Money experts share their top budgeting, saving and investing tips to help you take control of your finances this year
26 ways to save and make more money in 2026 – some of them may surprise you
There’s nothing quite like the dawn of a new year to inspire you to get your personal finances in order and the good news is that with the right mindset and some expert guidance, anyone can transform their financial situation.
The Mirror sought advice from some of the UK’s leading money gurus, who shared 26 strategies for saving and making money and some of them might surprise you.
Helen Dewdney, consumer expert at The Complaining Cow, suggests that Brits are missing out by not haggling, particularly when it comes to significant purchases. “Most places are more open to haggling than you might imagine,” she advises.
“Maintain politeness and establish a positive rapport – you could request an additional item instead of always seeking a price reduction.” But that’s just one way to make your money go further in the year ahead…
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2. In addition to haggling, Helen encourages people to make this the year they start lodging effective complaints to avoid being short-changed. “Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you’re entitled to products that are of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, match the description, and last a reasonable length of time. If you’ve purchased an item that violates the Act, you’re entitled to a full refund within 30 days of purchase, and after that period, a replacement or repair.”
3. If you’re struggling with debt – consider taking on additional debt! Zero interest balance transfer cards offer an excellent method for cutting interest payments, according to Michael Taylor from stock trading website Shifting Shares. This approach provides breathing space to organise your finances, build savings, and clear the balance before promotional rates end. Provided your strategy is realistic, you can escape the cycle of hefty interest charges and regain financial stability.
4. To prevent overspending temptations, banking experts at Finansvalp suggest withdrawing your budget as cash. Alternatively, you could use a debit card loaded only with your allocated evening spending. This approach makes you far more conscious of expenditure compared to simply tapping contactless payments.
Janine McDonald back at work in a career change working to “De-Clutter” clients homes. (Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)
5. Janine McDonald, a professional declutterer and organiser from Salford, believes mindset plays a crucial role in money management. “When you go shopping and you see something you like, rather than putting it straight in your basket, carry on shopping,” she says. “Ask yourself, where will it go in my home? Chances are you’ll get to the checkout and have forgotten all about it.”
6. Therapist Vic Paterson suggests establishing what she terms ’emotional spending speed bumps’ to create psychological barriers that prevent you from overspending. For example, those convenient saving pots offered by your bank can be personalised with names that reflect your financial anxieties. ‘Vet Fund’ transforms into ‘Stop Tiddles Dying Cash’, ‘Holiday Fund’ evolves into ‘Future Me Holiday’s Fund’ – it’s an effective method to curb impulsive spending.
7. One of the top apps for generating income is YouSpotProperty, which provides the opportunity to earn up to £10,000 for just 10 minutes of work. Yes, you read that correctly – but to bag such a hefty sum, you’ll need to identify derelict properties that could potentially be sold to developers. Users who report a property that fits the criteria will initially receive a £20 gift voucher, but they’ll also get one percent of the selling price further down the line if the deal proceeds.
Polly Arrowsmith encourages making the year ahead the one where you master investing.
8. Polly Arrowsmith encourages making the year ahead the one where you master investing. “Learning financial literacy is like learning to drive a car,” she explains. “At first, it doesn’t seem easy until you practise, practise, practise. One day, you will notice you are driving without thinking about it – investing is the same. I recommend Andrew Craig’s book ‘How to Own the World.'”.
9. Instead of splashing out on new items in 2026 why not borrow what you need and contribute to environmental conservation? Kathy Cakebread suggests starting with Fat Llama and Speedy Services but most towns and cities now have libraries of things. You can rent anything from power tools to lawnmowers, PlayStations or drones, and even earn some extra cash by hiring out your own belongings.
10. Keep your finances in check by adhering to the 50-30-20 rule for budgeting, a straightforward and effective method for managing your money. The concept is that you allocate 50% of your income to necessities like mortgage and bills, 30% on discretionary spending, and 20% towards savings. If this isn’t feasible due to high living costs, consider the 70/20/10 rule instead.
11. I’ve recently pocketed £175 by switching my bank account to Nationwide. But now there’s an even better deal – Lloyds is currently offering up to £250 for making the move (monthly fees may apply). The Current Account Switch Service guarantees all incoming and outgoing payments will be automatically redirected to your new account.
You can get up to £250 free just for switching banks .(Image: Getty Images)
12. Consider adopting new hobbies in 2026 that could earn you some extra cash! You could join an extras agency, or think about renting out your driveway, or even your car when it’s not in use. Your home could even serve as a film set for hire, or you could offer services such as cleaning and gardening through platforms like TaskRabbit or Airtasker. If you possess a unique skill, why not provide tutoring on Skillshare?
13. In 2026 if you have a spare room, you could potentially rake in an additional £7,500 annually, tax-free. Options include hosting a Monday to Friday lodger, a full-time tenant, or accommodating foreign language students. Over the years, I’ve welcomed students from all over the world and just have to provide them with an evening meal and a room.
14. Kickstart the new year by decluttering and selling – this will not only enhance your wellbeing but also boost your bank balance! Polly Arrowsmith makes more than £4,000 a year selling items on Vinted. Some of her top tips include listing items daily to keep them high in the rankings, dispatching packages promptly, and requesting reviews.
15. Make 2026 the year you fully utilise loyalty apps, cashback and ‘refer a friend’ schemes. You can also bag a host of freebies on your birthday, including free Krispy Kreme doughnuts, a free birthday meal at Harvester pubs. If you’re a resident of Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, or Bath and North East Somerset, you can even enjoy free bus travel during your birthday month.
Di Coke makes a living out of entering competitions.
16. Millions are missing out on free money and should investigate if they’re eligible for free Government boosts. Those aged between 18 to 39 can open a Lifetime ISA, with the Government adding a 25 percent bonus. Individuals on certain benefits can opt for a Help to Save account instead, which comes with a Government bonus of 50p for every £1.
17. Some folks earn a tidy sum on the side by entering competitions, which can be done while watching telly. Blogger Di Coke from SuperLuckyMe raked in prizes worth £35,000 in 2021 – but to hit that jackpot, you’ll need to be consistent and dedicate time each day. Local competitions and prize draws tend to be less competitive than those hosted by national brands.
18. Struggling to get household members to reduce hot water consumption? Water bills are set to rise again, but you can cut costs by installing a shower timer and considering a water meter. Water meters could help smaller households save cash – the general principle is that it may be worthwhile investigating if your home has more bedrooms than occupants.
19. One gentleman revealed how he increased his pension savings by almost £40,000 after discovering eight forgotten savings pots. The Pensions Policy Institute (PPI) claims approximately 3.3million pension pots, valued at a combined £31billion were deemed “lost” across the UK. You can utilise the service via the GOV.UK website or by ringing the Pension Tracing Service on 0345 6002 537.
If you’re not securing 8 per cent interest on your savings, then you’re not optimising your returns.(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
20. If you’re not securing 8 per cent interest on your savings, then you’re not optimising your returns. Principality Building Society is providing 8% which is locked in for six months allowing monthly deposits of up to £200, while Yorkshire Bank has a one-year regular saver paying 8% AER on monthly deposits of up to £50. These rates are typically only accessible for the initial year, so it’s wise to switch annually to ensure you’re still securing the most competitive deal.
21. You can trim your energy bills by opting for heated throws, replacing the tumble dryer with a heated airer, and using a slow cooker instead of the oven. Heated airers cost approximately 4p an hour to run, in contrast to tumble dryers which cost around 85p an hour.
22. Banks such as Lloyds, HSBC, and NatWest offer complimentary financial health checks via video calls where you can discuss your bank account and savings options. Schedule one for January and ensure you’re maximising your accounts, mortgage, and securing the best rates on any loans.
23. Don’t get sucked into upgrading your mobile handset – consider switching to a SIM-only plan as it can significantly reduce your monthly expenses. You could also make substantial savings by choosing refurbished smartphones over new ones and reviewing your usage to see if a more affordable plan would better suit your needs.
Go through subscriptions and cancel thinngs you’re not using.(Image: Getty Images)
24. Conduct a direct debit detox and scrap the TV licence if you only watch Netflix. You don’t require a TV licence to view on-demand content on Netflix, provided it’s not being broadcast live. It’s worth considering, as Martin Lewis suggests you could save £200 a year by reviewing your direct debits and eliminating any services you don’t need.
25. We understand that January can be a gloomy month, but why not turn it into a no-spend month? By challenging yourself to only purchase essentials for a few weeks, you’ll kickstart the year on a positive note and recalibrate your financial mindset for the remainder of 2026.
26. How about a midlife money MOT? midlife-mot.moneyhelper.org.uk is an excellent resource for people aged between 45 and 65. This tool from the government-backed MoneyHelper website provides a fantastic platform to review your finances. Answer a few questions and it will tell you what you need to focus on.
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