10 Clever Tricks to Keep Spending Under Control This Month

Everyday costs can spiral quickly. Without keeping an eye on outgoings, it’s easy to reach the end of the month wondering where all your money went. Supermarkets, online shopping, subscriptions, and travel all add up faster than expected.

Staying in control of your spending doesn’t require dramatic changes. With a few consistent habits and a sharper focus, you can stretch your budget without sacrificing too much of what you enjoy.

Here are ten practical ways to help you stay on top of your spending.

Track Every Pound

Seeing where your money goes makes a difference. Use a notebook, spreadsheet, or one of the many free budgeting apps available. Write down or log every transaction, even small ones like coffee or snacks.

After a week or two, patterns start to show. Spending £3 daily on lunch doesn’t sound like much until it totals £60 a month. Identifying these regular expenses gives you something to adjust rather than guesswork.

Explore Supportive Borrowing Options

There are times when monthly income doesn’t stretch far enough; a boiler breaks, or an urgent car repair pops up. When savings can’t cover it, responsible borrowing might help get through the gap without making things worse.

Options like short-term loans provide flexibility when used with care. Providers such as Sunny offer a way to borrow smaller amounts for shorter periods, helping to manage emergency costs. It’s important to borrow within your means and read all terms before committing. Responsible borrowing is about covering needs, not wants, and paying it back on time.

Stick to Cash for Daily Expenses

Contactless payments are quick, but they make it harder to see what’s being spent. Switching to cash for day-to-day spending helps set clearer limits.

Withdraw a set amount at the start of each week. Use it for lunch, coffee, or snacks. Once it’s gone, hold off until next week. This creates a buffer against overspending and makes you think twice before buying extras. It also stops drip-feed spending, which adds up over time. Small amounts matter.

Cut Out Small Subscription Traps

Subscriptions often slip under the radar. Streaming services, app upgrades, and fitness plans all renew automatically and are easy to forget.

Go through your bank statements from the past month. List all recurring charges. Ask yourself which ones are used often enough to keep.

Cancelling even one or two services can free up money for savings or more essential expenses. Some providers offer discounts when you try to leave, but don’t keep something just because it’s cheaper. Keep what brings real value and let go of the rest.

Plan Weekly Meals and Grocery Lists

Food shopping without a plan leads to waste. It’s easy to grab ingredients for meals you never cook or buy double what’s already at home.

Choose your meals for the week, write a list, and stick to it at the shop. Planning around what’s already in the cupboard or fridge helps avoid duplication. Batch-cooking meals also reduces the need for pricey takeaways later in the week. Keeping meals simple and shopping with a plan saves time and money - two things nobody wants to waste!

Use Discount and Cashback Tools

Loyalty schemes, discount codes, and cashback apps are widely available and worth using. Many retailers offer points for regular purchases or money off your next shop.

Install a cashback browser extension or download a cashback app before making online purchases. It takes seconds and can build up over time, especially for larger purchases.

Sign up for supermarket apps to collect digital coupons. Checking these before your shop helps you spot current offers and adjust your list if something you need is discounted.

Sleep on Non-Essential Purchases

Buying something on impulse often leads to regret. Pausing before making a purchase gives you time to decide if it’s genuinely needed or just a passing want.

Leave the item in your basket for 24 hours. After the wait, see if you still want it. If yes, and it fits your budget, go ahead. If not, move on. This small habit can cut down on emotional or unnecessary spending. It also helps you stay in control rather than letting ads or mood dictate your wallet.

Automate Transfers into Savings

Setting up a standing order into your savings account creates consistency. Pick a small amount, even £10 a week, and schedule it for the same day you get paid.

Once the money’s out of your current account, you’re less likely to spend it. Over time, these regular savings grow without requiring extra effort.

Some banks offer tools that round up purchases and put the difference into savings. These tools help build a buffer without needing to think about it.

Set a Weekly Spending Challenge

Turn saving into a habit by giving yourself a spending limit. For example, decide you’ll keep all spending outside of rent and bills below £100 for the week.

You can break this down however it suits, maybe £20 per day or a few no-spend days mixed with a higher budget on others. Make it realistic so that you’re motivated to stick with it.

If you beat your goal, transfer the extra into savings or use it for something you’ve been planning. It’s a simple way to stay focused and motivated.

Choose Free Alternatives for Fun

Enjoying yourself doesn’t have to cost much. Free options exist if you look in the right places.

Check your local council’s website for events like outdoor cinemas, art trails, or public markets. Libraries often offer free classes or groups. Some streaming platforms offer free trial periods, you just have to remember to cancel before the deadline if you don’t want to continue.

Socialising doesn’t always have to mean spending. Try hosting a dinner with friends where everyone brings a dish, or doing a film night at home with snacks already in the cupboard.

Keep It Going With Small Wins

Cutting back doesn’t mean missing out. Small, consistent changes can help you regain control without making big sacrifices.

Track your habits, challenge yourself weekly, and choose support when needed. Even one or two adjustments from this list can make a noticeable difference. Build from there.

The trick is staying aware. Once spending feels more manageable, money stops being a source of stress and starts working for you.