Brits are planning to make money go further in 2024 by cooking at home instead of going out, closely monitoring energy use - and freezing left over food.
A study, of 2,000 adults, found 32 per cent plan to buy things from different supermarkets to make sure they are getting the lowest price and a quarter will be shopping for second hand items in the upcoming year.
Others will be learning about investing, trying to find the best interest rates and asking friends and family for energy saving tips.
More than nine in 10 (91 per cent) see the importance of keeping an eye on energy use when trying to save money, so that they know they will have an accurate bill (45 per cent).
And 41 per cent said that knowing how much they use helps them stick to their budgets.
A spokesperson for Smart Energy GB, which commissioned the study, said: “The beginning of a new year can be a good time to make a lifestyle change, like saving money by home cooking and shopping around to get the cheapest prices.
“It’s great to see so many people recognise how helpful it can be to track energy use when trying to make money go further.
“One of the best ways to do this is to request a smart meter installation from your energy supplier.
"They bring particular benefits for those currently on analogue prepay meters, allowing you to track your remaining credit, and top up online.”
Although 42 per cent think January is the best time to set new savings goals, 81 per cent believe it’s hard to make their money go further in Britain right now.
This is because everything is so expensive (73 per cent) and it is hard to budget when prices of essentials keep changing (57 per cent).
The supermarket shop and energy use are the key areas Brits are most likely to carefully budget for - with 87 per cent claiming to be good at sticking to their goals.
However, these areas also topped the list of the things which are hardest to cut back on.
Treats, social life and clothing are deemed the easiest to budget for, according to the stats by OnePoll.
National Energy Action chief executive Adam Scorer added: “Smart prepayment can be a game changer for those using an analogue prepayment meter.
"It enables suppliers to provide easier and faster access to emergency credit and for customers to switch from prepayment to credit if they can.”
THE TOP WAYS BRITS PLAN TO MAKE THEIR MONEY GO FURTHER IN 2024
1. Cooking at home instead of going out
2. Closely monitoring energy use
3. Freezing excess food to eat another day
4. Buying things from different supermarkets to make sure you get the lowest price
5. Selling things online that you don’t use anymore
6. Cancelling unwanted subscriptions
7. Trying to find the best interest rates
8. Shopping for secondhand items
9. Taking shorter showers
10. Bringing packed lunches from home
A study, of 2,000 adults, found 32 per cent plan to buy things from different supermarkets to make sure they are getting the lowest price and a quarter will be shopping for second hand items in the upcoming year.
Others will be learning about investing, trying to find the best interest rates and asking friends and family for energy saving tips.
More than nine in 10 (91 per cent) see the importance of keeping an eye on energy use when trying to save money, so that they know they will have an accurate bill (45 per cent).
And 41 per cent said that knowing how much they use helps them stick to their budgets.
A spokesperson for Smart Energy GB, which commissioned the study, said: “The beginning of a new year can be a good time to make a lifestyle change, like saving money by home cooking and shopping around to get the cheapest prices.
“It’s great to see so many people recognise how helpful it can be to track energy use when trying to make money go further.
“One of the best ways to do this is to request a smart meter installation from your energy supplier.
"They bring particular benefits for those currently on analogue prepay meters, allowing you to track your remaining credit, and top up online.”
Although 42 per cent think January is the best time to set new savings goals, 81 per cent believe it’s hard to make their money go further in Britain right now.
This is because everything is so expensive (73 per cent) and it is hard to budget when prices of essentials keep changing (57 per cent).
The supermarket shop and energy use are the key areas Brits are most likely to carefully budget for - with 87 per cent claiming to be good at sticking to their goals.
However, these areas also topped the list of the things which are hardest to cut back on.
Treats, social life and clothing are deemed the easiest to budget for, according to the stats by OnePoll.
National Energy Action chief executive Adam Scorer added: “Smart prepayment can be a game changer for those using an analogue prepayment meter.
"It enables suppliers to provide easier and faster access to emergency credit and for customers to switch from prepayment to credit if they can.”
THE TOP WAYS BRITS PLAN TO MAKE THEIR MONEY GO FURTHER IN 2024
1. Cooking at home instead of going out
2. Closely monitoring energy use
3. Freezing excess food to eat another day
4. Buying things from different supermarkets to make sure you get the lowest price
5. Selling things online that you don’t use anymore
6. Cancelling unwanted subscriptions
7. Trying to find the best interest rates
8. Shopping for secondhand items
9. Taking shorter showers
10. Bringing packed lunches from home
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FunTranscript
00:00 Because of the cost of living crisis right now, making money go further is really important,
00:03 with gas, electric, food.
00:05 The changes I've made over the past year to make my money go further,
00:12 using the tumble dryer a lot less, when we leave for school and work in the morning,
00:16 make sure everything's switched off, making sure consoles are switched off of an evening.
00:20 No, the children are not doing it as well, but eventually I'm sure it will sink in.
00:24 Upgrading to the smart prepaid meter, I've got the app on my phone,
00:29 so if I'm not in the home I can check how much money I've got left on the meters, gas and electric.
00:34 If I need to top up, I've got access to both gas and electric cards on my phone,
00:38 so I can just top up and not worry about ever running out.
00:40 Looking back now, I don't know how we got through with analogue and not
00:44 smart prepaid meters, because it causes zero stress, because I don't have to leave the home.
00:49 I think being a parent makes you think of the necessities that you need in a home,
00:56 electric, gas, hot water, heat, rather than a new jumper.