24 Quickest Ways To Cut Expenses & Save More Money For Travel 2026
If you want to travel more in 2026, it’s not only inspiration and itineraries you need but the budget to get there too. Which is why in this blog I’m sharing my tried and tested tips to help you save over £4,000 to fund your travels quickly and easily.
I also know that saving money for travel is often a marathon, not a sprint and just cutting out all fun things and treats won’t work. You’ll resent the process and probably splurge on items just to feel like you can. So you won’t find me advising you to never buy a coffee out again or never going for a meal with your friends. It’s spending in moderation and cutting costs from the boring things as much as possible!
After all, no one wants to live like a hermit just to be able to start enjoying life again when you travel! So read on to discover all my tips and ways I was able to save thousands to travel for nine months. Let’s dive in…
1. Track your spending for quick wins
First things first, in order to save more money, you need to know where you’re spending it in the first place. When you know what you’re biggest expenses are, you can quickly see ways to cut them down.
Now to get this insight you can either do it the manual way and create a spreadsheet with all of your spending. But realistically, who has the time or patience for that? Certainly not me! 😂 But thankfully, many banks offer this information in your online account or app. So if you do have an account with Monzo, Starling or another bank that collates your spending into categories, head there first.
You’ll soon see if it’s groceries, eating out and entertainment or transport for example that’s taking up your potential savings. With this in mind, you can work through the next steps and choose the ones that are most relevant to you.
2. Review your subscriptions
While you’re reviewing your current spending, take a look at your direct debits and standing orders. Often we end up with subscriptions to services that we might not even be using or wanting anymore. From TV packages and Microsoft Office licenses, that’s potential travel money coming out of your account every single month.
I did this and realised I should probably cut my National Geographic subscription as while I love what they do, I already have a backlog of many months of magazines I haven’t read yet (and definitely won’t while I’m travelling). So I put that subscription on pause which is another great option if you don’t want to fully cancel. Many companies will allow you to skip months or pause your account rather than cancel.
When it comes to Microsoft fees, if like me you were paying for an Office license, see if you can share the cost with another family member, your partner or a friend. My husband and I now share ours which cuts another £6 every month which in some places is the cost of a night in a hostel.
When it comes to iCloud storage fees, can you streamline your files and photos so you don’t need so much? Again, I have so many photos on my phone and end up taking thousands more while travelling so why not use this time to delete the duplicates, all the screenshots and photos you don’t even like.
Another subscription that can be a bit tricky is the gym…
Average saved per year: £60 to £1000+ (depending on how much you can cut)
3. Quit your gym membership (exercising outside is free!)
If you genuinely regularly go to the gym and find it beneficial for your physical and mental health then don’t feel like you have to end your membership just to cut costs. Saving for travel is a marathon not a sprint and if you feel like you have no life for the next few months, you’re going to resent it.
But if like me, you were kidding yourself that you were using the gym and in fact maybe going once every two weeks then it’s just not worth the £30+ you’re paying each month. Instead, if you do want to exercise there are so many incredible ways to move without spending anything. You could just go for a lovely long walk, join a free local run club, do a home workout following a YouTube video, buy some second hand weights on Facebook Marketplace to do your own routines, go for a bike ride and so much more.
So use this as your time to get creative and try something new while also saving a pretty decent chunk of money right away!
Average saved per year: £360 (based on £30/month membership)
4. Cut your phone bill
Another chunky monthly bill can be your phone. Of course if you’re locked into a contract then you can’t really bring that cost down yet. But if you do own your phone then look at your SIM deal and see if you can move or negotiate it down.
I’ve found SIM only deals with great data and minutes for as little as £2 per month so if you can, it really pays to shop around. Likewise, if you’re in the market for a new phone, consider buying a refurbished handset outright. Not only will you save money on it in the long run but it’s also better for the environment. I have a refurbished iPhone 14 Pro and it looks brand new and I’m free to pop my £5 a month SIM card in.
You can find the best SIM only deals on sites like Uswitch here.
Average saved per year: £264 (based on average UK phone contract cost of £27/month)
5. Save on energy by bundling your bills with a multi-service utility provider
The same can be said for your utilities. We all know energy prices are pretty crazy right now, especially for Brits like me but there are still some savings to be had. Whether it’s getting a smart meter to help you cut down on your energy usage or swapping to a new provider with a better deal. You can find the cheapest UK providers on sites like Uswitch.
Another good way to save is by moving to a multi-service provider like Utility Warehouse. They bundle utilities together to bring the overall cost down, make managing your bills easier and offer cash back rewards.
Average saved per year: £300 (as per Utility Warehouse data)
6. Open a high interest savings account
But it’s not all about what you can cut. Saving is also about making more from the money you already have. The absolute easiest way to do this is to open a high interest savings account. Of course, the higher the return the higher the risk and as you’ll need to access this money pretty soon, you’ll probably need to choose an open-access savings account with your bank.
I created mine in my Monzo account with just a couple of clicks but most banks offer something similar. Then whenever possible, I put more spare cash in there and can track the interest I’m making. In the UK this currently sits at around 4% which means even if you only have around £1,000 in there, over the course of the year you’ll make £40. That’s £40 for doing absolutely nothing, the best kind of money in my opinion! 😂
And of course that’s just the start, the more money you can put in the account, the more interest you’ll generate. If you can get up to £2000 that’s £80 in interest, £3000 is £120 and £5000 is £200. So it’s very much worth doing!
7. Round up the change on purchases to your savings account
To help you grow that savings pot even quicker, opt to round up the cost of your purchases and put the change in your savings account. Again Monzo gives you the option to do this automatically which I always have switched on. But many banks offer a similar option and you’ll soon find the small change you’re adding grows quickly.
Again, the best part being it happens without you even having to do anything or realising! We love low-effort solutions 🙌
8. Make your own packed lunches
Now, back to savings, lunch is a big one. Whether you buy lunch at work or are often tempted to grab a quick lunch out at the weekend, it can really add up. Even supermarket meal deals are closer to £5 or £6 for seriously average food and over the course of a month that can add up to £100 per month which would go a hell of a lot further in South America, South East Asia and part of Europe.
So even if it’s a couple of times a week or one weekend a month, try to make your own packed lunch to save a chunk of potential travel money. Plus, packed lunches don’t have to be boring or a hassle – just think about what’s stopping you most from doing it.
Is it a lack of decent tupperware that doesn’t spill in your bag? Is it a lack of time in the mornings? Or is it a lack of ideas for lunches you actually want to eat? If it’s tupperware then it’s worth investing in a decent lunchbox that you’ll actually use and save money over time. If it’s a lack of time in the mornings then try meal prepping on a Sunday. If it’s ideas you’re short on then find some fun options on Instagram or Pinterest for inspiration.
Average saved per year: £520 (based on getting a £5 lunch twice per week)
9. Buy necessities in bulk
When I say ‘buy in bulk’ that doesn’t mean you have to run to get a Costco card. There are lots of little ways you can make savings by buying a bigger pack of something or opting for refills. The bonus is this is often better for the environment too!
For instance, things I always buy in bulk are shampoo and shower gel. You can bring the cost of both down when you buy bigger bottles and then use them to refill non-plastic bottles that live in your shower. The same goes for toilet rolls, grains, toothpaste and more.
Just look for the per 100ml or per 100g cost breakdown when you’re at the supermarket or when buying food and toiletries online.
10. Get creative with free date nights and activities with friends
Another big expense for a lot of us is weekends with friends or date nights with your partner. As you want it to feel special, it’s easy to get carried away with activities and spending. Even just going for a meal and a couple of drinks can easy cost close to £100 so it’s a key category to contain if you want to have enough money for longer-term travel.
But just because you’re not spending as much money, doesn’t mean you can’t still have amazing quality time with your loved ones or that it can’t be just as special. In fact it can often force you to get more creative. Some ideas I love for activities with friends are movie nights (buy a bag of popcorn kernels for the best value + add your own toppings), simple dinner parties (you can find so many hosting ideas that are way cheaper than restaurant food), hiking days (just bring a packed lunch and a beer to drink at the top or at the end) and games nights (ask everyone to bring a game they already own and just put some nibbles out).
For date nights, you could use all of the above as well as camping out somewhere, having a campfire, enjoying a sunset picnic (again just pack your own dinner and head somewhere with a great view).
Average saved per year: £1,200+ (based on spending £100 per month on dinner, drinks and entertainment out)
11. Walk or cycle whenever possible
In most cases, the other major cost that you’ll identify when looking at your spending is transport. Whether that’s running your car or paying for public transport – petrol, parking, tickets and more add up to a chunk of monthly spending.
The best way to start bringing that down is to swap shorter journeys for walking or cycling. Of course for longer journeys it’s just not practical but those short trips to the shop or to meet friends you could cycle pretty quickly. Of course the bonus is it’s also better for the environment and you’re getting movement in (especially if you’ve cut that gym membership already!).
If you don’t already have a bike, you can often find pretty cheap ones on Facebook Marketplace or see if you can borrow a friend or family member’s if they’re not using it. I know my family have multiple bikes just sitting in the shed!
If you have a long commute and can’t really get by without a car, see if you can lift share. This way you’ll still be cutting down on petrol costs.
Average saved per year: £240 (based on £20 worth of public transport use each month)
12. Use TooGoodToGo for discounted restaurant and café food
If you’re really craving a freshly baked pastry or your favourite café’s sandwiches, you don’t have to go cold turkey to save money. You can still treat yourself and cut the cost. Have you heard of TooGoodToGo? It’s going to be your new best friend.
Essentially they provide a platform that cafés, bakeries and some restaurants can use to advertise fresh food left over from that day that would otherwise go to waste. It’s an incredible app connecting people with affordable treats and tackling food waste at the same time. So download the app and have a look what’s available near you. Of course you’ll still have to pay for the food but it’s usually at a severely discounted rate and often you’ll get much larger quantities than you normally would.
I’ve also used this while travelling as they operate all over Europe. So it’s a great app to have ready to go! We’ve enjoyed whole bags of sandwiches before and enough bread to feed us two breakfasts for a couple of euros.
13. Make your own coffee at home
Another money sink I’ve been guilty of in the past is buying coffee out. We all love heading to a coffee shop to enjoy a barista quality coffee but at £4 a cup it’s an expensive treat. Like I said, saving for travel shouldn’t feel like you’re completely restricted – a coffee out a couple of times a month isn’t going to ruin your plans. But if you’re currently enjoying a café bought coffee multiple times a week, it’s going to take you a lot longer to save.
Instead, why not buy a great quality bag of coffee that you love and then make your coffee at home. Yes the coffee may be more expensive than the instant you normally buy but if it means you’ll actually stick to making coffee at home it’s worth it. Just think, sometimes a single investment helps you save more in the long term!
Average saved per year: £416 (based on 2 coffees per week @ £4 each)
14. Swap book shopping for a library card
If you’re an avid reader like me, you might also find yourself drawn to bookshops which can be dangerous for your budget. Which is why to carry on reading just as much but without the cost, I registered for a library card. Now I treat going to the library as my own little self-care time browsing the shelves and feel ultimate satisfaction taking them home for free!
If you don’t have a library that’s convenient to you, I’d also recommend Kindle books. They have regular deals where popular publications are only 99p so compared to the price of a paperback that’s still quite a saving!
Average saved per year: £240 (based on buying 2 books @ £10 each per month)
15. Rent event or special occasion outfits
Got a wedding coming up and nothing to wear? Instead of buying a brand new outfit, look into renting something. Companies like By Rotation and Hurr in the UK and Nuuly and Rent The Runway in the US offer easy hassle-free rentals from occasion wear to everyday clothing.
That way you’ll always have something new to wear without harming your wallet (or the environment!).
16. Sell your unused stuff
While you can save money on clothes, you can also make money on them too. Lots of these rental companies let you rent your own clothes out for a profit or you can sell your unwanted clothing on eBay, Vinted or Depop. I’ve made hundreds of pounds selling clothing on eBay from shoes and bags to t-shirts and coats and everything in-between.
It’s a great way to make an extra £100 per month if you can keep selling a few items. Just take the time to go through your wardrobe and collect up the bits you don’t need and get listing! It’s a little upfront effort for the sweet reward when that money pays for a paragliding trip over the Ecuadorian jungle!
17. Cut down on alcohol
While the cost of a single beer might be pretty low, over the course of a night out or meal with friends it can really add up. So why not set yourself the challenge of having an alcohol free month or couple of weeks for your budget and your health.
There are so many non-alcoholic alternatives now that still give you the special drink feeling without the price tag or the hangover. Again this doesn’t have to mean becoming fully teetotal, just where you can swap that bottle of wine for a kombucha or a juice.
Average saved per year: £520 (based on buying one £10 drink per week)
18. Use discount codes (they’re easier to find than you think!)
Whenever you’re going to checkout online, take a minute to do a quick search for a discount code. You’d be surprised just how many times you can find one for all kinds of products and companies. Here’s where to look…
- Email subscription offers: to lure you into signing up for their mailing list, many companies offer an introductory 10% off or similar. If this doesn’t immediately pop up when you’re browsing, search in the website footer or on their blog page and you’ll generally find one.
- Google: if in doubt, simply type the company name in and ‘discount codes’ and you’ll find dedicated websites that pool discounts. You may have to try a couple of codes before you find one that works and is still valid but it’s worth doing!
- Add a discount finder browser extension: to make finding codes even easier, get a browser extension like Honey that automatically finds and applies discounts for you. They’re completely free to use too!
If you’re saving an average of 10% on everything you buy, that really does add up quick over the course of a year!
19. Shop for clothing on eBay, Vinted or Depop
Shopping for clothes? Again if you can’t rent what you need, try buying secondhand. Sites like eBay, Vinted and Depop help users find exactly what they’re looking for (often brand new) for a fraction of the cost. I’ve bought lots of clothes on eBay in the past and found it’s a great way to save.
Just be sure to check the reviews and look for items with clear photos before you commit to avoid any surprises!
20. Carry a reusable water bottle
In countries where tap water is readily available and safe, there is no reason to ever buy bottled water. Why would you pay for something you can enjoy for free and without the plastic!
Just make sure you have a reusable water bottle with you – or reuse a plastic bottle if you’re in a pinch. Many countries have free water fountains like Italy and Slovenia or have rules that require companies to fill up water bottles with drinking water for free in the UK and USA.
Average saved per year: £156 (based on buying one £3 bottle of water each week)
21. Make your own cleaning supplies
Now I’m not saying you need to become a chemist but there are easy ways to clean your home without buying expensive brand name products. From vinegar and salt to lemon and bicarbonate of soda, there are plenty of cheap, readily available and non-toxic things you can use to clean everywhere from your bedroom to your bathroom. You can find some great DIY cleaning hacks I love here.
I also make use of old t-shirts and socks for cleaning rags. Especially if they have holes in or stains that won’t come out and therefore can’t be donated, I cut them up into squares to use around the house. So goodbye to buying additional plastic dusters and polishers!
22. Make your own gifts & greeting cards
Another great money-saving DIY is to make your own cards and gifts. Not only is this more cost effective but it’s more thoughtful, more fun and better for the environment too. So with all those benefits, it’s a no-brainer!
There are so many craft ideas on Instagram, Pinterest and blogs that you’ll be able to find something to make for that special someone. Homemade things I’ve gifted in the past include framed photos (with a cheap frame that I’ve up-cycled), homemade jam and biscuits, scrapbooks of photos, custom felt Christmas decorations and baubles, paintings and more. But by no means do you need to be a professional chef or an artist to make great gifts. Just give it a go and have fun in the process – that’ll shine through more!
23. Batch cook to save on food waste
As we discussed with lunch earlier in this blog, if like me you find yourself with random vegetables or an odd chicken breast in your fridge that’s past it’s best then you’d benefit from meal prepping. But don’t fear, I don’t necessarily mean cooking every single meal you’ll want for the week in one go. I’m not a sadist… 😂 Of course you could do that and feel so smug but I think it’s just not realistic or enjoyable.
Instead I’d recommend cooking meals that can feed you at least twice. Think bigger portions of spaghetti bolognese, a pan of chilli con carne, a large chicken and leek pie etc. These meals don’t take that long to cook and generally include pretty cheap ingredients. Just up the size to feed you for more days and avoid shelling out for more produce and groceries.
24. Use comparison sites to find better insurance deals
Last but by no means least, if you currently pay for any kind of insurance – car, home, contents, pet, life or travel you should regularly check if you can get a better deal. It’s easy to let your current insurance auto-renew but generally if you contact them to see if they can offer a better deal you’ll get an improved rate. You can also use comparison sites like Uswitch, MoneySupermarket or CompareTheMarket to find the best insurance packages that often save you hundreds of pounds over the year.
There we have it – those are my tried and tested tips and tricks to help you save more money quickly and easily so you can travel for longer. Just with the savings we’ve plotted, you could be adding as much as £4216 to your travel budget. That’s enough to travel for up to four months in cheaper parts of the world. An incredible saving without cutting out all the little luxuries!
Do you have any tips to add? Let me know in the comments below!
Did you find this guide helpful? Please consider buying me a coffee to support my blog, thank you!
