10 Money-Saving Tips to Beat the Cost of Living Crisis

10 Money-Saving Tips to Beat the Cost of Living Crisis

The phrase ‘cost of living crisis’ was supposed to describe a temporary event. Instead, it has become an everyday term as we experience persistent affordability issues. Inflation remained stubbornly high in 2025, not dropping below 3.4% (for reference, the Government target is 2%), and forecasts show it probably won’t reach the target any time in 2026.

If you’re feeling uncomfortably squeezed or have something to save for, we know every penny counts. These money-saving hacks will help when that lottery win isn’t forthcoming.  

1.     Automatically benefit from the cheapest energy tariffs: if your heart sinks every time you hear about the UK energy price cap (it’s rising again for the period between January and March 2026), it may be time to shop around. Getting the cheapest deals, however, requires some effort – unless you use a service like Switchd.co.uk. It automatically switches its customers to the best tariffs, no action required. Although there is a free plan, the best deals are reserved for customers who pay a small monthly membership fee – a cost that should be recouped via annual energy bill savings.

2.     Buy a dehumidifier and not a tumble dryer: losing the battle wet laundry? Why it’s tempting to purchase a tumble dryer, only the newest heat pump models will generally be cost effective to run. In fact, the Air Con Centre found a tumble dryer is 258% more expensive to run than a dehumidifier. Modern dehumidifiers often come with laundry settings and they have the added benefit of combating excess condensation and mould.

3.     Take a packed lunch: according to Dodd Wealthcare, buying lunch out every day could cost you £1,310 each year. You can drastically reduce this spend by preparing food at home. Cut costs even further – and be kinder to the environment – by wrapping items reusable food wrap. 

4.     Set up a side hustle: passive income is a no brainer, with options including renting an unused driveway or parking space, hiring out electrical goods and equipment or selling ‘create once’ digital goods, such as e-books. More active side hustles can include babysitting, dog walking, reselling items on Vinted or eBay and becoming a Viewber. Just be mindful of declaring your extra earnings to HMRC

5.     Become friends with a flask: ever sniffed at the advice of ‘stop buying take-out coffees to help save for a property deposit’? There just might be some truth in the guidance. Lumina Intelligence’s latest Menu Tracker data found the average price of a coffee has risen 17% since 2022, with 15% of UK adults purchasing a hot take-out coffee at least once a week. The cost? An average of £184.25 annually if you limit lattes to once a week but a whopping £1,293.31 if you have a daily habit. Why not fill a flask with a home-made coffee? The cost of buying an original Nespresso machine and making a daily coffee using third-party pods works out at £117.50 annually*.

6.     Focus on free days out: VisitBritain is an excellent resource when planning days out. We love its budget-friendly online guide for flagging up places with no admission fees. From cathedrals and museums to gardens and castles, there are plenty of places that won’t dent your wallet.

7.     Shop around for food and drink: Which?’s supermarket inflation tracker doesn’t make for happy reading, with fast-rising food and drink prices throughout 2025. If you want to keep your basket cost in check, head over to trolley.co.uk, where you can compare what the leading supermarkets are charging for your favourites. It’s great for high-ticket purchases, such as cleaning products, meat and alcohol.

8.     Volunteer at festivals: Camp Bestival? Tickets for weekend camping are in the region of £250. Reading and the Isle of Wight? Almost £300. Glastonbury? No change from £400. There is a work-around – volunteering. Festaff matches volunteers with more than 40 UK festivals. In exchange for a minimum number of shifts, typically stewarding, admission management or litter picking, volunteers get free festival passes and plenty of down time. Applications open on 30th January 2026.

9.     Forage for flowers: love flowers but hate spending at least £30 for a decent bouquet? A cheaper alternative is to use what’s around you. Your garden, if you have one, is your first port of call, or take a pair of snips and head for common land. Foliage and grasses can be as impactful as flowers but avoid picking anything on popular dog-walking routes that’s below knee height. Be judicious when cutting (leave plenty for nature), never pick from private land, and avoid protected species, like bluebells.
10. Use recycled glass for vases: if you’re foraging to make your own flower displays, you’ll need a vessel in which to display them. Save money by reusing jam and sauce jars or keep the glass bottles from reed diffusers and wash out thoroughly before use. 

Viewber is a supplier of third-party services to the property industry. We focus on reducing fixed overheads and delivering budget-conscious solutions to estate and letting agents, property managers, social landlords and property auction houses. Contact us and discover how much money you could save partnering with Viewber. 

*Figures from the Daily Mail