Never got any spare cash? iVillagers share their money saving ideas - just watch those pennies turn into pounds!

Save direct
If your wage is paid directly into your bank account you could save money each month by setting up a weekly or monthly standing order from your current account into a building society account. This way the money comes out the day you are paid, so you soon get used to the money not being there. You'd be surprised how it adds up!
ivykaty44

Keep a spend diary
Write down every single penny you spend for about two months. You'll be shocked at how much money you waste. I was spending over £100 a week buying lunch, take-aways, eating out, and buying magazines. I now make my own sandwiches for work, eat out OR have a takeaway once a week as a treat, and instead of buying magazines, I get books from the library.
littlerio

Set a weekly cash budget
The best thing I find is dividing your spending money (the money you have left after putting money aside for all the bills, rent, car insurance etc) into four and then withdrawing only that amount to spend each week.

It's tough - especially when you get to the end of the week and you're struggling but it works. I also put small change into a pot and then use the coins to buy £5 phone cards for my mobile. Pay as you go phones work out cheaper because you're aware of how much time you're spending on the phone so you tend to talk less!
tiny1977

Only use cash
Always use cash, then you know exactly where your money has gone. Also, it's much harder to part with your hard-earned cash than it is to sign your name on a slip of paper (or type in your PIN).

And, if you want to have a splurge on something, wait a week before you buy and see if you still really want it!
manf78

Walk off your debt
I avoid going into the city centre or expensive department stores so I'm not tempted to make impulse purchases. I also walk into university instead of getting a bus even though it's a 50 minute walk. Since I've been doing it, all my friends have said I've lost quite a bit of weight so it's an added bonus.

Instead of buying magazines, I read the gossip columns on the internet (eg www.mirror.co.uk). If you spend up to £5 a month on magazines you're saving yourself up to £60 a year, so it's worth it!
cosmo_angelina

Freeze your assets
If you have a freezer walk around the supermarket and buy freezeable food on 'reduced to clear' price. If you use/freeze straight away you can save loads of money, especially on meat. I've also found that if I make sandwiches for my husband with granary bread it is more filling, so reduces the need to take extras in his packed lunch. Apparently, each slice of granary is roughly equivalent to one and a half of white and one and a quarter of brown bread!
fiona881

Stick to the list
Use a shopping list and a menu plan and stick to it - then you won't spend out on expensive ready meals or food you end up chucking away.
manf78

Look after the pennies
Empty your purse/wallet every night and put all your coppers and five pences into a jar.
littlerio