6 WAYS TO FIND A BIT OF CASH TO PUT AWAY

YOU might think you don’t have a spare penny to put away. But here are some simple, tried-and-tested changes to your normal spending habits that could help you to free up a bit of cash to save.

1 Make your own packed lunch Rather than shelling out for expensive shop-bought sandwiches, get into the habit of making your own. Even if you only do this a couple of days each week, you can easily save £6 per week. By Christmas you’ll have £90.

2 Cut out two cigarettes a day Give them up completely and you’ll be much wealthier – and healthier. But even just having two fewer per day will save you a chunk of cash. By Christmas you’ll have £110 (based on £10.80 per 20).

3 Give up three shopbought coffees a week You can still have one on Monday to kickstart your week and one as a treat to celebrate the end of the week on Friday. But giving up three midweek will kickstart your Christmas fund. By Christmas you’ll have £90 (based on £2 per cup).

4 Cut back on takeaways Have them as an occasional treat rather than every weekend. Giving up two a month, at £20 a pop, could put more than £100 into your festive fund. By Christmas you’ll have £150.

5 Don’t impulse buy at the corner shop Plan your food shopping and go to the supermarket just once each week – and don’t forget to use your food in the freezer. Many

people use it more as a store cupboard and forget what they’ve actually got in there. You could easily save between £10 and £30 per week by doing this – plus you won’t end up throwing half as much food in the bin. By Christmas you’ll have £150–£450.

6 Have a ‘no spend’ day Try to have a no spend day each week, where you don’t spend a penny. It’s a great way to use up the food in your fridge and freezer and cupboards. And it will let you see how much you fritter away on impulse spends duing your lunch break or the journey to work. By Christm saved £30