Cost of living 28 day challenge

Try all or just some of the saving tips in our challenge

It’s safe to say, we’re all feeling the pinch at the moment, so follow along with our money-saving, 28 day challenge and see what you could save by making small tweaks to your home and lifestyle.

1. Standby for action

Turn all electrical items off standby where possible.Households can save on average £147 a year by making this simple change

2. Turn down the heat

Turn down your boiler for heating water, Octopus Energy states that 55°C is generally hot enough for most people.

3. Fake it!

Make a “fakeaway” of your favourite takeaway. In the UK, we spend on average £641 per person a year on takeaway food.

4. A lightbulb moment

Bulb swap! Switching to LED bulbs in your home could save you up to £240/year, plus they last much longer.

5. These savings are really clocking up

Set a four minute timer for your shower, this could save you on average £120 a year off your water bill.

6. The latest way to chill

Dust off the condenser coils at the back of your fridge, apparently this can make it run 25% more efficiently.

7. Coo1 it!

Try turning your thermostat down by just 1 degree today, it will cut down your heating bill and you may not be able to tell the difference anyway.

8. Cut driving costs and emissions

Use Google Maps to direct you if driving today, even if you know your route! Fuel-efficient routes can save you up to 15%.

9. Save money while you sleep

Find out if your energy company can compensate you for using energy during off-peak times, you could be rewarded up to £100 according to Money Saving Expert.

10. Read a free book in your free time

Join your local library, treat yourself to lots of borrowed books and help keep our libraries open while you’re at it (apparently over 800 have closed since 2010)

11. Check for leaks, avoid the ripple effect

Check for leaks – leaky taps or loos can be costly so do a quick whip-round your home, it could save you up to £300. If you think you’re being overcharged, your water company can usually check for leaks their side too.

12. Cash not card

Put your weekly budget in cash in an envelope for the next week and avoid using your card/making online purchases. Two thirds of people in the UK say they spend more if they use their card for payments.

13. Go greens

Go meat-free today to help save the planet and save yourself some money too – an Oxford University study has shown going vegan or veggie in the UK can cut down your food costs by as much as a third!

14. Extra trimmings

Neighbour needs their grass cutting or your Nan would their nails painting? Do something nice for someone else today – free & good karma.

15. Not just a load of hot air

Time to take 5-10 minutes to bleed your radiators and save yourself a bit more dosh. This will remove any air pockets and make your heating system more efficient.

16. Under pressure?

Check your tyre pressures are correct for your vehicle – this can improve your mileage per tank by up to 3%.

17. Don't throw away your cash

Investigate your outgoings - what subscriptions, standing orders or direct debits do you have set up - are they all still relevant? Many waste £1000s paying for products or services they no longer use according to Money Saving Expert.

18. Question your subscriptions

Check your broadband/mobile network to see if they offer refer a friend rewards, then you're armed for the next time your friend/boss moans about their terrible wifi connection.

19. Don't heat rooms you don't use

Use the knob on your radiators to turn them down in lesser-used rooms in your home. Just make sure you keep the doors shut to those rooms too. This little tweak could save you up to £115.

20. Save money and save the planet

Check all your bills are paperless today as some companies can charge you up to £1.90 to send paper bills or statements out.

21. Calculate your benefits

Use an online benefits calculator to see if you could be entitled to some financial support that you were not aware of. Millions of people are missing out on £1000s according to Turn2Us (who coincidentally have a great online benefits calculator themselves).

22. Get the bug use a mug

Make a sacrifice to kick off your final full week of the 28 day challenge by making or taking your own hot drinks with you today (and you won’t be alone). 96% of Brits will give up at least one good or service to save money according to Finder.

23. Your new code of conduct

Ask a member of staff or simply Google when your local supermarket reduces the prices of their food items so you can be there in time to bag a bargain. 32% of UK shoppers love a yellow sticker deal!

24. Pounds locked down

Make today a no-spend day, or extend to the weekend. Think sharing a lift to work, an everything-going-off-in-the-fridge dinner and board games and save some precious £££s.

25. Waste not save a lot

Check out food waste reducing apps Olio and Too Good To Go. Olio is a platform where surplus food is shared for free and Too Good To Go is an app where users can pick up “Magic Bags” of unsold food from local shops/cafes at a fraction of the original price.

26. Show your care try to repair

Mend an item of clothing you own that has seen better days, it’s surprisingly satisfying! Repair Cafes are popping up around the country. According to Clothes Aid, more than £140m of used clothing goes to landfill in the UK every year

27. Loyalty? Whats not to love

Download the rewards app from your usual supermarket and keep an eye out on any offers they may send to you to save/earn points. According to Which you will save between 50p and £10 for every £100 you spend with the loyalty schemes on offer today.

28. Plan it, buy it, budget!

Set yourself up with a budget planner, there are some great ones online, we like the one on the

Money Saving Expert website (an oldie but a goody).