How Do People save Money

If you type saving money into the search section on chat there are loads of threads which will give you tons of advice.

I use my loyalty cards to build up points and then use the vouchers to save money. I use nectar canvas for nectar points, which goes towards food shop. I only buy clothes and shoes in the sale or second hand and even then question how much I need it or how much I will wear it. If I get any holes in clothes and they can be fixed then I sow them up and get more wear out of them. Also buy things second hand and sell things that you no longer need to get some money back for them. I don't buy any branded products, always value or supermarket own. We switch electric and gas company each year and switch house and car insurance each year too. Meal planning so I only buy the food we need and nothing gets wasted. Yellow stickers, but only on items we will actually use or that last. Bulk buy items if you can as it works out cheaper. In the winter after cooking, leave the oven door open as it will help to heat the kitchen without having to put the heating on. Use half the amount of laundry detergent, when you can't squeeze anymore out of a packet (like toothpaste) cut the end off, you will be able to get more out of it, buy mens razors as they are cheaper and you can make them sharp again by running them over jeans so they last longer. If you are going out somewhere on a day trip, take food with you so you don't have to buy lunch. Buy Christmas/birthday presents in the sales throughout the year. This one isn't guaranteed obviously, but I enter competitions and that saves me money as I haven't had to buy skincare/laundry detergent/make up for years and I have been able to use some of them as presents for people. Product testing is good too Batch cook and freeze food, also items like bread can be frozen, so we buy yellow sticker bread and freeze it and just defrost when needed. Always ask yourself do I really need it when buying something.

I stay in bed under the covers no phone only music, then I see all the deals I have missed and kick myself trying to save for a surprise birthday party at minute

This is going to sound very over the top but it works for me. I have a spreadsheet that I update daily. Keeps track of bank accounts, savings accounts and I make adjustments ahead of time when I have something extra to pay for such as holidays/Christmas/birthdays/car services etc. I usually keep it 2-3 months ahead of where we are so that I know where the extra cash is etc. I’ve managed to save well I think considering it’s just me and 2 young kids (oh and the Oscar the cat). I also have a spreadsheet for the different food shops and check what’s on offer every week etc so that we can keep food costs down as well.