Canadian YouTuber Alanna, who left her life in Ontario behind for a transatlantic adventure in 2015, talked about some of the strategies she’s seen Brits use to save cash
A Canadian has outlined nine money-saving tips that she says “changed” her life (stock)
(Image: Getty Images)
A Canadian has outlined nine money-saving tips that she says “changed” her life after relocating to the UK more than ten years ago. Alanna left her life in Ontario behind for a cross-pond adventure in 2015, relocating to Kent, and now operates a YouTube channel where she chronicles her life in the UK.
Her channel, titled Adventures and Naps, boasts 186,000 subscribers and showcases everything from cuisine to local sights, from UK television adverts to Christmas traditions, and now she’s turned her attention to money.
In one of her recent videos, called “These British money-saving habits changed my life,” Alanna talked about some of the strategies she’s seen Brits use to save money.
1. Heating
Alanna kicked things off by highlighting a classic cost-cutting tradition among Brits during the lead-up to Christmas—competing to see who can delay switching on the heating the longest.
She described it as a “bragging right” and mentioned how some people use draught excluders or hot water bottles to stave off the chill; she’s also now the owner of an electric blanket.
Alanna mentioned the habit of saving and reusing wrapping paper (stock)
(Image: Getty Images)
2. Wrapping paper
In a nod to both thriftiness and sustainability, Alanna mentioned the habit of saving and reusing wrapping paper and gift bags from celebrations like Christmas and birthdays.
3. Rail travel
Highlighting potentially expensive rail fares and claiming that they can vary drastically for the same trip, Alanna said, to counteract this, we should look for alternative tickets.
Some of the examples she named included split tickets (the use of multiple tickets for your journey), off-peak travel, rail cards and advanced single tickets.
4. DIY
Alanna kindly called us Brits “resourceful” and noted that we will sometimes try to repair a broken item rather than simply replace it.
Alanna pointed to our love of a second-hand bargain (stock)
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5. Second-hand “culture”
In a similar vein, Alanna pointed to our love of a second-hand bargain, indicating that Brits are big fans of such things as charity shops and online services like Facebook Marketplace.
Alanna conceded that this is also a habit in other nations, but for the UK, it’s “ingrained”. She also noted that perhaps the search for the item is “more exciting” than what is eventually rustled up.
6. Meal deals
Loved by many, the lunchtime meal deal (often comprising a sandwich, a snack and a drink for a set price) is another British staple that Alanna spotted, dubbing them “super convenient”.
7. Museums
As many readers will know, multiple British museums and galleries are free to enter, including the world-famous British Museum (home of the Rosetta Stone), and this is one aspect of British culture that Alanna particularly likes.
Alanna also included reduced food items in her list (stock)
(Image: Getty Images)
8. Reduced food
Drawing attention to a common sight in UK shops, Alanna pointed out the yellow-stickered reduced food items frequently spotted in supermarkets.
She explained that there’s a knack for spotting the “hidden gems” among the reduced items and noted that the bargains are especially useful for people looking to save money.
9. Loyalty cards
Another common sight to supermarket-goers, the loyalty card is something of a necessity in modern Britain, with every shop seemingly offering its own version.
Alanna noted that it was “incredible” that so many places offer such a scheme and mentioned that we can keep digital versions of them on our phones.