Become a savvy saver

Become a savvy saver

Know the savings tips and tools to help you save.

Become a savvy saver

Jump to:

How to save more

Ways to slash your spending

Have a go at a savings challenge

The two golden rules

Savings calculator

With our savings calculator you can find out how much you need to put away each month to reach your savings target or calculate the future value of your savings. You can also work out how long it will take you to hit your goal. 

How to save more

Start small, save big

Save little and often. Standing orders are a great way to help you do this. Set one up on the day you get paid to go into your savings account.

Pocket the change

Instead of spending your change, save it. If you saved a pound everyday, you'd have £365 after a year.

You can turn on Save the Change® to save your change automatically.

Give the gift of saving

Reduce the stress and expense of events like Christmas by reviewing your gift list. Perhaps try a gift exchange, donate to charity or agree to save what you would have spent on each other.

Work out your budget in half an hour

Review your incomings and outgoings. Half an hour could be all you need to sort out exactly what is coming into and going out of your bank account each month.

Pay it off, then save it

If you have any borrowing that is coming to an end, you could continue to send the same payment into a monthly savings pot. You'll be paying yourself each month, instead of someone else.

Plan your meals for the week

Plan your meals ahead. It sounds simple, but when you know exactly what ingredients you need for the week ahead you're on the right track to both reduce food waste and save money.

Ways to slash your spending

Set your phone free

If your phone is included in your contract that means you've paid it off when the contract ends. At this point, switching to a SIM-only contract could save you money. Try a price comparison website or contact your provider.

Haggle and switch

Comparing deals on your household bills and switching could save you money. Use a price comparison website or contact your existing provider - and don't be afraid to haggle based on what you find.

Share the offers, split the costs

If there are multiple people in your household with music streaming subscriptions, you could make use of a family package. Sign up together and save.

Turn spending into saving

Loyalty schemes and cashback offers are easy ways to save as you spend. Use cashback to get money back on purchases, or a loyalty card that accrues points as you spend.

Have a go at a savings challenge

The £10 challenge

How easy is it to spend £10? Set up a standing order to your savings account for £10 a week and you'll have £520 after a year.

Swap a habit to save over £1,000 a year

A takeaway and a bottle of wine can easily come in at £20 a week. But swap out the habit and send it into a savings account, and you'll have made £1,040 in one year.

Give it 24 hours

Dedicate a 24-hour, no spend rule on purchases. Instead of clicking 'Buy now', wait a day and see if you still want to go ahead. You might find you save on unnecessary splurges.

Try a no-spend week

Try a day a week with no spending at all. This can be as simple as staying off your devices and reigning in on those online purchases. Or plan out activities and treats that are completely free.

Get specific and set a goal

Size doesn't matter. You could be saving for a house deposit or a house plant, but when you have a goal in sight it's easier to get into a saving mindset.

With Halifax you can separate your goals into different accounts and rename your accounts to help keep track of them.

Set yourself a spending limit

A realistic limit can help you stay aware of your spending. So set yourself a spending limit - per day, per week or per month - and stick to it.

Golden rules

Create an emergency cash pot

Aim to save the equivalent of three months' salary and put it aside for emergencies and rainy days.

The 50-30-20 rule

Split your monthly pay. Allocate 50% to your essentials, like bills, mortgage or rent. Send 30% to a savings account, and the final 20% is for the fun stuff.

Face-to-face help

If you'd like to talk through your finances, you can book a personal review in branch to check you're making the most of your money.

Book a personal review

The prize draw for savers

With more than 1,600 prizes in every monthly draw, saving could reward you with more than just interest.

Savers Prize Draw

More savings wisdom

7 steps to getting bills under control

Weird and wonderful ways to cut expenses

5 tips for getting to grips with your finances

See all savings articles