Expense Category Common Costs Alternatives to Reduce/Manage Costs
Housing Costs Rent, council tax, service charge, home insurance, utilities, mortgage
  • Get a roommate or lodger
  • Negotiate rent
  • Switch to a smaller property
  • Use comparison sites
  • Apply for council tax discounts
Transportation Oyster/travel cards, fuel, car insurance, MOT, Uber, vehicle maintenance
  • Use public transport
  • Carpool
  • Shop around for insurance
  • Annual travel passes
  • Regular vehicle maintenance
Food & Groceries Supermarket groceries, ethnic shops, takeaways, meal prep
  • Plan meals
  • Shop discount stores
  • Reduce takeaways
  • Join food co-ops
  • Grow herbs/veggies at home
Communication Mobile phone bills, internet, TV packages, subscriptions
  • Use SIM-only deals
  • Bundle services
  • Cancel unused subscriptions
  • Use free Wi-Fi
  • Negotiate better deals
Healthcare Dental, prescriptions, eye care, health insurance, over-the-counter meds
  • Use NHS services
  • Get prescription prepayment certificates
  • Attend free health screenings
  • Use NHS optical vouchers
  • Consider NHS dental instead of private
Childcare & Education Nursery, school fees, uniforms, books, school meals, after-school clubs
  • Use tax-free childcare
  • Apply for childcare vouchers
  • Buy second-hand uniforms
  • Access free school meals
  • Use library resources
Entertainment & Leisure Netflix, cinema, eating out, holidays, gyms, hobbies
  • Use free community events
  • Look for discounted tickets
  • Exercise outdoors
  • Travel off-season
  • Share subscriptions
Savings & Investments Emergency fund, pensions, ISAs, stocks, investment platforms
  • Automate savings
  • Use employer pension contributions
  • Start with low-cost index funds
  • Take advantage of tax-free ISAs
  • Use budgeting apps
Debt Repayment Credit cards, loans, overdrafts, payday loans
  • Prioritize high-interest debts
  • Consider debt consolidation
  • Negotiate with creditors
  • Avoid payday loans
  • Seek debt advice services
Miscellaneous Gifts, donations, clothing, personal care, home repairs
  • Set gift budgets
  • DIY where possible
  • Shop second-hand
  • Use loyalty programs
  • Look for discounts and vouchers

Learning Financial Basics

Protecting Your Money and Future

Moving to the UK

Steps to Build and Grow Wealth

Struggles with Access to Financial Service

Get financially literate