How to reduce your spending

Here is a collection of different money saving ideas and tips for you to use in your everyday life. I'm sure most of these ideas are already used by most, but you never know you may find something helpful here.

I hope this can help students and people that are just moving out and starting a new home. I have learnt how to save more after my student days, since moving out that's when money becomes tighter.

Budget your money, it is so easy to get into debt, and you will be paying it off for years after if you are wise with your money you should be able to avoid getting yourself into huge amounts of debt. Work out how much money you have to spend and what needs to be paid - make a list so you know how much money is left for food and socializing once all the bills are paid.

Here are a few pointers to try and help you a long the way: Saving money tips

Walk -Try to walk as much as you can, this will save you a lot of money and you will be getting exercise at the same time. If you need to travel a lot and have far to go then look into travel cards and see what is the best deal.

Look after yourself - Yes this will save you money! Keeping yourself in good health will avoid getting illnesses that you will need to spend money on to get better - medicine, comfort food and drinks. It is easier to maintain a healthy body.

Keep warm! - Instead of putting the heating on all day try to limit the amount you use it. Instead layer up! Wear layers of clothes to keep warm, also in bed if you find you get cold put extra blankets over your duvet. Layers of clothing work better than just one big jumper. Also if you wear layers you can take off or put on more when needed. If you are still cold then exercise! This will get you warm in no time. If you are just chilling out though you can always grab your duvet when watching the TV.

Turn off lights when you don't need them on, and shut doors to retain heat - it takes less energy to heat a smaller space. Candles and Tea lights are a good way to provide a little light and heat, if you shop around you can usually find these sold in large quantities for a good price.

When choosing a place to live, always look at smaller accommodation the rent will be cheaper and you will only have space for your important things, so you will be able to sell your things that you don't need as much to make a bit of cash, also this will prevent you from wanting to buy more.

Downsize - Living in a smaller place means you won't have as much space to heat, clean, and you won't have as much space so you won't be buying as much because you will have less room to put things. It also means you will have to have parties at other people's houses, this is cheaper for you and also you won't have the mess to clean up after!

Spend more time at friends and families, so you don't need to use your heating and lights! You may even get fed and be offered tea and coffee.

Phone - If you need a mobile cell phone then always look at what's the best deal that you can afford and make the most of, or if you have pay as you go just put on the smallest amount of credit and only use in emergencies and text is far cheaper! When possible use emails make the most of the college/uni. library computers as this is free!! Email is best for keeping in touch with people; you can visit your local library and make the most of the free computer.

Unplug unused electrical equipment before you go to bed, this saves electricity. Don't leave things on stand by, as this still uses electricity. Always unplug things after use.

Turn off lights when leaving a room, unless you plan on going in and out of the room several times in a short space of time. If you haven't already change all your light bulbs to energy saving light bulbs, these not only save on electricity, they last a lot longer! And they are better for the environment too.

Don't over fill your kettle when you only need a small amount of water, only boil the amount of water that you need.

Use natural cleaning products - that can be found in your food cupboard to save a lot of money on cleaning products not only is this better for the environment, it is better for your health, and will save you a lot of money. Vinegar and lemon are a great all round cleaner.

Hand soap dispensers, these are usually expensive, as you are also paying for the convenience of the soap pump, even the refills are not that much cheaper. When the soap has run out instead of buying another bottle, just buy a large bottle of bubble bath and use this to refill your soap dispenser, all soaps clean the same.

Don't throw away containers from food packaging; these can all be re - used in some way. Jars and ice cream and butter tubs, when washed in hot soapy water they can be used to store all different things, you can also use these to store opened packets of food to retain the freshness.

Jars can be used to collect loose change, or made into a stationary holder for your desk.

Uses for containers - To store opened baby wipes to retain the moisture to stop them from drying out before you get to the end of the pack. There are many uses for these, and this will save you buying plastic containers.

When shopping buy cheaper brands, a lot of products are very similar; you are mostly paying for the packaging. Try buying everything at a lower brand to see if you can notice the difference, if not then stick with the cheaper brand. Most good food stores have a good selection of own brands. Some things, you will notice the difference with, such as own brand bread, this is one thing I avoid, if you notice a big difference with anything then you may want to stick to slightly more expensive brands on certain things.

Keep your freezer well stocked up, a full freezer costs less to run as its not cooling empty spaces. However if you can't fill your freezer then place empty cardboard boxes into the empty spaces in the freezer as this will do the same job.

In the winter when you have your heating on, keep doors in the house closed, a room will heat up faster and will retain the heat with the door shut, instead of trying to heat a larger space.

Instead of buying expensive medicine brands buy the cheaper ones, most painkillers have the same ingredients and work the same. Also only use them when necessary if you can cure a headache or other minor complaint using a natural remedy. Maybe a cold flannel over your forehead will help to soothe a headache or get someone to give you a massage, or even self massage works. For stomach cramps try using a hot water bottle.

Wash your clothes at a lower temperature; to save money and help the environment, your clothes will still be as clean. I think everyone knows this one - but are you actually washing at lower temperatures? I know I could still wash at a lower temperature!

Shop online to compare prices but go to the shop to buy the item you want, instead of paying for the delivery charge.

Take a packed lunch to work instead of eating out.