit and vegetables, but the shop must accept Mastercard payments. This includes:

• supermarkets
• convenience stores
• grocery stores
• drug stores and pharmacies
• markets
• dairy products stores
• newsstands
• petrol stations.

Your Heathy Start card should only be used for buying healthy food or milk and not for other supermarket supplies or fast food. For example, if you got to a shop and buy £2 of cows milk, £5 of fresh vegetables and £4 of cereal and snacks, then you should only put the £7 for the cows milk and fresh vegetables on your Healthy Start card. The cereals and snacks should be paid for using your own bank card or cash. 

The scheme originally began with paper vouchers. It was only in 2022 that the paper vouchers were replaced by a prepaid digital card, a bit like a bank card.

Any payments to your card must be used within 16 weeks. Anything not spent within that time frame will be returned to Healthy Start.

Free Healthy Start vitamins

Under the scheme, you can also collect free vitamins: 

• Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Vitamin drops for babies and young children – suitable from birth to four years old

The vitamins do not contain milk, egg, gluten, soya or peanut residues and they’re suitable for vegetarians and halal diets. You can speak to your midwife or health visitor about how to get the vitamins or you can use this search tool on the NHS website. (You'll need to show your Healthy Start card in order to get them for free). 

How much money do you get on the Health Start Scheme? 

The amount you get on the Healthy Start Scheme will depend on the stage of your pregnancy or how old your child is, but it'll likely be at least £200 a year.

Healthy Start payments are paid via a digital card and so depending on what you are eligible for, that amount is topped up weekly on your card. 

You could claim for Healthy Start payments from when you are 10 weeks pregnant, up until your child turns four. It will just mean when you have your baby, your payments will increase from £17 to £34, and then when your child turns one, your payments go back down to £17 until they reach the age of four. 

When the government made the switch from paper vouchers to a prepaid card system in 2022, a lot of those who were eligible for payments had issues when applying for the scheme. The NHSBSA says if you were affected, you will hear from them and they will offer backdated payments to eligible users. But aside from that, payments will only be backdated to the date of the claim and not to when your child was born. 

How can I find out how much money is left on my card?

You can check the balance on your Healthy Start Card using a cash machine (like you would with your bank card), but remember you can't withdraw cash from the machine using your Healthy Start card. 

Alternatively, you can call 0300 330 7010 and ask for your remaining balance.  

How do I know if I'm eligible for the Healthy Start Scheme?  

The Healthy Start payments are for low-income mums and mums-to-be who live in England, Northern Ireland or Wales. 

To be eligible for the payments, you must be claiming one of the following benefits: 

• Universal credit (only if your household earns £408 or less per month in take-home pay)
• Income-based jobseeker's allowance
• Child tax credit (if your annual family income is £16,190 or less)
• Income support
• You’re pregnant and under the age of 18 (you don’t have to be claiming benefits)
• Pension credit (only for those who get child pension credit, so if you’ve been granted guardianship you would be eligible)
• You're over 10 weeks pregnant and you claim income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
• If you or your partner receive a working tax credit (when you stop working 16 hours or more a week you receive this tax credit)

Money saving expert Roslyn Weems adds: “Those eligible for this scheme should sign up because with service and product prices rising, this scheme provides critical support, and allows some of your money to then be reallocated to other necessities such as heating and electricity.” 

How to apply for the Healthy Start Scheme

You can apply for the scheme on the NHS website or via email at healthy.start@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. You can also apply over the phone by calling 0300 330 7010. 

Before you apply, make sure you have the following information ready to share: 

• Your name
• address
• date of birth
• your National Insurance number
• your baby’s due date if pregnant 
• if you are over 18 years old you will need your benefit award letter.

Once you're approved and receive your card, you will need to activate it before you use it. You should receive an instruction letter with you card explaining how to do this. 

The card is contactless, but you will need to use your PIN the first time you use the card. Your PIN will be send to you along with the card (although they may arrive in separate envelopes for safety).

It's also worth checking whether you could qualify for the SureStart Maternity Grant as well as the Healthy Start Scheme to maximise how much you could get. 

Saving pennies and pounds during the cost of living crisis might sound difficult – but it’s not impossible. If you're concerned about how to save money, taking part in a money saving challenge can be a fun and easy way to get in the savings habit.

You don’t need tons of spare cash to start saving either. There are several methods to save small amounts of money over time, which will begin to add up. To maximise any savings you might make, it's worth seeing if you’re eligible for a Help to Save account. Eligible savers get a bonus of 50p for every £1 they save in a designated savings account, up to a maximum bonus of £1,200.

Most money saving challenges involve following certain rules which tell you how much to save and when. Others involve giving something up (such as alcohol or chocolate) and putting the money you save to one side. Before you start, check out these things that you should never do when trying to save money.

Personal finance expert Andrew Hagger from Moneycomms says: “Rounding up payments is a great way to start saving, the amounts may be small, but you have to start somewhere and once you begin to see your savings balance grow it should hopefully encourage you to save even more in the future.”

Money saving challenges that work

1. 1p savings challenge

The 1p savings challenge has been around for years but it’s currently trending on TikTok so it's having a surge in popularity.

This challenge lasts 365 days and you can start it at anytime. You don't have to time it with the start of the new year. The general idea is that you start by saving 1p on day one, then increase the amount you add to your savings by 1p per day for a whole year. Instead of starting in January that might seem logical, it's worth thinking about starting the challenge in December. This means you save the lowest amount in what is normally the most expensive month of the year. 

Another way to avoid trying to save the highest amount is to work the challenge in reverse and save £3.65 on day one and just 1p on day 365.

Although suitable for people who can only afford to save a low amount, this challenge can be tricky. Not all banks will let you transfer small amounts each day, so  if you don't want to try the challenge with actual cash and a jar, it's easier to work out how much you'd pay each month, and transfer that into a savings account instead.

• Who’s this suitable for? Those who want to save little and often and get into a regular savings habit
• How much do you need to save? 1p on day one, up to £3.65 on day 365.
• How much will you save in a year? £667.95
• How easy is it? 4/10 (can be fiddly to do on a daily basis)

2. The £1 Savings Challenge

This simple money saving challenge involves saving £1 each day. If you complete the challenge, you’ll save £365 in a year (£366 in leap year). You can easily complete this challenge with the coins or put the money into a savings account. Similarly to the 1p savings challenge, your bank might not allow you to transfer a single pound into a savings account each day, so it might be worth transferring on a monthly basis instead. 

If you save with the coins, you'll need will power not to dip into it whenever you need change.

• Who’s this suitable for? This challenge is perfect for people who can’t afford to save very much and want to do something straightforward and easy.
• How much do you need to save? £1 a day
• How much will you save in a year? £365
• How easy is it? 9/10

3. The 52-week saving challenge

With this challenge you save weekly, rather than daily. The amount you save per week depends on what week it is in the year. So, in week one you'll save £1 all the way through to week 52 when you'll save £52.

The amounts in this challenge start off low but the final month will be a killer – you’ll need to save £49 in week 49, £50 the following week, then £51 and finally £52. That means you'll need to save £202 in the final month.

• Who’s this suitable for? Those who are able to save up to £202 in a month
• How much do you need to save? Between £1 and £52 a week
• How much will you save in a year? £1,378
• How easy is it? 6/10

4. The No Spend Week challenge

This saving challenge differs from the others because you won’t set aside a specific amount of money. Instead, you stop all spending, apart from on essentials, for an entire week. While this might be difficult for parents, especially when trying to keep kids entertained at the weekend, you could always adapt it to have No Spend Weekdays and see how you get on.

Nick Drewe from coupon and discount website Wethrift: “The #nospendweek hashtag has received 1.6 million views on TikTok - this hack is where you commit to a week of only spending on essentials such as groceries and travel to and from work,” 

“No spending should take place on any leisure activities or non-essential items, and is designed to encourage more mindful spending. From cutting out day-to-day expenses on things such as takeaways or going to a bar after work, you can assess how much you have saved at the end of the week.”

• Who’s this suitable for? Those looking to be more mindful about how much they spend
• How much do you need to save? This will vary on how much you normally spend on non-essentials
• How much will you save in a year? This depends on how often you do the challenge, but helps avoid needless spending
• How easy is it? 9/10 - you don't have to commit all year if that's not managable.

5. The Round-Up Hack

“This involves rounding all purchases up to the nearest full number, and adding the difference to your savings,” explains WeThrift's Nick Drewe, “For example, if you were to spend £5.75 on your lunch, you would round this up £6 and transfer the 25p to your savings account. Over time, adding the difference to your savings from all of your purchases will soon increase without the need to transfer significant amounts.” 

There are several banks including Monzo, Natwest, Starling and Lloyds that will do the rounding up for you when you spend on your debit card, and move your change into a separate savings account.

Alternatively, if you tend to mostly spend cash to keep on budget, then a savings jar will achieve the same result. But it can be harder to keep track of how much you've saved.

• Who’s this suitable for? Those who want to save without really noticing 
• How much do you need to save? Anything to round your spending up to the nearest whole pound
• How much will you save in a year? It depends on how much you spend, but five 25p round ups each day adds up to £456.25 a year
• How easy is it? 10/10

6. The ‘little vices’ challenge

This challenge means giving up one more of your 'vices'. These might include: 

• takeaway coffees
• buying lunches when you're out and about
• smoking
• chocolate
• alcohol
• takeaway dinners.

The idea is you put the money you would have spent on your ‘vice’ into a savings account instead. 

This can not only help your bank balance but can make you healthier and, depending on what you give up, also be good for the environment.

• Who’s this suitable for? Everyone
• How much do you need to save? Depends on what you’re giving up, but could be anything from a couple of pounds a week
• How much will you save in a year? If you stop buying £10 bottles of wine a week, you’ll save £1,040 in a year
• How easy is it? 3/10. You’ll need willpower to quit your vice and discipline to save the money, but if you manage it, the reward will feel doubly-sweet.

7. Set up a regular savings account

Most banks offer Regular Saver accounts where you save between £25 and £500 a month, with interest you earn paid at the end of the year. Even if you only save £25 a month, after 12 months you’d have saved £300. If the account paid 5% interest, you’d have a total of £308.13 after a year.

Andrew Hagger founder of personal finance website Moneycomms says: “By setting up a regular standing order to your savings account on or very close to payday, you'll soon become accustomed to that money not being in your current account where you may have previously be tempted to spend it.

“After a while this practice will become the norm and your savings balance will grow month on month and with a bit of luck will spur you on to persevere with the savings habit you've recently adopted.”

• Who’s this suitable for? Those who want to start a regular savings habit without taking on a challenge
• How much do you need to save? From £25 a month
• How much will you save in a year? £300 if you save £25 a month
• How easy is it? 10/10 - you can set up a standing order to transfer the money from your current account to your savings account on or just after pay day and you don't have to worry about forgetting.

Money saving methods that don't work

1. Saving whatever is left at the end of the month

Saving whatever you have left at the end of the month might seem like a good idea, because it's not money that you've needed throughout the month. But you run the risk of not having anything left to save after the month is over. 

By putting money aside for savings just after pay day, you can then adjust your budget for the month knowing your savings have been accounted for.

2. Trying to save too much each month

If you're trying to get into a regular savings habit that you can sustain throughout your life, trying to save too much at a time can be hugely difficult, not leave you enough money for your essentials for the month, and mean you give up the savings habit before it's even got started. 

It's a good idea to take a look at how much money you have coming in and how much you have going out, and seeing how much is a realistic amount to save each month. You might even consider what things you can cut back on to save a bit more, but it's important that you can still pay for all your essentials before trying to save.

3. No spend month

A no spend week is one thing, but a no spend month can be incredibly difficult to stick to, especially if you have children. 

An important thing to remember with any money saving challenge

No money saving challenge will work if you set yourself an impossible task. Stick with challenges that you think are achievable and then once you've nailed those, you can try something that feels a bit more challenging.

But the most important part is to not be too hard on yourself if you don't manage to stick to a challenge 100%. Just do the best you can, save what you can, and try not to dip into your savings if you don't have to. Just by attempting a challenge, you'll become more in tune with what you are spending and where you might be able to cut back and be a bit more mindful when spending.

Families across the country are facing a 20% increase in their energy bills in April. But money saving expert Martin Lewis is calling on the government to postpone the planned increase, as fears grow that it will send more people into fuel poverty, where they can't afford their bills. 

For most of 2022 and well into 2023, households have been worried about how much their energy bills will cost after huge increases in the price of gas and electricity. In April 2022, energy prices went up by 54% and they were due to rise again in October 2022. But the government stepped in and introduced the Energy Price Guarantee. This sets a limit on the price people pay per unit of gas and electricity they use, and is less than the price your energy supplier pays for the gas and electricity they buy from the wholesaler. The government has been making up the difference in price.

But when the Price Guarantee was introduced, it was meant to keep average annual energy bills, based on typical use, at £2,500 for two years. But as energy prices were still going up, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said in his Autumn Statement that the average bills under the Price Guarantee would rise to £3,000 for 12 months from April 2023. This is a 20% increase and a bitter blow for families already struggling to pay their energy bills. It is also slated to come into force just as the £400 energy rebate ends. 

Martin's latest plea comes after her urged families to make a simple check to avoid another price hike, and to avoid doing laundry at specific times to avoid the change of blackouts.

Why does Martin Lewis want the Energy Price Guarantee increase to be postponed?

Martin Lewis has sent a letter to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt asking his to postpone the increase to the Energy Price Guarantee. He is worried, not only about the devastating impact this increase could have on people's mental health, but also their bank accounts. 

In his letter, Martin Lewis writes: "Without intervention, and soon, the charity National Energy Action predicts that the number of fuel poor households will rise drastically from an already shocking 6.7 million to 8.4 million from April – approaching double the 4.5 million in this position in October 2021. That is a frightening statistic."

But Martin also points out that the plan to raise the Energy Price Guarantee to £3,000 was made when wholesale energy prices were predicted to be much higher than they are now. 

Predictions suggest that by the summer, energy prices might even be lower than the Price Guarantee's rate of £2,500 and the scheme may no longer be needed, and the government may no longer need to make up the difference in the price that families pay their suppliers, and the price the suppliers pay to the wholesalers. 

Currently, the energy price cap, is set at £4,279 a year (an average based on typical use). But the Energy Price Guarantee lowers this to £2,500 and the government pays the difference. 

But analysts at Cornwall Insight, who provide regular predictions as to how the energy price cap will change, predict that by July, the energy price cap will fall to £2,360. This is £140 less than the current level of the Energy Price Guarantee, and £640 less than the £3,000 Energy Price Guarantee level that is due to come into force from April 2023.

If those predictions are accurate, then Martin says the planned hike should be postponed. And he's urging the government to act before the Spring Budget to give energy suppliers time to plan and inform customers of any upcoming changes. 

What can you do to keep your energy bills as low as they can be?

Whether the government postpones the planned increase to the Price Guarantee or not, we're currently paying more for the energy we use than ever before. But there are ways to make sure you're keeping your bills as low as possible.

• Try to reduce how much energy you use at home - turn your thermostat down, keep doors and windows closed, and avoid energy hungry appliances like tumble dryers
• Request a smart meter, or submit meter readings to your supplier if you don't have one, to ensure you're getting accurate bills and only paying for energy you use
• Check that you have been receiving the £400 energy rebate and, if you're on a prepayment meter, that you've redeemed your vouchers. According to the latest data, £50m worth of vouchers haven't yet been redeemed.
• Speak to your supplier if you are struggling to pay your bills - you may qualify for grants or assistance.

With food inflation being a huge driver in the cost of living crisis, it's unsurprising that families are concerned about how to save money on food as they try to make ends meet. 

There are multiple complex reasons why food prices are going up. But the end result means that families are struggling to stretch their household budgets to cover the rising cost. 

But there is a simple change that you can make to significantly reduce how much you spend on food. And it's a change that sticks - I made the change at the start of the pandemic and slashed my monthly food bill by more than 30%. And I haven't gone back.

So what did I do? I swapped to the cheapest supermarket. And if you're wondering if Aldi or Lidl is cheaper - the team at Goodto have done the research to find out.

Now this is something you might have already considered, but when I told my friends just how much I'd saved, they were surprised. They thought it would be much less, and so hadn't made the change themselves, thinking it wouldn't be worth it. 

But I think it absolutely is, and here's why.

Why I switched supermarkets 

I was a die-hard Sainsbury’s fan for years, decades even. I’d shop online and the nice delivery person would bring my groceries right to my front door.

But the pandemic changed all that. Suddenly getting a Sainsbury’s delivery slot was incredibly difficult. And as a fit and healthy person, I thought it was best to leave the limited online delivery slots to old or vulnerable people who didn’t feel safe going to the supermarket in person.

Forced to now drive to the supermarket, I decided to try a cheaper one and for a while alternated between Aldi and Lidl. 

The result? I’ve switched to Aldi permanently (it has better parking than my local Lidl) and saved hundreds, perhaps thousands of pounds. While money-saving wasn't my main goal when I switched, as prices have skyrocketed, I'm very glad I did!

What I spend on a big shop

A quick look through my online Sainsbury’s account shows that, pre-pandemic, I normally spent about £100 on each online order, which would last me about two or three weeks. With food inflation at its highest in 40 years, I expect those online orders would cost a lot more now.

Now I do my “big shop” at Aldi, at the same frequency, and my bill is normally about £60 for a car boot load of food. That's a 40% saving based on Sainsbury's pre-pandemic prices. Even with food prices going up, the price differences between the two supermarkets would still be quite similar.

In between big shops, I still have to top up things like fruit, vegetables and milk at my nearest Sainsbury’s Local or Tesco Express. 

How do prices compare?

Here are some examples of things I always buy and how the prices compare (prices were correct at the time of writing):

Even if I just bought those five items from Aldi instead of Sainsbury's, I would save £6.90.

But let's compare an actual big shop. Conveniently, my bank, Monzo, categorises my spending so I can see what I spend on groceries each month. 

According to Monzo, I spent £386 on groceries in April 2019 (when I was still a Sainsbury’s fan) but just £265 in April 2022 (when I was an Aldi regular). These total monthly figures for groceries also include top-up shops at Sainsbury’s Local, Tesco Express or the local corner shop.

That's a saving of £121 over the course of the month!

But don't just take my word for it

It’s not just my experience that suggests you can save a fortune by switching to Aldi or Lidl – my claims are backed up by the experts.

For example, The Grocer magazine found that Aldi is, on average, 35% cheaper than some of its rivals. 

Meanwhile Which? has just crowned Aldi the cheapest supermarket for the seventh month in a row and the cheapest supermarket overall for 2022. But there’s not much in it between Aldi and Lidl – the basket of 48 items Which? looked at cost £81.63 at Aldi and just £1.61 more at Lidl (£83.24).

The same items cost £95.71 at Sainsbury’s, £102.87 at Ocado and a whopping £112.62 at Waitrose.

What I learned by switching supermarkets

Pros of switching supermarkets

• It's cheaper
• On the whole, I can't taste a difference
• Great seasonal options 

Some people think the quality of food in budget supermarkets won’t be as good as in the more expensive supermarkets. While arguably, this is probably true for some items, it’s not what I have found on the whole. I like to eat quite healthily, cook meals from scratch and batch cook for convenience (which can also help reduce the price of your food shop). Since I’ve switched to Aldi my meals have tasted the same as before.  

I even cooked a family Christmas dinner with food from Aldi – and no one noticed any difference. Moving on to Easter, Aldi has some of the swankiest looking and nice-tasting Easter eggs I’ve ever had.

Switching supermarkets has made me realise I need to be more organised and go more often. When I pop into Tesco Express or Sainsbury’s Local for a few bits (and always take my supermarket loyalty card), I realise I’m paying over the odds compared to Aldi. A Tesco Clubcard offers discounts on lots of items – but, in my opinion, Tesco has simply hiked up prices for non-Clubcard users. 

Downside of switching supermarkets

• Less choice
• Can't always find branded items
• Limited options for those with specific dietary requirements
• Lack of online deliveries

A major downside of ditching Tesco, Waitrose or Sainsbury’s for Aldi or Lidl is that they sell less products.

With both Aldi and Lidl stores typically a fraction of the size of a large Sainsbury’s or Tesco store, they don’t have as much choice. If you like certain branded food, you might find you can’t buy your favourite items. For example, I couldn’t see any Doritos (£1.75 in Sainsbury’s) in Aldi on my last visit so I bought budget tortillas (48p) instead – they were a fraction of the price but, admittedly, not as nice. 

Aldi also lacks decent oat milk – I still go to Sainsbury’s or Tesco for that. 

If you buy toiletries with your supermarket shop, it’s slim pickings in both Aldi and Lidl, although their basic brands of shower gel, shampoo and face cream are cheap and good quality.

A big issue is that neither Aldi or Lidl do online deliveries, so you’ll need both the time and transport to go and do a “big shop” in person. Fortunately, I have a car and a trip to my local Aldi would be pretty tricky without it. 

But online grocery shopping is ultimately a lot less time-consuming – pre-pandemic I could whizz through an online Sainsbury’s order while watching TV.

Weighing everything up, the extra effort of a trip to Aldi (or Lidl) is worth it for the cost savings, and I’d recommend other people think about making the switch too.

Other ways to slash the cost of your food shop

Changing to a cheaper supermarket is a great starting point if you want to save money on food, but there's lots more you can do to keep food bills as low as possible.

• Write a shopping list and stick to it - it'll help you avoid impulse purchases
• Don't shop hungry
• Be wise to supermarket tricks that encourage you to spend more
• Shop later in the day for the best reductions
• Avoid pre-prepared fruit, salad and sandwiches
• Buy a brand level lower - in most cases, you won't be able to taste a difference
• Sign up to the supermarket's loyalty scheme for exclusive offers and discounts
• Click and collect if you shop online - it's cheaper than delivery
• Remember to take your shopping bags. 

With our bills higher than ever before, it’s no wonder that families are hunting for all the tips and tricks they can find to help save energy at home to keep energy bills as low as possible. 

2022 saw gas and electricity prices skyrocket, and while households are now protected by the Energy Price Guarantee, we’re still paying more than ever before for the energy we use. 

Add to that the fact that inflation is still in double digits, meaning we’re paying considerably more for the items we buy, especially food, than we were 12 months ago, leaving family budgets stretched even further. 

But while the thought of high bills can feel bleak, there are loads of simple hacks around to help reduce how much you spend.

Viral TikTok hack to help you save money

TikToker @costoflivingcrisistips shared a super simple hack to help you save money every time you wash up. 

The viral video shows how, once you have used your oven to cook, you can place a dish of cold water in the oven as it cools, leave it in there for a couple of minutes, and use the warmed water for your washing up - avoiding the need to use your hot tap at all!

This is a great way to really get the most out of the energy you use (and pay for) to heat your oven for cooking. The hack has proved extremely popular on the social media platform - since being posted in December, it has been viewed more than 780,000 times!

Understandably, it’s important to be cautious and use a suitable container in the oven and to take care when getting it out, and testing the temperature before you start washing up. 

This isn’t the only oven hack that has been doing the rounds on social media. Users have also been sharing their tips on how you can use the heat you generated to cook your food to warm up your kitchen. This could mean you don’t need to have your central heating on for as long or as high to stay warm at home. 

Once you have finished cooking and turned the oven off, simply leave the oven door open and allow that heat to circulate around your kitchen. But if you do try this hack, make sure you keep children and pets away to avoid any accidents. 

 More washing up money-saving hacks 

Do you ever really pay attention to how much washing up liquid you use? I know I don't! Most of us tend to just squirt a healthy dose into the bowl, but this means we could be using more than we need to, and whizzing through bottles of washing up liquid faster than necessary. 

But another TikTok hack is doing the rounds that could help your washing up liquid last longer - simply use a teaspoon to measure out your washing up liquid - in most cases, this is exactly how much you will need to get your dishes squeaky clean. Genius!

Carrying out your weekly food shop at the cheapest supermarket is one of the simplest ways to save money on food. Family budgets remain tight thanks to stubbornly high inflation, and with the colder months now upon us, there’s the extra pressure of high energy bills to contend with. 

Retail expert at online discount platform Wethrift, Nick Drewe, told us: “As we navigate through the ongoing cost of living crisis, the impact that rising inflation is having on the prices of everyday supermarket essentials has been impossible to ignore. 

“While many shoppers will be looking to make cuts on their non-essential purchases where possible, or looking to swap from branded goods to supermarket own ranges, in order to ease the strain on their bank accounts, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to decipher exactly where the best deals and highest quality offerings are to be sourced. In times of financial uncertainty, the average shopper is less likely to retain brand loyalty if they are able to find notably cheaper goods at rival supermarkets.”

Whichever supermarket you choose to shop at, always ensure you’re signed up to its loyalty card scheme to maximise any savings or benefits you can get. It's also a good idea to wise up to sneaky supermarket tricks that retailers use to encourage you to spend more in store. If you tend to shop online, make sure you know where you can get the cheapest online food shopping. 

Which was the cheapest supermarket in October 2023? 

The latest research by Which? shows that for the first time in 17 months, Lidl has been crowned the cheapest supermarket for October 2023. Aldi was knocked off the top spot to take second place. We did our own experiment to see if Aldi or Lidl was cheaper and that's what our latest research found too.

Which? checked the price of 44 popular grocery items and found that Lidl was the cheapest at £74.58, just 17p less than closest rival Aldi. 

Waitrose was the most expensive supermarket in October 2023. The equivalent basket cost a total of £91.15 – that’s 22% (or £16.57) more than Lidl. Of the ‘big four’ supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons), Asda was cheapest at £82.11.   

Cheapest supermarket for larger shops

Which? also compared the cost of a larger trolley of 135 items (the original 44, plus 91 more). As this larger shop includes more branded items, which may not be available at the discounters, Aldi and Lidl weren’t included in this comparison.

Asda was found to be the cheapest of the ‘big four’ traditional supermarkets, with an average trolley price of £328.42. Morrisons took second place, with a total trolley cost of £339.40 (£10.98 more).

At the other end of the scale, Waitrose was once again found to be the most expensive supermarket in October, having been overtaken by Sainsbury’s last month. The Waitrose trolley cost £378.08, £49.66 more than Asda. 

How do supermarkets compare for kids' essentials?

Raising a family doesn’t come cheap, so if you’ve recently had a baby, the table below looks at how the cost of essential baby items compares across the major supermarkets.  

Although Aldi and Lidl often offer cheaper products, they don’t sell as wide a selection of products (and some products tend to come and go), which means you might need to go to the bigger supermarkets to get the remainder of your items. Prices are pretty similar across Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury's, while Waitrose stands out as being the most expensive – primarily because it offers a smaller range of own-brand products.

If your children are older, the table below outlines how prices compare at the same supermarkets for a selection of kids’ favourites.

Again, Waitrose tends to be the most expensive. Aldi and Lidl do have some great deals, but didn’t stock all the products we were after. Lidl also only publishes the prices of some of its products online – the product, or an equivalent, may be available in store, even if it’s not listed on our table. 

Which is the most expensive supermarket?

According to Which’s annual survey, Waitrose was the most expensive across the 12 months of 2022. In fact, a basket of items from Waitrose cost from £9 to over £30 more per month than the cheapest supermarket. It also remains the priciest supermarket so far this year. We also did our own experiment to see if Waitrose was more expensive than M&S Food.

However, separate research from Which? reveals that in September this year, Sainsbury’s saw the highest level of inflation on food and drink, with prices up 14% year-on-year. This is the first time Sainsbury’s has been highest for inflation and it was followed by Lidl at 13.3% and Aldi at 12.8%.

Waitrose, on the other hand, had a lower inflation figure of 7.7%.

How to find the cheapest supermarket

Monitoring surveys and research from publications such as The Grocer and Which? is one way to keep track of supermarket prices. But there are also a number of apps and tools that can help you find the cheapest prices for the items you need to buy.

The Trolley app is a good example that lets you compare prices across 16 supermarkets – including Aldi and Lidl. You can even use the app in store and scan a bar code before you buy to ensure you aren’t paying more than you need.

Other options to try include Latest Deals, MySupermarketCompare and Superizon. These all let you compare the best deals across a range of supermarkets, while Supermarket Wizard helps consumers carry out a full basket price comparison across the big six supermarkets. Once you’ve placed all the items in your basket, you’ll be able to see which supermarket comes out cheapest.  

It can also be worth trying out food waste apps such as Too Good To Go, as shopping expert at MyVoucherCodes, Sarah-Jane Outten, explains: “Too Good To Go offers magic bags from several supermarkets including Morrisons, Waitrose, and M&S Food. These bags are packed with foods close to the end date for a fraction of the full price.” See how this app saved one mum more than £35 a month.  

Is the cheapest supermarket the best?

At a time when the cost of living remains high, hunting out the cheapest supermarket and finding the biggest savings will be a top priority. However, cost isn’t the only factor that should be considered when looking for the best supermarket for your circumstances. 

Finance expert at lender Cashfloat, Sarah Connelly, told us: "Choosing the cheapest supermarket can save you money, but it's essential to consider your overall shopping needs. Quality, variety, convenience, and value also play a significant role in determining the 'best' supermarket for you. The key is finding the right balance between affordability and the other factors that matter to you.”

Food expert and owner of online supermarket Britsuperstore, Richard Price, agrees, saying: “One crucial consideration is the quality of the products on offer. Cheaper supermarkets might cut corners in terms of product quality or freshness, potentially leading to subpar food items that can impact your health and overall satisfaction. Therefore, it's essential to strike a balance between affordability and the quality of the goods you're purchasing.

“Customer service, cleanliness, and the overall shopping experience also play a role in choosing the right supermarket. A frustrating or uncomfortable shopping environment can make the cheaper option less appealing, and the convenience of a more expensive store with better service may be worth the extra cost.”

You’ll also need to think about how easy the cheapest supermarket is for you to get to. There’s no point travelling miles to a cheaper supermarket if increased petrol or public transport costs eat up your savings. 

Consumer finance specialist, Sarah Pennells from Royal London, also points out that while discount supermarkets can be cheaper, you might not be able to do your full weekly shop at one.

She says: “Some discount stores have very limited ranges, which can mean the cheapest option isn’t available so you have to pay more, or you need to make a separate trip to another supermarket if they’re out of stock of something you need. I use discount supermarkets regularly, but have experienced both of these.”

It’s also important to note that neither Aldi or Lidl offer a full online shopping service either. Lidl is in-store only while Aldi only offers click and collect.

If you're after more ways to save money on your food shop, try this cheese hack. You might also like our guide on how to get free food (or at least heavily discounted food).  

If you're wondering how much a First Class stamp costs, you're not alone. The price of stamps went up in April 2023, and sadly another price hike is due in October. 

But it's not just prices changing in 2023. Since the start of the year, King Charles stamps have entered circulation and some stamps have expired, meaning families can no longer use non-barcoded stamps (although if you have any old style stamps, you can exchange them through Royal Mail's Swap Out scheme). 

But what are the current rates for stamps and what will they be from October?

How much is a First Class stamp?

Up until 1 October, a First Class stamp for a standard letter costs £1.10, but from 2 October, this will rise by 15p to £1.25. A First Class stamp for a large letter costs £1.60, but after the October price hike, it will cost 35p more, at £1.95. Standard letters must be no larger than 24cm x 16.5cm x 5mm. Large letters can be no bigger than 35.3cm x 25cm x 2.5cm.

Why are stamps going up?

The rise in price is due to the increased costs faced by Royal Mail in light of inflation, coupled with fewer people sending letters these days - Royal Mail says there has been a 25% decline in letters since the pandemic. In addition, the service was the victim of a cyber attack earlier this year, and has also been hit by repeated Royal Mail strikes. The business expects to make an operating loss of up to £450m this year.

Nick Landon, chief commercial officer at Royal Mail, has said: "We appreciate that many businesses and households are facing a challenging economic environment and we are committed to keeping our prices affordable.

He added: "We have to carefully balance our pricing against a continued decline in letter volumes and the increasing costs of delivering letters six days a week to an ever-growing number of addresses across the country."

How much is a Second Class stamp?

Second Class stamps for standard letters rose by 7p on 3 April, from 68p to the new price of 75p. And this price will not increase in October. But Second Class stamps for larger letters will go up by 40p from £1.15 to £1.55 as of 2 October

The new cost covers letters weighing up to 100g and has the same £20 compensation cover as the First Class stamps (excluding money and valuables), and they can also be bought via the Royal Mail online shop, as well as the Post Office, supermarkets and some stationery stores.

Second Class is a cheaper option for UK customers who don't need their letter sent urgently, because delivery times are slightly slower. "Delivery in two to three working days including Saturdays," Royal Mail states of their Second Class postal service online.

Is there anything I can do to beat the stamp price increase?

If you send a lot of letters, it's worthwhile stocking up on barcoded stamps while they are cheaper, as they will still be valid when the prices go up in October. Alternatively, if your standard sized letters aren't urgent, it's worthwhile sending them Second Class as this is cheaper than first class and the price isn't going up in October.

Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, said: "For years, every time stamps go up in price I've suggested people stock up and bulk-buy in advance, as provided the stamp doesn't have a price on it and instead just says the postage class, it's still valid after the hike.

"This has been an effective tactic, as a first-class letter stamp is now £1.10, soon to be rising to £1.25 – in 2012 it was just 60p.

"So you may as well stock up now, even if it's just for Christmas cards for the next few Christmases." 

Can I still use old stamps?

Whether you can still use stamps bought before the price increase, depends on the type of stamps you have. If you have stamps with a barcode on, you will still be able to use those after the prices go up. 

But everyday non-barcoded stamps (ones featuring the late Queen's profile) expired on 31 July 2023, so you won't be able to use those. But you can exchange them for free, using the Royal Mail Swap Out service. If you have any special stamps, like Christmas themed ones or ones with pictures on, these are still valid and don't need to be swapped out for barcoded versions. 

You can exchange your old stamps using Royal Mail's Stamp Swap Out form.

Current UK postage rates

For the full list of First and Second Class services, visit the online price guide.

If you send or receive a lot of stuff by post, you might also be wondering if Royal Mail delivers post on Good Friday and Easter Monday. 

We share the expert-approved ways your family can save money when shopping with Amazon and make sure you are getting value for money.

Ask any parents at the school gates, and you'll be hard-pressed to find one that doesn't shop on Amazon. Not only is it really convenient, but nine times out of ten, its got what you need at a reasonable price. Become an Amazon Prime member, and you'll get a whole load of extra benefits too - including exclusive deals when Amazon Prime Day comes around.

However, there are plenty of other ways you can keep costs low when shopping with Amazon year-round, if you know where to look.

10 ways to save money when shopping with Amazon

1. Sign up to a Prime membership

If you regularly shop on Amazon, it's worthwhile becoming an Amazon Prime member - even if it's just for the free postage. Membership guarantees free and fast delivery, exclusive member-only discounts on select items, and early access to Amazon sale events, as as access to Prime Video, 12 months free Deliveroo Plus and more.

You can start by signing up for a free 30-day trial. If satisfied, an annual membership will set you back £95 (or you can pay a monthly fee of £8.99, but this is a more expensive way to pay as it will cost you £107.88 over the course of 12 months rather than the annual fee of £95). If you know there is a Prime sale event on the horizon (there's usually one in July, one in October and the Black Friday sale at the end of November) then you can time your trial to coincide and bag some bargains.

2. Use 'Subscribe and Save'

If you regularly buy consumable items from Amazon, like toiletries, nappies or laundry products, then Subscribe and Save could help you save money. Subscribe and save offers up to 15 per cent off the original price of these when you schedule repeat deliveries of these items. The good news is that it's flexible too. You can choose a repeated delivery time frame that suits you and Amazon will additionally check in with you via email before shipping your products to ensure they're still required.

"There is no commitment once you subscribe," reads the Subscribe and Save information page. "We will send you a reminder email before each delivery showing the items, price and any applicable discount. Skip your deliveries if you have enough already, or cancel your subscriptions at any time."

3. Save even more with Subscribe and Save vouchers

Savings on savings. Yes, you read that right. In addition to the 15% off repeated delivery items, you can also get exclusive Subscribe and Save vouchers that can be applied on top of the original discount. These additional vouchers boast extra deals that vary from five to 20 per cent off. They're not all Amazon brand items either, with many of these Subscribe & Save vouchers also applying to well known household names like Finish, Andrex, Listerine and Garnier.

Next time you go to order or check into your repeat delivery subscription be sure to check out the Subscribe & Save Vouchers page first to make the most of your money.

4. Keep your eyes peeled for Amazon vouchers

As families are probably used to with the weekly food shop, coupons are a great way to cut the cost of your shopping, and Amazon is no exception. To reap the rewards, check out the Amazon Voucher homepage to see the exciting deals. Some are percentage based - with up to 60 per cent off products like clothing, footwear, tech and toiletries, while others specify an amount, e.g. save £3.00.

Applying them to your order couldn't be easier. Simply select the 'collect voucher' button on the deals page and then after you've added all your items, head to your basket where the voucher will automatically apply.

You might even see money off promotions on a specific product page, which could be a small percentage off, or a buy one get one free offer. If you want to redeem the offer, just click on the promotion link and you'll see it applied when you check-out.

5. Shop Amazon's Daily Deals

While the most deals drop during big sale events, like Prime Day, there are always offers available thanks to Amazon's Daily Deals. These boast discounts on thousands of different products like books, toys, baby gear, personal hygiene products, clothing, electronics and more. "Amazon offers two types of one-off deals: "Deals of the Day", running daily for 24 hours from 00.01am to 11.59pm and "Lightning Deals", posted as often as every 15 minutes and lasting between two and six hours," explains MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis. You can find both of these on the Today's Deal homepage. And they'll often highlight how long the offer is available for.

Another clever money-saving hack is to select the 'Upcoming' category link on the side-bar of the deal page. This will come up with a hundreds of future deals - some of which might be expensive products you're wanting to treat yourself to but want to pounce on at the right deal-saving time. It'll show you the items and when the deals are expected to go live. So make sure you set a reminder to save those £££s.

6. Check out the Amazon Warehouse

Save money when shopping pre-owned items with Amazon. Be it big name electronics, baby essentials like the best pushchairs or handy kitchen gadgets like slow cookers, the retailer has thousands of previously purchased and refurbished products available to buy online that are like new and significantly cheaper that buying brand new.

As Martin Lewis explained during a recent appearance on This Morning, Amazon Warehouse is where you can buy items that have been returned to Amazon by other customers. In some cases, the item may be completely unused, but the box is missing, or slightly damaged.

The good news is that each product up for sale on Amazon Warehouse goes through a rigorous quality control check, so you'll know what condition it's in before you decide to purchase. Amazon says: "We thoroughly test the functional and physical condition of each item and give the product a specific grade before selling it. We also inspect our products for missing accessories and packaging damage."

After this testing process, the item will be given one of the following condition categories:

• Used - Like New: Almost perfect working condition. The item is fully functioning and comes with all relevant accessories but may bear some minimal damage.
• Used - Very Good: An item in very good condition will work as it should but could feature some minor cosmetic flaws. "It may arrive with damaged packaging or be repackaged and could be missing some non-essential accessories," Amazon adds.
• Used - Good: 'Good' products will show signs from moderate use previously. There could be some scratches, missing accessories and it might not come in it's original packaging.
• Used - Acceptable: "An item may have clear signs of usage but still serves its main function," Amazon states. Expect more visible scratches, dents and a few worn corners. Plus some parts may have been replaced to ensure it works properly again.

7. Bag a bargain with Amazon Outlet

From refurbished to discontinued and overstocked items , Amazon Outlet is another sub-section to know about when trying to save money when shopping with Amazon. "Amazon Outlet is becoming the go-to place for customers to shop for highly discounted markdowns, overstock deals and clearance products," says the retailer. "Amazon Outlet offers a wide selection of items, such as Car & Motorbike products, electronics, clothing and toys." Check out the Amazon Outlet store for yourself and see what savings you could nab.

8. Save when you choose No-Rush shipping

If you're shopping on Amazon and you don't need your order the next day, why not chose a more flexible delivery option? Not only is it better for the environment, but sometimes Amazon will reward you for it too. "No-Rush Shipping helps us prioritize our fastest deliveries for customers with urgent needs," Amazon states on their No-Rush shipping Q+A page. In return for being more flexible, Amazon will add either an automatic discount to your current order or give you a reward to apply on your next order. No-Rush shipping usually means it will arrive in 3-5 days. It's worth noting that if you later cancel or change the speed of your delivery, the discount will no longer be valid.

9. Prime 'Try Before You Buy'

If you want to buy clothes or shoes for the family on Amazon, and you're a Prime member, then you can take advantage of the mega retailer's Try Before You Buy service. This means you place your order, and get a few days to try it on before you are charged. You get seven days to try them out, and you'll be charged for any items you decide to keep. You'll see a Prime Try Before You Buy badge on all eligible items, which can include women's, men's, kids' and baby clothing as well as shoes, bags and accessories.

You can order up to six items at a time under the service. And as its part of your Prime membership there's no delivery or shipping fees, and a returns label is provided for free - should you need to send them back. Visit the Try Before You Buy homepage for further details.

10. Make the most of Amazon sale events

Amazon holds at least two sale events each year that are exclusive to Prime members. The mega retailer usually holds one in July, and for the last couple of years, Amazon has added another two-day sale event to the calendar in October. While these haven't been called Prime Day, they are essentially the same thing - 48 hours of discounts for those with a Prime membership. Amazon can also be relied upon to hold a Black Friday and Cyber Monday event too - this sale is often longer than 48 hours, with discounts often available for more than a week (although the specific deals change during that time). This year, keep your eyes peeled for huge discounts on Amazon products like the Fire Stick or bestselling Amazon Echo Kids devices, amongst the thousands of products discounted.

When Prime Day does roll around, make sure you know how to get the best deals.

Most of us pay it each month without much thought on the specifics, but what is National Insurance, how is it calculated and why do we have to pay it? There has been a lot of change around National Insurance in this current tax year, so it's crucial you understand what National Insurance is and how the multiple changes affect how much you have to pay. 

Back in April 2022, National Insurance went up by 1.25 percentage points in order to provide additional funding for the NHS and for health and social care in England. Then, in July 2022, the threshold at which you start paying National Insurance was increased, which effectively cancelled out, or reduced the impact of, April’s rise for millions of people. 

It has now been confirmed that April's National Insurance increase will be reversed to help families cope with the rising cost of living and to help grow the economy. 

Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist with life and pension company Royal London, said: “National Insurance is a tax that was introduced more than 100 years ago to provide a safety net for people who couldn’t work due to illness or unemployment 

“You don’t pay it, if you’re on very low earnings, but otherwise you pay it if you’re an employee or self-employed.”

What is National Insurance in simple terms?

National insurance is a tax you pay on money you earn through paid work - not from anything you earn in the way of interest or profits on savings or investments. You pay NI, both as an employee, or if you’re self-employed, once your earnings go over certain minimum levels. If you’re sixteen or over, you must pay national insurance if you’re an employee who earns over £242 a week, (£12,570 a year), or are self-employed and turn a profit, (after expenses), of £6,725 or more a year.

Before you can start paying NI, you’ll need a National Insurance number. This is your own unique number, with a combination of letters and numbers, which is sent to you by the Department for Work and Pensions. You get one for life, and it makes for an easy way for HMRC to track your tax and NI payments over the years, along with any benefits and state pension entitlement.

How is National Insurance calculated?

National Insurance is calculated as a percentage of what you earn. The rate of NI you pay, and the level at which payments start, will depend on whether you’re employed or work for yourself, as well as how much you earn or make in profits. 

The government has set out four different ‘classes’ of payments:

Class 1 - you pay this if you're employed

If you earn less than £242 a week, (or less than £12,570 a year in the current tax year,  which runs from 6 April 2022 to 5 April 2023), you won’t pay NI.  This is because the threshold at which a person starts paying National Insurance was increased to £12,570 in July 2022. You won’t pay income tax either until you earn more than £12,570 a year. This £12,570 is called your ‘personal allowance’. 

Once you earn more than the personal allowance limit, you will start to pay National Insurance, but how much you pay will depend on how much you earn.

If you earn between £242 to £967 a week (or £1,048 to £4,189 a month), you will pay National Insurance at a rate of 13.25% (this is up 1.25 percentage points from the 12% you would have paid in the previous tax year). For anything you earn over £4,189 per month, you will pay a rate of 3.25% (up 1.25 percentage points from 2% in the previous tax year).  

So, for example, if you earn £1,500 per month, you will pay 13.25% of £1,500 in National Insurance. This works out as £198.75 per month. 

But from 6 November 2022, rates will revert to what they were before the increase came into effect in April 2022. So if you have been paying 13.25% National Insurance, this will reduce to 12%. If you have been paying 3.25%, this will revert to 2%.

Class 2 - paid by anyone who is self-employed with profits of £9,880 a year or less

If you’re self-employed, you’ll pay Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance, depending on your profits.

If you have profits of less than £6,725 per year, you won’t have to pay any National Insurance. 

For any profits between £6,725-£9,880 you’ll pay Class 2 National Insurance, which is currently £3.15 a week.  For any profits you have over £9,880, Class 4 kicks in, which we explain below. 

Class 3 - paid for voluntary contributions

These are additional payments you can make on a voluntary basis to ‘top up’ any gaps in your National Insurance record. Gaps can occur if, for example, you don’t pay NI because you’re on a low income. Making up any ‘missing’ payments can mean you’ll then qualify for the full state pension, as you need 35 years’ worth of payments to be eligible for this.

Class 4 - paid by anyone who is self-employed with profits of more than £9,880 a year

You’ll pay 10.25% National Insurance on profits between £9,880 and £50,270 and above that you’ll pay a lower rate of 3.25%. 

According to the Treasury, from 6 November company directors and those who are self employed will pay a blended rate of National Insurance, which takes into account the changes in rates throughout the year, when they submit their annual self-assessment.

What does National Insurance pay for?

NI contributions go towards funding a whole raft of payments and benefits. These include the State Pension along with benefits including Jobseeker’s Allowance, Maternity Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance  and the Bereavement Support Payment. NI payments currently raise over £142 billion pounds a year for the Government, according to consumer research company Statista.

In some cases, such as ‘contribution based’ Jobseeker’s Allowance, the amount you can get, (if you’re eligible to claim), can depend on the amount of national insurance you’ve paid.

Senior personal finance analyst from Hargreaves Lansdown, Sarah Coles, warns:  “However, this doesn’t mean your National Insurance payments are actually ringfenced to pay your own pension and benefits.

“It goes into a national insurance fund and is used to pay people who need help today. In the years when it isn’t enough to meet the cost of these benefits, the Treasury makes up the shortfall”.

Do you legally have to pay National Insurance?

Yes, there are no two ways about it - if you earn more than the relevant threshold, you must pay National Insurance. If you’re employed, this will be done automatically through the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system. This means that both NI and income tax will be taken off your gross salary by your employer, before reaching your bank account.

If you’re self-employed and fill in a self-assessment tax return, then HMRC will work out how much National Insurance and tax you need to pay. As part of the process, they’ll let you know how much you owe, when it’s due and how to pay.

If you’re still working later in life, you won’t have to pay NI if you work beyond state pension age. But you may still be liable for income tax if your earnings and income from other sources top your annual tax-free allowance of £12,570.

After months of high petrol and diesel prices that left millions of motorists desperate to know how to save money on petrol, motorists will understandably be wondering: are fuel prices coming down?

Many drivers will have noticed that pump prices eased off during the summer. In fact, petrol prices fell by 12p in August, the largest monthly drop on record, according to the RAC, while the average price of a litre of diesel dropped 8.35p.

The average price of a litre of unleaded now stands at 166.27p (as at 14 September), while diesel costs 182.13p on average. 

This is in stark contrast to the eye-watering prices seen in June, when prices at the forecourt were about 191p per litre of petrol and 199p per litre of diesel.

However, petrol and diesel prices continue to fluctuate daily, and the recent drop in prices is not necessarily a sign that they will fall further, and they could even rise again. 

Are fuel prices coming down? 

Petrol and diesel prices have dropped recently. The average cost of filling a 55-litre petrol car shrunk by £6.77 in August, from £100.16 at the start of the month to £93.39 at the end of the month, according to the RAC.

For diesel drivers, it now costs £4.59 less to fill a 55-litre car than it did a month ago, with costs down from £105.63 to £101.04.

RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “12p a litre is a lot to come off prices in a single month so there’s no doubt things could be worse, but in reality, drivers of petrol vehicles are still invariably getting a raw deal at the pumps.”

This is because he believes retailers are choosing not to pass on in full the reductions in the wholesale price of unleaded that they’ve been benefiting from. He warns that drivers face a “postcode lottery” as prices vary wildly depending where they live.

According to the AA, Essex and East Anglia tend to have the most expensive fuel prices, while Northern Ireland has the cheapest. 

Will fuel prices go down as wholesales prices drop? 

Not necessarily. While wholesale prices of both petrol and diesel have fallen, motor groups say that savings are not being passed onto retailers fast enough. 

AA fuel spokesman Luke Bosdet said: “Falling pump prices provide the first piece of good news in this cost-of-living crisis. The question now is how much of the potential savings will be passed on to the consumer.

“As usual, the fuel trade shows itself very reluctant to pass on lower costs and give relief to hard-pressed motorists.”

In March, the former chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a 5p per litre reduction in fuel duty (which will remain in place until March 2023), but campaigners say it has done little to prevent soaring prices.

 Will petrol and diesel prices continue to fall? 

While motorists have been happy to see cheaper prices at filling stations, the RAC says they should brace themselves for fuel costs to rise again.

It says that if oil production is cut, oil prices will rise, leading to higher prices at the pump. The sterling/US dollar exchange rate also affects petrol and diesel prices, and this could push the cost of fuel up too.

The RAC is calling for prime minister Liz Truss to give more financial assistance to drivers, such as a bigger cut in fuel duty.

Tumble dryers might offer a quick way to dry your clothes – but how much does a tumble dryer cost to run?

A tumble dryer can come in very handy during the winter months - as well as on those wet summer days. But running a tumble dryer regularly can also push up the cost of your energy bill.

Even though the energy price cap has dropped, it hasn’t stopped families worrying about how much their energy bills will cost, largely because prices are still higher than they were before the energy crisis began. 

Creator of energy-saving mobile app HUGO, Ben Dhesi told us: “Now more than ever, understanding the cost of running our everyday appliances is crucial...

"With energy prices soaring over the past few years, families across the UK are feeling the pinch, and even with a new energy price cap on its way offering some relief, I think it’s best to empower households to make informed decisions and take control of their energy bills whatever the costs.” 

How much does a tumble dryer cost to run?

As of 1 October 2023, an average 8kg tumble dryer will cost between £72.90 and £157.95 per year to run. That’s around 59p to £1.58 per use. This is based on the average price per unit of electricity being 27p per kilowatt hour. 

However, your exact running costs will depend on the type, specification and energy rating of your tumble dryer as well as how often you use it. Those with larger families will likely need to use their tumble dryer more often than someone who lives alone. They might also have a larger capacity dryer that uses more energy to dry clothes.

There are three different types of tumble dryer available:

• condenser
• vented
• heat pump.

Let’s look at the running costs for an example of each type. For our calculation, we’ll use 8kg models in our examples (which should be suitable for medium sized families) and assume that the tumble dryer will be used about twice a week. 

Running costs for a vented tumble dryer

An 8kg example vented tumble dryer uses an average 5.85kWh of electricity on each use, which is around 585kWh each year. This means you can expect to pay roughly £1.58 per use or £157.95 per year.  

Running costs for a condenser tumble dryer

 An 8kg example of a condenser tumble dryer uses 5.6kWh of electricity for a standard cycle and roughly 560kWh per year. This works out as £1.51 per use or £151.20 per year. 

Heat pump tumble dryer running costs

An 8kg example of a heat pump tumble dryer, uses 2.18kWh of electricity for each standard cycle, and roughly 270kWh per year. This then means this kind of tumble dryer will cost 59p per use or £72.90 per year.  

Use the tool below, courtesy of our friends at Go.Compare, to compare how much your most used appliances cost to run:

Which tumble dryer is the cheapest to run?

The cheapest type of tumble dryer to run is a heat pump tumble dryer, costing around 60% less to run than a vented or condenser version. But they're not necessarily the cheapest way to dry clothes. 

 Product sales trainer for Miele GB, Tom Akers, says: “Unlike a vented or condenser dryer, a heat pump does not have a heating element and instead uses an air source heat pump. A heating element is the most energy intensive component in a tumble dryer, so the absence of one of these makes a heat pump significantly more efficient and cost effective to run. A further benefit is that an external wall vent is not required, and therefore there are many possible installation options.” 

However, heat pump dryers tend to cost more to buy than condenser tumble dryers. You can expect to pay at least £500 for a heat pump tumble dryer, with top models costing more than £1,000.

What affects how much a tumble dryer costs to run?

It is not just the type of tumble dryers that will affect the cost of running, you also need to consider the model’s energy rating. All household appliances come with energy ratings of A+++ all the way down to G, with an A+++ rating being the most energy efficient, and a G rated appliance being the least energy efficient. 

In its guide to buying efficient home appliances, the Energy Saving Trust estimates that buying a highest-rated A+++ tumble dryer can save you approximately £980 over its 13-year lifetime compared to a B-rated one.   

What features should you look for when buying a tumble dryer?

Sensor drying

Most tumble dryers now have a sensor drying feature, as HUGO’s Ben Dhesi explains: “These intelligent dryers can detect when your clothes are dry and automatically stop the cycle, saving you from wasting unnecessary energy. Timed drying options are also handy, allowing you to set the desired drying time for different types of fabrics which can help prevent shrinkage or other damage.”  

Lower temperatures

Look out for various temperature settings if you want to buy a new tumble dryer. While it is tempting to whack the tumble dryer up to its highest heat setting and get your washing done, drying on lower temperature settings will use less energy while also protecting your clothes.

Auto-cleaning

 Cleaning out the tumble dryer is not always the most pleasant of tasks, but it is sure to keep it running efficiently. A tumble dryer with an auto-cleaning feature not only does the job for you, but it likely does a better job than you. This feature uses water collected during the drying phase to clean away fluff at the end of each cycle, so you're not using any additional energy to keep the dryer in great condition.  

How can you reduce the cost of running a tumble dryer? 

The best way to reduce the running costs of your tumble dryer is to use it less often. You could reduce the number of washes you do each week, which will in turn reduce how often you need to use your tumble dryer. Or, if you can’t reduce how often you put the washing on, then you could try to dry clothes using a clothes horse or a radiator.   

Founder of BOXT, Andy Kerr, adds: “Buying heated or unheated clothes airers can save you hundreds of pounds a year and hanging your clothes out to dry in warmer months will completely cut the cost of using a tumble dryer.”

But there are other hacks that can help you avoid wasting energy when it comes to your tumble dryer. 

Avoid light loads

If you do need to use your tumble dryer, make sure you are drying a full load. It’ll use the same amount of energy to dry a smaller load as a larger one. 

However, product marketing manager at appliance manufacturer Hisense, Matthew Glynn, points out: “It’s important that in a bid to be more efficient, you don’t end up overfilling the drum, as this will ultimately affect the drying results and may possibly require another cycle to achieve the desired outcome.” 

Untangle your clothes

Before putting the laundry in your tumble dryer give each item a shake to smooth out any crumples so they can tumble effectively in the drum. Especially keep an eye on balled up socks - they might feel dry when they come out, but you’ll notice they're still damp once they are un-balled.  

Try tumble dryer balls

Not only can tumble dryer balls help to soften laundry, they can also help to reduce drying times by up to 25%. Throw them in with your laundry and they will help lift and separate the laundry through the drying process, allowing the hot air to flow more efficiently and dry your clothes quicker. You can buy a pack of six from Amazon for around £10.  

Maintenance is key

Making sure your dryer is well maintained will also help keep costs down. This means keeping it free of dust and lint which can clog up the filter and extend drying times. 

Andy Kerr from BOXT says: “Your tumble dryer will run more efficiently if the lint filter is empty, meaning clothes take less time to dry and less energy is used. Having a full lint filter is also extremely dangerous, as it stops dryers from being able to exhaust hot air. This can cause tumble dryers to overheat and even set on fire.” 

You will usually find the filter located just inside the door, rim or behind a panel at the front of the dryer. 

It’s also important to make sure your tumble dryer is positioned correctly as energy expert Ben Dhesi explains: “When using your tumble dryer, make sure that it has enough space around it for proper ventilation. Good airflow not only keeps your dryer happy and efficient but also prevents the buildup of heat and potential hazards, so if need be, pull it out from under your counter slightly while in use.”

You might also be interested in our other appliance running cost articles:

• How much does it cost to run an air fryer?
• How much does it cost to boil a kettle?
• How much does it cost to run a microwave?
• How much does it cost to run a washing machine?
• How much does it cost to run a heated clothes dryer?
• How much does it cost to run an electric blanket?
• How much does it cost to run an indoor heater?
• How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?
• How much does it cost to run a dishwasher?
• How much electricity does a TV use?

You might be able to save on your energy bills by switching tariffs - use a price comparison site like Go.Compare to see that latest offers.

A new energy price cap has come into effect, but what actually is the energy price cap and what does it mean for your family?

The energy price cap was introduced to limit how much your energy supplier could charge you per unit (often referred to as kilowatt hours or kWh) of energy you use. The energy price cap is usually expressed as an average annual figure. Since it was introduced, the figure has gone up and down. Throughout the energy crisis, it's been at it's highest level ever, a whopping £4,279, leaving families incredibly concerned about how much their energy bills will cost. 

As the energy price cap got so high, the government introduced the Energy Price Guarantee to try and keep bills affordable. But that scheme ended at the end of June, and the energy price cap took over again. (We appreciate all this change is confusing so make sure you check out our price cap need-to-knows if you are completely flummoxed). But how will this affect how much you pay for your energy?

What is the current energy price cap?

The energy price cap is currently £1,923 per year based on typical use (and for those paying by direct debit). This means the average maximum prices you'll pay are 7p per kilowatt hour (kWh) for gas, and 27p per kWh for electricity. 

The stated figure is calculated as an average across the England, Scotland and Wales, but the price cap actually varies by region and how people pay their bill. Customers who pay by standard credit (cash or cheque), or have a prepayment meter pay slightly more based on the higher cost for energy companies to serve them.

The overall figure is also based on typical use - if you use more energy than the typical household, you will pay more than the cap.  

Since the energy price cap was introduced, most suppliers have set their default tariff prices very close to the maximum cap rate. But with the price cap dropping, we could see the return of more fixed price deals, and you might be able to save even more money by switching suppliers. 

Our calculator shows how your energy bills might change taking into account the latest announcement and price cap predictions.

Who sets the energy price cap?

The energy price cap is calculated and set by Ofgem, the energy regulator. It was introduced on 1 January 2019 to limit how much your energy supplier could charge you per kWh of energy usage.

However, given the energy crisis and demands for further assistance to help struggling families and businesses, the government introduced a temporary price cap, called the Energy Price Guarantee, which temporarily replaced the one set by Ofgem. Ofgem still announced its energy price cap at various points throughout the year, but says "the energy price cap level indicates how much consumers on their energy supplier’s basic tariff would pay if the EPG [Energy Price Guarantee] were not in place." 

The price cap sets a limit on what your supplier can charge you per unit of energy you use, making sure customers always pay a fair price. It also limits how much profit your supplier can make. It takes into account the wholesale price of gas, which has been soaring, which is why it rose so much in 2022. But wholesale prices are coming down and those reductions are being passed on to customers through a lower price cap.

Does the energy price cap apply to me?

The energy cap applies to anyone who is on a standard or default energy tariff. The standard tariff is the supplier's variable tariff, which can go up and down at any point in the year at the supplier's discretion. If you did not choose a tariff, then you are on a default tariff. It also applies to those with prepayment meters.  

The cap is also based on average use - so, you may pay more (or less) for your energy than the price cap depending on how much energy you use, and how you pay your bill. Paying by direct debit is cheaper than paying by cash or cheque.

If you are still on a fixed rate energy deal, where the price of your energy is locked at a set rate for a certain period, then the energy cap does not apply to you until your contract ends. A fixed contract is anything between 12 months to two years.

When the energy crisis began, many suppliers removed any fixed rate deals from the market as there were no good deals to be had. If your fixed rate deal came to an end, you will have been moved on to your suppliers standard tariff. But now prices are dropping, suppliers have started offering fixed price energy tariffs again, which might help to save you more money. Use a price comparison website, like our sister site Go.Compare, to see the latest energy deals.

How have energy price caps increased over time?

The energy price cap was £1,137 when it was introduced in January 2019 and now stands at £1,923. The price cap has gone up and down since it was introduced. From October 2020 to March 2021, during lockdown, the price cap was set at its lowest ever level of £1,042. But wholesale energy prices started to increase at the beginning of 2021 as the world emerged from lockdown. At its highest, the energy price cap spiked at £4,279 in January 2023.

How to find out if you’re on a price-capped tariff

You can find out if you are on a price-capped tariff by looking at your energy bill or online energy account. It's usually on the first page under the 'My tariff' section. (Our guide is really useful if you need your energy bill explained to help you understand what all the information means). 

You might have chosen a standard tariff when you picked your supplier, or you might have been put on a standard tariff if you moved house. If you were previously on a fixed tariff and didn’t take any action when it ended, you would have been automatically moved to your supplier’s standard tariff. If your supplier went bust and you were moved to a new supplier, you would have been put on its standard variable tariff. 

What should I do if I can’t afford to pay my energy bills?

If you can’t afford your energy bills, you’re not alone and help is available. In the first instance, speak to your energy supplier. They may be able to help create a more suitable payment plan or offer you support through one of their hardship funds. 

If that doesn’t prove enough, then there is other help with energy bills that is available.  

Personal finance expert Adam French says: “If you do find yourself struggling to pay your energy bills, my advice is to contact your energy provider and talk to them about a payment plan.

“But at all costs, do not cancel your direct debit, or stop paying energy bills. This will not only leave your energy account in debt – a debt which will have to be paid, it could possibly affect your credit history as your account will be in arrears and you could also end up with a court summons from your energy provider, it may also lead to future utility providers not allowing you to pay your bills by Direct Debit.” 

You could also see if you qualify for free gas and electric vouchers to help you cover the cost of high energy bills. Remember too that another cost of living payment for eligible families is due in autumn 2023. 

How much will my energy bills cost is a question millions of people are worrying about in the wake of the energy crisis and the soaring price of gas. But now that a new energy price cap has been announced, what does this mean for our bills for the start of 2024?

Since it's introduction in 2019, the energy price cap has been set by energy regulator Ofgem. But the cap got so high during the energy crisis, that the government intervened and introduced the Energy Price Guarantee to limit typical bills at £2,500 a year. This scheme ended on 30 June, when the price cap fell below the price guarantee. The cap dropped again in October, and Ofgem has just announced that the price cap will rise slightly from January 2024, due to an increase in wholesale costs.

How much will my energy bills cost?

For the rest of 2023, average energy bills (based on typical use) will be capped at £1,834. But from January 2024, this will rise by £94 to £1,928. This applies to bills paid by direct debit in England, Scotland and Wales. Energy is regulated separately in Northern Ireland. Those who pay by cash or cheque, or have a prepayment meter will pay slightly more, due to the higher cost to the energy company to service them. 

But remember that the figure stated in the price guarantee is not a maximum you will ever pay. It is based on typical use in a typical house. If you use more energy than 'typical' then you can expect to pay more. 

Under the current energy price cap, which is in place for the rest of 2023, the average price you pay per unit (kilowatt hour or kWh) of electricity is capped at 27p for electricity and 7p for gas. From January 2024, these will rise to about 29p for electricity and about 7.5p for gas. These are average unit prices. The unit rate itself varies depending on where you live. The full list of rates have been passed to suppliers to ensure that they are used to calculate bills in Great Britain. 

You can use our calculator to see what impact further changes in the energy price cap will have on your bills. You can also check out our guide if you need your energy bills explained to help you understand them better.

While the energy price cap has risen slightly, it is still much higher than it was before the energy crisis, so energy bills still might be unaffordable for low income families. But there are measures you can take to make sure your energy bills are as low as possible. 

Joanna O’Loan, Knowledge Manager at Energy Saving Trust, says: “Whatever your budget, there are actions you can take that can help you save money on your heating costs this winter. Quick, low and no cost measures such as blocking up draughts or turning down your thermostat can help you start making savings immediately. If you’re able to invest, measures such as  improving your home’s insulation will help you make significant financial and carbon emission savings over coming years too.”

If you are struggling with high energy bills, extra support might be available to you. In his Autumn Statement 2022, Jeremy Hunt announced that further support would be given to those most vulnerable, including a £900 cost of living payment for those who receive means-tested benefits. The final instalment is due in spring 2024.

Important terminology explained

• Energy price cap: often expressed as an annual figure that a 'typical household' would pay for their energy, the price cap actually puts a limit on the price you pay per unit of gas and electricity. It's set by the energy regulator Ofgem to ensure families pay a fair price for their energy
• Energy Price Guarantee: this was a temporary price cap that was introduced by the government when Ofgem's price cap got so high at the height of the energy crisis. It was introduced in October 2022 and ended at the end of June 2023. 
• Prepayment meter: this is type of energy meter where gas and electric needs to be paid for in advance of using it, rather than a standard meter where families pay for their usage afterwards.
• Ofgem: This is the energy regulator. Ofgem are responsible for setting the energy price cap, which is reviewed every three months. 
• Fixed energy tariffs: A fixed energy tariff is where the price you pay per unit of gas or electricity is fixed for a specific term, which could be one or two years. Those who have fixed their energy prices will be unaffected by changes in the energy price cap for the duration of their fixed tariff.
• Cost of living payments: Low income households and those who receive certain benefits are eligible for additional financial support from the government in the form of cost of living payments. For the 2023/24 tax year, qualifying individuals will receive up to £900 support that does not need to be repaid.

How can I reduce how much my energy bills will cost?

Normally, the best way to tackle rising energy prices is to switch to a cheaper deal. Amid the height of the energy crisis, many suppliers raised the costs of their tariffs. This meant there weren’t really any cheap deals to be found. Now the price cap is stabilising, suppliers are sporadically starting to offer deals cheaper than the price cap, (you can find the latest deals on our sister site Go.Compare). 

But money saving expert Martin Lewis has flagged that households should be careful before committing to a fixed tariff, as it might not actually work out cheaper. 

Reduce how much energy you use

While switching to a different provider won't help you to reduce your energy bills right now, the key move is to reduce how much energy you use at home. There are simple and inexpensive methods you can adopt. You could even consider some options which may involve a short-term cost now with the promise of long-term savings in the future. 

Energy-saving measures you could try include:

• Turning off any appliances left on stand-by mode
• Using eco modes on any wet appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines
• Drying clothes outside or on an airer instead of using a tumble dryer
• Swapping older incandescent light bulbs to energy-saving alternatives
• Draught proofing
• Choosing the most energy-efficient models you can when purchasing new appliances.

Know how much energy your appliances use

It will also be helpful to understand how much your most often used appliances cost to run so you know which are using the most energy and could be used less. When it comes to how much a tumble dryer costs to run or how much it costs to run a washing machine, these are likely to be some of the most energy hungry appliances in your home as they provide both heat and movement. 

But it's worth also understanding how much it costs to run an air fryer and if it's cheaper than an oven, or how much it costs to run an electric blanket so you can make smart choices about when and how much you use them.

Check your tariff and any grants you might qualify for

You might also find that there is a tariff that allows you to benefit from electricity being cheaper at night, and that may work for some people, although it's important to note that if you are on this kind of tariff, any energy you use at peak times is likely to be more expensive than other tariffs. 

You may also be eligible for a grant from the government for improvements to make your home more energy-efficient. This might be loft or wall insulation or even a new boiler. 

You could also check to see if you qualify for free gas and electric vouchers.

Useful tips

If you are struggling to pay your energy bills, speak to your provider in the first instance and see if they can help. You might be able to arrange an alternative payment plan or qualify for support to help reduce your bills. 

How to switch energy suppliers

If you find a good energy deal that is substantially lower than the energy price cap, then it's worth knowing how to switch energy suppliers. And the good news is, it's relatively straightforward. 

1. First you should use a price comparison site, such as Go.Compare, to compare available tariffs to make sure you are getting a good price. Sometimes price comparison websites have exclusive deals so they are worth checking out
2. You can always contact potential suppliers if you have any questions or need more information. It's good to do this before you commit to a new supplier
3. Once you're happy, you can sign up to your chosen tariff by following the instructions on the price comparison site, or the suppliers own website
4. You don't need to inform your current supplier that you're leaving, your new supplier should take care of this for you
5. Take a meter reading on the day of the switch over to ensure accurate bills.

What is the average UK energy bill?

Your energy bill will depend on multiple factors. These include your location, the tariff you’re on, the type of meter you have, how many people there are in your household, how energy efficient your home is and how you pay your bill. But understanding the average gas and electricity bills in the UK can be a useful benchmark.

Average electric bill

According to Ofgem, the average household of 2.4 people uses 2,700kWh (kilowatt hours) of electricity each year.

Until the end of December, when the unit rate for electricity is 27p/kWh, the average bill will be be £729, or £60.75 per month, with a daily standing charge of 53p per day on top. 

From January 2024, the price will increase to about 29p (28.62p), which means an annual cost of £772.74, or £64.40 per month, with an additional daily standing charge of 53.4p per day. 

Average gas bill

When it comes to the average gas bill, the average UK household uses 11,500kWh of gas every year at an average cost of 7p/kWh, so you can expect to pay £805 per year or £67.08 per month, with a 30p daily standing charge on top. 

When the January cap comes into force, the unit cost will rise to about 7.5p (7.42p), meaning an annual cost of £853.30 per year, or £71.10 per month, with a daily standing charge of 29.6p on top. 

How much you actually pay will ultimately depend on where you live and how much energy you use. You will likely find that you spend less in the summer as you don't need your heating on and you don't need to have your lights on as much, but more in winter when the nights draw in and temperatures drop.

It can be confusing to understand what the energy price cap means and whether you should fix your energy prices or not. If you have specific questions about your bill or are struggling to pay, speak to your energy provider as soon as possible. 

Video of the Week:

As part of the government’s Help for Households initiative, big brands like Asda, Sainsburys and Amazon have pledged to offer discounts to help households with rising costs this summer.

Cost of Living Business Tsar and former Just Eat boss David Buttress has agreed deals and discounts with a range of businesses, including special offers on eating out, grocery shopping, entertainment, and phone bills.

The move comes as inflation hits 9.4% - a new 40-year high - and experts warn that families could pay £380 more on food shopping over the next year.

Deals include the extension of Asda’s Kids eat for £1 scheme until the end of the year, and  a "feed your family for a fiver" deal from Sainsbury’s. Meanwhile, Amazon has launched a new savings page on its site providing access to free entertainment such as Amazon Music, free educational resources for children, and hundreds of essential groceries price-matched to Tesco Clubcard Prices.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said families were “feeling the pinch” and that the deals would 

“provide much needed respite at the checkout”. He added: “This won’t solve the issue overnight but it’s yet another weapon in our arsenal as we fight back against the scourge of rising prices and inflation.”

The special offers form the first part of the Help for Households campaign. Some may look familiar; that’s because a number of the schemes are already running but are now being promoted under the Help for Households campaign to raise awareness.

Further discounts are expected to be secured for the autumn and run-up to Christmas. They will be hosted on the government’s new Help for Households deals and discounts website. 

In addition to these discounts, almost every household will benefit from extra support in the form of cost of living payments from the government, including the £400 energy rebate, and the £650 cost of living payment for low-income households.

Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at the consumer group Which?, welcomed the campaign, saying: “Millions of people will be struggling to make ends meet in the coming months, so it’s right the government is working with businesses to ensure consumers can get value for money when the cost of so many everyday essentials is increasing at an alarming rate.”

What deals are included in the Help for Households scheme?

It’s never been more important for parents to understand how to make extra money to help with rising inflation. With the cost of living soaring, families are having to tighten their belts and think carefully about how to save money. But it's not easy. Millions are worried how much their energy bills will cost and how they can save money on food. And for many, it might seem like there are no more cutbacks to be made.  

So if you’ve cut all you can, you might want to think about how to boost your income to ease the pressure on your family’s finances. 

The great news is that you can earn up to £1,000 a year tax-free thanks to something called the Trading Allowance, which is set by the government. You’ll only have to tell HM Revenue and Customs if you earn more than this.

Personal finance expert Adam French, from our sister website The Money Edit, says: "It all feels a bit doom and gloom at the moment as prices continue to rise and wages lag further and further behind, so now is the time to bring in extra money where you can.

"The good news is it doesn't always mean a lot of extra work. For example, it is estimated that more than £15 billion of means-tested benefits are being unclaimed by low-income households across the UK. Some simple checks could make a huge difference to your household budget".

We found 16 ways parents can make some extra money - some will require very little effort or inconvenience while others might require some more input. As well as tips on selling items you no longer need, we’ll also explain how you can boost your bank balance by making sure you claim any refunds, benefits or tax relief that you may qualify for.

1. Turn unwanted clutter into cash

If you need an incentive to declutter, whether it’s unwanted clothes or toys that you kids have grown out of, clearing out your loft, shed or wardrobe can be a great way to make some extra money. 

When it comes to selling, most of us probably think of selling on eBay first. Private sellers can list up to 1,000 items a month for free and you pay a 10% fee on sales. You could also try Facebook Marketplace to sell your goodies.

If you’ve got lots of CDs or DVDs that you no longer use, then you use a service like MusicMagpie. There’s even a free courier service so you don’t need to worry about heaving large parcels down to the post office. To sell books, try webuybooks.co.uk. 

When it comes to selling clothes, there are lots of second hand clothes websites and apps you can sell on including Vinted, Depop and Shpock. 

How to get the best price when selling online

To get the best price for your items, make sure you have:

• good clear photos – so hang items up and ideally shoot against a white background
• clear description on sizing and measurements in your listing
• honest descriptions on quality. If there’s a small snag or pull, make sure you say so. To not mention it could affect your seller rating and make it harder for you to sell items in the future

Make sure to also check any charges that might apply for selling on these platforms. 

2. Make extra cash by selling old gadgets

You can sell your old gadgets including old laptops, Macbooks and PC’s on sites like Cash In Your Gadgets. 

Just pop in the details including the make and model for an upfront price and if you’re happy with this – you can arrange for a free courier collection. 

Gadgets must be in good working condition or they’ll be returned to you. Data will be wiped (though it’s a good idea to do this yourself) and payment is by PayPal or bank transfer. 

With old mobiles you can use sites like Sell My Mobile or Compare and Recycle to find the best price for your handset or get an online price and pop your phone in an Eco ATM machine for cash in your bank the same day. 

3. Make the most of your loyalty card

Whether you take your pick of the best supermarket loyalty cards or sign up to a loyalty scheme of other high street retailers, it can be an easy way to earn money off, freebies or exclusive discounts in your favourite shops. 

Keep cards in your purse, use them at the till to earn points on purchases or then you can use them to cash in for that free coffee or to save on your toiletry bill in Boots.

While you can cash in Tesco Clubcard points at the till – it’s also worth swapping these through the Tesco website for treats as this way you can get three times their value. You can swap them for days out including zoos or theme parks or trade points for restaurant vouchers.

4. Use cashback sites when you shop online

If you regularly shop online, sign up to cashback sites like TopCashback and Quidco to earn as you spend. Once you get the hang of how cashback sites work, you can shop at all your usual stores like Dunelm, Boots, M&S and Argos but using these cashback sites as the gateway means you earn money as you shop.

It’s free to sign up, won’t cost you a penny to use and you can easily switch any cashback across to your bank account. 

5. Recommend a friend whenever you can

If you’ve signed up for a great new TV package or are happy with your breakdown company, tell your friends. By spreading the word, you and your friend can both bank some free cash.

Refer a Friend deals are an easy way for companies to get new customers as you’re doing the promotional work for them, so some will reward you with vouchers or cash.  

For example, if you’re with Sky and introduce a friend – you both get a £75 Prepaid Mastercard  and the AA give you both a £20 Amazon or M&S gift card when a friend joins.

Do check offer details carefully as you may need to log into your account and send friends a special code so they can activate the cash incentive on joining, rather than simply going through the website.

6. Get paid to watch TV

Yes really!  TV companies want to know what you think about their shows and they’ll pay to hear them too.  

It’s free to sign up with sites like The Viewers where you can earn up to £40 if you go to a two hour group discussion and you get free refreshments too.  Or you can earn up to £10 for an online survey at home which takes an hour.

7. Get 'paid' to walk

There are various apps growing in popularity that essentially 'pay' you to walk. Walk enough and you can turn your steps into high street vouchers or physical prizes. You'd need to rack up a lot of steps each day to make anything worthwhile from it, but could be a nice way to bag some freebies. Try Sweatcoin or WinWalk if you want to give it a go. 

8. Switch bank accounts for free cash

Switching banks to bag a ‘switcher’ bonus is an easy way to make money. And you won’t need to get in a pickle moving across standing orders and direct debits across. With the Current Account Switch Service, once you’ve opened your new account, your new bank will transfer all your payments across from your old one for you, including your salary.  

The switching process should take seven working days. Each bank will have different rules on when it pays the bonus or what you need to do to qualify.  With some accounts you may have to set up a minimum of two direct debits and pay in a minimum amount each month.

The amount you can get for switching will vary between banks but switching bonuses of between £150 and £200 are not uncommon.

9. See if you qualify for a 0% credit card

If you have a credit card, you could be paying hefty interest on it. But you might not need to. If you can’t clear your credit card balance and are paying interest each month, it’s worth looking to switch your balance to a 0% balance transfer card to save on those interest fees. But remember, you’ll need to make at least the minimum monthly repayment otherwise you will lose the 0% deal.

Some cards charge a small balance transfer fee which can be up to 3% of the amount you’re moving across. You can also get 0% balance transfer cards that don’t charge these fees, but you may only get the 0% deal for a short period of time. 

Before applying for a new credit card, always use an eligibility checker, like this one from our friends at GoCompare, to determine your likelihood of acceptance. If you don’t use an eligibility checker and your application is rejected, it can negatively impact your credit score.

10. Check your claiming any and all benefits you qualify for

More than £15bn worth of benefits go unclaimed each year, according to benefits help website entitledto. So you could be missing out on vital extra income without realising it. Use a benefits calculator, like the one on entitledto, to see what additional help you could qualify for. 

Claiming benefits you are entitled to can also be the key to qualifying to cost of living payments from the government, like the £900 cost of living payment.

11. Get paid for being married

Did you know you can get free cash from the Government if you’re married or in a civil partnership? The Marriage Allowance enables you to switch over a slice of your tax-free income to your partner so they can earn more before paying tax. (This might sound complicated, so have a read of our what is income tax guide for more information).

This only works if one of you pays the basic rate of tax (by earning more than £12,570 per year), while the other doesn’t pay tax (they earn £12,570 a year or less).

There’s a fixed limit on how much you can switch, which is £252 for the current tax year. But this can be backdated for the past four years too – making a total of £1,242.

12. Get tax relief if you have to work from home

If you have been told to work from home by your employer, then you could be entitled to working from home tax relief of up to £140 per tax year. The key point is that you must have been told to work from home, rather than just been given the option to work from home should you choose. 

The tax relief can help with any additional expenses you incur from using your home as an office. 

Better still, you have until 5 April 2025 to claim working from home tax relief for the 2020/21 tax year, and until the same date in 2026 to claim for the 2021/22 tax year. So, if you were told to work from home during the pandemic, which many of us were, you have plenty of time to claim.

You can use HMRC's dedicated online site to make your claim.

13. Reclaim any income or council tax that you might have overpaid

If you’ve inadvertently overpaid on your income tax or council tax, then you are entitled to claim it back. There might be multiple reasons for the overpayment. Perhaps you’ve changed jobs mid-way through the tax year and your tax code hasn’t changed accordingly. This could mean you are due an income tax rebate. 

Or maybe you are due a council tax refund having moved into a new local authority area without closing your council tax account with the previous authority. You could even have successfully challenged your council tax band, resulting in you being moved into a cheaper band. 

If any of these scenarios apply to you, then it’s definitely worth checking if you have been overpaying and whether you are due a refund. 

14. Rent out your driveway or garage

If you have a driveway or garage you don't really use, you can rent it out to make some extra money. This one tends to work best if you live near an airport, station, busy city centre or sports or concert venue where people want easy, cheap parking. You can get started with sites like JustPark.com , stashbee.com, and parklet.co.uk. 

If you live near Heathrow Airport, you could make around £1,000 a year renting out your garage with Stashbee and nearly £900 a year for a garage in Manchester with YourParkingSpace.co.uk.

It’s usually free to list your space with these sites, but do expect to pay a small percentage on the money you make. Charges vary, but can be around 5%, for example, with Stashbee.

15. Rent out your stuff

Got a sewing machine, bike or guitar you don’t use? Rent them locally in your neighbourhood with Fat Llama That sewing machine could earn you £8 - £35 a day or around £30 for your bike or guitar.

If you’ve got spare storage space, then services like Store Mates can hook you up with people who need it. It’s free to list your space but a 17% fee is taken per payment. Before renting out any storage space in your home, you should check with your home insurer and make sure it doesn’t invalidate your policy.

16. Start a side hustle

If you have any spare time, you could start a side hustle to make extra cash. This could be:

• dog walking
• ironing
• gardening
• selling items you make on Etsy
• becoming a JustEat or Deliveroo driver

The great news is that you can earn up to £1,000 in each tax year before you have to pay any tax. If your side hustle takes off and you make more, you will need to let HM Revenue and Customs know as you’ll then need to fill in a self-assessment form.

As the payment date for the second instalment is announced, you may be wondering if everyone on Universal Credit will get the cost of living payment?

Back in November 2022, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced who is eligible for another cost of living payment to help those on low incomes cope with rising prices. This follows a £650 cost of living payment that was made in 2022. 

The new payment will be £900 although, as with the £650 payment, it won't be paid in one go. It will be split into three instalments. Make sure you also check the qualifying dates for the cost of living payments to confirm you are eligible.

Nick Hill, senior advice manager at the Money and Pensions Service, says:  “The £900 cost of living payment will help millions of the lowest-income households by providing a consistent support offering throughout the year. However, many may still be worried about their finances over the coming months.

“If you’re already struggling, or you’re worried you will be soon, there is free help and guidance available. I’d encourage you to reach out and use our MoneyHelper service to help you find your way forward and remember, you don’t have to go through this alone.”

Does everyone on Universal Credit get the cost of living payment? 

Yes, everyone on Universal Credit will get the £900 cost of living payment. The first instalment has already been paid, but in order to receive the second instalment, you must have been receiving Universal Credit, or have submitted a claim that went on to be successful, during the assessment period to qualify for the payment. The assessment period for the second cost of living payment is between 18 August and 17 September 2023.

As with the £650 cost of living payment made in 2022, there were different assessment periods for each instalment, so while someone may not have qualified for the first instalment, they may have qualified for the second. So it's important to apply for Universal Credit as soon as possible if you think you are eligible. While you will have missed the assessment period for the first and second instalments, if you are found to be eligible, you will likely qualify for the third cost of living instalment, due in spring 2024.

You don’t need to apply for the £900 payment and it will automatically be paid in the same way you receive your benefits.

You will also be entitled to it if you claim other means-tested benefits, even if you only get a few pence of a certain benefit. This creates a ‘cliff edge’ system that some critics say isn’t fair. 

Phil Agnulik, director of EntitledTo.com, wrote in a blog post: “The cliff edge issue is that, in order to qualify for a cost of living payment you need to be in receipt of certain means-tested benefits. But receiving these benefits can mean getting hundreds of pounds a month or just a few pence – even the smallest entitlement qualifies for the full £900 payment. 

“This creates the most obvious source of unfairness: people with earnings just above the level where they would qualify miss out on the full £900 rather than support being withdrawn gradually.”

Who else qualifies for the cost of living payment?

In addition to Universal Credit, according to the Government’s official guidance, you’ll be eligible for the £900 cost of living payment if you’re getting any of the following (during the assessment period):

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit.

If you think you might be eligible for any of the benefits listed above, it's a good idea to apply as soon as possible to maximise the amount you can get.

 Who pays the cost of living payment? 

The cost of living payment will come from the government’s Department of Work and Pensions. 

You should receive the payment in the same way you receive your benefit but it will be made as a separate payment rather than being included with your benefit. In your bank, building society, credit union account, or on your Payment Exemption Service voucher receipt it will be labelled as ‘DWP Cost of Living’.

The payment is tax-free and won’t count towards the benefit cap. 

If you claim Universal Credit, you should also take a look at the Universal Credit rule change that was announced in 2022 and see what it could mean for you. 

When will I get the cost of living payment?

The £900 payment will be split into three. The first instalment has already been paid and the second will be paid between the end of October and mid-November.

• First cost of living payment of £301 was paid between 25 April and 17 May 2023
• Second cost of living payment of £300 - due to be paid between 31 October and 19 November 2023
• Third cost of living payment of £299 - due spring 2024, date to be confirmed.

The differing amounts make the payments easier to track and reduce the risk of fraud.

You might also find it useful to see how much your energy bills will cost from October and whether your cost of living payment can help with high bills.

Wondering why are energy prices going up and what this means for your bills? You're not alone. Energy prices have been rising sharply over the last 12 months and there have been various measures introduced by the government to help families make ends meet, but with so much going on, it can be difficult to know how energy prices stand now. 

While households are now protected from the full effect of runaway energy prices by the government’s Energy Price Guarantee, wholesale gas costs are still volatile. Limited gas supplies and the conflict in Ukraine mean energy prices could continue to be volatile into 2023.

But despite the government help, energy bills are higher than ever before for everyone in the UK. Overriding the energy price cap, the Energy Price Guarantee will take average energy bills based on typical use from £2,500 to £3,000 in April 2023 – so bills will be higher from spring onwards. Money saving expert Martin Lewis is urging the government to postpone raising the Price Guarantee to £3,000, but it has not been confirmed whether this is happening.

Sarah Coles, personal finance expert at Hargreaves Lansdown, says: “Ofgem [the energy regulator] says the energy price cap would have been £4,279 between January and April 2023, but the price guarantee will keep average annual bills at £2,500 until April - which is a massive saving of £148 a month. 

“But while £2,500 is clearly much more manageable than £4,279, and while the instalments of the £400 energy rebate from the government are helping to take the pain out of the cost for now, there are still an awful lot of people struggling with bills at this level. When it rises to £3,000, it’s going to make life even tougher.”

But while everyone is still feeling the pinch and worrying over how much their energy bills will cost, it may not be obvious why prices have been rising. 

Why are energy prices going up?

The reasons why energy prices are going up are complicated. They mostly relate to the soaring price of wholesale gas in Europe during 2021. Before that, between 2013 and 2020, gas prices were stable or falling for most of the time. Wholesale gas prices have been affected by a number of factors. These include:  

• war in Ukraine
• supply and demand after the pandemic 
• storage issues 
• and the weather.

War in Ukraine

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 caused huge uncertainty, especially in the gas and oil market. While only around 5% of the gas we use in the UK comes from Russia, this figure is around 40% for Europe's energy supply. 

If European countries receive less gas from Russia, they need to source it from elsewhere. This, in turn, means more countries are trying to buy their gas from other sources, which increases demand on the gas that's available and drives the price up.

In September 2022, in apparent retaliation for Western sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russia decided not to resume gas flows through the main Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany. This prompted a new surge in wholesale costs, intensifying worries about the gas supply in Europe over winter.

Increase in demand after the pandemic

Gas prices soared when the world started to get back to normal after Covid-19 lockdowns. As countries around the world began to open up, demand for gas increased from the low-level gas consumption we saw when most businesses were closed and international travel was virtually banned.

Demand has soared even further in the past few weeks as temperatures drop.

Lack of suitable storage facilities

How we store gas in the UK has added to the problems too. The use of gas stores can act as a buffer against rising prices by allowing countries to buy in bulk in periods of low demand and storing it for later use. 

But the UK has very little in terms of gas storage capacity, after the 2017 decision to close the Rough facility in the North Sea that had provided 70% of the UK's storage capacity for more than 30 years.

This prevents the UK from being able to buy gas in bulk during the summer months, when demand is lower, and storing it to use in the winter when demand increases.

This has not previously been an issue and the UK has relied on a combination of domestic gas sourced from the North Sea, imports from Europe and liquified natural gas from the Middle East to meet demand. The UK is still importing its gas, but we're now having to pay a much higher price for it. 

Unusual weather patterns

The weather hasn’t helped energy prices either. Europe had a cold winter in 2020/21 and a less windy and less sunny summer than normal. This means renewable sources like wind and solar produced less power. These adverse weather conditions also caused food prices to go up.  

How can we increase supply?

One option to increase gas supply, without relying on Russia or Europe, would be “fracking” – a process by which shale gas is extracted from rocks by breaking them up. Fracking was banned in 2019 due to fears it might trigger earthquakes, but Liz Truss lifted the ban when she was prime minister. However, new prime minister Rishi Sunak has reinstated the ban. 

Even if fracking was allowed, some experts say that the process would do nothing to ease energy prices this winter as it would take many years for an industry to develop, and it remains unclear how much gas could be extracted.

The government is also supporting a new oil and gas licensing round in conjunction with the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA). These licences will enable developers to search for new oil and gas sources within the areas of their licences.

Will energy prices continue to go up?

With so many complex factors involved, it is difficult to predict what will happen with energy prices. 

Without the government’s price guarantee, prices would definitely rise for consumers, even with Ofgem’s energy price cap. But some experts say we might see prices fall later in 2023, compared to 2022 levels.

Daniel Kostecki, global markets analyst at Conotoxia says: “It is possible that in 2023, with the decline in economic activity, as a recession is forecast in both the Eurozone and the UK, energy prices may also fall. 

“However, this does not necessarily mean that it would be cheap. Electricity or heating prices may remain well above previous averages but should not rise further. As the World Bank calculates in its report, ‘prices will remain more than 50% above the five-year average through 2024’. In 2023 prices could be lower by about 11% compared to 2022 levels.” 

How much could energy bills go up by?

While wholesale energy prices might continue to go up, households will be protected by the price guarantee. The current energy price guarantee caps average energy bills at £2,500 a year for the typical user up until April 2023. From April, the energy price guarantee will be £3,000 a year and this will run until the end of March 2024. (Read our easy-to-follow guide if you need you don't quite understand what all the information on your bill means and you need your energy bills explained.)

A lot of money experts predict that many people will struggle with energy bills at this level.

“The Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that 45% of us found it difficult to afford energy bills between June and September, which rose to 72% of those on prepayment meters and 60% of renters. These groups are particularly likely to struggle when the energy price guarantee rises to £3,000,” says personal finance expert Sarah Coles. 

“But even average earners won’t be immune to the pain. £3,000 is around a third more than the price cap in April 2022 (when it was £1,971), and more than two and a half times the level in April 2021 (when it was £1,138). Very few of us will be able to take bills at this level on the chin, so there will be some tough cuts to make in 2023 too.”

It's important to understand that the £2,500 and £3,000 figures are an illustration of an average household’s yearly bill, and not a fixed limit. If you use more energy than the average household then you will pay more than the capped figure, and you will pay less if you use less energy than the average household.

As oil and energy companies report eye-watering profits, even the government’s energy price guarantee has led to frustration, with calls for a higher windfall tax on energy companies' profits and trade unions setting up the Enough is Enough campaign to fight the cost of living crisis.   

When will energy prices come back down?

It is currently unknown when energy prices will go down as we move into 2023. Up until the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated, most experts predicted energy bills would start to fall in 2023. But, unfortunately, the ongoing Russian aggression changes things. 

However, UK households now have the protection of the Energy Price Guarantee until spring 2024. 

In a report by the Social Market Foundation about energy bill support, authors Amy Norman and Scott Corfe said: “Energy bills will continue to have a significant impact on household finances in future. With average bills at £3,000, households will still be exposed to spending over twice as much on energy compared to 2019/20. We calculate that 12 million households would spend over 10% of their income after housing costs on energy.”

Beware if you are on a tariff that means your electricity is cheaper at night as energy you use during peak times could be very expensive. In any case, the key to keeping your bill down is to know how to save energy in your home. Although involving an initial cash outlay, installing an energy-efficient boiler and insulating your home will significantly reduce the amount of energy you use. 

If you don’t have the money to spend upfront, small changes such as turning down your thermostat, not leaving appliances on standby, and switching to LED lightbulbs can cut your bill too.

You can normally protect yourself from energy price hikes by opting for a fixed tariff – but right now, this would be a gamble. If you come across a fixed deal, it's likely to be significantly more expensive than the price guarantee. 

If you're struggling to pay your energy bills, you're not alone. Speak to your supplier in the first instance to see what help with energy bills it can provide. You might also qualify for free gas and electric vouchers so it's worth speaking to your supplier for advice.

Will more energy suppliers go bust?

The government has intervened to help prevent energy suppliers from going bust amid rising prices, especially in light of more than 30 energy suppliers, including Bulb, Arvo, Orbit and Pure Planet, going bust since summer 2021.  

Income tax may be automatically deducted from your salary before it hits your bank account, so you may not think too much about it. But alongside national insurance, it is important to understand exactly what income tax is, how it's calculated and why you have to pay it.

With households needing to keep a watchful eye on outgoings with inflation rising and energy bills skyrocketing, knowing what tax you need to pay can be a big help. 

Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist at Royal London says: “Income tax was introduced in the UK over 200 years ago as a temporary measure and is still with us today! It’s a tax that does what it says on the tin, in that you pay it on your income – but not necessarily on all your income.”

It is also important to understand the details of your income tax. If your tax code is incorrect you could be paying much more than you need to. If this is the case, you could be due a tax rebate.

What is income tax?

Income tax is a tax that you pay on the money you earn. The amount you pay depends on how much you earn. Essentially, the more you earn, the more you pay. It is collected by HMRC on behalf of the government to help provide funding for public services such as the NHS and education. It’s also used to fund the welfare system, as well as investment in public projects, such as roads, rail, and housing.

There are three income tax rates:

• the basic rate at 20%
• 40% is the higher rate
• 45% is the top rate.

But you don’t necessarily pay one rate on your income. It is tiered. You won't pay any income tax if you earn less that £12,570 per year. (Importantly, thanks to a recent change in the National Insurance threshold, you won't pay any National Insurance either if you earn less that £12,570). 

You’ll currently pay 20% on anything you earn between £12,571 and £50,270 and 40% on earnings between £50,271 and £150,000. Those with an income of over £150,000 pay 45%. But from April 2023, the point at which you start paying 45% income tax rate will be reduced to £125,140. This means more higher earners will be paying more income tax than they did in the current tax year.

Former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng had announced a raft of changes to the income tax system in his mini budget on 23 September 2022. These included dropping the basic rate of income tax to 19% and abolishing the top rate. The government u-turned on getting rid of the top rate 10 days after it was announced. The reduction of the basic rate was then scrapped by new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on 17 October. 

However, a month later, Jeremy Hunt went on to announce more changes to income tax in the Autumn statement. He said: "Asking more from those who have more means that the first difficult decision I take on tax is to reduce the threshold at which the 45p rate becomes payable from £150,000 to £125,140. Those earning £150,000 or more will pay just over £1,200 more in tax every year.

"We are also taking difficult decisions on tax-free allowances. I am maintaining at current levels the income tax personal allowance, higher rate threshold, main national insurance thresholds and the inheritance tax thresholds for a further two years taking us to April 2028."

The freezing of the thresholds ultimately means that for some people, when their wages go up and the tax thresholds don't, they will be moved into a higher tax band and have to pay more income tax. This is what people mean by stealth taxes.

Income tax bands are different if you live in Scotland.

To determine your own level of tax, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) issues a personalised tax code. It is made up of letters and numbers and will be displayed on your payslip, P60 as well as on your annual coding notice letter from HMRC.

Understanding your tax code

The first four numbers on your code represent how much you can earn or receive as income before you start paying tax. This is known as your personal tax allowance. The standard personal allowance is £12,570. This would be expressed as 1257 on your tax code as all allowances are divided by 10. Most people should start out with this tax code.

The four numbers are followed by a letter, which refers to your individual tax situation.

Here are some examples:

• L – This is a standard letter and means you’re entitled to the tax-free personal allowance
• N – This will appear if you have elected to transfer 10% of unused allowance to your spouse or civil partner
• OT – This code denotes that all your tax allowances have been used up - with the result that all your income will be taxed. This might be used if you've started a new job and don't have a P45 showing your earnings and tax paid at your previous job.

For a full list of tax codes check on the official government website.

Do I have to pay income tax?

Yes, employees and the self-employed must pay income tax on earnings above the personal allowance. Other types of taxable income include rent from a buy-to-let property, pension withdrawals, and dividends (or cash payout) from shares. However, you don’t usually pay income tax on all your taxable income. This is because most people qualify for one or more tax-free allowances.

Everyone gets a personal allowance, though once your earnings hit the £100,000 threshold, your personal allowance is reduced by £1 for every £2 you earn above it, until it reaches £0. So if you earn £125,000, you pay income tax on the lot, and there’s no tax-free allowance.

There’s also the marriage allowance. This allows you to transfer £1,260 of your personal allowance to your spouse or civil partner if they earn more than you. However, there are eligibility rules - one of you must be a non-taxpayer and one must be a basic-rate taxpayer. Higher or additional-rate taxpayers aren't eligible for this allowance.

Katt Mann, savings and investments specialist at Nutmeg said: “These allowances are worth knowing about. The marriage allowance, for example, could reduce a tax bill by up to £252. It is also worth checking if you are eligible to backdate your claim, in some cases you may be eligible to claim from tax years since 2017.”

Income tax calculator - work out how much you will pay

Calculating tax can be seriously complex, so we have developed a specialised tax calculator to crunch the numbers – so you don’t have to.

Type in your annual salary and the calculator will generate a series of numbers. You’ll be able to view your take-home income per month and per week, once income tax - and National Insurance (NI) - have been deducted. You will also be able to see a breakdown of the income tax and NI applied to your level of earnings.

Once you have a clear picture of your earnings once tax has been taken off, you can understand exactly what you will receive on payday to allow you to be in control of your budgeting.

Bear in mind too, that the 1.25 percentage point National Insurance increase that came into effect in April 2022 will be reversed from 6 November 2022. 

How is income tax paid?

If you are employed, income tax (and national insurance) will automatically be deducted through the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system. You don’t need to do anything, your employer will take care it. If you’re self-employed, you pay it at the same rate as everyone else. But you pay it a year in arrears through a self-assessment tax return, as well as a ‘payments on account’ which is a twice-year payment towards the upcoming year's tax. These payments are calculated based on the previous year's tax bill. Self-employed workers must have a keen understanding of what they will owe to ensure they keep enough back to cover the tax.

What happens if I work part-time, do I still have to pay it?

Yes, income is subject to tax regardless of whether you work full or part-time. Employees who move to part-time hours with the same employer should not need to take any action provided their PAYE code is correct, as the system should automatically recalculate the tax throughout the year.

It’s important to keep an eye on your tax code if you move jobs or change hours.Kat Mann added: “HMRC will tell your employer which tax code they should use for you, so that your income can be correctly taxed. However, the onus is on individuals to check that their tax code is correct – this can be particularly important when you have a change in salary, if you receive regular bonuses and when you change jobs.”

You can check your tax code with HMRC and if you’re unsure, it can be worth calling to check you have the correct tax code. Even a small error could mean you’re overpaying or underpaying by hundreds of pounds.

Do I still pay if I am on maternity leave?

Yes - if you earn over the personal allowance threshold, you will need to pay income tax when you're on maternity leave. Maternity pay is paid in the same way as your income when you are working - this includes statutory maternity pay (SMP). There’s no alternative rate when you take time off after having a child. If you’re self-employed you’ll need to declare your SMP as earnings and pay income tax on the total.

“If your level of pay is above the personal income tax allowance, then you will pay income tax on your maternity pay,” added Kat Mann. “National Insurance contributions are also deducted.”

Video of the Week:

Local food banks offer help to approximately 14 million people in the UK. And with the current cost of living crisis and the recent increase in food and drink prices, food banks are being used more often.

According to the latest stats from The Food Foundation CPI data suggests that food and drink retail prices have risen by 5.9% in the last year up to March 2022. Why are food prices going up? we hear you ask, well according to Goodto's personal finance expert, Harriet Meyer; "increasing labour, energy, and transportation costs are behind the majority of increases."

Food banks are designed to offer emergency support to people during a crisis. As well as relieving the initial pressure by providing essential food items in the short term, food banks can give additional support so people don't need to come back to the bank again. The same goes for a baby bank, which supplies baby essentials such as nappies and toys, to those in financial hardship. But as each food bank in the UK serves different areas, each bank has different needs and requirements.

What is a food bank and how do they work?

Food banks provide free, nutritionally balanced, tinned, and dried food to those who need it. This might include people who have been hit by an unexpected financial crisis, such as redundancy, unexpected bills, or the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Care professionals, such as social workers, school staff, and health visitors, identify those in need of help and give them a food voucher for their local food bank. This voucher provides a food parcel of three days' worth of non-perishable food from the bank. Other problems, such as rising period poverty, mean that food banks also accept and offer donations of toiletries within the parcel.

But as well as providing these emergency items, food banks work so that people don't need to use them again. Specialised members of staff can provide additional support to help people resolve problems with their finances, such as debt, mental health issues, and a lack of access to government benefits. Some banks also offer services like childcare and educational courses.

All food banks rely on public donations, which are collected from places like supermarkets, schools, and local businesses. The Trussell Trust operates the most food banks in the UK, with 1200 food banks nationwide. Invite your children to get involved too, it's a strong segue into talking to your kids about the cost of living crisis.

How do I find food banks near me?

Visit the Trussell Trust's website to find your nearest food bank at www.trusselltrust.org/map by entering your postcode or nearest town.  If you are unable to travel to your local food bank due to transport costs, you can call them and check if they can deliver your food parcel.

There are also a number of private/independent food banks - these are run by local churches or charities. You may find them advertised in your local paper and usually, you can visit one of these without a referral. FoodCycle helps connect people within their local community to help reduce food waste and poverty. Like food banks, they are maintained and run by volunteers who usually have arrangements with local supermarkets to cook food for the homeless and poor. There are 40 locations around the UK.

FairShare is a charity that uses food that would otherwise be wasted at the manufacturing end of the chain and gives it away to the homeless and poor. Donors include Sainsbury's and Nestle. They were just one of the organisations that saw a demand for food packages following the MPs vote against free school meals for children during the half-term holidays in 2020.

How to get food from a food bank

The easiest way to get food from a food bank is to call Citizens Advice, where an adviser will be able to issue you with a voucher to get an emergency food parcel from your local food bank.

• England or Wales, call 0808 208 2138.
• Northern Ireland, call 0800 915 4604.
• Scotland, search for your local Citizens Advice centre using your postcode.

All lines are open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, but are closed on public holidays.

On the other end of the line, the trained advisor will ask you about your circumstances, income, and needs. They'll also ask if it's just you that needs the emergency parcel or if you've got other people living in your household who are also in need.

While you can be referred to a food bank for lots of different reasons, it can be difficult to get a voucher unless you're facing extreme circumstances. According to The Trussell Trust, the primary referrals to food banks in 2018-2019 were due to income not covering the cost of essentials, changes to a person's benefits, or delays in receiving their benefits.

Food bank referral form

As well as directly calling the Citizens Advice Bureau, you can also get advice and a food bank referral from:

• A doctor, including your local GP
• Jobcentre
• Social worker

You might get a food bank referral if:

• You've been made redundant or have reduced working hours
• Unexpected bills have left you with no money
• A change in your circumstances has affected your entitlement to benefit or the reduced the amount you receive
• Payment of benefits has been delayed
• You are turned down for a crisis loan
• Ill health
• Domestic abuse
• You have a low income or are in debt

The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated these needs so dependence on food banks is currently higher than before.

Food banks without referral: can you go to one without a referral?

The Citizens Advice Bureau explains that you can visit an independent local food bank without a referral, but if there aren't any local to you, you'll need to get a referral.

How many times can you use a food bank?

You can get up to three vouchers (only one at a time) for any one crisis. This gives you a total of 9 days worth of food. These vouchers are individually exchanged for three days' worth of emergency food at your local food bank.

How to get help from a food bank

Whatever additional help you need from a food bank, whether that's support applying for benefits, housing help, or debt advice, the best way to find it is to contact the food bank directly. Visit The Trussell Trust's website to find your local food bank.

You can also use The Trussell Trust's Grants Search function on their website to find out whether there are any governmental grants you might be entitled to. Similarly, there is another function on the site that helps you find out whether you're entitled to any benefits.

How can you become a food bank volunteer?

According to The Trussell Trust there are more than 40,000 food bank volunteers operating across the UK.

Food bank donations - Find your local food banks and call them to ask what to donate to a food bank and where to drop it off. Your food bank donations are vital during school summer holidays with figures showing 87,496 food parcels went to children in the UK during the summer holidays in 2018 - a 20% increase from the summer of 2017.

Food bank volunteers - Become a food bank volunteer at your local food bank. Find out more information on their website - call or email them to find out more. Volunteers can help out by sorting and packaging food parcels, or

Donate money - If you don't have time to donate then you can always donate money. Either directly or via the Trussell Trust's website.

Related features:

• Cheap family meals under £1 a head
• Cheapest supermarket for 2022 revealed
• How to reclaim Tesco clubcard vouchers
• How I talk to my kids about the cost of living crisis, tips from a mum and finance expert

Video of the week

Families are already feeling the strain of rising living costs, with the Ofgem chief predicting that the energy bill price cap will rise to £2,800 this autumn. 

Energy costs are at an all-time high, and the recent increase in National Insurance is putting even more strain on household budgets. The escalating expenses don't appear to be slowing down, as Jonathan Brearley told the Commons Business Committee that due to the volatile gas market in October, the price cap will increase by about £1,000.

The announcement comes as Chancellor Rishi Sunak considered charging a windfall tax on energy providers and oil and gas companies in an effort to support struggling households.

Gas prices have already increased by approximately fourfold since 2020. Due to a variety of global factors, including increased demand during the lockdown and export difficulties.

Boris Johnson warned last week that he can't "magic away" all the rising food and energy costs as he faced mounting pressure to address the crisis. "We need the government to step in... broadly, this is only something the government can address," Mr Brearley told MPs.

Mr. Brearley noted that families are in for more daunting news, adding, "I do need to be clear with this committee, with customers and with the government about the likely price implications for October. Therefore later today I will be writing to the Chancellor to give him our latest estimates of the price cap uplift."

Although the exact amount of the increase is unclear, families should expect a price cap of around £2,800 in October.

Until September 31, the current ceiling of £1,971 applies. It was an increase of £693 above the previous cap, which had been in place for six months.

Thousands more Brits are expected to get into debt in October, with at least four out of ten people facing fuel poverty.

According to Samuel Kasumu, a former advisor to the Prime Minister, ethnic minority Brits would be the most hit, with just 30% having a month's worth of money to see them through the crisis.

Even after individuals were smacked with "record" increases in energy bills on April 1, Simone Rossi, chief executive of EDF energy, warned last month that "the worst is yet to come."

Mr Sunak has reportedly directed Treasury staff to work on preparations on possible tax on more than £10 billion in excess profits made by power generators, including windfarm operators.

Despite rising costs, energy companies have been making record profits. The war in Ukraine is driving up global wholesale costs. However, Treasury sources claim that no decision on a windfall tax scheme has yet been taken.

With the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, food banks are being relied upon more than ever before. If you're wondering how to help, here's everything you need to know about food bank donations.

Food banks work with support from the public, who donate non-perishable food at a range of places such as schools, churches, and local businesses, as well as supermarket collection points. Then volunteers sort the produce into emergency food parcels to give to people in need. A large majority of food banks also provide extra services alongside the emergency food parcels, such as toiletries, sanitary products, and baby basics (although for the latter a baby bank is a better bet).

According to recent stats published by The Trussel Trust, 95% of people referred to food banks in early 2020 were unable to afford to eat or stay warm and dry. As well as 18% of households referred to food banks were single parents - more than twice the rate in the general population. Trussel Trust added; "We know that extremely low income is a key factor driving people to food banks." Therefore donating to a food bank is needed now more than ever.

There are 2,000 food banks across the UK, with the majority of them run by The Trussell Trust and the others run by the Independent Food Aid Network. If you're wondering, where can I find food banks near me? The easiest way to find the food bank most local to you is through the Trussell Trust website, where you can search for your postcode and it will give you the addresses of the food banks in your local area.

How to donate to a food bank

If you’re looking to make a difference in your local community and donate to a food bank, there are many ways you can do it. On their website, The Trussell Trust says, “We’re not sure about the impact of the pandemic will be on food stock levels in the coming months, so we really encourage you to support your local food bank if you’re able to.”

They encourage people to check what items are most needed on that day and donate those if possible.

Currently, you are still able to donate directly to your local food bank using the search feature to find the closest one to you, or through your local supermarket collection points. There should be a basket in your local supermarket where you can donate food to.

If you want to donate money instead, you can do this directly via The Trussell Trust.

How to volunteer for a food bank

With over 30% of food bank project managers over 65 years old and therefore classed as “at-risk”, food banks are struggling with a lack of personnel to help deliver parcels due to Covid restrictions. Speaking to the Guardian, Emma Revie said, “We are definitely in need of additional volunteers. One of our biggest threats is people becoming unwell and unable to volunteer.”

Your local council website is likely to have a page on volunteering in your area, specifying any food banks local to you and if there are roles and jobs available. You can also search using The Trussell Trust website.

What to donate to a food bank

While food banks always provide a minimum of three days' worth of nutritionally balanced, non-perishable tinned and dried foods, what you should donate to a food bank differs depending on where you are - and what food bank you're donating to.

Typically food banks are looking for donations of food products from supermarkets, such as:

• Cereal
• Soup
• Pasta
• Rice
• Canned tomatoes/ pasta sauce
• Lentils, beans and pulses
• Canned meat
• Canned vegetables
• Tea/coffee
• Tinned fruit
• Biscuits
• UHT milk
• Fruit juice

Lots of food banks will also offer essential non-food items, such as toiletries and hygiene products.

However, because the supplies to food banks differ between areas, it’s important to check with your local food bank what kind of supplies they’re most in need of at the moment. An easy way to do this is to use the search box at the bottom of this page, underneath “Items to donate”. It will tell you the products and food items that your local food bank is in need of at the moment.

If you are in the position to donate to a local food bank, now is the time to do so, with more people needing their services every day.

What items do food banks need most?

Food banks mostly need long-life products that have extended use-by dates or non-perishables such as canned vegetables and fish, biscuits, and sugar for example.

 Canned foods are often the first thing people think to donate. This is because when considering 'how long does canned food last?', the answer is it has a long shelf life and can even be eaten beyond its expiration date if the can isn't damaged in any way.

However, other store cupboard essentials like stock cubes, condiments and spices, and jarred sauces are also welcome.

Can I donate toiletries to food bank?

You can donate toiletries to most food banks but it's worth checking on the local food bank website beforehand. The Trussell Trust recommends the following:

• Deodorant
• Toilet paper
• Shower gel
• Shaving gel
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Soap
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste

You can also donate household items, feminine hygiene products, and baby supplies too:

• Household items – laundry liquid detergent, laundry powder, washing up liquid
• Feminine products – sanitary towels and tampons
• Baby supplies – nappies, baby wipes, and baby food
• Face masks and hand sanitiser

What do food banks need at Christmas?

Festive treats are appreciated as food donations at food banks during the Christmas holidays particularly Christmas pudding, as it often comes with a long-life use by date. The Trussell Trust recommends non-alcoholic puddings.

Chocolate coins and Christmas dinner non-perishables such as tinned pies, vegetables, condiments, and gravy are all appreciated this time of year. Festive treats for those who can't afford them at this time of year are welcome.

Related features:

• Cheap family meals under £1 a head
• Cheapest supermarket for 2022 revealed
• How to reclaim Tesco clubcard vouchers

Video of the week

Every penny counts in the current cost of living crisis and anti-poverty campaigner Jack Monroe knows about struggling to put food on the table better than most of us, having relied on food banks to feed themselves and their young son when money was tight.

The food blogger turned anti-poverty campaigner has made the major supermarkets sit up and take notice after their tweet on the soaring cost of buying supermarket basics went viral.

Right now, it has never been more important to understand how to save money on food and reduce food waste to help manage our stretched budgets. But the impact of the cost of living crisis is not the same for everyone. While some are feeling a squeeze on their finances, others are having to choose between food and heat.

Who is Jack Monroe and what are they known for?

Jack Monroe is a food writer, journalist, and activist. After shopping around to find the cheapest ingredients to cook meals from scratch and managing to survive on £10 a week, when their son was young, Jack started an online blog ‘A Girl Called Jack’, which has since been renamed ‘Cooking on a Bootstrap’. Jack regularly shares recipes on their website and also on Twitter with easy ways to make meals on a tight budget.

Jack hit the headlines at the start of the year when they tweeted about the soaring price of the most basic food range in their local supermarket. The tweets went viral, as Jack went on to list a vast number of basic food items including bread, apples, baked beans, and peanut butter where prices had soared over the last year, far outstripping any rise in inflation.

Jack publicly called out Asda over the price rises of basic foodstuffs, highlighting the fact that its pasta had gone up from 29p per 500g to 70p in just one year, a rise of 141%, and rice, which had gone up by 344%.

In response, Asda announced it would stock its ‘Smart price’ range across all its supermarkets.

How is Jack Monroe supporting people in food poverty?

Supporting people in food poverty is one of Jack’s passions, and they regularly share pictures across Twitter of their weekly budget shops but is always quick to point out that shopping on a super tight budget isn’t easy and is hugely time-consuming.

The anti-poverty campaigner also joined a discussion on the cost of living crisis at the Work and Pensions Committee. In an interview with the BBC Jack said: “There are millions of children living in poverty in Britain today and their families' financial situations have been becoming increasingly untenable”.

"The impact of the cost of living crisis on those households is going to be in some cases fatal and that's not a term that I use lightly."

Children going hungry is an issue Jack is passionate about along with its long term impact. During lockdown when free school meals were replaced with food parcels that were sent to children across England, Jack Monroe publicly spoke up while being interviewed on BBC News, calling the meagre packages, a “poverty picnic’.

What is the Vimes Boots Price Index?

Jack Monroe has instigated a way of measuring rising food prices - the Vimes Boots Price Index. This is being created to track the rising price of basic food essentials, to show the disproportionate impact of inflation, along with supermarket pricing tactics on poorer households.

Jack Monroe coined the phrase from a character in a Terry Pratchett novel – Captain Samuel Vimes in Men At Arms. In the book, Vimes explains how expensive it is to be ‘poor’, citing the example of buying a pair of ‘boots’, where being able to afford a more expensive pair of boots means they last much longer than a cheap pair, which may need replacing several times over, increasing the cost.

Jack Monroe had previously highlighted, in a series of tweets, how the price of everyday basic foods had been outstripping inflation, during the current cost of living crisis. This in turn hits those in the lowest income households hardest.

The Office for National Statistics, which is responsible for measuring and publishing the inflation figures, has since announced it will change the way it measures and reports increasing food prices.

Jack Monroe cookbooks

1. A Girl Called Jack: 100 delicious budget recipes

Published February 2014

Based on Jack's own experience of having to feed themself and their young son on just £10 a week, this is about ways to save on your supermarket shop but stocking up on the ‘basics’ range but still creating simple, cheap and delicious meals. Recipes include Vegetable Masala Curry, for just 30p a portion and Jam Sponge for just 23p a portion.

In readers’ reviews, 92% gave this either 4 or 5 stars out of 5 with one Amazon reviewer having worked her way through the recipes during lockdown.

“Jack is an absolute genius! This little book has honestly made a huge difference to my experience in lockdown. I'm going through it trying to make every recipe in the book and, about 13 in now, have not found a single one that I haven't enjoyed both making and eating. I make these over Zoom with a friend every weekend and we've had so much fun trying all the recipes. I love the clear way of explaining things and how both budget and lockdown-friendly the recipes are".

VIEW ON -  Amazon | £11.28

2. A Year in 120 Recipes

Published October 2014

With this one, it’s split into different sections throughout the year so you take advantage of seasonal foods. It’s about cooking on a budget, but without compromising on taste with recipes including Radish, Pea, and Mint Risotto, Lamb and Aubergine ‘Baba Gosht’ Curry, and Brown Sugar Meringues with Blackberry Yoghurt.

94% of reviewers gave this between 3 – 5 stars out of 5 with many reviews citing the practical easy style in which the book is written.

“Jack's down-to-earth no-nonsense approach to food recipes is very important to people who live on a budget. There are no expensive ingredients just simply honest food. If all cookbooks were like this I would buy More. You also feel you can relate to Jack Monroe”.

VIEW ON AMAZON | £9.67

3. Cooking on a Bootstrap: Over 100 Simple Budget Recipes

Published August 2018

This is the sequel to the number 1 bestseller, ‘A Girl Called Jack’ and packed with over 100 creative and affordable recipes, including Fluffy Berry Pancakes, Marmite Mac ‘n’Cheese and Hot Sardines with Herby Sauce. No fancy chapter headings here: Bread, Breakfasts, A Bag of Pasta and a Packet of Rice.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon. “Every time our family hits trouble I turn to Jack so we can eat ourselves better while mending our broken bank balances. I'm quite frugal, shop carefully and love cooking. And I found loads of ideas for different techniques, substitute ingredients, different flavour combos and new vegan ways of making family favourites. Thanks so much Jack. You can see the work in this book and yet the style of writing is just... Like your best mate is taking you through it... A best mate who has made mistakes and found cool stuff and is completely willing to share them”, was the review of one happy Amazon customer.

VIEW ON AMAZON | £11

4. Tin Can Cook: 75 Simple Store-cupboard Recipes

Published May 2019

This is packed with 75 fun and creative recipes you can rustle up using tins or dried ingredients. Red Lentil and Mandarin Curry, Catalan Fish Stew and Pina Colada Toast are just some of the easy recipes on the menu. And with these you won’t need a pile of exotic ingredients – with everything you need in your local supermarket.

67% of reviewers gave this a 5 star rating with one reviewer having bought multiple copies.

“Having been a fan of Jack Monroe’s recipes for a long time, and having been in the same financial position for a long time, I have a tendency to eat the same foods, week in, week out, in order to stick to a (rather low) fixed budget. These new recipes are interesting, tempting, affordable and straightforward enough for even the least adventurous, or unmotivated cooks amongst us, which makes it perfect for me. I bought a second copy for my parents, who are pensioners who also struggle to eat ‘nicely’ due to their circumstances. That said, I would recommend this book for anyone, no matter what their financial circumstances. We can all find our cupboards bare from time to time, and these recipes really do fit the bill”.

VIEW ON AMAZON | £5.59

5. Vegan (ish): 100 simple, budget recipes that don’t cost the earth

Published December 2019

According to Amazon, this offering from Jack includes Breakfast Muckmuffins, Beet Wellington, as well as Kinda-Carbonara and Bakewell Tart. Full colour pictures with 100 recipes aimed at vegans or anyone who fancies giving vegan cooking a go.

Reviewers gave this 4.6 stars out of 5 and 74% of Amazon customers gave it the top five star rating. One reviewer claimed this book was a ‘great addition to my kitchen’ and went to on to say, “I think this could be Jack’s best book to be honest and I have them all. I’m not vegan or vegetarian and I am not ready to give up meat completely, although I’m a huge animal lover and it does cross my mind a lot. I do love my veggies though and I also work three jobs, one of which includes the night shift. So loved the soup and sandwiches sections as perfect for me on nights and needing a quick snack. Also really like the look of the fakeaways!”

VIEW ON AMAZON |£11.89

6. Good Food for Bad Days: What to make when you’re feeling blue

Published May 2020.

This one’s about how to cook delicious nutritious meals if you’re feeling low, so everything you want from a meal but without a huge amount to effort to tmake it. This collection incudes Quick and Spicy Noodles, Jaffa Cake Mug Pudding and Hot Apple Pies.

This got 5 stars from 75% of Amazon reviewers with huge praise for its practicality with one reviewer saying, “Not another 'aspirational' cookbook that will sit on the shelves and never get cooked, this cookbook has real recipes that take into account people's emotional labour, time and organisational abilities - meaning you *can* and *will* cook them.

Peppered with personal anecdotes and honest writing about their own mental health and circumstances, you feel like Jack genuinely understands the barriers you face to actually cooking. There's no shame in shortcuts, or using tinned/frozen/pre-prepared ingredients. Plus a few basic suggestions at the beginning for how to set yourself up for success”.

VIEW ON AMAZON | £6.18

Related video: How to save money on food

Consumers are facing the biggest squeeze on their household finances in a generation. So it's unsurprising that many families are wondering why are food prices going up and how will it impact their food bills.

Rising food prices are a key factor in inflation reaching 40 year highs. Households will also be keen to know how to save money on food and which is the cheapest supermarket in order to keep costs under control.

Abigail Yearley, a spokesperson for Topcashback, says: “With food inflation at its highest rate since 2013, and prices set to increase even more over the coming months, many consumers will be forced to tighten their belts further. “Supermarkets are already taking measures to help their customers where possible – extending their own brand ranges and offering discounts for example." And it doesn't end at the prices on the shelves. Asda has announced a new Kids Eat for £1 initiative that will run throughout the school summer holidays to help parents cope with the cost of living crisis. 

Why are food prices going up?

The answer to why are food prices going up now is different and wide-ranging. Increasing labour, energy, and transportation costs are behind the majority of increases. This is alongside production difficulties caused by severe weather conditions. These rises are all being passed to shoppers.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the average UK household spends around £3,312 a year on groceries. This excludes alcohol and equates to around £276 a month. At the current rate of food inflation, the average shopper will pay at least £180 a year more on food.

However, Myron Jobson, senior personal finance analyst at interactive investor, says: “Official statistics dramatically underestimate the extent of real-world food inflation, with some items, like pasta, rising by as much as 56% in some cases. Every shopping basket is different and, as such, the impact of food inflation is unique to each individual.”

The last time food price inflation soared was May 2020, during the first wave of the pandemic. This was down to retailers trying to prevent consumers from stockpiling by stopping their food promotions. But

Retail research specialists Assosia looked at the average price rises across a range of everyday items over the past year in supermarkets Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Aldi and Lidl. Some of the biggest average price rises were found in the following items:

Milk prices

The cost of four pints of milk has risen by 8p to an average of £1.17 (7%) in the year to March 2022. Milk is costing more because of multiple factors. The cost of fertiliser has been driven up my gas prices (manufactured nitrogen is used in the production of synthetic fertiliser).

Cattle feed prices have also shot up. Chronic worker shortages have also had a significant impact on supply. According to Kite Consulting, the adviser to dairy farmers, the cost of four pints of milk could rocket to £1.70 this year.

Average costs (at time of writing): Sainsbury’s - £1.25 | Asda - £1.25 | Morrisons - £1.29 | Tesco - £1.15

Instant coffee prices

The average price of instant coffee (200g) has risen by 34p (14.1%) to £2.43 in the year to March 2022. This increase can be attributed to a couple of factors. Firstly, one of the main producers of coffee, Brazil, suffered from a mixture of droughts and extreme frosts which impacted the crops.

The second is the soaring shipping costs faced by suppliers as the world came out of lockdown.

Average costs:  Sainsbury’s - £2.25 | Asda - £2.45 | Morrisons - £2.75 | Tesco - £2

Pasta prices

A 500g bag of penne pasta has increased by 18p (39.5%) to an average of 64p. This is due to an increase in the cost of pasta's key ingredient - durum wheat. A large portion of the durum wheat used to make pasta comes from Canada.

But in the summer of 2021, Canada faced an unprecedented heatwave and drought. This extreme weather took a significant toll on the crops, leading to a shortage. The shortage in supply pushes the price up.

Average costs: Sainsbury’s – 70p | Asda – 70p | Morrisons – 75p | Tesco – 70p

Teabags prices

A 40 pack of teabags has risen by an average of 14p (17.1%) to 96p over the past year. This is attributed to rising labour costs and unpredictable weather conditions. Tea is very sensitive to droughts and temperature, so the wave of droughts and colder-than-normal temperatures had a significant impact on tea production. Local lockdown rules during the pandemic also disrupted labour costs, the leaf-picking process itself and delayed shipments.

Average costs: Sainsbury’s – 60p | Asda – 28p (Smart price range) | Morrisons – 65p

Crisps prices

A six-pack of ready salted crisis has risen by an average of 8p (11%) to 73p in the past year. This increase is due to a variety of factors. These include rising energy costs, lorry driver shortages, and the soaring cost of rapeseed oil that’s sometimes used in crisp production.

The costs involved with producing potatoes, including labour, fertiliser, and transport, have also increased, with these increases passed on to customers. Complicated issues around Brexit won't have helped issues either.

Average costs: Sainsbury’s - 82p | Asda - 85p| Morrisons - 85p

When are food prices going up in the supermarket?

Supermarkets often increase the cost of items in January each year. Assosia found that there were 4,400 increases in product prices in January 2022. This compares to around 2,700 price rises in a typical year. There is likely to be more on the horizon as inflation is expected to rise further.

Karen Betts, chief executive of the Food & Drink Federation, says: “Food and drink manufacturers are grappling with soaring ingredient, raw material and energy costs – some businesses in our sector fear their energy bills will rise by 500% by the end of the year. Supply chains, already disrupted by COVID-19, have been further complicated by the war in Ukraine, which is causing shortages in some ingredients like sunflower oil and raising the price of substitutes.”

5 tips for dodging food price increases

1. Buy own brand or a brand level below your norm: Don’t stick to your usual brand. It’s always worth checking the price difference by stepping down a level to the supermarket’s own brand, or its value/basic range if you’ve yet to buy that. In most cases, you won't be able to tell the difference. If you do, you can always go back to your normal brand for specific items.
2. Look for special offers: Before filling up your trolley, see what offers you can find. For example, Tesco offers ‘weekly little helps’, including essential food items that are reduced for a limited time.
3. Search for short shelf life and freeze: Make use of your freezer if you want to save cash. You can buy products near their use-by-dates such as milk and bread, and keep them in the freezer for use when needed.
4. Shop for yellow stickers: Supermarkets usually have a ‘yellow sticker’ aisle with reduced products nearing or at their sell-by date. These reductions often start at around 6 pm, and you can often pick up meat for more than half the price it retails at.
5. Avoid impulse buys: Keep your wits about you as supermarkets are clever at finding ways to get you to part with your cash, such as putting tempting treats around the store and beside the till. Stick to a shopping list, or order online and use click and collect if available to dodge the delivery fees.

Related features:

• Tomato shortage: Why are UK supermarkets running out of tomatoes?
• Fruit and vegetable shortage in the UK - those empty shelves explained
• Why is there an egg shortage in the UK?
• Coffee Mate shortage 2023: Why are supermarkets running out of Coffee Mate?

Video of the Week

There are plenty of ways you can cut the cost of your favourite takeout. We've rounded up our best cheap takeaways tips and tricks to save you money this month. 

Whatever your takeaway of choice, getting a restaurant to bring ready-cooked dinner to your home is one of life's simple pleasures. But, being the luxury that they are, takeaways can end up costing a lot of money. And, with the recent rise in the cost of living, that's something we could all do without as concerns rise about how to save money. Research by Mintel suggests that the UK's takeaway habits are more entrenched than ever, with 30% more consumers now opting for a meal delivery each week. A survey by Statista showed that we spent an average of £641 per person on takeaway food last year, compared to £452 in 2019.

The revolution of food delivery services such as Deliveroo and UberEats has seen the costs of your takeaway rise. There's also the increasing price of ingredients, which means restaurants have to put up their prices in turn. An investigation by takeaway platform Foodhub also identified that Brexit has played a part in this price hike. But there is plenty you can do to enjoy your favourite takeaway foods at home on a budget, not least by making your own versions, which is also an excellent way to have a healthy takeaway option.

"One of my best hauls was between Christmas and New Year buying unsold Christmas food that needed to be cleared," says Vicky Saynor, Waste Warrior for East Hertfordshire council who educates schools and community groups on food waste reduction. "I bought four whole ducks for £10 ( originally £100) and I made our favourite crispy duck pancakes, buying the pancakes from a local Asian supermarket (£5 for 50). Everyone got to have as many pancakes as they wanted, and we saved money as it would be £15 for the same dish from a local restaurant – and we'd need two for a family of six."

Cheap takeaways: How to save money

1. Order directly from the restaurant - avoid delivery apps

An investigation by consumer experts Which? showed that ordering takeaways from food delivery apps was on average 23% – and, at its highest up to 44% – pricier than going directly to the restaurant. Deliveroo was the worst culprit costing an average of 31% more. While UberEats orders were an extra 25% and Just Eat orders were 7% more expensive. The most expensive order of those in the survey was a Deliveroo takeaway from a Mexican restaurant, which cost 44% more than ordering directly from the restaurant.

And, while many restaurants do offer their food at the same prices, there are plenty – particularly those of smaller, independent eateries that put their prices up on delivery sites (no doubt to compensate for the commission charges). We compared the prices of a local Thai restaurant and found that a green curry that costs £9.95 if ordered on their website was £12.90 on Deliveroo. This applied across the board – for example, salt and pepper squid that cost £7.50 on the website was £8.25, while a starter of pork skewers rose from £5.95 to £6.50. And this is before the £2.49 delivery cost.

2. Collect instead of getting it delivered

Cut the cost even further by choosing to collect the order yourself. Picking up your takeaway is often free of charge which means you'll be saving yourself a few extra pounds when it comes to treat night. The delivery fees on UberEats and Deliveroo are variable depending on your location.

When we looked a Thai restaurant just under a mile away from us was charging £2.49 on Deliveroo, while McDonald's a kilometer away was £2.79 for delivery on UberEats – you could get a cheeseburger and a large fries on your order for less than that.

3. Seek out voucher codes for the delivery giants

If you are going to use the big delivery apps (and let's face it, sometimes we just want the most convenient option), look out for special offer codes. The more you use the apps, the less you are likely to receive these directly. You're likely to be sent them to tempt you back if you've strayed away. So, if you're a regular user, mix it up between the different companies rather than always use the same service. If you're new, there are always offers to encourage you to sign up.

Don't just wait to be sent offers though, seek them out. At the time of writing, Voucher Codes had a 40% discount offer for Just Eat, for example, plus there was a free £5 voucher for Deliveroo for anyone who spent £50 in JD Sports. Meanwhile, Vouchercloud had a code for £20 off your first order when you sign up for Uber Eats. You can also find a range of restaurant and takeaway discount codes for the likes of Domino's, Pizza Hut and more, through our sister website MyVoucherCodes.

There are often 'refer a friend' offers too – at the time we looked, Deliveroo was giving £10 off your next four orders when a pal signs up.

4. Avoid drinks and desserts

Tempting as it might be, ordering drinks and desserts that you could easily pick up in a store is definitely best avoided. A 1.5 litre bottle of Pepsi is £4.50 from Taco Bell on Uber Eats – you can get pick one up for £1.75 in Morrisons. Meanwhile, a tub of Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough ice cream is £5.99 from Pizza Hut, and, when we checked, was £3.50 from Asda. Just forward the plan a little so that you already have these in the house.

5. Buy supermarket sides instead

"We treat ourselves to takeaway curries every now and again, but we never buy drinks, and buy less rice than one per person. I buy naan bread from the supermarket and pop those in the oven for 5 mins when the takeaway arrives," says Waster Warrior, Vicky Saynor, who is a champion of saving money on takeaway foods thanks to her savvy shopping and cooking skills. "It really saves some money." Indeed, two full-sized plain naans cost £1 in Sainsbury's, whereas our local Indian takeaway charges £3.05 for just the one.

6. Focus on the main dish

There are so many ways to reduce the cost of your order, simply by the choices you make from the menu. Focus on the big event, so use your money on your main course of choice (while avoiding anything overly spendy – that grilled lobster isn't going to keep those costs down, after all), and think about things you could accompany it with that you already have at home.

Do you really need that side of boiled rice, when you could make it yourself? Are you actually hungry enough for all those starters? Boiled rice is £3.05 in our nearest takeaway, so add two of those too, let's say, a portion of onion bhajis (£3.55) and a king prawn puree (£7.05) and you've added the princely sum of £16.70 on to your bill.

7. Make your treat night on a weeknight

Because why should we wait until Friday? Cook at the weekends when you have more time for pottering around the kitchen, and give yourself a weeknight boost instead – you will save money to boot. Just Eat has Cheeky Tuesdays where many of its restaurants offer 20% off. Or sign up to Meerkat Meals, which is rammed with special offers or 2 for 1 or 20% off from Sunday to Thursday. Or why not order at lunchtime to pep up your day a little? When we looked, Pizza Express had a £9.50 deal for a pizza wrap and a salad, available weekdays until 4pm.

8. Cook a 'fakeaway' at home

Your own versions of classic takeaways can be just as good. Homemade takeaways are often tastier and better for you, plus you know exactly what you're eating. Sure, you have to do the cooking but, if you do a batch cook, you can freeze portions. That way you can simply defrost and reheat for the next takeaway night.

"My go-to dishes are classics like prawn pad Thai and chicken curry," says Vicky. "I buy a lot of yellow sticker items from the supermarket, like prawns, chicken breast, or thighs. Also veggies like onions, carrots, greens, and peppers and use those. I'll add frozen veg too; you get more for your money and it is regularly on offer in Tesco."

Cooking up all those tasty starters and side dishes at home is an option too. Make your own Chinese dumplings and crispy duck pancakes, or knock up a nutritious tarka dahl to go with your Indian feast. "We do our own pizzas. Making the dough is very simple, and cheap (flour, water, and yeast). Alternatively, you can buy pre-made dough. Mix a can of chopped tomatoes with herbs, then look in your fridge for toppings. We call them our fridge pizzas!" adds Vicky. Of course, you can pick up a decent pizza in supermarkets and stick it in the oven.

9. Choose a ready meal over a takeaway

Sometimes ready meals end up costing less than buying from a restaurant. For example, Pizza Express American Pepperoni is just £5 in Sainsbury's if making your own isn't your thing. That's at least £5 cheaper than ordering from Pizza Express. The supermarket ranges of ready meals are another money-saving option that can still satisfy your Thai, Indian or Chinese cravings. Or choose yourself a meal kit from your takeaway of choice. For example, Wagamamas do a katsu curry meal kit (£3.30 at Sainsbury's) so you can mimic their version at home for hardly any money.

Related features:

• How to save money on food: Tips for shopping and cooking
• Healthiest fast food options
• How to reduce food waste

Video of the week

Books can get expensive, especially if you're buying them for yourself and the whole family. Which is why we've sourced tips on how to get free books.

Whether it's a tale for you or one of the best books for kids - reading is an important activity that opens us up to new worlds, introduces us to foreign cultures, challenges our knowledge and aids our development. Starting little ones off young with one of the best books for toddlers is a great way to encourage reading as a skill for life. Though as is the case with most hobbies - reading can come with a price. And those book costs can certainly add up over time.

The good news is there are a number of platforms and opportunities to pick up a free book or a cheap book bargain. And we've shared details on how you can get your hands on them for you and your child.

Where to shop cheap books:

• AbeBooks: Check out their monthly seller sales on hundreds of discounted books
• Amazon: Search their second hand book section
• Better World Books: Receive a free notebook with orders of 3 or more used books
• Hive books: Up to 25% off selected fiction books
• Music Magpie: Check out their 2 books for £5 deal
• World of Books: A dedicated section of books under £4
• Oxfam: Check out their online charity book shop
• Awesome Books: Up to 80% off thousands of titles
• The Reading Tree: Books from as little as £2.50
• The Book People: Books starting from a £1
• Biblio: Rare books at a discounted price
• Buuks: Sign up for £15 a month and get members prices on books
• The Red Cross: Specialist charity bookshops in several locations

How to get free books - 12 tips

1. Sign up to Kindle Unlimited

Kindle Unlimited costs just £7.99 ($9.99) a month and offers unlimited books to read on your Kindle. Though the good news is if you're an Amazon customer, you can try it for two months free first. Allowing you to see if it's to your liking, whilst also receiving free books.

During this time, you can get free access to over a million Kindle titles which include ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines. Whilst the subscription does include some bestsellers and must-reads like Harry Potter and The Handmaid's Tale, it's worth noting that the general selection are made up of books from new or less famous authors. But that's not to say that these aren't worthy of a read.

Titles can be read on any Amazon device or the Kindle app, which is available to download for free to your phone or tablet. You can borrow titles as often as you want with no due dates - and can keep up to ten at a time.

To browse books, go to the Kindle Store and find the link to Kindle Unlimited - here it will flag up all the books included in the subscription. Alongside Amazon recommendations of what to read next.

If you don't want to continue after the two months, then be sure to set a reminder on your phone to cancel and avoid the monthly fee.

2. Check out Booktrust

If you’re not already familiar with Bookstart - it’s a great resource from charity Booktrust that offers free books to every child under 12 months and those aged 3-4 years. Bookstart gifts additional needs packs for babies and toddlers too, as well as black-and-white booklets for newborns and dual language books.

In England, your health visitor or health professional should gift a yellow bag in your baby's first year to help you share stories, rhymes and songs. And your pre-schooler will receive their special gift envelope when they are 3-4 years old, from their nursery, children's centre or other early years setting.

If you haven't received your Bookstart Baby pack by the time your child turns one, or the Bookstart Treasure pack before they turn five, ask your local library for help.

3. The Love Literacy App

This is a great one if you have young children. EdTech start-up, Readingmate have launched over 200 free children’s eBooks on their free reading app, the Love Literacy App.  The app was developed by English teacher Hannah Rix and husband James in June 2020 to inspire a love of reading.

Explaining why they developed the app, Hannah said: "1 in 8 disadvantaged children in the UK don’t have a book of their own. This is a shocking statistic, and it’s one that we want to help change. That’s why we’ve created the Love Literacy App, which provides free eBooks for children so they can always have a bedtime story. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to read and learn to love reading, and with this app, we’re one step closer to making that dream a reality."

The machine learning within the app generates personalised reading recommendations for every child, rewards with badges for every milestone they reach and encourages conversations around reading and books with comprehension-style questions.

4. Library borrowing online

As well as visiting traditional local libraries, you can now borrow free books from online libraries. Check out sites such as Z-Library to get free books online. Simply search for the book you want and it will download onto your Apple Books or Kindle. Or you can sign up for a free account and download books direct from the site. Once you have an account, you'll get an increased daily download limit and access to the useful features such as getting books sent directly to your email address. So it's definitely worth doing.

Another good option is The Open Library. It's easy to set up an account on their website, then simply search what you want to borrow and read it via your internet browser on your phone or tablet.

5. Swap with friends

This is a great way of bagging some free books, while also broadening your reading material and helping the environment. You can swap or borrow books with colleagues, friends, family, the options are endless. Why not get together once a month and make a night of it? 

For those looking for a formal story swap programme, look no further than Bookswap.co.uk. All you have to do is sign up for free online, list the books you want to swap on their website and search for ones you want to order (if available).

You should also check out The Book Swap Club on Instagram - which involves the same practice but with an in-person element. Founders regularly organise pop up book swap events in London. We recommend doing a search via Google or Facebook to see if there's any community book exchange groups in your own area too.

6. Audible’s free kids audiobooks

Audible boasts a whole catalogue of over 60 kids' audiobooks completely free on their Audible Stories section. You don't even need to sign up for an account, simply choose what you want and stream it. The free books feature titles from best-selling children's authors like David Walliams, Matt Haig and Jeff Kinney.

7. Audible free trial

There's more benefits to be had with Audible.  Similar to the Kindle Unlimited offer, there's an option to sign up to a free 30-day trial of Audible. During this time, you get two free credits to redeem from a selection of audiobooks. 1 credit is 1 audiobook, so you can access two free books during the trial.

Audible offers everything from podcasts to Harry Potter audiobooks. And if you choose their Premium Plus option, you also get 30% off all additional premium selection titles you want, plus access to exclusive sales.

It's also worth following their social media accounts - as they'll often treat subscribers to free books too. These are only available to download for a limited time, so be sure you get yours whilst you can.

8. Look for free Kindle books

Amazon has hundreds of free eBooks you can download and send straight to your Kindle. It’s well worth having a scout to see what’s available.

Search for "free kindle books" on Amazon's website and you'll be shown a host of free books, many of which are temporarily on sale. You'll find books organised into categories and many of these books are classics, as well as kids books and thrillers. They'll have a button that says "Buy for Free" on their individual payment pages and will specify if it's a limited time deal.

9. Kobo Books

Kobo Books is an online store which offers eBooks, audiobooks and eReaders. And if you look hard enough you'll discover their collection of free eBooks and audiobooks too. From romance to mysteries and thrillers, there’s something for everyone in their free section.

Staff members like the Romance Editor and Audiobook Editor also highlight their pick of the free books each month. So you know you're not getting a dudd one because of it's free status.

You will need to create an account to be able to read the books, but this is totally free. And in further good news, there's no limit to the amount of free books you download. Win win.

10. Sign up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

If you have a child between the ages of 0 to 5 and your local area participates, you can sign up to get free children’s books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. There are participating communities within the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Republic of Ireland.

Once you sign up via the website, each month, Dolly’s Imagination Library mails a high quality, age appropriate book to all registered children at no cost to the child’s family. The books are carefully selected and include traditional stories and rhymes, books by popular authors and illustrators, non-fiction content, plus newly published titles.

11. Check out loyalty schemes with book shops

Lots of online book shops and publishing companies offer reward schemes when you purchase books with them. For example, Penguin Random House offer a points system where you collect 10 points with every purchase. Then, once you have 120 points, you can use them to claim a free book of your choosing.

Another clever way to get free books from publishers is to start a blog. Often, publishers will send advanced reader copies to book bloggers for review. Usually, 1000 Instagram followers is enough to request free samples. Most publisher's websites have a 'contact' or 'press' section, where you'll find contact details to request free books.

12. Follow your favourite authors

Make sure you’re following your favourite authors on social media, or sign up to their mailing list. Authors tend to let their fans know exactly when books are free or discounted for a limited time. Make sure you sign up for notification updates to avoid missing out. You can also follow authors on most eReaders to get similar updates.

If you do decide to start a book blog, you can also contact authors via their social media offering to review their books. Good luck.

Video of the Week:

From the freezer to the fridge, keep fruit and veg fresher for longer and save money on food, by following these simple tips and tricks.

Resource efficiency experts WRAP calculate that the average household throws away £60 worth of food every single month. A staggering £1.17bn worth of fruit and veg is wasted every year by Brits, according to new research from Sainsbury’s. The study reveals that the average British household throws away nearly three items a week, or 75.6m as a nation.

A high proportion of which is fresh veggies and salad, with the biggest loss being those dinner table staples, potatoes, and carrots. Bulk buying is a big culprit of this and can often result in us chucking away food – especially fruit and veg – that has spoiled. And, with the cost of living crisis, that will never do. So, storing fruit and veg in the best way possible means it will stay fresher for longer – and you will save money too. 

They are plenty of efficient ways to reduce food waste; Learn how to organise your fridge, so food is kept correctly (in the range of 3-5°C) for the highest chance of lasting the longest time possible. Prepare fruit and veg when you're about to eat them to avoid browning or for them to spoil. And of course, making the most of your freezer; "Always wash and dry your fruit and veg thoroughly before freezing," says Kate Hall from The Full Freezer, who helps people stop wasting food.

"And think about how you're going to use it before freezing. Cut veggies into bite-size pieces so they can be cooked straight from frozen. Or freeze pieces on a lined tray before moving them to a freezer bag. This way you don't end up with a solid block of frozen food and you can just use as much as you need." Kate says it's also important to squeeze as much air as possible out of your freezer bags to reduce the risk of freezer burn and ice on your veggies.

How to keep fruit and vegetables fresh

1. How to keep strawberries fresh

Strawberries are one of the top 10 most thrown away fresh foods in the UK, according to research by Tesco. Strawberries are one of the worst culprits for spoiling too swiftly so definitely one for the fridge here. They deteriorate more quickly once they're washed. So avoid rinsing until you're just about to eat them. If you're not planning to eat a whole punnet in one go, leave behind the ones you won't eat for later washing.

Another way to preserve their freshness is to soak them in vinegar (this can work for all other types of berries too – including the dreaded raspberries that seem to go mushy after about ten minutes). Soak them in a bowl in a 1/4 vinegar 1 and a 1/2 water ratio solution. Let them soak for five minutes, give them a good rinse and dry on a paper towel. Line a storage container with more paper towels, pop them in, and ideally stick them back in the fridge.

2. How to keep celery fresh

Another fridge dweller, the best way to keep celery fresh is to wrap it tightly in aluminum foil first. Celery produces ethylene gas, which causes it to spoil faster, but the foil will allow the ethylene to escape. A plastic bag, on the other hand, will trap the gas, so yet another reason to ditch it as packaging.

3. How to keep onion fresh

According to WRAP, 970,000 whole onions are wasted every year – and many more partly used ones must end up in the bin, too. An onion's favourite place to live is a cool, dark cupboard. The fridge is too cold and can make them go soft. If you have only used half an onion, the solution (apart from buying smaller onions) is to pop it in the fridge in an airtight container, where it will keep for about a week. They can be frozen too and, unlike other veggies, don't have to be blanched first, according to Kate Hall. Just finely chop before you put it in there, so it will be easier to use than trying to defrost a whole onion.

4. How to store potatoes

One of our most wasted food items – according to new research by Sainsbury’s, we throw away over 17 and a half million potatoes every year. With each household throwing away an average of 13% of the spuds they buy every week. Potatoes can last a really long time if stored correctly. Store them in a bag or box with good ventilation such as a cardboard box or hessian bag. This will allow them to breathe, but also keep them in the dark. Avoid using a plastic bag to store them. Keep them away from onions as this can cause them to over-ripen.

Keep your tatties cold, but not too cold. Ideally, potatoes should be kept at around 10°C. A larder is an ideal place. If you don’t have the luxury of a room dedicated entirely to food, then the garage or a cool dry cupboard is fine. Don’t be tempted to keep potatoes in the fridge as this will turn the starch into sugar and impair the flavour.

You can still eat potatoes that have started growing sprouts, just cut them out, and avoid any that are very soft or shriveled.

5. How to store carrots

We throw away 2.7 million carrots every day, says the campaigning group Love Food Hate Waste. Carrots are always a bit of a grey area when it comes to storage. As root veg, many of us keep them in the veg box or cupboard alongside the spuds and onions, where they will live happily for a few days. But, for good longevity – up to four weeks – the fridge is the place to be. According to The World Carrot Museum, they should be taken out of plastic to avoid the sweating that leads to mold formation.

Don't be in a rush to scrub or clean them. Pre-cut or peeled carrots spoil far faster than those with skins and a bit of grubbiness about them. They also say you should cut off any leaves before storing them. These will draw the moisture out of the root and, if they are looking a bit shriveled by the time you come to eat, you can perform the life-saving treatment by soaking them in water to revive them.

6. How to store broccoli

A definite priority for taking its rightful fridge space, broccoli will keep for around four days. This can be nicely extended if you spritz the heads with water, or wrap in them a damp paper towel, to keep them moist. And don't be afraid of a little yellowing. It's a sign that it's starting to deteriorate, but it's still perfectly good to eat – though don't leave it too long.

Like most veg, you can freeze it too. "To best preserve, you should blanch first; this involves dunking into boiling water for a few minutes before moving to ice water. This helps to preserve the colour, flavour, and texture and slow down the deterioration of the quality," explains Kate Hall.

7. How to store salad leaves

We throw away a staggering 40% of all the bagged salad we buy every year – which adds up to 178 million bags, according to figures from WRAP. So if you’ve spent £2 on a bag of leaves, that’s 80p down the drain. Whole lettuces last longer than bagged salad (did you know you can even regrow vegetables at home?) but, whatever your leaves of choice, they need to be stored in the fridge. Make sure that they don't get squashed or touch the back of the fridge, where they could freeze and spoil) and, with bags of leaves, transfer any leftovers into a sealable container after opening to stop the leaves wilting.

8. How to keep asparagus fresh

Asparagus would like to be stored washed and upright in a glass jar with an inch of water in it, stem side down. If, however, you're lacking in space, wrap it in a damp paper towel instead. Asparagus isn't the longest-lasting of veggies, so it deserves to be treated with care. If the tips are darkening, the stalks may still be edible. If it's gone mushy or smells iffy (and even a little fishy), then its destiny is, sadly, in the bin.

9. How to keep cucumber fresh

A food waste study of 2,000 adults, commissioned by Waitrose, found that cucumbers were the fifth most thrown away food in households. Cucumbers should be in the fridge but they can spoil if they get too cold, so the best location for them is close to the front, furthest from the element. Once they start to wrinkle, they're aging and, if they go slimy on the inside, they'll need to be thrown out.

10. How to store tomatoes

A staggering 733 million tomatoes are being thrown away every year, according to Sainsbury’s survey. And at an average cost of 24p each, that is a terrifying waste of money. So many people get this one wrong. Because they're a salad fruit, it's easy to think they should be in the fridge, but have you tasted the difference between a tomato naturally ripened and one that's been stuck in the fridge? The latter is a foodie travesty. Tomatoes need to stay at room temperature, ideally in a single layer and out of direct sunlight. And, not many people know that to keep them fresher longer, you should store them stem side down.

If tomatoes get over-ripe, there are still plenty of uses for them in sauces and curries. If you really have to put them in the fridge to keep them going longer, make sure you take them out a day or two before eating to attempt to return them to their former glory. However, it's commonly thought that once refrigerated, they'll never be as tasty again.

11. How to keep avocados fresh

Around 30% of avocados are wasted each year, according to researchers at Cranfield University. Of all the fruits, avocados need a good ol' squeeze during the purchasing process. They can be everything from rock-solid to overly squidgy. If you've gone for an under-ripe variety, leave it in the fruit bowl to ripen as it needs to be at room temperature. If it's already soft, stick it in the fridge for longevity. Or if you've bought a firm one and don't think you'll want it for quite some time, it could last for up to two weeks in the fridge.

If you like your avo on toast in the morning and it takes you a few days to get through the whole pear, store the leftovers in the fridge after squeezing over some lemon to stop it from going brown. It's worth keeping the seed in too. While it's a myth that it will stop the fruit from going bad, it does protect the area around and underneath where it sits because no oxygen gets to it.

12. How to store blueberries

The Waitrose survey found that blueberries were in the top 20 most thrown away foods in households. Blueberries do seem to last slightly longer than some of their berry relations, but they still need a spot of TLC. Do put them in the fridge. But don't put them in an airtight container, and make sure they have a bit of space to breathe. Pop a piece of paper towel between any layers, and make sure they're dry so they don't go soggy or moldy prematurely. Also, have a rifle through and check for any lurking signs of fur – if you've got a rotten one, chuck it straight out as it's likely to spread and infect its friends.

Like other berries, blueberries can be frozen too. "The most important thing to remember is that frozen fruit generally can't be defrosted and used as if it was fresh. In the case of home frozen fruits, you can even eat the pieces still frozen, or whizz them into ice creams, sorbets, or smoothies," says Kate Hall.

13. How to store lemons and limes

Lemons and limes will last happily for around a week in the fruit bowl. Placed in zip-locked bags in the fridge though, they will last for a few weeks. Cut lemons (because we often just need a squeeze, right?) definitely need to be refrigerated - wrap the cut end in beeswax and a layer of foil, because citrus fruits will dry out once cut.

14. How to keep bananas fresh

We are throwing away 1.4 million bananas every year, according to WRAP. We've all been storing our trusty bananas and apples together since the dawn on time. This dear fruit-loving friend is an error. Why you might ask? Well, they both produce a lot of ethylene gas which causes fruits to ripen faster. When stored together, they will quickly spoil. So, if you're bananas are worthy of nothing more than banana bread, this could well be the reason.

And if you've ever thought about the logic of hanging bananas from hooks, it's not purely for decorative purposes. The ethylene gas releases from the stems as soon as they're picked but, if you hang them, the gas does its work at a slower pace. It has a dual purpose, too, as they won't bruise like they might in the rough and tumble of the fruit bowl. It's also worth wrapping the tops in beeswax or foil. This prevents the ethylene gas from ripening the bananas too quickly.

Top tips for keeping fruit and vegetable fresh

• To stop your vegetables from turning brown, soak them in 1 tsp of cider vinegar or lemon juice in about 500ml of cold water.
• Leftover veg that you won't have the opportunity to eat before it goes bad, transform them into something with a longer shelf life. Pickles and preserves are a great idea to save fruit and veg from the bin.
• To ripen fruit, particularly the like of avocados, pears, and mangoes that can often be hard when we first buy them, it’s best to leave them out of the fridge, but pop them into the cool for longevity when they're getting too soft.
• To stop fruit from turning brown, coat it in a juice high in antioxidants, such as lemon, lime, or pineapple.
• Remember peeling and cutting the fruit in advance can be detrimental to flavour and nutritional value because – here comes the science bit – as soon as fruits and vegetables are cut into, they're exposed to oxygen and light which causes the vitamins to break down. Some, like apples and avocados, oxidise rapidly and turn brown because the enzymes inside are being exposed to and reacting with oxygen in the air. The same goes for potatoes too.

Video of the week

We've rounded up the most efficient ways to reduce your food waste this year. Try these simple tricks to reduce food waste to help save money and of course, the planet.

In the UK, we throw away 6.6 million tonnes of household food waste a year, almost three-quarters of which we could have eaten. And 1.3 billion tonnes are chucked away globally, which makes for one-third of all food produced for human consumption, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN. Now that we are suffering a cost of living crisis with energy and food bills rocketing, we need to do everything we can to cut down spending – while doing our bit to help the environment too.

And the fact is, it's actually pretty easy to save money on food and reduce the amount we throw away. Reducing your food waste can save the average family of four up to £730 per year according to WRAP,  a charity working with governments, businesses, and citizens to create a world in which resources are used sustainably. "We don't waste anything at all which also reduces plastic waste," says Imogen Tinkler of seasonal food brand Bangers and Balls. "We even ate our Christmas Tree - we used it to cure some fish. Though don't do this if you have a yew tree!".

"We use veg scraps to make stock, and dehydrate leftover fruits - we all have a child who eats half an apple - so you can make it into a powder and sprinkle over food to add flavour. We use bread that is about to go stale to whiz up and have as breadcrumbs or use it to make a bread and butter pudding. You can even make cheap Parmesan – so tasty," Imogen says. "We also find ingredients like rosemary, as well as wild garlic for pesto – they grow in so many places. And if we have a roast chicken dinner, the carcass gets boiled for stock and the leftovers go into a curry to use the next day. We often make three dinners from it."

How to reduce food waste

1. Make your own sauces

Making sauce from scratch will give you a decent saving – a jar of Dolmio sauce costs £1.25 in Sainsbury’s whereas you can grab yourself a tin of chopped tomatoes for a mere 35p. Just add a clove of garlic, some chopped onion, and a sprinkle of dried herbs, and you’ve got a simple homemade sauce for around half the price - plus, you know exactly what’s in it – and that is no added sugar, fat or preservatives.

It's not only basil that works in pesto – you can whip up a version of this tasty Genovese sauce from any leftover greens. Rocket or spinach that’s been left a little long and is starting to wilt? Into the food processor. Herb stalks? In they go. Beet and carrot top greens? Bosh. Adapt the perfect homemade pesto and you'll have an easy sauce for a quick weeknight dinner stirred through your favourite pasta.

2. Prepare ahead using meal plans and shopping lists

"I always plan my meals to avoid waste, we use everything we buy and we know what will be used on what date," says Maddy Alexander-Grout.

Maddy runs a money-saving app called My VIP Rewards that helps people save money on food shopping - so she certainly knows a thing or two about saving money.

Make a note of what you will cook for dinner each night of the week (this planning will help you make sure that you're eating a good variety of foods with different nutrients as well) and all the key ingredients. Also make a list of everything you need for breakfasts, packed lunches etc. Only buy things you know you definitely need, especially when it comes to perishables. Being organised when you go to the supermarket will save you a significant amount off the bill (oh and don't go when you're hungry because we all know what happens then...)

3. Use up what you've already got

What are undoubtedly the two most common purchases – bread and milk – are also those that we waste the most. Over 240 million slices of bread are thrown away each year according to Love Food Hate Waste, which is madness when you think it can easily be used for toast, popped in the freezer, or made into breadcrumbs for cooking. And almost six million glasses of milk get poured down the sink when they could easily be used for milkshakes, smoothies, or a nice bechamel sauce. 

Before you go shopping, always do a recce of the fridge and freezer to see what you've already got that can be used up. If you're not feeling particularly inspired, try researching recipes. Include the things you've already got in the fridge that may not be looking healthy for too much longer.

Got some eggs and some veg? Whip up a nice frittata. A glut of tomatoes and courgettes? How about a ratatouille? Only shop for extras to accompany what you already have at home. And always check your herbs and spices so you don't end up buying your fourth jar of oregano or cumin (we've all done it). A nifty tip to reduce food waste.

4. Buy fruit and veg in season

Eating seasonally is not only environmentally more sound, but it's also cheaper to the consumer when you don't have to add the cost of all that traveling. A strawberry that was still very recently sitting in a farmer's field is going to be fresher and more flavoursome than one that's clocked up the air miles flying halfway across the world.

Buy from farmer's markets and go to pick-your-own (doubling up as a day out!) if you can, and check for the country's source on supermarket packaging. Educate yourself on what grows when and, as much as you might love a nice slice of melon, it makes no sense to buy one in January, nor should you buy sprouts in the summer if you're hankering after a roast. Find out more about what is in season each month with our seasonal food calendar.

When a fresh product is plentiful, it drives the prices down – so when there was a recent spell of cool weather and intense rainfall in Spain, the strawberry crops were affected and the prices on our shelves here rose by 60% because of a lack of supply. Food is also cheaper in season because it will have been grown in cheaper conditions – as nature intended, basically.

5. Make the most of your freezer

A Manchester Metropolitan University study, commissioned by Iceland, showed that families can reduce their waste by 47% by eating frozen food, and showed that 90% of people thought buying frozen food was better value than fresh.

"You may be surprised to know that pretty much everything can be frozen," says mother-of-two Jenna Brown, the Food Safety Mum.

"The list of what not to freeze – like cucumbers, mayonnaise, and lettuce, is much shorter than what you can freeze! Remember the freezer just acts as a "pause" button on food. And don’t be put off freezing your raw meat – you can still freeze leftovers of a cooked meal that used previously frozen raw meat!"

6. Use up leftovers

Each year, the average family throws away £700 worth of surplus food, according to WRAP.

A rich, saucy beef casserole or stew is the perfect dish for using up any veg left in the fridge at the end of the week. Wilted greens, celery ends, that left-over half a pepper. Toss them all into a heavy-bottomed pan along with any beans you have in the pantry, a can or two of chopped tomatoes, and some stock. Add a handful of grains or pulses for a bit of bulk. Lovely with or without the addition of some meat.

7. Infuse your grains

Left with herb stems once you’ve used the leaves? Don't bin them, add them to the pot when simmering up your grains. They bring a great hint of flavour to your carb of choice, whether that be quinoa, rice, or couscous, once cooked. Served with a tasty curry or a tagine made from all those leftover veggies lurking in the fridge, this is a thrifty winner.

8. Only buy what you need

"I shop twice a week for yellow stickers to avoid food waste, I go later in the evening and pick up something I can use for dinner that night," says Maddy Alexander-Grout.

She also avoids doing a supermarket delivery, where you don't get to choose your own products. "I don’t shop online, I feel that you can’t choose your fruit and veg which makes it last for less time." It also avoids that pitfall we've all been victims of, where we think we've ordered five bananas and it turns out we've actually ordered five kilos of bananas. A great one to make sure you reduce food waste - and save money.

9. Try growing fruit and veg at home

Growing your own could save you a significant amount on your shopping bill every year. The experts at Garden Buildings Direct showed that planting veggies from one packet of seeds can save an average of £149 per year. They found that sprouts, aubergines, and courgettes were among the most cost-effective veggies to grow – just one courgette plant can produce 64 courgettes every year. 

Growing your own will make you feel satisfied (and perhaps even a little smug), will get you out in the garden for a vitamin D hit and fresh air, give you a mental health boost, and have you eating seasonally and organically, and save you money on the weekly shop.

If you're something of an amateur, opt for easy-to-grow veggies like courgettes, beetroot, and radishes (particularly good if you're an impatient gardener, as they only take about four weeks to be ready). Fruit-wise, strawberries are easy in the early summer, and, for flavour, chillies are a dream to grow. If you don't have outside space, try a herb garden on your windowsill. Rosemary and thyme are both hardy, and basil will grow for fun.

10. Make your own stock

Instead of throwing all the organic waste into the compost bin, pop it into a container in the freezer instead. Root veg peelings, carrot tops, even onion skins, mushroom stalks, and herb stems. At the end of the week, empty everything into a heavy-bottomed pan, season with salt, cover with plenty of water and add a bay leaf or two and some turmeric. Then simply bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for a couple of hours. A nifty way to reduce food waste.

11. Use every part of the vegetable - where possible

Did you know that you can eat the whole of some vegetables? For example, when roasted, cauliflower leaves crisp up nicely. With a dash of your favourite spices, work great as your side of greens with dinner. They can also be steamed or chopped and tossed into a stir fry with some garlic, and perhaps a chilli if you like a bit of fire. They're also a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and calcium, so you'll be getting some extra nutrients from your leftovers. 

Broccoli is not just good for its florets, you can actually make use of the whole head. Hold onto those stalks and boil up with some root veg and stock for a quick, tasty, and filling creamy, green superfood soup. Got some cheese that needs eating as well? Treat yourself to a classic Stilton and broccoli soup, for example, perfect for a midweek supper or a comforting lunch.

Take the peelings from any root veg and you can create a quick and easy, more-ish snack. To make potato peel crisps, give your peelings a good rinse and pat them dry, pop into a roasting tray with a good drizzle of oil, salt, and maybe some smoky paprika or cumin. Roast in the oven until deep golden brown and crispy, then tip directly into a serving bowl. Most delicious eaten warm, ideally with a glass of something cold and fizzy. 

12. Make your own vinaigrette and dressings

Making your own salad dressing will save you ££s on the shop-bought stuff. Were you to peruse the shelves in Sainsbury’s, a bottle of Mary Berry’s Classic Salad Dressing would set you back £4. Instead, mix some olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper, and a few herbs will cost you next to nothing. 

When you’re scraping the bottom of any food jar, you know that you’ll never quite be able to get everything out. By adding some oil, vinegar, and a bit of seasoning you can shake it all up into a delicious vinaigrette for your salads. Tahini? Add olive oil, chopped garlic, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper, and a dash of sumac. Mustard? Olive oil, red wine or apple cider vinegar, honey, and seasoning. Jams and preserves? Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, shallots, and fresh thyme work great.

13. Make fruit-infused water

This is such a simple way to make use of strawberry tops, orange or lemon peel, and ginger scraps. Simply add to your water and leave it in the fridge to infuse overnight. The next day you’ll have refreshing, flavour-filled water. Try experimenting with flavour combinations too, maybe adding some herb stalks for a twist. It’ll taste great, and ensure you’re nicely hydrated.

Strawberries are one of the top 10 most thrown away fresh foods in the UK, according to research by Tesco, so if they’re slightly past their best, add them to your drinks for flavour. 

14. Use every part of the fruit - where possible

It turns out you can eat the entire banana, skin and all. Just wait for your bananas to ripen well the skin will be thin and sweet. Simply give them a good wash and add them to your morning smoothie for some extra fiber. They also make a great chutney ingredient.

Never throw out peelings from oranges, lemons, and grapefruits either. Boiled up with sugar and water, you can make candied peel or a citrus-infused syrup for baking. Top up with boiling water or dry them out to use at a later date for a fragrant tea. They can also be used for baking. Add them to lemon muffins or to a fruit cake, and leave the rest in a container in your baking cupboard for next time.

15. Use more pricey ingredients sparingly

A little goes a long way, as they say. That's why truffles get shaved on pasta... Expensive foods are often the most flavoursome, so they can be used minimally and still lack a punch. Use half the meat in a casserole or pasta sauce, and bulk out with beans or lentils for the same protein hit. Add a few slices of smoked salmon to your eggs or to a bagel with cream cheese, and keep the rest for another day. Make a seafood pasta and add more inexpensive fish like mussels in with your fancy prawns.

16. Infuse your own ginger tea

Next time you use ginger in a stir fry or curry, or after a baking session, add the peelings and ends to a mug of hot water. Leave to brew for five minutes for a steaming ginger tea. Super tasty, cleansing, and also a great aid for digestion. This is a great alternative if you're trying to cut down on the old caffeine, too. You'll feel ever so virtuous. Oh, and you can also do this with mint.

17. Prioritise food according to use by date

While the ‘use by’ date needs to be abided by, as it’s about food safety, understanding labeling will save you money too. If your label says ‘best before’ that is purely advisory, and that same label contributes massively to food waste - for example, we throw away 720 million eggs a year thanks to their ‘best before’ label, according to research by Too Good To Go – when they were perfectly fine to eat

"First in, first out. It sounds simple enough but make sure you put new foods at the back. This means that using older products first will come naturally," says food safety expert Jenna Brown.

So a bit like stock rotation at a supermarket but in your own house. Also, remember that 'use by' and 'best before' are two very different things. "Put simply, use-by dates are there for your safety and mustn’t be ignored whereas best before dates are just for quality – so best before dates CAN be ignored if it looks and smells fine and there is no mold present," says Jenna. A great way to reduce food waste.

Video of the week:

To make sure you get the best deals on borrowing money, you will need to understand how to improve your credit score if it's not in the best shape.

Whether you are planning on buying a house or taking out a loan, credit card, or mobile phone contract, it's important you check your credit score - as this will dictate the kind of deal you get. 

James Jones, head of consumer affairs at credit reference agency Experian, says: “People should think of their credit report as their financial CV. You wouldn’t apply for a job and let an employer look at your CV without first checking to make sure it’s up to date and paints the best picture of your suitability for the role – so don’t apply for credit before giving similar attention to your credit report. There are plenty of really easy ways to make it shine.”

How to improve your credit score fast

Personal finance expert Holly Thomas has compiled this list of credit score boosting tips.

1. Register on the electoral roll

A great starting point when considering how to improve your credit score is to register on the electoral roll.  It helps lenders confirm your name and address. Without that information, your credit score will be much lower. Being on the electoral roll can also make any credit application process quicker, as your prospective lender won’t need to source other ways to prove your identity or address. You can register online in about five minutes.

2. Pay bills on time

Since missed or late payments could indicate that an individual is financially stretched or lacks responsibility in repaying debts, lenders are unlikely to view you as a decent candidate for further borrowing. Get organised and make sure you can meet all of your financial commitments on time. Set up direct debits and standing orders where you can, to make payments automatic.

3. Keep credit card balances low

How much of your credit card limit you regularly use can have a big impact on scores. This is because it shows how reliant you are on credit. For example, keeping card balances below 30% of the limit can help.

If you've not had a credit card before and are thinking of applying for one, make sure you read our how do credit cards work article to get to grips with the basics, including the different types of cards that are available. 

4. Avoid multiple applications if you want to improve your credit score

Every time you apply for credit of any sort, it shows on your record. While it won’t spell out if you were rejected, multiple applications for credit cards, for example, will suggest your applications are unsuccessful. This looks bad to any other lenders you might apply to. Even just two applications in a short space of time could dent your credit score, making it even harder to qualify for a loan.

5. Let your credit history mature

While it’s sensible to shop around from time to time to make sure you’re getting the best deals, it will help your credit score if you let some of your credit accounts mature. For example, holding the same credit card for five years can add to your score.

6. Correct mistakes

It’s a good idea to check your report well in advance of applying for credit – especially if you haven’t needed to do so for a while. That way you can allow time to rectify any problems. You can get a free credit report from a credit reference agency, such as Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

You have the opportunity to add brief notes to your credit file, where necessary. In circumstances where you have missed a payment through a genuine problem, you can attach a 'notice of correction' on your report explaining why payments were missed if there were special circumstances such as losing your job or family bereavement.

7. Separate finances with an ex

If you're wondering how to improve your credit score in the wake of a split with your partner, make sure you prioritise separating your finances. Joint finances with a partner will merge your credit status whether it’s a mortgage or a finance deal on a car or sofa. If you split up with or divorce a partner, make sure you sever all financial ties to avoid their potentially bad debts affecting you in the future.

Ask for a financial disassociation form from the credit agencies. You may need to answer a few questions to help agencies make necessary amendments to your record. You will need to sign to confirm that there is no active financial connection or dependency between you and your ex.

8. How to improve your credit score by closing old accounts

Close any credit card or store card accounts you no longer use because a new lender will wonder why you want another line of credit if you already have plenty open to you. Make sure all old accounts are debt-free. Even owing a few pence on an old catalogue account or not clearing a mobile phone bill could cost you dearly.

9. Check your credit report regularly

It’s not uncommon for small amounts to go unpaid and leave a mark on your record – and impact your score. Make sure you keep an eye on your report to ensure it’s in good order. with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Alternatively, use CheckMyFile's free trial to check all three in one go. But don't worry, checking your score doesn’t impact your credit history – or score. Only you and the credit reference agency will know about it.

10. Never borrowed? Get credit

Having no credit history can be as bad as having a poor credit history because you’ve got no track record. Matt Sanders, money expert at GoCompare says: “It may sound strange, but if you’ve never taken out any form of credit before, it can actually count against your credit score.”

Sign up for a card and use it for your weekly grocery shop or when filling up with fuel. But make sure you pay it off in full every month to build up a history of borrowing and repaying. This will help you get better borrowing rates in the future.

11. Keep an eye on fraud

Keeping a close eye on your credit report and looking out for any signs of fraudulent activity could help protect your credit score. If you see a surge in the amount you owe, or any applications you didn’t make, you may be a fraud victim. If you do become a victim of fraud, your lenders should fix any damage to your credit report quickly, once they've investigated and established the facts. Ask how quickly they plan to do this if you’re hoping to apply for credit soon and need an urgent correction. It can take up to six weeks for data to be amended but fixing your credit report is a crucial step.

12. How to improve your credit score by using a credit report package

Some of the agencies offer a service that says will boost your credit score. Experian Boost uses Open Banking to factor additional positive information from your bank account into your credit score calculation, such as payments to digital streaming services like Netflix and Spotify. It is free of charge.

13. Avoid using Buy Now, Pay Later

Buy-now-pay-later is a new-style way to purchase items and pay for them in instalments or at a later date, interest-free. Later this year, buy now pay later will be logged on credit files, which could see millions of people having their credit score negatively impacted should they take on debt they can’t afford to repay.

14. Steer clear of payday loans

Payday loans are an expensive way to borrow. They were designed to tide people over until payday. But if used regularly and if you can’t pay on time, the charges, and debt, can spiral out of control. Avoid them at all costs.

15. Use a specialist lender for bad credit

Companies do offer personal loans and credit cards for those with bad credit. Rates might be high and typical amounts could be lower. But there are options.

When it comes to mortgages, there are specialist lenders that are able to take a more pragmatic view of your current financial position. In order to do this they will often use specially trained underwriters to assess your application rather than a computer-based method. Once you secure a mortgage, by making regular monthly repayments you will boost your credit score.

16. Do detective work before applying for credit

If you have a low credit score, make sure you only apply for credit you are likely to get. You can do this by shopping around using eligibility-checking services. That way, you’ll only apply for deals you’re likely to get and avoid collecting multiple ‘hard’ search footprints. Not applying for any new credit for six months can boost your score.

17. Get debt help

If you’re struggling to pay off your debts, speak to the card or loan company.  Ask what help they can offer you while you get back on your feet. If they refuse to help, or make the situation worse, you may be able to complain to the Financial Ombudsman - for free.

If you are unable to repay debts and find yourself borrowing to make repayments, it’s time to switch the focus from your credit score to getting your debts paid off. Getting help from a debt charity is free and they can go through your finances and advise you on the best path to becoming debt free. They can also deal with the bank on your behalf in some cases, sometimes getting them to freeze interest charges. Try Stepchange.org or Nationaldebtline.org.

Why do I need to know how to improve my credit score?

Boosting your credit score means that you become a desirable candidate for borrowing. Having your score looking ship-shape means you’re also likely to pay less for loans. This may be for a personal loan or if you need to remortgage with a different lender. When you want to rent a property there will be a credit check and the same goes if you want to enter a new mobile phone contract.

James Jones, head of consumer affairs at Experian says: “As well as the key to being accepted for loans and credit cards, a good score can be kind to your pocket as it will increase your chances of securing the best deals, such as the headline interest rates, which are often reserved for the top scorers.”

Loan and credit card providers only need to offer their headline rate to 51% of successful customers. The remaining 49% can be offered a different deal which is dependent on your credit worthiness.

How quickly can I raise my credit score?

Timing depends on a few factors but changes can appear within a few weeks. Experian's James Jones estimates that methods to improve scores such as registering on the electoral roll and reducing a large debt can have an impact in 4-6 weeks.

He says: “But it can depend on a number of factors. For example, during the autumn local councils carry out their 'annual canvass', during which monthly electoral register updates are temporarily suspended. But some changes you make, such as registering for Experian Boost, can yield instant results.”

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Find the cheapest fuel as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.

British households spent 66% or £226 more on petrol in 2021 than in 2020, according to the latest figure by insurer LifeSearch - and prices have risen further this year. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a year-long 5p cut to fuel duty to help drivers save money on fuel. But still, the average price of a litre of petrol has risen by more than 40p since March 2021.

Even if the cut is passed on at the pumps, motorists may fail to feel the benefit. A recent RAC report found someone with a typical 55-litre car will save just £3.30 when they go to the petrol station. Using fuel loyalty cards (or even supermarket loyalty cards) can help to keep costs under control. Practising all the ways you can make your petrol or diesel last longer is also key. But knowing the savvy ways to find the cheapest fuel is essential to keeping fuel costs as low as possible.

How to find the cheapest fuel

There are several websites and apps that can help you find the cheapest fuel, including PetrolPrices.com, Waze, and Petrolmap.co.uk. While you may need to register, these tools are free to use. You could save hundreds of pounds each year. Here's how they work:

Petrol Prices This site claims it can save more than £220 a year for each of its two million users.  It does this by comparing petrol and diesel prices at the cheapest or nearest petrol station. If, for example, you buy super unleaded petrol for your car, it claims you could save £495 a year; diesel motorists could save £289 a year. Visit the site

Waze This traffic app crowdsources fuel prices for its live map. To find the best petrol prices tap the 'Where to?' box. You’ll see your location history, and, among other points of interest, petrol stations. Select the petrol station icon to reveal a list of them in your area. You'll also see the price of petrol, the distance to each petrol station, and their addresses. The prices are helpfully colour-coded, from green to red in order of least expensive to most. Visit the site

Petrol Map You can join petrol comparison website Petrolmap for free. It claims it saves its users an average of £200 a year. Prices are updated daily. You can also create price alerts to ensure you never miss out on the best prices near you. You can filter by fuel type, distance and fuel brand, and there's also a useful route planner too. Visit the site

Confused.com This well-known website has a new tool that reveals the top five cheapest petrol stations in your area. After setting up a free account you put in which fuel you want and your postcode. You can use the tool without setting up an account - but it will only let you search petrol prices once a day and only show you the cheapest petrol station in your area, and not other options near you. Visit the site

Local news websites In addition, any regional news websites provide updates, sometimes on a daily basis, on the cheapest places to fill up your tank. For example, Birmingham Mail outlines which petrol stations are the cheapest in the West Midlands while Devon Live reveals the cheapest petrol and diesel prices across its county.

Do supermarkets always have the cheapest fuel?

No, but research suggests supermarkets do very often have the cheapest fuel. Supermarkets are usually about 3p per litre cheaper than the UK average price, according to Carwow, an online platform for buying new and used cars.  Petrol is also generally cheaper in towns and cities than in rural locations. But supermarkets - even those in the countryside - are often still cheaper than oil-firm-owned petrol stations in cities.

Tradesure Insurance's John Wilkins told us: “AA data also suggests that supermarkets tend to have cheaper prices than average but this may not always be the case, so drivers may still need to look around their locals before deciding where to buy.”

Is it worth driving further for cheaper fuel?

It’s only worth driving further for cheaper fuel if the extra mileage isn’t excessive.  John Wilkins from Tradesure Insurance says: “If you’re doing a 10-mile round trip for 1p off per litre, that’s probably not good economic sense. If, however, you’re taking a 2-mile detour on your way home from work to fill your tank for significantly less, then by all means drive that bit further to take advantage.”

How to spend less on fuel

• Sign up for a fuel chain loyalty scheme where you can collect points to use against future petrol purchases. For example, BP’s BPme scheme gives drivers one point (worth 0.5p) per litre of regular fuel they buy and two points (worth 1p) per litre of Ultimate range petrol. Texaco’s Star Rewards gives drivers one point (worth 1p) for every litre of fuel bought. Shell’s Shell Go+ gives drivers who spend £10 or more on fuel a “visit” which totted up to 10 “visits” will allow them to claim money off their fuel purchase.
• Take out a supermarket loyalty card to get points that will eventually convert to money off a tank of fuel. For example, Sainsbury’s customers can collect a Nectar point (worth 0.5p) for every litre of fuel they buy. If you have a Tesco Clubcard you’ll earn 1 point for every £2 you spend on petrol.
• Use cashback to get a contribution to fuel costs. For example, as long as you spend at least £3,000 a year, the Platinum Cashback Everyday fee-free card offers 5% cashback for the first three months (maximum £100), then 0.5% cashback up to £10,000.
• Consider a car-sharing scheme. Carpooling with a colleague to get to work could halve your fuel costs. Liftshare, the UK’s biggest car sharing community, is free to join and claims its members save over £1,000 on average each year. ZipCar and Enterprise let you pay a monthly fee to rent a car by the hour or the day.
• Keep your car clutter-free at all times - extra weight in the boot or on the roof contributes to a higher fuel consumption
• Stop leaving your car engine running unnecessarily while it’s stationary - it costs 3-4p of fuel a minute this way which can add up to £166 a year.
• Avoid premium fuel. There’s little benefit in choosing super unleaded over normal unleaded even though the former will cost you a few pence more per litre.
• Check your tyre pressure once a month. Under-inflated wheels contribute to higher fuel consumption. Your car’s handbook will detail recommended levels.
• Be a conscientious driver. Professional racing driver Rebecca Jackson is an expert on driving economically and told the RAC: "Accelerating from being stopped is very costly in fuel consumption terms and so is going up any steep incline. If you can keep moving slowly rather than stopping in traffic that’s good, but you do have to be conscious of not being a pain to other drivers by leaving too much of a gap behind the car in front. You need to listen to the engine to make sure you don’t use excessive revs but you need to use enough, so it’s a fine balance as you don’t want the car to be labouring too much either."

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From rising energy bills to price hikes at the supermarket, we all feel the need to make our money go further. And it's never been more important to know how to save money. Improving your car’s fuel efficiency is one important way to do that. Here's how to save money on petrol and diesel.

If you found yourself wincing the last time you filled up the car, you had good reason. Petrol and diesel prices are at record highs, with the latest figures from RAC Fuel Watch showing that the average price for unleaded is 162.24 pence per litre and the average price for diesel is 175.94 pence per litre.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, of course, has only pushed up the cost of fuel worldwide, making it even harder to find the cheapest fuel, and with the ongoing train strikes it seems like public transport might be out of the question too. To save a few quid on your fuel bills, try these tips for reducing your fuel consumption and improving your vehicle's fuel efficiency.

How to save money on petrol

1. Choose your petrol station wisely

Convenience is always tempting. But by driving a little further than your local garage, you could end up paying less for your petrol or diesel. There's a point where driving around looking for cheaper fuel becomes a false economy but it's always worth comparing prices locally before you fill-up.

According to the RAC Fuel Watch, these are the average prices of fuel in the UK at the moment. So, if you’re paying more than this, you may be able to find a better deal elsewhere.

Unleaded - 162.24 pence per litre Super Unleaded - 175.94 pence per litre Diesel - 175.94pence per litre LPG -  86.82 pence per litre

If you don't already buy fuel when you do your grocery shopping, it's worth making this a habit. Petrol is typically a few pence cheaper at supermarket fuel forecourts compared to petrol stations owned by the oil companies. And if you take out a supermarket loyalty card like a Tesco Clubcard and fill up when you stock up on groceries, you'll earn points for every pound you spend on fuel. Those points convert to money off your next tankful of fuel. You can also earn points by using your Clubcard to buy fuel at Esso garage as well.

2. Check how much you get to the gallon

Unless you're a petrol head, there's a good chance you'll have no idea what your car's usual mileage is. But knowing your MPG - that's the number of miles you get per gallon of petrol or diesel - can actually help you to keep track of how much you're spending on fuel, and then make savings accordingly.

To work out miles to the gallon, note down your starting mileage. Record how many gallons of fuel you put in the tank before your next journey, and divide the distance you drive by the number of gallons of fuel added. Don't forget to take away the starting mileage from your final figure. Now that you know your vehicle's MPG, you can apply all this advice and then work out exactly how many more gallons per mile you can get with no roof rack and an empty boot...

2. Keep your tyres pumped up

Regularly checking your car’s tyre pressure will prolong the life of the tyre and improve fuel efficiency. Driving on underinflated tyres isn't just dangerous, it also uses more fuel.

“Tyres generally lose up to two pounds of air per month, so check their pressure every couple of weeks,” says Ben Scholes of used car retailer CarShop. “Research shows that if tyres are under-inflated by 20% - or around 6psi – between 3% and 10% more fuel is used. That would cost up to £1 for every 50 miles driven, at 50mph, in an average diesel car.”

Details on the correct tyre pressure can be found in your vehicle handbook, the driver’s door sill, or inside the fuel tank flap. As well as checking your tire pressure regularly, don't scrimp when it comes to your next tyre change. Choose energy-efficient tyres if your budget allows, as they help to reduce fuel consumption.

3. Buy new tyres

According to Kwik Fit, tyres account for up to 20% of your fuel consumption, so it’s important to choose the right ones. Tyres in the UK currently have an EU label that will tell you about wet grip, fuel efficiency, noise level, plus icy and snowy conditions.

Fuel efficiency is rated on a scale from A to E (as of 2021), with A being the most efficient. These tyres need less energy to roll and therefore burn less fuel. So if you need to buy new tyres, look for the EU label for guidance.

4. Clear out your boot to remove weight

When was the last time you checked what was in your car boot? Many of us drive around with unnecessary items stowed away, whether it’s a box of stuff you’ve been meaning to donate to charity, or sports equipment that you’ve forgotten about. But this extra weight can cause you to use more fuel.

“An extra 50kg in a vehicle reduces miles per gallon by up to 2%, so if you’ve got four sets of golf clubs in there you’ll be paying around £10 extra per week for fuel,” says Duncan McClure Fisher, founder and CEO of MotorEasy. “Have a good clear-out and remove anything you don’t need before travelling.”

Encourage the kids to get into the habit of taking their sports equipment, school gear and random beloved possessions out of the car with them every time you get home. Explain that they're doing their bit to reduce fuel consumption and, in turn, help the planet.

5. Remove the roof rack

Likewise, it’s worth removing your roof box when you don’t need it. Yes, it might be a pain, but roof bars and roof boxes create wind resistance and anything that affects a vehicle’s aerodynamics causes you to use more fuel.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, a large roof rack adds around 16% to a car’s fuel consumption when driving at 75mph, while a roof box adds 39%.

6. Half fill the petrol tank

Did you know that you can save money by only half-filling your petrol tank? This one's a bit contentious. And you're bound to have a relative who'll disagree. But the idea is that your car weighs more with a full tank of petrol than it does when the tank is half empty.

There's a lot of maths involved in proving this theory. And, of course, you have to factor in that it requires you to nip to the petrol station more frequently. But nevertheless, it's more fuel-efficient to drive with half a tank. Try it.

7. Use stop/start functions

“Where possible and where fitted, utilise the auto stop/start on your car, so it isn't left idling unnecessarily in traffic or when the vehicle comes to a stop,” advises Kamran Saleem, managing director of Motorserv UK. “If your car is not fitted with an auto stop/start function, consider turning off your car when sitting for a period of time.”

A study by the American Automobile Association revealed that using automatic stop/start functions improved fuel economy by up to 7% and also reduced carbon dioxide emissions.

8. Get the air con/windows balance right

Switching on the air conditioning in your car can increase fuel consumption - but so can opening windows so it’s important to get the balance right. “Air conditioning in a car consumes between 0.2 and 1 litre of fuel every 60 miles travelled,” says Scholes. “That’s up to £1.79 in an average diesel car and £1.67 if your car is petrol powered.”

It’s usually more efficient to open windows rather than use air conditioning when you’re travelling at lower speeds, up to around 30mph. However, the additional drag caused by open windows when you’re going faster means more fuel will be used, so it’s more economical to use the air con when you pick up speed.

9. Maintain your car

Make sure you give your car some TLC and get it serviced in line with the manufacturer guidelines. Get any faults fixed quickly to ensure your car is running as efficiently as possible.

“Keeping your car in good condition is beneficial for a number of reasons, with saving fuel just one of them. An untuned engine can increase fuel consumption by up to 50%,” says Cuvva’s Loren Gould.

10. Check your wheel alignment

According to KwikFit, an annual wheel alignment check helps your tyres to wear evenly and last longer, adding up to 12,000 miles to the life of your tyre.

Tyre balancing helps to ensure the tyre spins evenly around the axle and having even tyre wear around the circumference reduces rolling resistance with the road. In turn, this helps improve your car’s fuel efficiency. Kwik Fit offers a free wheel alignment check, so there’s no excuse not to get it done.

12. Tighten the petrol cap

Simply checking that your petrol cap is closed tightly can be an effective way to gain some extra mileage. Like all liquids, petrol evaporates into the air when it gets too hot and if the cap isn’t tight enough, you’re bound to lose some fuel.

It might not make the biggest difference to your fuel bill, but it’s still worth making sure the cap’s tight whenever you fill up. After all, every little helps.

13. Use the right engine oil

It’s important to make sure you’re using the correct engine oil for your car - not only will it prolong your vehicle’s lifespan, it can also improve fuel economy. Your car’s handbook should tell you which oil to use.

“Modern engines are built with finer tolerances and therefore require thinner oils - those with lower viscosity – that can also improve fuel economy by around 3%. That’s over 30p per 50-mile journey, at 50mph, in an average diesel car,” says CarShop’s Ben Scholes.

“The rule of thumb is to change oil between 3,000–5,000 miles, but some vehicles and oil types will perform much better, giving up to 10,000 miles between changes.”

14. Switch off the extras to save cash

Heated seats are a lovely luxury in the dead of winter but such things come at a price. To reduce fuel consumption, switch off all the in-car extras - including air conditioning, headlights, demisters and yes, seat heaters - when you don't really need them. (Does anyone really need heated seats?!)

15. Drive with fuel economy in mind

There are plenty of steps you can take to improve your driving style which will also make your car more fuel-efficient. Sticking to a consistent speed, changing gear sooner, avoiding unnecessary braking, and accelerating smoothly are good driving tips that could also help to reduce your vehicle's fuel consumption.

Professional racing driver Rebecca Jackson is an expert on driving economically and told the RAC: "Accelerating from being stopped is very costly in fuel consumption terms and so is going up any steep incline. If you can keep moving slowly rather than stopping in traffic that’s good, but you do have to be conscious of not being a pain to other drivers by leaving too much of a gap behind the car in front. You need to listen to the engine to make sure you don’t use excessive revs but you need to use enough, so it’s a fine balance as you don’t want the car to be labouring too much either."

16. Don't be idle

Idling your car - that's sitting in a stationary vehicle with the engine running - isn't just wasteful. It's also damaging to the environment and illegal. Whether you're sitting in traffic, waiting at the school gates or picking up a passenger, always switch the engine off when the vehicle isn't moving.

The same goes for leaving the engine running on a chilly morning. Granted, it's a quick way to warm up the vehicle or clear the windscreen of ice. But a stationary vehicle with the engine running produces more harmful emissions than a car that's moving. Thus, idling is best avoided for the sake of the planet - and it certainly won't do your fuel consumption any favours.

17. Give the premium pumps a miss

We always thought the posh petrol pumps were full of better fuel. But unless you drive a very snazzy set of wheels, it turns out there's little benefit to choosing super unleaded over normal unleaded. So steer clear of the premium pumps at the petrol station and you'll save a few pence per litre every time you fill up the car with petrol.

18. Go electric

As money-saving steps go, this is a big one. Switching to an electric car isn't an option for everyone and electric vehicles are no silver bullet when it comes to reducing the cost of living, but it's a move that's guaranteed to cut your fuel costs.

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More people are wondering how they can reduce the cost-of-living as prices continue to rise but for those who have sought help with squeezing down their bills are now sharing their own tips.

There are lots of money saving advice to be had when it comes to using washing machines and enjoying hot drinks to help customers manage with increasing costs after energy regulator, Ofgem, raised the price cap for families with regular usage by £693, or 54%, to £1,971. And it's this price cap that sets a limit on how much you can be charged each unit of electricity or gas you use.

But you might have also seen a rise in your broadband, mobile, and mortgage payments, as well as a significant increase in the cost of petrol for drivers but it looks like sharing is caring as Martin Lewis fans help each other save cash.

When it came to washing clothes, one savvy saver said she keeps on eye on the weather so that she can dry her clothes outside, rather than use a washing machine.

@BrylewskaF said: "Watch the weather report. Sun due out, washing goes in the day before."

A simple trick that could save a fortune over the course of a year.

Another follower then asked her which cycle on a washing machine is the right one to use to save a bit more energy. She replied, "Rapid works fine and I think is cheaper. Pre-soak big stains in cold water before washing."

@Traceylou11247@gmail said, "I've used the quick wash for years. Never had a problem.

Meanwhile, another money saver suggested that instead of re-boiling water every time you want a drink, boiling it once and keeping it in a flask is a good way to save energy.

@HeatherHornett said, "Boil water for hot drinks once a day and save the rest in a flask to save electricity. Forage food (made nettle tagliatelle, nettle and potato soup, dandelion flower jam etc during hard times)."

Martin Lewis has previously explained to his fans, "On 1 April, the 54% rise in the energy price cap hit 22million homes, a desperate, typical £700/year increase – catastrophic for those with the lowest incomes.

"Yet the pain stretches far further – when combined with all the other price rises, we will see a material drop in the standard of living for most on low to middle incomes."

Unfortunately, for some, there is no options to minimise spending; this will need political intervention.

Martin added, "For others, we need a collective endeavour, to work together to take financial pressures off where we can. And that is partly behind this guide."

The guide continued with money-saving advice from other people and it turns out that using a few simple tricks to heat your home can save you a lot of money. This brilliant hack shows how to keep heat moving in your home, stopping you from turning on your heating for longer periods of time in order to feel warm.

Sky customers have claimed that tweaking your subscription for the TV service could save you hundreds of pounds every year as the cost of living continues to rise.

With rising living costs, more Brits are looking for tools to save money. Customers are noticing a major decrease in their expenses after ringing Sky to 'check' their contract and asking about reductions and specials available.

Changing to a cheaper energy plan is usually the best method to combat rising energy costs. However, several suppliers have increased their tariff charges as a result of the energy crisis. As a result, there aren't many bargains to be had.

And, one savvy homeowner shared their experience on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook page, explaining, "Realised just out of contract with Sky, ring them up and reduce bills immediately from £62.50 a month to £46 inc Netflix, which in turn saves me a further £9.99 a month. Over 18 months that'll be nearly £600. Always worth checking contract dates."

Others described having a similar experience after sharing the story, adding, "Rang sky to see if I could lower my bill. Like you out of contract and managed to reduce bill by just over £20 a month. Worth making the phone call."

While there are now 12 ways to save money on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus TV streaming services, another pleased customer shared that by refusing to "accept their first offer," they were able to reduce their monthly bill from £74 to £40.

Another group member wrote,"Got £52.50 deal yesterday. Super fast broadband, HD, Netflix, line rental."

Getting a great deal a fourth claimed, "Got mine to £56 down from £93. Always worth a call and be polite but pushy."

When paying for a subscription, it's usually tempting to opt for a monthly payment to spread the cost out over the year. However, paying annually is usually more cost-effective, especially if you know you won't want to cancel it during that time.

We've also noticed our supermarket shop costs more than it used to, so here are some handy tips on how to save money on food shopping.

Knowing how to cut your food bill is essential as the cost-of-living crisis continues and we're all concerned about how to save money. You’re already likely to be struggling with rising energy bills, petrol prices mortgage payments, or rent, and you’ll also be paying more for your weekly food shop. According to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics, food price inflation hit 19.2% in March 2023 (compared to 5.2% in March 2022) as the cost for supermarkets buying in produce is soaring and being passed on to consumers. Everything from transport and general commodity costs such as wheat are soaring in price.

Myron Jobson, senior personal finance analyst at interactive investor, says: “Going to the shop for groceries is taking a larger chunk out of household budgets at a time when we are spending more on general bills, too. Everything from snacks to essentials like milk and tea has soared in price.”

Along with tips on looking out for the best deals, we've rounded up some advice on making the most of leftovers, ensuring food stays fresher for longer, and the best ways to freeze food. We've also pointed out the sneaky supermarket tricks that are designed to make you spend more.

How to save money on food

1. Make a shopping list This is pretty obvious, but we can't stress how important it is. There's nothing worse for your bank balance than an aimless wander around the supermarket. We're all guilty of quickly jotting down a few ideas and not really considering what we really need. A well-thought-out list will ensure that you don't stray away from the food you will really use. Remember that supermarkets want to make you spend, so a shopping list can help you focus on your essentials.

2. Set yourself a budget It's good to know how much you are planning to spend before you even leave the house. This will help you decide if you really need that expensive product. Setting yourself a budget will also make you feel more in control of what you are buying and should hopefully avoid any shocks when you come to check out.

3. See what you already have in your cupboards Before heading to the shops, it's good to really look through your cupboards, fridge and freezer to see what you already have in. There could be something lurking in the back, that you don't want to double up on. Do a monthly clear-out of your cupboards and freezer so you can find items that you might've forgotten about.

4. Don’t shop hungry We've all been there. Forgotten to eat lunch before the big shop and suddenly that cake aisle is calling! A full stomach will help you view food in a more practical way, rather than your brain thinking about what to eat now.

5. Try and stick to cash If you've given yourself a strict budget, taking the exact cash with you is a good way to ensure you stick to it. Rather than just chucking it on your card and thinking about it later, having the actual cash in your hand will really make you think about how much you're spending. If you do happen to go over your budget you can always pay the rest on your card - most shops are happy to split the payment. Note down how much you overspent and increase the amount you take out next time.

6. Consider swapping your supermarket  Knowing which is the cheapest supermarket for the foods you want to buy is an easy way to save money on food. Cheaper supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi offer brilliant discounts and quality. Shops like Poundland sell branded household products and some food items - worth a look if you've got one close to you. See how one of our contributors managed to slash her monthly food bill, just by switching supermarket.

7. Shop online One sure way of sticking to your shopping list is by doing it online. You can enter exactly what you want without the worry of being tempted by other products. Try to shop around for the cheapest price for your basket before ordering - and don't forget to consider the delivery costs.

8. Collect your shop instead of delivery If you spend above a certain amount, which is usually around the £60 mark, you can often get free delivery. But otherwise, delivery charges can be steep. Sainsbury’s, for example, charges a hefty £7 for deliveries under £40, while Tesco charges £4.50 on deliveries. So if you can, why not click and collect instead? Your shopping will be sorted and ready for pick up at a time that suits you.

9. Check out online discount stores Save money on food by choosing products that are just past their sell-by-date. Items are available for a fraction of the price on sites such as Approved Foods andCut Price Barry’s, which can pass on massive savings to their customers.

10. Try cashback sites If you're spending the cash already - you might as well make a little money from it. Cashback sites like Topcashback and Quidco often have deals where you can earn money on your online shop. All you need to do is click a link that takes you to the site.

11. Use a money-saving app Too Good To Go matches app users with local restaurants and food outlets that have food left at the end of the day to sell for less. This way, the food doesn’t go in the bin so you’re doing your bit to reduce food waste, too. You might expect to spend anything from around £1 to £7 for a ‘magic bag’ from a local business that contains a surprise mix of products. Meanwhile, Olio is a food-sharing app that enables people to share food they won’t use with their local community. You can simply sign up, and find what’s on offer and sort a time to collect.

12. Use coupons Using coupons and voucher codes can make a big difference to the cost of your food shop. You can find these online from across the internet. Sites like MyVoucherCodes regularly have discount deals with the big supermarkets. For example, download the Lidl Plus app for money off coupons each week, which you must activate before you get to the checkout. Find some of the latest voucher codes on MoneySavingExpert.

13. Keep a note of offers you’ve seen Food adverts are everywhere! It's hard to remember the discounts they shout about when you actually get to the store. Take a quick photo on your phone or tear it out of the newspaper or magazine. Although, be careful not to let one good offer tempt you to shop in a supermarket that would otherwise be too expensive for you. The amount you save will not cover the extra cost of other ingredients. Also look for in-store initiatives such as Asda's Kids Eat for £1 offer and similar for other ideas on how to feed the family for less.

14. Lookout for Bank holiday offers They may only occur a few times a year, but Bank holidays are a goldmine for reduced items. They're the only days when supermarkets are forced to be closed so it will undoubtedly lead to more items that need to be sold before they go out of date - that reduced section has never looked so full!

15. Bring your own bags We all know by now supermarkets will charge you up to 10p or 20p per page. Avoid these costs and help the planet by taking your own. If you often forget, leave a stash in your car boot

16. Leave the kids at home Little hands and hungry faces will undoubtedly lead to a few extra things landing in the trolley (and that’s not even thinking about the toy aisles in most supermarkets). If you can, leave the kids at home so you can keep focused on the task at hand!

17. Make the most of loyalty cards Supermarket loyalty cards are a great way to save money on food and earn a little extra while you shop. Sainsbury's Nectar Card is also available for use in other stores like Homebase, Argos and eBay, so it's easy to build up quite a few points. A Tesco's Clubcard can offer you huge savings in-store - and points can be transferred into higher-value things such as days out and family meals. Savvy shopper and blogger Faith Archer said: “I always check the Morrisons More app before heading to the till, for discounts on the foods I buy most often and occasional %5 vouchers, while Tesco Clubcard unlocks loads of cheaper prices.”

• 14 ways to collect more Tesco Clubcard points
• How to reclaim up to two years of lost and unused Tesco Clubcard vouchers
• 15 surprising ways to spend your Tesco Clubcard vouchers
• How to collect and spend Nectar card points

18. Plan your meals and cook from scratch (if you can) While it may seem like a big task, planning family meals for the week is a great way to save money on food. By ensuring you know exactly what you need, you won’t overspend or become tempted by last-minute convenience foods, which are often less healthy and more expensive.

Money-saving campaigner Cherry Healey told us, "Prepping a shopping list and family meals for the week helps me stay one step ahead. I don’t always have time, but generally cooking from scratch is cheaper than buying pre-prepared meals, plus you feel like you’ve conquered your own Everest!" Remember, cooking from scratch doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the kitchen. We have plenty of 15-minute recipes the family will love.

19. Try and avoid top-up shops Popping to the shops to get one or two things can often lead to another long shopping list, the temptation being too great once you're there. If you can, try and limit popping to shops for extra ingredients outside of your big shops to fresh produce, like fruit and veggies. If you do find yourself topping up your shop, make a note of the things you often tend to buy and add more of them to your regular shopping list.

20. Buying wonky fruit and veg Buying fresh fruit and veg adds up, but you may be able to cut the cost by finding misshapen produce. Carrots or courgettes that come in weird and wonderful shapes, for example, are often cheaper than the standard range. Faith Archer, money blogger at Much More With Less, says: “I look out for ranges such as Morrisons Naturally Wonky, Tesco’s Perfectly Imperfect and Sainsbury’s Imperfectly Tasty to cut costs. Lidl does a ‘Too Good To Waste’ box with 5kg of fruit and veg for just £1.50, while Oddbox will deliver a variety of different fruit and veg boxes direct to your door.”

21. Going veggie Let’s face it, meat can be eye-wateringly expensive. Even if you’re not keen on turning fully veggie, simply including more veg-only meals in your week can really help to save money on food. Try adding beans, pulses and lentils to your basic dish instead of meat. Money blogger Faith Archer said: “Many budget meals are naturally veggie – think tomato soup, all kinds of eggs and baked potatoes with cheese and beans. I often add canned beans or red lentils to soups and stews – they are inexpensive, quick to cook, and make the food more filling.”

22. Find out when foods are reduced  Every shop has a rota for when it will start reducing items. If you often find gems in the reduced section of the shop (be careful with best before dates), it's good to know when to visit a shop to get the first pick of marked-down goods - all you have to do is ask. It's one of the most satisfying ways to save money on food! Try not to get carried away in the reduced section though - even if it's cheap, you still need to ask yourself if you will actually use it before it goes off. If it can be frozen - all the better!

23. Choose cheaper cuts of meat When it comes to meat, do you just grab the cut you recognise? You could save lots of money if you know which cuts are cheaper. For instance, chicken thighs are much tastier than breasts and work well in tray bakes and casseroles and a cheap lamb shoulder is a lovely cut for a roast dinner. Switching out beef cheeks, brisket or mince instead of steak is a great option; pork belly instead of loin; or even using offal like liver and kidney. Some supermarkets have in-store butchers who would be happy to help you find the right cut of meat for you.

Organic meat is generally one of the more expensive things you can buy on your food shop, but buying cheaper cuts is a great way to include them without breaking the bank. Money-saving campaigner Cherry Healey told us, "Slower-cooked organic cuts of meat are really tasty, and it works brilliantly if you’re able to take a little more time with your cooking."

24. Check that 'offers' give you enough of a saving  You may only want to buy one but there's a buy 4 for the price of 3 offers - it sounds like a good deal but do you really need 4? Add up how much money you are actually saving - 3 for £1 deals are notoriously misleading - and whether you actually need the extra food. Always check the £ per 100g on the shelf labels as you can make your money go further. Sometimes the bigger packs work out more expensive per 100g than the smaller ones!

25. Test the value range You can often save a pile of cash buying the value range, particularly when it comes to your basic foods. For example, a 500g bag of Smart Price Asda pasta will set you back 29p, compared to around 80p for the standard range. Similarly, Morrisons Savers chopped tomatoes are 32p for 400g, compared to 45p for its standard version. Abigail Yearley, spokesperson for TopCashback, says: “But while own brands can be cheaper, but if branded items are on offer, you may save more opting for that instead. The trick is to be flexible and not committed to one brand over another.”

26. Beware the 'Finest' options We buy own-brand products to save money on food so we automatically assume that because it's from the supermarket's range, it must be cheaper. Finest ranges can often be more expensive than branded products - which is fine if you fancy a treat, it's just worth checking.

27. Buy in bulk Although bigger packs will cost you extra in the short term, they'll help you save money on food in the long run. Buy all your staples in bigger packs – things like cereals, pasta, rice, cheese and tinned beans.  If it's something you know you're going to be using in months to come like pasta or tinned goods, you can never have too much - and things that don't have a short shelf life can last for ages in the cupboard. Remember, you don't need to store your bulk buys in the kitchen. Other cupboards in the house or even the shed or garage can be turned into a pantry.

28. Try the deli counter It’s easy to assume that the deli counter is just full of fancy products and is therefore worth avoiding altogether, but that’s not necessarily the case. You can often get great deals on things like cheese and ham because you’re not paying extra for the packaging. It’s worth checking – but compare with prices of items on the shelves to make sure you’re getting the best deals.

29. Visit local markets Some local markets have great deals on fruit and veg, and also reduce their prices towards the end of the day, so timing your visit may be wise. But check online beforehand or with the stall owners when’s the best time, so you don’t arrive after everything’s gone.

30. Avoid bags of salad Bags of prepared lettuce, spinach and salad always seem like a good idea but they have a very short shelf-life and we never seem to use a whole bag. Before buying them, really think if you will use up a whole bag. If not, look for a smaller serving or a cheaper alternative - you can normally buy half a lettuce on its own.

31. Buy seasonal fruit and veg When certain fruit and vegetables are in season they can be significantly cheaper than at other times of the year. It's a good time to try an ingredient that may have been too expensive before - asparagus and butternut squash are examples of this. You don't need to do too much research to find out what is in season as they'll normally be on display quite clearly in the supermarket. Take a quick look at our seasonal food calendar so you know what to look out for.

32. Avoid prepared ingredients Pre-sliced or chopped ingredients do come in handy when you're in a rush but they're not value for money. The packaging usually means you'll get much less than if you bought it whole and they often cost more. It may be a little more effort but preparing vegetables yourself will really help to save money on food.

Top tip: Ingredients like swede and butternut squash are notoriously hard to chop - if you give them a quick 1-minute burst in the microwave they will soften up a little.

33. Avoid packaged fruit and vegetables Are you really going to use all 10 bananas? Do you need 20 onions? It's easy to just pick up a bag of fruit or vegetables without thinking how many you are actually going to use. If you only think you will need 3 bananas, it's cheaper to buy them separately.

Top tip: If you're a keen baker, having extra fruit is often an excuse to make a cake. Don't throw out over-ripe bananas, make our banana bread instead.

34. Understand best before and use-by dates It can be hard to know when food is going off and the supermarkets don't make it any easier with all their confusing labels. The one you want to look out for is the use-by-date. Best before is about the quality of the food, not the safety, while display date is for the shops not for us. Eggs are the only exception to the rule - you shouldn't eat eggs after their best before date.

• Use-by-date - indicates when the food may no longer be safe to eat
• Best before date - indicates the quality of the food has started to reduce, but it's still safe to eat.
• Display date - informs the supermarket when to remove the item from the shelves

Top tip: You can freeze ingredients right up until their use-by date - so keep a note of things you think you may not use and when the use-by date is so you can still pop it in the freezer.

35. Look for the latest use-by-date When shops restock their shelves, they don't always put the latest use-by date at the front of the shelf. With just a little rummaging you may find a later date at the back of the shelf - which means you've just earned your food a few more days worth of use.

36. Does that need to be fresh? It's a very simple question to ask yourself and one that could really help you to save money on food. The fresh section is often at the front of the store so you find yourself filling up on items that could easily be dried or frozen. Fresh food doesn't have a long shelf-life so only buy it if there is no other option. Fresh pasta is a nice luxury for example, but with quick-cook dried pasta, there really is no excuse to use it on a regular basis.

37. Buy frozen  Frozen fruit, vegetables and fish are often cheaper than fresh and they last much longer. People often think that frozen foods aren't as fresh but the vegetables and fruit are frozen as soon as they're picked so they're actually fresher. A bag of frozen peas can come in really handy when you don't have much in - they can be used as the main ingredient in risotto, soup or a frittata. So for those wondering are frozen foods healthy - the answer is yes!

38. Swap fresh lemon and limes for juice  If you need lemon juice for a recipe - do you really need to buy whole lemons? A bottle of lemon or lime juice in the cupboard is much cheaper than a bag of fresh fruit - and will last a whole lot longer. Mix with tap water or fizzy water and they also make a refreshing drink that's much cheaper than Spite (with far less sugar). Lime juice is also a lovely addition to Mexican sauces such as salsa and guacamole.

39. Check your receipts We often grab the receipt, stick it in a bag and never think of it again. Receipts are the most accurate way of documenting what you actually buy and it's always good to have a proper look over what you spent. Some errors can occur, casting an eye over your receipt can help you avoid any extra costs or missed savings.

40. The wonder of tinned tomatoes If you have just one ingredient in your cupboards, it should be chopped tomatoes. Every chef we've asked about their store cupboard essentials has listed this wonder ingredient and we can see why. Super cheap but oh-so-useful, chopped tomatoes can be turned into sauces, curries, dips and can be used for Italian, Mexican and pretty much most cuisines. See our list of tinned tomatoes recipes. You might also like our list of tinned chickpeas recipes, as well as our tinned tuna recipes and canned salmon recipes.

41. Don’t forget the stock Stock has got to be one of the most under-rated ingredients. Pick up a pack for as little as 80p and just watch how many meals you can use it for. It adds flavour to sauces and if you only have rice in and one type of veg or mince - it turns it into risotto.

Top tip: Stock cubes can have quite high salt levels so check this before using. Stockpots are a little more expensive but have an extra intense flavour.

42. Fill up on carbs You'll never go hungry when you have either pasta, rice or a grain like couscous in your cupboards. Rice can be easily made into risotto. Pasta just needs a little cheese and couscous, some boiling water. They're very handy when it comes to using up leftovers as, generally, most things go with all three.

43. Don’t forget beans Think beans, think baked beans? You're missing out. Pulses such as broad beans, chickpeas and lentils are store cupboards saviours. Often found in tins, they can be stored for months and are brilliant at bulking out meals when you haven't got much tin. Lentils and chickpeas can replace the meat in a meal to turn it into a cheap and healthy meal.

44. Always have eggs in Not only are eggs good for you, they can be turned into so many different meals. They really are an ingredient that is worth its cost. Got lots of leftovers but don't know what to make - crack and egg over them and fry to make a frittata or omelette. Nothing for breakfast - eggs, flour and milk is all you need to whip up some pancakes. Point proven?

Top tip: To test an egg's freshness, drop it into a glass of water. If it sinks to the bottom and stays there, it's fresh. It starts to float the older it is, if none of the egg stays on the bottom of the glass, the egg is off.

45. Stock up on condiments A well-stocked condiment cupboard is an essential tool for the home cook. Vinegars, such as red/white, cider, and rice are the basis of lots of sauces and salad dressings. Mustard is also an easy way to inject some flavour into a dish. Condiments are often inexpensive and can last for a while as you never need to use too much.

Top tip: Combine a little white wine vinegar with lemon juice and chopped mint to make a quick and easy salad dressing - it's delicious with couscous.

46. Know your herbs Fresh or dried, herbs can really transform a meal. It may cost a little to build up your collection, but once you have them, they can last for ages. Knowing what herb works with what dish can really improve the flavour - it's particularly good to give flavour to leftovers you're throwing together. A basil plant is reasonably cheap and easy to care for. We've had ours for about months now on the kitchen windowsill and it adds a ton of flavour to all sorts of dishes.

Top tip: Fresh herbs can be frozen if you notice they're going off. You could even chop them up and combine them with olive oil in an ice tray - or, roll them up with butter and freeze - for some deliciously herb-infused fats.

47. Grow your own tomatoes It can be expensive to grow your own vegetables but if there's one particular item you constantly buy from the supermarket, it might be worth looking into. Tomatoes for instance are cheap to grow - you just need to spend a little up front, then you'll be overrun with free tomatoes.

Top tip: You don't need to dig out a patch in your garden, some vegetables can be grown in pots or alongside your flowers. See our guide on how to grow your own.

48. Pick your own strawberries Take the kids and turn fruit picking into a fun activity. They'll love choosing their own fruits and may even want to get involved in the cooking too. See our guide to strawberry picking farms around the UK. You can then use your produce to make jams, sauces, desserts and freeze them. They will be there waiting for you when the season changes and prices go up.

49. Get fridge and freezer smart Make sure your fridge is always set to 1-5 degrees, it ensures your chilled food lasts longer. Empty freezers are more expensive to run, so the fuller you keep it, the less energy it is using.

50. Learn what you can freeze There are lots of things you can freeze that you probably didn't realise. Cheese and rice can be stored in the freezer as can butter. A little research will show you the best way to store something if you are unsure. The majority of things found in jars or tin (such as baked beans, pasta sauces, and soups) can be frozen - you just need to transfer them to sandwich bags. Pesto can be frozen too - do it in an ice tray so you have handy servings for when you're cooking. Butter also lasts longer in the freezer than in the fridge, when you need to use some you can just grate it off the frozen block. Read our advice on:

• How to freeze food
• Foods you can't freeze

51. Freeze spare bread straight away Bread is often the first thing to go bad. If you often find yourself throwing away the last few slices - it's worth popping it in the freezer. You can freeze a loaf whole or in portions and take it out to defrost when you need it. You can also toast individual slices straight from frozen - so it's perfect for speedy breakfasts and a great way to save money on food.

Top tip: If you know you'll be making a certain amount of sandwiches in one week, freeze the slices you need in a separate portion and defrost them on a Sunday night.

52. Smart store cupboard Don't just chuck things in a cupboard - a bit of order ensures you don't lose or forget about ingredients. Have one shelf for rice and pasta, one for tins and one for condiments. If you open your cupboard and see clearly what you have, you'll be more likely to think of a meal to make out of it. If you're a keen baker, it's a good idea to have a separate space for baking products as they can take up quite a lot of space and aren't often useful when making meals.

53. Organise your fridge New products going into a fridge can often mask others at the back, meaning they'll probably be forgotten about. As items in the fridge usually have a short shelf-life, it's important to rotate ingredients to ensure you don't miss any use-by expiry dates. Separate your shelves for old and new products. You can only move onto the new shelf once the old one is empty. Read our advice on:

• How to organise your fridge
• Foods you shouldn’t keep in the fridge
• How long to keep these cooked foods in the fridge

54. Plan your lunches Dinners are always the first thing we think of when shopping but lunches are just as important. If you know you'll be out at lunchtime, make sure you plan ahead to stop yourself from buying expensive, packaged sandwiches and soups.

Top tip: Include packed lunches in your weekly meal planner - link them up to dinners so you can make the most of your leftovers.

55. Watch out for bananas Did you know that one bad banana or apple can turn other fruits? When off, they emit a gas that affects the fresh fruit around them so keep an eye on your fruit and remove any bad bananas and apples as soon as they start to turn.

Top tip: If you want to make a banana cake, you need over-ripe bananas so putting an off banana next to fresh ones will speed this process along.

56. Food bag clips Some bags have a handy reusable seal which helps food stay fresher longer. Once you open a product, it will automatically begin to go off as bacteria gets to the food. If you seal the packaging shut, you can slow down this process. An elastic band will come in handy as will these food bag clips from Lakeland. Clip-lock boxes and Tupperware are also a good way to keep food fresher longer.

57. Consider a recipe box Even the best recipe boxes might seem like an indulgence, but they can be really good value. A Gousto box for two, offering four recipes each, usually totals around £35 per week. That's not bad for 8 meals. Not only does it reduce all food waste, but having your food delivered means you're less likely to go to the supermarkets and waste money on impulse buys. You're also much less likely to order a takeaway.

Cooking your food So you've shopped smartly, bought the right ingredients - now it's time to look at your cooking. The way you use your food in the kitchen obviously impacts the amount of money you need to spend on food. Read through our easy tips for how to make your food go a little bit further...

58. Batch cook Buying a lot of ingredients when they're on offer, and then using them to batch cook meals and save in the freezer is a great way to save money on food- as well as time. Ready-made portions of food in the freezer are also a godsend for days when you just don't have time to cook. Chilli, Bolognese, soups, and casseroles freeze well for up to four to six months, and once you unfreeze them you can simply bulk up the dish with pulses and extra veg if you want. This also adds extra nutrition to your meals.

Top tip: A big batch of mince could be used to create spaghetti Bolognese, lasagne, meatloaf.... the list goes on. See our 100+ recipes with mince.

59. Use all your food Chances are, you can make better use of the food you buy by eating every part of it. For example, do you cut off cauliflower stems and leaves, even though the whole thing is entirely edible? And what about vegetable scraps? You might bin them, but they can be used to make vegetable stock, or put in soups. Use cheese that’s gone hard by grating it into your food while it cooks, or putting it in a food processor.

60. Learn to improvise Shopping recipe to recipe can really mount up the costs. If you want to try a recipe but don't have all the ingredients, you don't necessarily need to head to the shops. A little research could provide an alternative you already have in or one you could whip up. Buttermilk, for example, can be made by adding lemon juice to milk.

61. Know your ingredients Understanding how to use your ingredients is the best way to ensure you make the most of your food shop. Knowing how to cook each ingredient, how many dishes they can be used in, and how to store it fresh, will reduce food waste.

Top tip: Learn what ingredients can be frozen straight from the shop and what leftovers can be frozen - you'll find your waste food will dramatically decrease.

62. Learn the classics Learning a few classic dishes will increase your confidence and your cookery skills. Once you know the basics, you'll be able to experiment and use your ingredients to create lots of different dishes You may even be able to make up recipes from scratch, which is so much cheaper than ready-meals. We've rounded up the top 57 recipes everyone should know how to cook - how many can you tick off?

63. Eat smaller portions It’s easy to eat more than you need, and food often comes in larger portion sizes than you need. You may be able to get more from a meal if you measure out the recommended sizes. For example, a serving portion of chicken should fit in the palm of your hand, and half a small cup of uncooked rice, or 50g of pasta, is enough per person

64. Save on sauces One of the biggest cost-cutting skills to learn is how to make sauces. It's easy to reach for a ready-made sauce but once you know how to whip them up, you'll wonder why you ever bought them. Cheaper and much tastier, homemade sauces also mean fewer additives. A much healthier way to save money on food.

65. Make your own bread There are certain items that are much cheaper to make at home than buying ready-made. Making your own bread will take a little effort but the results are normally much tastier. Bread is one of the cheapest things to make - all you need is some flour, yeast and a pinch of salt.

66. Make your own cereal Cereal is a very expensive product to buy and, if you eat it every morning, it can be used up quite quickly. It's easy to make up your own cereal and because it's homemade you can make sure it's a healthy start to the day. Muesli, granola and porridge are made using ingredients that are cheap to buy in bulk so you can stock up and make cereal for weeks.

Top tip: Make batches for the family that feature their favourite ingredients - dried fruits and a little sweet twist can make muesli seem like a treat.

67. Stretch your roast A Sunday roast is a good excuse to go all out and cook lots of lovely side dishes and a nice big piece of meat. It's also one of the biggest jackpots when it comes to leftovers - nearly everything can be re-used for meals in the upcoming week. We know you're full after eating and may not want to think about it while clearing away, but a few minutes spent freezing the chicken, potatoes and veggies will result in far less waste. Read our advice on how to use up Sunday roast leftovers.

Top tip: You can always serve a mini roast on Monday night using the leftovers - who would complain about roast, two nights in a row!

63. Keep the carcass It may not look like the most appetising thing in the world but meat carcasses from chicken, turkey and lamb are still full of flavour. If you can't think what to do with them right away you can freeze them and use later. Carcasses make great bases for stock, soup and if you have a few, you can put them in the slow cooker to make a delicious casserole. See our recipes for chicken stock and turkey stock.

Top tip: Store a carass in box all on its own so you can keep any meat that falls away from the bone.

64. Cut up meat before freezing Cooked meat lasts a few days in the fridge, if you don't think you are going to use it again in that time frame - freeze it! Cutting chunks of meat into strips means you can grab a handful and add to meals like stir-fries or pasta.

Top tip: Cut up fresh chicken breasts into strips before freezing, that way you only have to defrost what you want to use, rather than the whole lot.

65. Make the most of your ice trays Hands up if you just use your ice tray for ice. There's so much more it could be doing. The individual portions are a great way of separating out ingredients into smaller servings - which means you can easily use and defrost the amount you need. Sauces, pesto, fruit, anything can be poured into an ice tray and popped out when you need it.

Top tip: If you've got leftover dregs of wine, pour them into your ice cube tray and use to add to sauces.

66. Know your portion sizes Most of us are guilty of cooking more food than we actually need. If you know how to make the most of leftovers, it's not the end of the world but knowing the correct portion sizes will make your meal times more cost-efficient.

67. Save leftovers with reusable bags It can be hard to find space for lots of plastic tubs in the fridge and freezer, which is why sandwich bags come in handy. Liquid leftovers such as stock, soup or gravy can be poured into a bag and, as long as they're properly sealed, can be stacked up in the fridge. Look for reusable sandwich bags to ensure no spillages.

68. Create soups with leftovers Soup is the saviour of leftovers. Pretty much anything savoury can be blended down to make a soup. All you need is a little stock and that's pretty much it. Boil all your ingredients together with the stock and blend with a stick blender if you want a smoother finish. Vegetables, meat, even lettuce can be added to the broth, so it's a great way to through all your leftovers together in one meal. See our massive collection of healthy homemade soup recipes.

Top tip: Make a big batch of chunky soups at the start of the week and freeze in individual portions. Whenever you need something for lunch or a light dinner, you will have a delicious option close to hand.

69. Smooth leftovers If soup is the saviour of savoury leftovers, smoothies are equivalent to fruit. Blend any leftover fruit with a little milk, frozen yogurt or even ice cream if you're feeling a little naughty and voila! A touch of honey will add a lovely sweet finish too.

Top tip: If your fruit is looking a little off, stick it in the freezer immediately. You can use frozen berries in smoothies and bananas just need a little time in the microwave to defrost.

70. Make compotes and jam But leftover fruits aren't just for smoothies. If you simmer them down with a little sugar you can easily turn them into a tangy compote or jam recipe. Compotes can be made and frozen and are delicious atop cereals, ice cream and even beneath a crumble topping for a speedy dessert. Save old jam jars so you have lots of spaces to store your fruity creations.

71. Don’t chuck the gravy Is is just us or is there always loads of gravy leftover from a Sunday lunch? Use leftover gravy from roast dinners as the base for stews or casseroles - delicious! Gravy can be frozen in portions so if you're not planning of using it a few days after making, stick it in the freezer.

72. Make your own ice lollies Leftover juice, milk, yogurt and fruit can be turned into delicious ice lollies. All you need to do is blend the ingredients together and pour into some moulds with a lolly stick. It's always nice to have something sweet in the house and you won't have to worry about the additives in shop-bought ice lollies.

Top tip: If you don't have lolly sticks to hand, you can always freeze the mixture in small portions and serve with a spoon.

73. Slice and freeze lemons and limes Do you have a favourite tipple on a Saturday night? If you've got a few lemons and limes that are looking a little ropey, slice them up and stick them in the freezer. Frozen fruit makes a more flavoursome change to ice cubes - and you won't have to worry about the water diluting your drink!

74. Homemade stock A good stock is the basis of lots of meals - it's also a good use of leftovers. Chicken and lamb bones can be boiled with water to make a meaty stock. Vegetables can also be given the stock treatment. Make a big batch and freeze in portions. Check out our easy stock recipe to see how it's done. Soup made from homemade stock will have lots more flavour than a ready bought stock cube.

75. Bake cakes with your leftovers Like we need an excuse to make a cake! One way to use up leftovers is by turning them into a freshly made cake. As we mentioned already, bananas are better to bake with if they're past their best and pretty much any fruit can be baked into something delicious. It's not just fruits, vegetable cakes such as carrot cake and courgette cake are tasty ways to use up your veggies.

76. Add a topping Sometimes you don't need to turn your leftovers into anything, with a little sauce and a cheesy or crunchy topping and you can create something that doesn't really have a name but is delicious nonetheless. A simple topping of breadcrumbs or grated cheese provides a lovely flavour to leftover vegetables, while a few tablespoons of oats or custard can transform leftover fruit.

77. Make the most of stale bread Bread looking a bit ropey? Rather than trying to use it up or chucking it away, simply whizz it in a food processor to make some breadcrumbs and stick them in the freezer. Breadcrumbs can be used to top pasta bakes, coat pieces of meat or fish and in stuffing. If you don't have a food processor, you can break down the bread with your hands - it'll just take a little longer. Older bread is also perfect for making bread and pudding.

78. Bulk it up Couscous, bulgar wheat, rice, quinoa, or even pasta can help bulk up salads, leftover veggies, or a bowl of soup into a completely different dish. Cheap to buy and easy to store, these long-lasting ingredients are high fibre foods - helping to keep you feeling fuller for longer.

79. Don’t forget potatoes Potatoes are one of the most wasted foods. It's hard to imagine what you can do with a potato once you've cooked it but there are some options. Roast potatoes can be mashed down or turned into a soup, new potatoes can be thrown into a traybake and mashed potatoes can be turned into gnocchi.

Top tip: Keep fresh potatoes in a cool and dry place to stop them from sprouting.

80. Don't miss out on that last bit of ketchup Get to the end of a tomato ketchup bottle or mayo and you can't seem to get any more out? Add a tiny amount of vinegar and give it a shake, you should be able to get a few last dollops out.

81. Throw it all together A few throw-it-together meals are always handy for those last few days before the big food shop. Once you know them, you'll be able to make a meal out of pretty much anything, such as - stir-fries, omelettes and traybakes

82. Make a ‘bung it all in lasagne'

It’s obvious, but using all of the food you buy means you’re getting more for your money. Cherry Healey told us. ‘‘One of the best things you can make is a ‘bung it all in lasagne’. That is just the best way to use up every last bit in your fridge. Chop all your leftover veg and meat, and then you make a lasagne. All you need is the pasta layers and the cheese sauce and the rest of it you can make up. It always tastes really good, you can freeze it.

83. Use clever kitchen gadgets

Soup makers and slow cookers are often cheap to buy and will help you save money on food in long term. They also save on your energy costs while you cook (find out how much it costs to run a slow cooker), and make magical use of leftover food. They make it really easy to batch cook, too. Have a look at the best slow cooker recipes for some inspiration. Even a cheap beef brisket tastes amazing when it’s been slow-cooked for 12 hours. A hand blender is also very useful. Not only can you make soups and sauces - you can even whip up a speedy salsa with some leftover tomatoes.

With rising living costs and inflation at its highest level in 30 years, there's a chance for struggling families to save up £80 this year by turning off appliances that use energy even on standby.

Gas prices are already nearly four times what they were in 2020. Prices have risen due to a variety of global factors, including increasing demand following the lockdown and export difficulties.

Consumers are feeling the pinch, placing pressure on their energy bills and putting them in a desperate position. But don't panic; there are a number of basic money-saving tactics that can help you in boosting your savings.

To save money, Loop, a smart metre data analyst, has revealed which items in the home use the most energy. Ghost appliances are expected to account for one-third of all energy bills, costing roughly £506 per year for the 275w consumed.

By being switched on or on standby, desktop computers can waste nearly £80 each year.

Forgetting to turn it off might cost £79 more per year, according to Loop.

Similarly, extra fridges could cost you an extra £99 per year to keep running, and oversensitive outdoor security lights, including those that come on when they detect movement, could cost you an extra £50.

Outdoor decorative lights are likely to be considerably more costly, with Loop estimating that two 60w lights left on for 10 hours overnight could add £125 to your annual bill.

Loop's Head of Data Science, Steve Buckley, notes,"Many people I speak to are really worried about their energy bills right now, and sadly the situation is not set to improve for some time yet.

"The reality is that the only way we can lower our energy bills right now is to reduce the amount of energy we use and the key to that is measuring our use. If you measure it, you can control it. If you measure it, you can see the impact of changes you make."

One of those minor adjustments could be as simple as changing the way you use your kettle, which could save you hundreds of pounds each year in energy costs.

As Steve adds,"Understanding whether your phantom load is low, medium or high is the first step towards reducing it and can lead to big savings.

"Our app connects to your smart meter so you can benchmark against other households and track your usage and use the data to your advantage. You can easily identify the culprits draining your energy and adding pounds to your bills."

Many are wondering when will I get paid the £150 council tax rebate? This follows a government announcement in February to help ease the pressure on the rising cost of living.

Recently resigned Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a £9 billion energy crisis support package in early 2022. This included a £150 council tax rebate for those on the lowest council tax bands A to D. “The council tax rebate was considered a relatively quick and easy way of getting £150 to families to help them deal with the enormous increases in the cost of living,” says Sarah Coles, personal finance analyst with Hargreaves Lansdown. “It’s a useful start and will soften the blow for a few months, but won’t come close to covering the extra cost of energy.”

Millions of households are currently face a wave of price hikes right now as the cost of living rises at its fastest rate for thirty years. So, the council tax rebate is a very welcome discount. We explain what the rebate is and if you will get it.

Bear in mind that this one-off rebate is different to a council tax refund that you could be due if you have overpaid your council tax.

Will I get a council tax rebate?

Around twenty million homes in England will qualify for a £150 council tax rebate. Whether you get this ‘one off’ payment will depend on your council tax band, which is based on the value of your home. Homes within the lower council tax bands between A to D will all get the £150 rebate.

Some households within property bands A to D - where occupants don’t pay the full rate of council tax - because of a single person 25% discount will also be eligible for the full £150 rebate. The only exceptions are those with a second property within these bands. And the council tax rebate is not payable on empty properties.

Within Scotland, nearly two million households, will be in line for a £150 rebate, which, as in England, is payable for properties in council tax bands A to D. It will also apply for homes within these bands that incur council tax reductions.

In Wales, properties within bands A to D will get a £150 payment. Those who are eligible for council tax reductions, regardless of their property band, also qualify.

When will I get paid the £150 council tax rebate?

The UK Government have not confirmed a specific date but instead have stated that the council tax rebate will be "paid as soon as possible from April". The rebate payment is being organised by local authorities and households will receive the payment automatically - direct to their bank account.

According to the Local Government Association (LGA) those in England and Scotland who pay their council tax via direct debit will likely receive their payments first. Whilst those who pay manually are likely to be contacted first by their local council to sort out the repayment. Similalrly those who pay manually in Scotland will instead receive the £150 as credit towards council tax bills.

The Welsh Government is currently working with local authorities on the rebate scheme and further details on how the money will be paid, are yet to be announced.

The good news is that those who are eligible – council tax payers living in band A to D homes - need not apply to receive the rebate. The refund should just appear in your account in time. If you have any concerns though, you can always contact your local council for further information.

If you are struggling to pay your bills, despite the council tax rebate, make sure you read our guide on what to do if you can't afford to pay your council tax. 

How to find out your council tax band

If you’re unsure which council tax band you’re in and whether you’ll qualify for the £150 rebate, there’s two easy ways to find out. You can either dig out your most recent council tax bill, which will have details of your banding, or use a postcode checker tool.

For properties in England and Wales you can check your council tax band online and within Scotland go through the Scottish Assessors Association.

Who is excluded from the rebate?

Households on higher council tax bands, from ‘E to H’ don’t qualify for the £150 rebate. However the Chancellor said local authorities in England will be given a, “discretionary fund of nearly £150 million to help lower-income households in higher Council Tax bands, and households in bands A-D who are exempt from Council Tax”.

If you fall into one of these categories, it’s worth contacting your local authority to ask about the additional financial support.

When it comes to homes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, these devolved governments are being given a £565 million pot of cash, as part of the Council Tax Energy Rebate which they can use in their own way for financial support.

How to appeal a council tax band

If you’re on a higher, (more expensive), council tax band than your neighbours, yet the properties are of a similar size and design, you may have a case to appeal against your council tax band. You can start the process of challenging your council tax band through the Valuation Office Agency. It’s free to do this, regardless of the outcome. Before you start, it’s worth doing some detective work, especially as you may be asked to provide evidence.

Check which band your neighbours are on. For properties in England, this can be done through the Government website and the Scottish Assessors Association for Scotland.

You should also find out your property value in 1991, when council tax bands were set, which is easy to do using an online calculator like Nationwide’s House Price Calculator.

Check this back against the government's advice on assessing council tax bands and if it doesn’t match the one you’re currently on, you may have a case.

Last year, over 40,000 households challenged their council tax band, according to the latest Government figures. One in three cases, this resulted in bands being lowered.

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National Insurance payments rose by 1.25 percentage points in April, meaning the amount of National Insurance you pay went up. 

It was a controversial decision and one that’s been heavily criticised. This is because the news came at a time when households were feeling the financial squeeze after the energy price cap increased and prices for things like fuel and food were also rising.

The National Insurance increase was first announced by the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in September 2020. Then Chancellor Rishi Sunak supported the announcement, saying: “To fund this big increase in permanent NHS spending and social care, we’re making the tough but responsible choice to increase taxes.” 

But in his Spring Statement on 23 March, Rishi Sunak announced a further change to National Insurance that meant the planned increase would be effectively cancelled out for some people and less steep for others. Find out more about how the National Insurance threshold change affected how much NI you pay.

However, Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has just announced that April's National Insurance increase will be reversed, just ahead of his first 'mini budget'.

How much did National Insurance go up by?

National Insurance increased by 1.25 percentage points in April 2022. Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist with life and pension provider Royal London explains the numbers. “In April, National Insurance went by 1.25 percentage points for employers, employees and those who are self-employed. So the standard rate for people who are employed rose from 12% to 13.25%, while the upper rate rose from 2% to 3.25%. For people who are self-employed, it went up from 9% to 10.25%, and from 2% to 3.25%.”

The April increase applied to employers, employees, and the self-employed who surpassed the minimum threshold.

However, as announced in the Spring Statement, the threshold at which you start paying National Insurance will be increased by £3,000, to £12,570 from 6 July 2022. 

While this threshold change applies to workers on PAYE, those who are self-employed could also see a reduction in how much they pay in the light of the National Insurance shake up. 

By making this change to the threshold, almost 2.2 million people were taken out of paying National Insurance Contributions (NICs) altogether.

But from 6 July 2022, the minimum threshold increased, meaning that you can now earn more before having to pay NI.

How much National Insurance will I pay now?

Thanks to the announced change in threshold, between 6 July and 5 November 2022, the 1.25 percentage point rise will not be as steep as it would have been for those on higher salaries, while for those on lower salaries, they will not see an impact of the rise, and could even pay less than they do now. MoneySavingExpert’s Martin Lewis tweeted that those earning less than £35,000 per year will see no rise in National Insurance contributions.

Use the table below to see how your NI contributions will have been affected.

Source: Quilter (assumes primary threshold of £9,880 for April, May and June 2022 and £12,570 thereafter)

However, from 6 November 2022, the National Insurance increase will be reversed, and rates will effectively drop by 1.25 percentage points back to the same levels as the 2021-22 tax year. 

But the threshold increase will remain in place, so people can still earn up to £12,570 before they need to start paying National Insurance. 

Why did National Insurance go up?

National Insurance went up to fund the former Government’s plans for more investment in the NHS. The investment was aimed at easing the backlog caused by the pandemic. It was also planned to go towards plugging the gap in funding for social care as the Government introduces a price cap of £86,000 on the amount people pay in care costs during their lifetime.

NI is not the only nationwide thing increasing in 2022, with Royal Mail announcing that the cost of First and Second Class stamps will go up in April too.

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There isn't much you can do about the rising cost of living, but you can take full advantage of loyalty cards and the different ways they can help you to save some cash. Here's how get exrta value from your Nectar card.

From sky-high petrol prices and increasing energy bills to a National insurance price hike and even the cost of stamps going up, many of us are feeling the pinch when it comes to family finance. Using loyalty cards is one way to save some money when you're shopping.

Nectar is the UK’s largest loyalty card scheme. Run by Nectar 360 Ltd, its partner companies include Sainsbury's, Esso, and eBay.

What is a Nectar card?

If you're a Sainsbury's customer, you can collect Nectar points every time you shop online or in-store. You'll earn one Nectar point for every pound you spend.

First, you'll need to apply for a Nectar card via the Nectar website. You can also apply for a Nectar card via the Nectar app or fill in one of the application forms that you'll find in-store at Sainsbury's. If you're a Smartphone user, it's well worth downloading the Nectar app. It's handy for ensuring that offers are always close at hand, instead of rummaging through a drawer at home for your card or vouchers.

You can choose whether to go for a Nectar card that fits in your purse or wallet, much like a credit card, or a digital version that you can access via the app without needing to remember to bring a physical card with you when you shop.

To collect Nectar points, simply swipe your Nectar card or scan the app on your phone when you're paying for your shopping.

How to earn Nectar card points

Sainsbury's, of course - you can collect points when you shop online or in-store. In addition, Sainsbury's will show you personalised offers on items that you buy frequently when you're a Nectar cardholder.

But you can also earn Nectar points at more than 300 other retailers including Argos, eBay, and Esso, to name just some of the brands that have partnered with Nectar. Just connect your Nectar card to your debit or credit card via your bank and use the connected card when you pay for a qualifying purchase.

At both Argos and eBay, you'll earn one point for every pound you spend when you present your Nectar card at the checkout. When it comes to refueling your car, you'll earn one Nectar point for every litre of fuel you buy at an Esso service station. And if you're a Sainsbury's Bank customer you can also earn Nectar points on products like home insurance. If you have a Nectar credit card, you can also earn Nectar points for every £1 you spend on the card.

Don't forget to connect your Nectar account to your bank or credit card, so you can earn bonus points when you shop at Nectar's partner retailers including Costa, Just Eat, Dominos, Expedia, and ASOS.

Where to spend Nectar card points

Once you've clocked up some Nectar points, it's time to think about how you plan to spend them. You can put your Nectar points towards your grocery bill the next time you shop at Sainsbury's, of course, or use them to get money off when you shop at other Nectar brand partners such as Caffe Nero, Argos and eBay. You can also spend your Nectar cards in-store at Sainsbury's or when you shop online, and also when you pay for petrol.

To spend your Nectar points, simply choose where you'd like to spend them and don't forget to swipe your Nectar card when you checkout.

If you do lots of shopping online, it could also be worth downloading the Nectar Toolbar to your web browser. You can get bonus points for doing so and the Toolbar will remind you when you're shopping online on a site where you could be collecting Nectar points.

Depending on where you choose to spend your Nectar points, you may need to convert your points into a voucher beforehand. There are more than 500 online Nectar brand partners so take your time to browse the options before you spend your points.

These are just some of the places where you can put your Nectar points to good use:

• Eurostar - Put your Nectar points towards a Eurostar escape to Paris, Brussels, Lille, Rotterdam or Amsterdam
• Argos - 500 Nectar points are worth £2.50 when you spend them at Argos
• Caffè Nero - Swap 250 Nectar points for any hot or iced drink at Caffè Nero
• eBay - Swap your Nectar points for vouchers you can use for money off at eBay
• BA - convert Avios and Nectar points when you link your British Airways Executive Club account

Using your Nectar points to donate to charity

If you've been quietly amassing Nectar points but have no real plan to spend them, you could always opt to donate your Nectar points to charity. Do note, however, that you'll need at least 200 points to do so and donations can only be made in multiples of 200.

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Motorists may face huge fines of over £1,000 if their vehicles are not clean enough, according to changes to the Highway Code.

The new rule specifies that windscreens and windows "must be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision" or drivers could risk fines of up to £1,000.

If the case is taken to court, the penalty could be increased to £5,000, and the driver might receive up to nine points.

It was recently announced that seven new laws that will take effect this year, and few motorists are aware of the changes, which may be costly if they are caught.

With the Highway Code changes, the government is building a hierarchy of road users, ranking people who use the road to guarantee that those who cause the most harm face the biggest responsibility for lowering the risk they may pose to others.

Regulation 30 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 now states that if your eyesight is obstructed while driving, you will be in violation of driving safety.

The Highway Code was updated this year to include Annex 6, which requires that lights, indicators, reflectors, and number plates be kept clean and clear. Windscreens and windows should be kept clean and clear of obstructions. To avoid blinding other road users, lights must be set properly. If the vehicle is heavily overloaded, extra care must be taken.

With the rising price of petrol, drivers are being reminded of one of the most common driving errors. One ray of hope was the announcement of a simple regulation that may save drivers more than £160 per year in fuel costs.

A new "hierarchy of road users" places additional responsibility on drivers to protect the most vulnerable road users.

An AA spokeswoman told Mirror Money,"Drivers have a legal responsibility to maintain their vehicle in a safe and roadworthy condition, so if the windscreen is dirty to such an extent that it’s affecting their ability to drive safely, they could be fined.

"However, it’s easily rectified and easy to avoid through basic cleaning and maintenance."

As gas and electric rates reach all-time highs, a major energy provider is giving away free electric blankets to keep their clients warm.

The cost-of-living crisis is beginning to bite, with experts predicting that millions of people will be forced to go without heating this year.

Prices have risen due to a variety of global factors, including increasing demand following the lockdown and Russian export concerns, which have only gotten worse since the start of the war with Ukraine.

It is projected that 22 million families will be affected, and Octopus Energy is distributing 5,000 blankets to households in need as the cost of living crisis strikes.

While most households attempt to save money on their energy bills, the current price cap will be raised by 50%, resulting in an annual rise of £2,000 on average.

It's important to understand how to save money on electric bills. According to USwitch, using an electric blanket for an hour per night costs 28p, or £1.96 per week.

The exact amount depends on your tariff, type of blanket you use, and how long you use it. The blankets' RRP on Amazon is £40, and several families have praised the firm for the decision.

"Stocks are quite low," claims Octopus, who had 5,000 blankets to distribute. Customers can use the company's online assistance service to get their free blanket, as well as get answers to any other issues they may have.

Depending on how many Octopus are left, the blankets will be prioritised for families in the most financial need. Although Octopus' offer was positively appreciated, other energy providers were criticized for their energy-saving advice.

The largest blow, by far, has been the increased price cap on energy bills, which was raised to £1,971 from April 1 by regulator OFGEM.

As a result of the change, the typical household energy bill in the UK will increase by over £700 per year. Experts have predicted that it will force millions of people into poverty.

You might also be interested in our guide to which is cheaper - electric blanket versus hot water bottle. 

Families across the country are being urged to submit a meter reading to their supplier before energy prices drop on 1 October

Make sure you know how to read your energy meter, especially if you are worried about how much energy bills will cost. Even though the energy price cap is set to fall again, gas and electric is still more expensive than it was at the end of 2021.  

Speaking of Meter Reading Day, Gareth Kloet, energy spokesperson at Go.Compare, said: “We would urge all bill payers to take both gas and electricity meter readings... and make sure you submit these to your supplier.”

When should I read my meter?

Households are encouraged to read their gas and electric meters on 30 September, as the price you pay per unit of gas and electricity that you use is due to change on 1 October. Under the current energy price cap, the average cost of gas is 8p per kilowatt hour (kWh) and it's 30p per kWh for electricity. But from 1 September, the energy price cap will fall, which means average prices will drop to about 7p per kWh for gas and 27p per kWh for electricity. 

By submitting a meter reading on the last day of the higher prices, you can make sure that you aren't charged a more expensive rate for energy you used when the prices have dropped. 

At the height of the energy crisis, at the end of March 2022, the websites of many suppliers crashed due to being unable to cope with the volume of people trying to submit their meter readings ahead of the 54% price increase that came into effect from April 2022. But it's important to understand that not everyone will need to submit a reading (we explain more below), but if you do and you can't submit your reading on 30 September, just submit it as close to that date as you can. 

Do I need to submit a meter reading?

If you are on your supplier's standard variable or default tariff, and don't have a smart meter, then it's a good idea to submit a meter reading as the price you pay for your energy will be affected by the energy price cap. If you are not sure what kind of tariff you are on, you should be able to find this information on your energy bill. If not, give your supplier a quick call and they will confirm what kind of tariff you are on. 

If you are on a fixed-rate tariff, you do not need to submit a meter reading, as the price you pay per unit of energy doesn't change each month. Those with a smart meter won't need to submit a meter reading either. But for peace of mind, you may want to take a photo of your meter on your smartphone on 30 September should you need to dispute your bill with your supplier.

Similarly, if you are on a prepayment meter, you won't need to submit a meter reading. But a prepayment energy meter trick that it might be worth considering is holding off (if you can) topping up your meter until 1 October when the prices fall. 

How do I submit a meter reading?

You can submit a meter reading to your supplier by post, phone or online via your supplier’s website or app. Some suppliers may also have an online chat or text service you can use. Submit your reading online or via your supplier’s app rather than phone if you can.

If you are unable to submit your meter reading, take a photo of your gas and electric meters and email them to yourself so you have a time stamp of when the pictures were taken. This will be really useful should you find you need to dispute your bill with your supplier. 

How to read your meter

This depends on the type of meter you have, and whether you pay single rate or two rates. Most people pay a single rate. Those with an Economy 7 meter (where electricity is cheaper at night) will pay two rates - one for off-peak usage, another for peak usage. If you’re not sure how many rates you pay, you can check a recent energy bill to find out.

Reading an electricity meter

In general, if you have a single or two-rate meter, simply read the numbers from left to right, ignoring any numbers in red or after a decimal point.

For a dial meter, you record the figures shown on each dial from left to right. You can ignore any numbers in red. When the pointer is between two numbers, record the lower number. If it’s between the 9 and 0, record 9.

When the pointer is directly on a number, first check the next dial to the right. If the dial on the right reads 8 or 9, then lower the reading for the dial with the pointer directly on the number.

How to read a gas meter

Gas meters can be read in the same way as electricity meters. You might see that the gas meter measures in cubic metres (m3) or feet (ft) rather than kilowatt hours (kWh). Your supplier converts it into kWh on your bill.

How to read a smart meter

Smart meters normally send readings to your supplier automatically. But there is a chance your meter may not be set up to send a reading on Meter Reading Day. You might find it beneficial to make a note of the meter reading in case of a dispute.

When it comes to reading a smart meter, this also depends on the kind of smart meter you have. You may have a smart meter with:

• a keypad
• a green button labelled A
• A and B labelled buttons
• or one with no buttons at all.

You can check your supplier’s website or visit our sister brand Look After My Bills for instructions on reading each type of smart meter. If you're bill is still high, it's also worth knowing how to save energy in homes and what to do if you can't pay your energy bill.

Video of the Week 

A Boots Advantage Card warning has been issued for customers to use their points or risk losing them completely as they prepare for a major change.

As the cost of living rises, more of us than ever are wondering how to save money on utility bills or ways to save on fuel. Whilst there’s always room for a deal or two in our daily lives to help balance things as people learn about what budgeting is and how to get started. And when it comes to living more cost-effectively there’s nothing like redeemable store and loyalty scheme points to give you another helping hand. 

If you’ve already discovered how to reclaim Tesco clubcard vouchers that have been lost or unused for up to two years, you might also have a little-used Boots Advantage Card in your bag.

Sadly, the rules are set to change as Boots warned customers that they could risk losing all their points in one go!

Reaching out to their loyal Boots Advantage Card customers on March 31st, the retailer announced a rather major change to the way their points system works.

Customers simply accrue more points with every transaction which could be redeemed in store or online on Boots products to the value of the points. Currently, you can retain your points for two years without actually using your card.

Later this year, however, anyone with a Boots Advantage Card better be prepared to use their card regularly. From June 20th 2022 the company will be removing all points from Advantage Card accounts that haven’t been used in just one year. 

Whilst this does sound like a reasonable length of time, if you don’t visit Boots on a weekly basis, it’s all too easy to forget to keep your Boots Advantage Card with you at all times.

This could make the likelihood of you accidentally going a full year and losing all your points much higher than you think. Commenting on the new Boots Advantage Card warning, David Beard, Editor-in-Chief of Lending Expert.co.uk expressed his belief that “many customers” could be out of the habit of using their cards very regularly.

“Loyal Boots customers won't like this change,” he said. “Boots isn't necessarily a retailer you shop with regularly, and many customers may not be in the habit of using their card every time they shop due to the frequency of their visits.” 

David continued, "To put a shorter time limit on one of their most loved benefits on the eve of the day many families' finances are set to be stretched could be a harmful move for the pharmacy." 

In their email, Boots stressed that as long as customers use their Boots Advantage Card at least once in a year, their points will be ready and waiting for them to redeem them whenever they wish. Whilst they reportedly clarified that “usage” means customers must use their card in either an online or in-store transaction to either collect or redeem their points.

Just like David suggested, loyal customers might be disappointed by the change. In the meantime, they could begin getting in the habit of using their card more regularly to avoid losing all their hard-earned points in one fell swoop in the coming year! 

Whether you commute to work, your kids go by train to school or you take regular rail journeys as a family, train travel in the UK isn’t cheap.

‘Regulated’ train fares, which include season tickets, will rise by up to 5.9% in March 2023. Fares normally increase in January each year, but this year’s price hike has been delayed until March to help people struggling with the cost of living crisis. There is also news of return train tickets being scrapped in favour of single journey pricing, leaving families worried about how much rail travel will cost in the months to come.

Almost 6% might sound a lot, but train travellers narrowly escaped an even bigger price hike as fares normally rise in line with inflation. But with inflation in double figures the government stepped in to stop rail fares going up this much.

David Sidebottom, director at independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: “No one likes prices going up. In our latest research, less than half of passengers think the railway currently performs well on delivering value for money tickets.

“After months of unreliable services and strike disruption, it’s clear that too many passengers are not getting a value for money service. Capping fares below inflation and the delay until March is welcome and will go some way to easing the pain, but the need for reform of fares and ticketing in the longer-term must not be forgotten.”

Train passengers are also being forced to cope with regular strike action at the moment, making train travel not just expensive, but unreliable too.

1. Book as early as possible to get cheap train tickets  

You’ll usually find that tickets are available up to 12 weeks in advance, so note the date in your diary if you’re planning a trip and want to get the cheapest tickets. Network Rail usually releases a set timetable 12 weeks ahead of travel, but keep checking if tickets aren’t yet available to book. If you’re travelling with London North Eastern Railway (LNER), tickets may be on offer 24 weeks ahead for some journeys.

Topcashback.com spokesperson Abigail Yearley said: “The Trainline has a free to use Price Prediction tool so you can roughly see when the cheaper tickets will sell out. Setting up email alerts for when tickets go on sale is another really easy and potentially cost-saving exercise to do.”

Of course, it’s not always possible to plan that far ahead, but advance tickets may still be available up until your travel date. However, book as soon as you can, as prices usually gradually rise over the weeks. Even if you’re only booking the night before, it’s worth doing so as you could potentially save money.

2: Opt for e-tickets

When buying tickets in advance, opt for print-at-home or e-tickets as this will save you the postage on getting your tickets mailed to you. 

Train operators normally charge a pound or two for regular postage but last minute orders and special delivery postage can cost up to £5.

With e-tickets, you will get a QR code send to your email address and if you have your emails set up on your phone, you can just show that to the ticket inspector on the train or scan it to go through barriers.

3. Try splitting tickets

Long train journeys can be enormously expensive. But often you can cut the cost if you divide your journey by buying two or even three tickets covering different parts of the journey. This is known as ‘splitting tickets’ or ‘split ticketing’.

Rhiannon Philps, personal finance expert at NerdWallet, explained: “If you were planning to travel from Nottingham to London, it may be cheaper for you to get a ticket from Nottingham to Kettering, then another from Kettering to London. The tickets would be valid for the same train, but you’d present several tickets when prompted, rather than just the one.”

Which? previously found that it’s possible to save 52% on a journey from Ipswich to Sheffield, by splitting the ticket at Peterborough and Doncaster. You'd pay £94.30 for an anytime direct ticket, but just £45.26 for a ticket with these two splits.

There are several websites that make splitting fares easier. Check out TrainPal, TrainTickets.com, Split My Fare, and Split Your Ticket.

4. Avoid booking fees

When you’re booking train tickets on any website, check for extra fees, as you don’t have to pay these, and they can add up. You can find train tickets fee-free on London North Eastern Railway. Also check out RedSpottedHanky and Avanti West Coast for cheap ways to book ahead.

If you’ve a specific journey in mind, check a few sites to find the cheapest ticket you can. It should only take a minute or two, and since sites sometimes list different tickets, it’s worth doing to be sure you’ve grabbed the best deal.

A spokesperson for London North Eastern Railway (LNER) says: “Customers can book direct and reserve their seat, fee-free, and also find the best value fares using LNER’s mobile app or website. They can also sign up for LNER’s loyalty reward scheme, LNER Perks, which offers a number of exclusive benefits.”

5. Use a railcard - there's one for families and another for young people aged 16-25

Railcards slash a third off the majority of fares and cost from £30 a year. Check out Railcard.co.uk for the different types. You can easily find the one that’s most suitable for you using the search tool, putting in your location station, age, and whether you usually travel with kids.

For example, the Network Railcard offers a third off journeys in London and the South East, the 16-25 Railcard is specifically for younger people, and the Family and Friends Railcard cuts costs if you’re travelling as a group. Up to four adults and four children can travel together, with adults getting a third off fares, and kids getting up to a 60% reduction. That’s a massive saving on a big trip. You can even use your Tesco Clubcard points to get money off railcards.

Railcards are usually valid for a year and can be renewed online. They usually pay for themselves after a few uses, so they’re really worth having. If you’re a couple, the Two Together Railcard is another option that can save up to £129 a year on travel, and comes with special partner discounts.

Check out our sister brand MyVoucherCodes for Railcard promo codes to see if you can save even more. 

In addition to Railcards, most train companies offer discounts for groups of three or more people travelling together. Larger groups of 10 or more people may even get additional discounts when booking tickets directly. 

6. Take a coach instead

Sometimes it’s worth looking at other means of transport to get to your destination. For instance, it may be cheaper to get a coach instead of a train, especially if you’re not restricted by timings.

For example, you can get from London to Manchester for as little as £6.88 with Megabus – although the journey will take up to six hours, compared to just two hours on the train. 

Students might also be able to get discounts on coach travel, for example they can save an extra 10% at Megabus with a Totum card. 

National Express offers a Coachcard scheme which offers a third off fares. There are three options available: Young Persons Coachcard, Senior Coachcard and Disabled Coachcard.

What time of day are train tickets cheaper?

Train tickets are cheapest if you travel off-peak from around 09.30 to 16.00, and after 19.00 Monday to Friday. But the exact times depend on your train operator and location. The more flexible you are, the cheaper the tickets you’ll be able to find. 

For example, if you wanted to get the train from London to Newcastle on 6 February, the 16.00 train would cost £108.90. But if you wait until the 18.18 train, you can get a ticket for £70.

Travelling by train from London to Newquay on 9 February would cost £131.70 if you got the 08.04 train – but the cost falls to £71.50 if you get the 12.04 train instead.

You’ll usually find weekends and Bank Holidays are off-peak all day. If there’s more than one off-peak fare for a journey, the cheapest one with most restrictions on when you can travel will be called ‘super off-peak’.

Generally, off-peak and super off-peak tickets apply during quieter times. The trains you can catch and times you can travel off-peak depend on the train operator, journey and date of travel. But bear in mind that they’re not as cheap as advance fares, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, you don’t have to travel on a specific train with an off-peak ticket, unlike an advance ticket bought well ahead of your journey.

Do train ticket prices go up on the day?

Train operators usually release advance tickets around 12 weeks before the date of travel, and these rise in price up until the day. So, it’s best to book well ahead if possible. If you download the Trainline’s app, you can use its live tracker to find the cheapest prices right up until the day. To use this, type the two stations you are travelling between and search for trains for the day you want to travel. This will find the cheapest tickets for your journey. But remember not to book through Trainline to avoid booking fees (see above for sites that don’t charge these fees).

Some train operators let you buy advance tickets on the actual day of travel, if they haven’t already sold out, or the day before. So make sure to check if there are any available at a cheaper price before you travel. Remember, though, that advance tickets are for specific trains and are usually non-refundable.

How can I get my money back if my train was cancelled or delayed?

If the train you were meant to travel on is delayed or cancelled and you then don’t travel, you can claim a full refund. You should be able to get this immediately by going to the ticket office if you’re at the station. You can also claim a refund by post if you submit a claim form to the train operator within 28 days of the ticket’s date. Forms are usually found at ticket offices or you might be able to submit a claim online, which is the best option if you bought your ticket online or through an app. Go to the site you bought your ticket from, and find the refund section. Your refund should be with you within 10 days.

Even if you still took the train, you may be entitled to claim for delay. The scheme Delay Repay enables you to claim compensation if your arrival time is delayed for any reason. It entitles you to 50% of your ticket price if your arrival is between 30 minutes and an hour late, and a full refund if you’re more than an hour late. Some train operators also pay out 25% compensation if your train is delayed between 15 minutes and half an hour. 

Can I get a refund if my train is cancelled due to a strike?

Train drivers who are members of RMT and ASLEF are among workers striking this month in ongoing disputes about pay and conditions. 

If you have an advance ticket booked for a strike day and your service is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled, you are entitled to a refund. You'll need to contact the original retailer of your ticket to get your money back and provide a photo or screenshot of your ticket, including the barcode if you have an e ticket.

Adam French, personal finance editor at The Money Edit, says: “For single or return trips, if your journey is cancelled by strike action, or heavily delayed and you decide not to travel, you're entitled to a full refund from where you bought your ticket from.

“If the return leg is cancelled or heavily delayed by strike action, you should be entitled to a full refund under delay repay rules. Exact rules can vary between train companies. You shouldn't be asked to pay an administration fee and you don’t have to accept rail vouchers, even if you bought your ticket with a rail voucher.”

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Amid the cost of living crisis, you may be wondering what is budgeting and why is it so important.

The cost of everything is high at the moment. Budgeting can help you to keep your finances healthy by ensuring you are on top of exactly what you are spending your money on. There are even budgeting apps you can use to help get started.

Laura Suter, head of personal finance at investment firm AJ Bell, says: “Budgeting is a great way for many people to reset their finances and spending patterns and to really assess where their money is going. There’s never a bad time to get started, but at the moment with extra pressures on household budgets with the rising cost of living, it’s a good idea for everyone, no matter what level of income they have.”

What is budgeting and why is it important?

Put simply, budgeting is a way of taking control of your money. You know what’s coming in, what’s going out, and have a plan in place to ensure you are living within your means. Some people like to budget weekly, others prefer monthly; it’s all down to what works for you. Budgeting is important because, without it, you could spend more than you earn and get into debt.

Having a budget plan in place improves your chances of staying on top of rising bills so that you keep your spending under control. A budget can also be a real help in achieving specific financial goals you might have too. This could be saving for a deposit for a house, a wedding, or simply paying off debts. It can be difficult to resist the temptation to spend money on treats, but it is much easier if you have something tangible that you’re saving towards.

What’s more, having a money plan in place can help you prepare for unexpected costs. These could be needing a new boiler or urgent repairs to your car. “Even if you don’t have anything special to save for, budgeting is still beneficial to give you a firmer grip on your money,” says Annabelle Williams from investment firm Nutmeg. “This will help with your financial well-being which will be a welcome benefit for most. Money can be a huge cause of stress, so getting on top of everything could help enormously.”

How can I save money by budgeting?

Budgeting can be extremely effective if you’re looking to save money. Keeping on top of not only how much you are spending, but where that money is going, can help you spot areas where savings can be made. By simply being aware of every item that goes out each month, you will naturally become more conscious of spending on things you don’t need, or bills where you might be paying too much. For example, budgeting might help you recognise that you’re spending a lot on your broadband, and push you to shop around for a new package.

How can I get started budgeting?

Your first port of call is to find out where your money is going each month. Personal finance expert Laura Suter told us: “It’s pointless setting a budget if it bears no resemblance to what you’re spending currently or if you’ve forgotten to account for entire areas of spending.”

Once you’re clear about how you are spending money, you can look to make cuts on unnecessary outgoings. It’s not uncommon to find you’ve signed up to a free trial or subscription that is no longer used. Or maybe you have failed to notice that the cost of something has crept up and it no longer offers good value.

When it comes to setting a budget, make sure you account for things such as birthday presents for loved ones, or any holidays you take each year, as well as regular outgoings. If you forget to account for these you could end up feeling bad – and stretched - when you have to fork out the extra money in one month. If you want to go a step further you could save monthly for the bigger annual expenses, such as Christmas or a holiday to spread the cost.

Setting limits on spending is a fine balancing act, however. By going too far, you’ll likely fail to hit your targets which can be dispiriting. However, setting it too high means you could end up spending more than you need.

Laura adds: “An important step in this process is telling people that you’re trying to budget and that you want to save money. You’ll feel more accountable if you tell people your plans, that will help you stay on track. But it also means that it will be easier to explain why you can’t afford a big night out or a spendy weekend away if your friends are already aware you’re trying to save cash.”

Top tips for budgeting

1. Set aside enough time to go through all your outgoings so you know exactly what you’re spending.
2. Set realistic budgets. There’s no point in leaving yourself so short that you bust the budget in the first week.
3. Take into account big-spending - such as birthdays, holidays - and spread the costs if you can
4. Keep receipts all in one pile for the week. If you use your smartphone, check the list of items paid for.
5. Consider using cash if you think it will stop you overspending. After all, tapping your card to pay is all too easy.
6. Use a budgeting app that will allow you to check your spending on the go. We recommend Plum, as highlighted below.
7. Tell friends and family you’re on a strict money diet so they can support you.

DOWNLOAD - The free Plum app

How much time does budgeting take?

There’s no sugar-coating it - setting yourself and sticking to a budget isn’t a five-minute job. You’ll need to set aside some time to gather everything you need from your statements and bills. Then you’ll need to go through everything to see where savings can be made. Only then can you come up with your spending plan. You may not finish everything in one sitting, but a few hours spent fine-tuning your finances is well worth your time.

Budgeting isn’t a one-off either. You’ll need to then devote some time to tracking your spending and dealing with any changes. For example, your broadband deal might be coming to an end, meaning that your bill is about to rise. Putting aside time to find a better package can keep your finances on track.

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With rising cost of living, experts suggest that following a simple highway code rule could save drivers £160 on their fuel bills.

More households are looking for ways to save money on their energy bills as the cost of living rises due to increasing fuel prices amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the UK switching where it sources its oil and gas from.

And with petrol prices sky rocketing, drivers are being reminded that one of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to wasting fuel is leaving their motor running unnecessarily.

If you filled up your car with petrol or diesel lately, you'll have seen that fuel costs have jumped significantly, with the average price of petrol reaching £1.63 per litre. According fuel experts, it could possibly reach £2.50 per litre in the following weeks.

But making sure you avoid leaving your engine idling could be a seriously simple way to save big on fuel.

Duncan McClure Fisher, the founder and CEO of MotorEasy, tells WalesOnline, "One thing many people do that is entirely unnecessary is to leave their engine idling."

Duncan adds, "While this might seem very innocent, research has shown an idling engine can burn through 3-4p of fuel a minute.

"If you are doing 10 minutes of warming up, five days a week, and spending another 30 minutes per week stuck in traffic – that adds up to a very handy £166 a year that’s being wasted."

There are also other ways to reduce your annual fuel expenses, one of which is as simple as driving about with the boot full of useless stuff, which might be costing you a fortune.

Duncan also warned drivers about the dangers of leaving their cars idle. According to the Highway Code's Rule 123, "You must not leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while the vehicle is stationary on a public road."

The rule is enforced in line with Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, with local authorities having the authority to issue fines of up to £80.

Need to know how to pay off debts fast? Whether you’ve built up a hefty overdraft or run up a big bill on your credit card that you can’t afford to pay off, follow these tips to become debt-free

Knowing how to pay off debts fast will be a high priority for those who might be pushed into borrowing with the cost-of-living crisis biting at most family budgets. Whether it's the increased energy price cap, or national insurance on the rise, millions of families are feeling the pinch. Even the most careful budgeters will know that it’s all too easy to get into debt - whether that’s going into your overdraft or running up a big bill on your credit card that you can’t afford to pay off.

“When your finances are spread thin it’s all too easy to put off paying off debts,” says Martyn James of consumer website Resolver. “But the most cost-effective thing you can do is clear what you owe, simply because debt interest and charges will only compound your debts the longer you leave them. You don’t have to clear everything in one go. But make a plan to get those debts cleared, one by one.”

How to pay off debts fast

1. Get organised

The first step to paying off debts is to get organised. After all the faster you can clear debt, the less interest you will pay. Set aside enough time to go through your debts and make a note of what you owe to who, what interest rate is being charged, and how many months left to pay. Then it’s time to make a plan on just how you’re going to become debt-free. Our tips below should help you on your way.

You might also benefit from creating a budget planner to keep all spending under control.

2. Focus on your biggest debt first

It makes financial sense to repay the most expensive debt first to reduce the number of interest payments you’re making as much as possible. “Having gone through your finances, you should have everything you need to work out what’s costing the most,” says Martyn James. “In other words, seeing what debts are charging the highest rate of interest.”

It’s likely to be your overdraft that is costing you the most, with typical interest rates at around 40% compared to a typical credit card rate of 20%. But it’s important to double-check the rate you’re being charged so you have all the accurate information to hand.

Even though overdraft agreements don’t come with any set repayment plan – like you’d get for a personal loan, for example – you can create your own plan to repay in a number of regular instalments. Set yourself goals for each month to chip away at the debt.

With credit cards, you might be able to move to another card on an interest-free deal. Martyn James warns: “Check what the fee is for doing so, and how long you get versus what you can afford to pay off – so you make a big dent in the debt.”

Personal loans tend to charge much lower rates of interest so this might be last on your list. Plus there’s not usually the flexibility to overpay month to month. You might even be charged a fee for clearing it early. Make sure you check with your lender.

3. Move your overdraft to a 0% money transfer credit card

To clear an expensive overdraft fast, one option is to use a specialist money transfer credit card. It works by using the card to pay cash into your bank account. The cash clears your overdraft, so you owe the card instead, but at 0%. You then make monthly repayments to the credit card during the interest-free period, meaning that every penny you repay goes towards clearing the debt, and not towards bank charges. There is likely, however, to be an initial outlay for the transfer card in the form of a “handling fee” of 3-4% of the money you borrow. Look for cards that don’t come with a fee.

Find out more about how credit cards work with our handy beginner's guide.

4. Consider a low rate personal loan to pay off your debts

You could take out a personal loan to pay off your overdraft. With interest rates still relatively low, borrowing is pretty cheap with the best loan rates on offer at around 4%. Paying a lower interest rate will save you money in the long run, which means you can clear your overdraft faster and pay less interest to the bank. Don’t forget to compare loans to ensure you apply for the one with the cheapest rate.

5. Switch credit card debt to 0%

Balance transfer cards can help borrowers get debt under control. They offer the chance to switch debt built upon another card - where typically it will be charging around 21% - to a new card that offers zero interest for a set period.

Paying no interest at all means that every penny you repay goes towards paying off the debt, rather than going into the bank’s pockets. Some cards offer as much as 36 months interest-free. However, the longest interest-free deal might not be the most cost-effective, as these interest-free cards usually charge a fee each time you switch. Luckily, not all cards apply such a fee. Find the best deal at a comparison site such as moneyfacts.co.uk.

4. Track your progress with a weekly spreadsheet

Martyn John of Resolver suggests keeping a weekly spreadsheet or using an online app to monitor how you’re doing. He says: “It might seem helpless at first, but you’ll really feel like you’re making a difference when you see those debits come down.”

5. Look out for better deals - and switch if you can

Spend a day going through your bills and phone each supplier to see if you are eligible for better deals, discounts, freebies or trials. This might involve navigating lots of touchtone menus and call queues. But make a (large) pot of coffee and be patient. By the time you reach the bottom of the list – which will include the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ TV streaming subscriptions, mobile phone, broadband and line rental– you should achieve some decent savings that can be put towards reducing debts.

6. Look out for duplicate payments

While you comb through your bank statements for savings to be made on bills, check on every direct debit registered to your account. Anti-virus software is a common one to forget about or double up on, according to Martyn James at Resolver. “When you buy a new laptop or desktop computer you will likely sign up for anti-virus software, without cancelling old ones, perhaps. We’ve seen people with a whole trail of annual subscriptions they’re paying for unnecessarily.”

7. Check automated card payments

Checking card payments – both debit and credit – is essential to spot any “continuous payment authority” commitments that could save you money. They differ from direct debits or standing orders and – unhelpfully - there is no list available of those you’ve signed up to. Payments made for a subscription service via this payment method are automatically renewed - usually annually – but you may have no paper (or email) trail of such a sign-up.

8. Get paid to spend with cashback cards

You can use a cashback credit card to pay for weekly spending. You earn a percentage on your spending and the money is typically credited to your card account once a year. Just make sure you repay every penny each month or it negates any benefit.

Search for the best cashback card on a comparison site such as moneyfacts.co.uk. You can also use cashback websites such as Topcashback.co.uk and Quidco.co.uk. Once logged on, you click on the links to retailers and start shopping. Each offers a different cashback percentage for assorted items. Just don’t overspend for the cashback - use just for things you’d be buying anyway.

9. Switch to a new bank account

Plenty of banks are offering cash rewards for switching your existing current account. First Direct and NatWest are paying £150 for new customers. At Nationwide you can earn £125 for moving your current account. Check for eligibility before you apply.

10. Be a babysitter

You can earn around £12 an hour for babysitting. You can spread the word locally or on social media and online such as yoopies.co.uk where you can register and advertise for free. Having a good set of references, experience, and being a parent (or grandparent) yourself will stand you in good favour. Having a DBS check will give you an added advantage. Earning extra money in your spare time can be a great solution when wondering how to pay off your debts fast.

11. Earn while you walk

Lockdown prompted many families to get a dog. Now getting back to the office, dog sitters and walkers are in demand. Register with an app such as Rover or Trusted House Sitters and make some money while on your daily walk. You can choose your own fees. Typically you could earn £10 or more per walk.

12. Sell your old items to raise some cash

If you haven't had a clear out for a while, see what you can find in your garage, spare room or loft space that’s worth selling. Sell on auction website eBay or Amazon Marketplace which allows you to sell second hand and new versions of an item already sold on its main site. You can also try cash-for-clutter website musicmagpie.co.uk, which takes smart phones, tablets, DVDs, CDs, games and electronics off your hands. Type in what you have to sell and get an instant price. You can direct proceeds to paying off debt. This is one of the easiest solutions when it comes to how to pay off debts fast.

13. Clear our your old sports gear

Use a specialist firm geared towards selling certain equipment you have upgraded or perhaps items for hobbies you may have given up. For example, golfbidder.co.uk will buy your golf clubs. Website camerajungle.co.uk does a similar job for those who want to sell photography equipment.

14. Get paid for taking part in surveys

Earn money for your opinion at survey websites. They can be about anything from tourism, food, media, shopping or public affairs and politics. Surveys often take 30 minutes. While some operate under a reward scheme where you earn points for surveys completed that can be exchanged for shopping vouchers, others pay cash – up to £15 per survey.

Check out surveycompare.net, crowdology.co.uk, yougov.co.uk and ipsos i-say.

Never pay to register and set up a new email address so your personal account doesn’t overload.

15. Be part of a focus group

Many market research companies pay well for your time at a focus group session. You can earn anything between £10 to £350 for offering your point of view on the chosen subject which can be anything from bank accounts to holidays. Some projects may involve product testing. You can also opt for Amazon or shopping vouchers. Visit paidfocusgroup.co.uk where registration is free.

16. Get paid to recycle and reduce debt

Dig out old phones and sell them online at websites such as envirofone or mazuma. You can also part exchange them for a new one with some retailers. Some websites even pay cash for empty printer cartridges. Take a look at cashforcartridges. As most households have several old mobile phones that are no longer used, this is a great solution when it comes to how to pay off debts fast.

17. Reunite with lost prizes

Premium Bond prizes worth a combined £74 million remain unclaimed, according to the latest figures from National Savings and Investments (NS&I). You can check to see if you’ve won by using the online prize checker as long as you know your holder number. If you’ve lost all documents NS&I can trace them for you.

18. Refer a friend

Rewards for referring friends to retailers are a very simple way to earn money. Many offer credit off your next spend but there are some websites that pay actual cash. For example, Topcashback.co.uk, pays out for referring mates. Members get £25 referral bonus once the friend has earned more than £10 cashback. There are plenty of retailers that have a referral reward scheme. Check with those you already shop with.

19. WFH? Get £125 back from the taxman

If you've worked at home for even one day over the last year because of Covid, then you could be entitled to £125 back from HM Revenue & Customs. The relief is to cover extra costs incurred such as higher heating, electricity and internet bills. Check if you are eligible and to make a claim here.

If you do claim yourself, how much you will get depends on the rate of income tax you pay. You can backdate your claim for up to the last four tax years, as long as you qualify.

20. Claim money-saving grants

You might be able to save money on soaring energy bills by making your home more energy efficient. Find out if you’re eligible for a home energy grant to help pay for things like loft and cavity wall insulation.

21. Check benefits

Millions of people are missing out on around £15 billion of unclaimed benefits, at the last count. This includes housing benefit, income support or income-related employment and support allowance (ESA), which increases the risk of individuals being pushed into financial hardship.

Anyone on a low income needs to regularly check that they’re getting all the help available to them. Search at turn2us.org.uk to ascertain what benefits you might be eligible for.

22. Check your tax code

If over the past four years you have been issued the wrong tax code you may be due an income tax rebate. Every year, millions of people pay too much tax. Find your tax code on your payslip and use an online checker such as the one on MoneySavingExpert. Brace yourself just in case you find you owe the taxman rather than being owed.

23. It pays to talk

If you’re struggling, speak to the card or loan company and ask what help they can offer you while you get back on your feet. If they refuse to help, or make the situation worse, you may be able to complain to the Financial Ombudsman - for free.

24. Avoid payday loans

Payday loans are an expensive way to borrow - and are never a good solution when it comes to how to pay off debts fast. They were designed to tide people over until payday but if you use them regularly and can’t pay on time, the charges, and debt, can spiral out of control. Avoid them at all costs.

25. Know when to get help for your debts

If you are unable to repay debts and even borrowing more to make repayments, it’s time to speak to a professional. Getting help from a debt charity is free and they can go through your finances and advise you on the best path on how to pay off debts fast. They can also deal with the bank on your behalf in some cases, sometimes getting them to freeze interest charges. Try Stepchange.org or Nationaldebtline.org.

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