How to boss cost-cutting Scrooge stylee

If it feels like everyone you know is tightening their belt, that’s because they probably are.

The latest Joseph Rowntree Foundation cost-of-living tracker paints a pretty stark picture of life for households on lower incomes. Looking at more than 4,000 UK households in the bottom 40% of earners, it found that many people are making ongoing cutbacks just to get by.

Among the most common changes:

• 60% have reduced heating use
• 55% have cut back on appliances
• 51% have spent less on food
• 50% have changed how they cook and spend less on gifts
• 46% have stopped socialising
• 42% have stopped replacing clothes
• 42% are taking fewer showers or baths
• 41% have cut transport costs
• 36% have stopped replacing broken items

No one wants to feel like they’re constantly having to scrimp and save, so we’ve taken the areas people are cutting back on most and pulled together some pain-free ways to cut costs.

Hot money-saving tips

Heating is one of the biggest bills, so even modest changes can make a noticeable difference.

• Turn radiators down, not off
  Lower the heat in rooms you rarely use rather than switching radiators off completely. This helps prevent damp and mould.
• Find and fix draughts
  Check around doors, windows, floors and pipework. Seal gaps where you can, but don’t block essential ventilation like airbricks or extractor fans.
• Turn your boiler flow temperature down to 60°C
  Most combi boilers are set higher than needed. Lowering the flow temperature makes them more efficient without making your home cold.

Just make sure if you’re over 65, or have young children or a health condition, that you’re cautious when attempting to cut your energy bill. If your house isn’t warm enough, it could compromise your health.

Applying cost-cutting tips to your appliance use

Energy use creeps up quietly, especially in kitchens and living rooms.

Easy wins

• Make a flask of tea in the morning instead of reboiling the kettle throughout the day.
• Only boil the water you actually need.
• Unplug appliances when not in use. Standby power can account for up to 10% of energy use.
• Use natural daylight where possible and turn lights off when you leave a room.

Kitchen habits that save

• Use lids on pans so food cooks faster.
• Use smaller appliances like microwaves or air fryers for small meals instead of the oven.
• Keep fridge temperatures between 3°C and 7°C and avoid putting hot food straight in.

Laundry and cleaning

• Wash at 30°C where possible.
• Run full loads in washing machines and dishwashers.
• Use eco modes and open the dishwasher door after the wash cycle to allow pots to air dry.

Food: cheaper swaps, same meals

Saving on food doesn’t have to mean living off toast.

Smart swaps

• chicken breasts → chicken thighs
• beef mince → turkey mince, lentils or beans
• fresh veg → frozen veg
• sugary cereal → porridge
• jarred sauces → tinned tomatoes and herbs

Shopping habits that help

• Meal plan around what you already have.
• Stick to a list.
• Look for yellow-sticker reductions and freeze what you won’t use straight away.

Cooking smarter

• Batch cook and freeze meals.
• Use leftovers creatively.
• Build in a few meat-free meals each week.

Gifts: tight is the new savvy

Gift-giving pressure is real, especially around Christmas and birthdays.

Ways to cut costs

• Buy gifts throughout the year when you spot a bargain.
• Agree spending limits with family and friends.
• Go in on joint gifts.
• Regift things you know someone else will genuinely enjoy.

Creative alternatives

• homemade treats
• experiences like a movie night or home-cooked meal
• second-hand finds from charity shops, Vinted or eBay

Socialising: free fun (not fun-free)

Cutting back doesn’t mean staying home alone.

Free and low-cost ideas

• museums, galleries and libraries.
• parks, beaches and nature walks.
• picnics, family sports days or backyard campouts.
• cooking or baking together instead of going out.

Clothes: rethink replacing

There are some real savings to be had by rethinking the way you shop for clothes.

School uniforms

• Check what actually needs to be branded.
• Buy second-hand where possible.
• Use iron-on badges with generic clothes.
• Look for council uniform grants.

Everyday clothing

• Install browser extensions like Pouch or Coupert for automatic discount codes when shopping online.
• Buy off-season.
• Wait a week before buying non-essentials.
• Prioritise quality over quantity where possible.

Showers and baths: less water, lower bills

Hot water costs more than you think.

Shower savings

• Aim for 4-minute showers.
• Fit a water-efficient showerhead.
• Fix leaks and descale regularly.

Bath savings

• Fill baths halfway.
• Use the same bath water for young children.
• Choose showers over baths when you can.

Transport: spend less getting around

• Use Railcards or season tickets.
• Travel off-peak where possible.
• Combine journeys to save fuel.
• Walk or cycle short distances.
• Coaches can be much cheaper than trains for longer trips.

Broken items: fix, don’t replace

If you’ve stopped replacing broken items, you’re not alone.

Repair Cafés across the UK offer free, volunteer-led help to fix things like kettles, lamps, clothes and electronics. You’ll often learn how to do the repair yourself too, which adds another string to your bow, saves money long-term and makes you more attractive to potential partners.

Find one in your area.

And there you have it…

…how to make like a miser without the misery. Merry cost-cutting.