Household savings playbook

1. Energy usage before tariff

Find annual gas and electricity kWh first. Then compare rates.

Run energy calculator

2. Fixed tariff break-even

Fixing is about certainty as much as saving. Compare it to your own variable assumptions.

Compare fix

3. Economy 7 / EV fit

A cheap night rate only helps if enough usage moves overnight.

Check two-rate fit

4. Warm Home Discount route

Check Pension Credit, low-income benefits and supplier rules before winter.

Check support

5. Supplier help before arrears grow

Ofgem says suppliers must work with customers to agree affordable payment plans.

Open debt route

6. Broadband social tariff

Ofcom says social tariffs can be cheaper broadband/phone packages for eligible benefit claimants.

Open telecoms guide

7. Mobile text-to-switch

Text PAC to 65075 to keep a number, STAC to 75075 for a new one, or INFO to 85075 to check contract status.

Switch mobile

8. Insurance annual-payment check

Monthly insurance can include expensive credit. Compare total annual cost, not only the monthly amount.

Run renewal checklist

9. Water meter sanity check

A smaller household in a larger property may save with a meter, but high use can reverse it.

Check water meter

10. Water social tariff and WaterSure

Water support varies by supplier. Check CCW and your company before missing payments.

Open CCW help

11. Council Tax Reduction

GOV.UK says low-income households may qualify and bills can be reduced up to 100%, depending on local rules.

Check GOV.UK

12. Council tax single-person discount

A full bill assumes at least two adults. Single-person discount is normally 25% where eligible.

Find council route

13. Council tax band check

Check evidence carefully before challenging because bands can move up as well as down.

Challenge band

14. NHS prescription prepayment

NHSBSA says a PPC can save money if you need more than 3 items in 3 months or 11 in 12 months.

Check PPC

15. Subscription audit

Annualise the small things. A GBP 8.99 subscription is a GBP 108 annual decision.

Open bills audit

16. Bank switching with dates

Track direct debits, pay-ins and app-login requirements before chasing a bonus.

Track switch

17. Credit-card interest first

Saving 5% on shopping while paying 25% APR is backwards.

Clear card debt

18. Car finance total cost

PCP, HP, loan and lease can look similar monthly but very different over the full term.

Compare car finance

19. Emergency fund before fragile optimisation

A one-month buffer can stop a normal problem becoming expensive debt.

Build buffer

20. One monthly review date

Money saving fails when nobody owns the calendar. Pick one date and make it boring.

Use monthly checklist