SAVE £500 FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

With less than three months to go before Christmas – eek! – here are some easy ways to save for your presents and decorations, without resorting to the credit card

You probably had Y every intention of putting aside a little money each month to pay for Christmas since you received your credit card bill for the last one. But if that hasn’t happened, it’s not too late. We asked Rob Moore, aka The Disruptive Entrepreneur podcaster and author of Money, for his easy tips on ways to save £500 in time for 25 December.

REDUCE YOUR BILLS

“Just tiny tweaks to the way you use energy can add up to a big saving,” says Rob. Turning your thermostat down by one degree can save £75 a year; replacing your lightbulbs with energysaving LED ones can save £175, and using draft stoppers and chimney pillows to keep out cold air can save you £35 a year. SAVE: £72

FAKE YOUR TAKEAWAY COFFEE

The average Brit spends £2,110 a year in coffee shops, according to a recent survey. It’s a cliché, but giving up your takeaway coffees could boost your savings pot really quickly. “Preparing your lunches and coffees at home can save you a fortune,” says Rob. “Even if you’re just buying one £2 coffee every working day, skipping it adds up to over a hundred pounds by Christmas. Buy a bright reusable coffee cup and take it to work with you instead.” asda have pretty ones for £3, or Primark for £2.50. SAVE: £120

SWITCH YOUR BANK ACCOUNT

Many banks are offering incentives to customers to open an account with them. Open HSBC Advance Account (minimum pay in £1750/ month) and receive £200, or a regular HSBC Bank Account (minimum pay in £500/ month) and receive £75. Or open a Halifax Reward Account and receive £75, plus an extra £2 per month if you pay in £750 per month and have at least two direct debits. It sounds like hard work, but the bank does everything for you when you switch, so ask! “Do your research and find the best account for you,” advises Rob. EARN: £75

DITCH TOP-UP SHOPS

Most of us do one big weekly shop and then pop in twice or three times a week for some extra bits. “The top-up shop is meant to be for milk or broccoli to bulk out that evening’s dinner, but it also inevitably involves a couple of yellow-sticker bargains, some £1 sweets and a bottle of wine,” says Rob. “These shops can cost £10-15, twice a week. Weekly meal-planning can help a lot and will avoid you needing a top-up shop, as well as freezing things like milk and bread. But if you need top-ups, send someone else in with a list and tell them not to stray from it!” SAVE: £240

TOTAL SAVED IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS: £507

● For more savings, see p61