Got a savings goal? Try our 5 cash savvy tips for 2026

Got a savings goal? Try our 5 cash savvy tips for 2026

No matter your age, it’s smart to refresh your money-saving habits regularly. From no-spend challenges to clever recycling hacks, here are five surprising money saving tips for 2026 to help you keep more cash in your pocket.

 

Take on a no-spend challenge

A no-spend challenge is a fun way to pause non-essential spending. You decide the rules of your challenge. You could go a week without buying coffee, avoid online shopping for a month or skip takeaways. The goal is to put that extra cash into savings.

Beyond boosting your bank balance, no-spend challenges encourage mindfulness. You’ll rethink impulse buys and rediscover free activities. You may walk in the park or have a movie night at home. Whatever the activity, once you start no-spend days, you’ll want to challenge yourself to do it more.

Start with a 7-day challenge, only spending on essentials like bills and groceries. Easily track your progress with a journal or handy apps. Stay motivated by celebrating small wins, like sticking to a no-spend day out.

Use banking round-up services

Banking round-up services round up your purchases to the nearest pound and tuck the spare change into a savings account. For example, a £3.70 coffee becomes £4, with 30p saved automatically.

Those small amounts add up over time without you noticing. It’s like finding money in your pocket, but better! Banks like Monzo, Starling and Lloyds offer built-in round-up features. Apps like Plum or Chip take it further with smart savings algorithms. The banks do the hard bit while you save without even having to think about it.

Set up a separate savings pot for your round-ups and check it monthly to see how much progress you’ve made. Pair it with a high-interest savings account for extra growth in your savings.

If you prefer to save money physically rather than digitally, there are other money saving methods you can do at home with set challenges to help you save more!

Person managing savings with banking app and financial tools

Share discounts with friends or family

Why pay full price when you can split the cost? Many subscriptions and memberships offer group or referral discounts, perfect for savvy savers. From streaming services to gym memberships, sharing can slash your bills.

Splitting a family plan (like Spotify) or using referral codes cuts costs without sacrificing access. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

Check services you already use for “family” or “group” plans. For example, Amazon Prime lets you share benefits with another person in your household. You could be missing out on easy savings without even knowing! Keep things fair for the whole family with clear payment rules, like using a shared PayPal account or direct debit.

 

Recycle coffee grounds and other everyday items

Used coffee grounds are a fantastic free fertiliser for plants or a natural pest repellent for slugs. Tips like this are just one way to turn everyday items into savings.

Reuse glass jars for storage, turn old clothes into cleaning rags, or repurpose cardboard boxes for organisation. These small acts reduce the need to buy new items while keeping your home sustainable. Recycling not only saves cash but also supports eco-friendly living. Find more energy saving hacks for everyday chores with Beyond the Grid.

Sprinkle your used coffee grounds around plants like roses or on veg patches and watch them grow. Always remember when storing, keep your coffee grounds in an airtight container so they stay fresh.

Person reusing coffee grounds as plant fertiliser to save money

How to save money at home

Reinvesting your savings into your home can increase your financial wins. Think small upgrades like LED bulbs or bigger projects like insulation to cut your energy bills.

Simple changes, like draught-proofing windows or using a smart thermostat, can dramatically lower your energy costs. Check out Certas Energy’s energy-saving guide for more ideas.

Use your savings to fund projects that pay off over time, like solar panels or energy-efficient appliances, to keep more money in your pocket year after year.

Work on your goals to save money

Even if you’re confident managing your finances, these five money-saving tips for 2026 can boost your savings. From no-spend challenges to recycling hacks, small changes can lead to big results. Pick one or two tips to try this year and watch your savings multiply.

Ready to save even more? Explore our tips and advice for more ways to cut costs at home.

 

THE WORLD NEEDS CLEANER ENERGY FOR EVERYONE

Certas Energy is part of DCC Energy, of DCC plc

Chat

Live chat Start a real-time conversation

Chat

General enquiry Send a message

Chat

Call us Talk to a human now