It's a financially challenging time for all of us, so here are some ideas on how you can save money living in Reading.

An important step is to be aware of your finances and to set aside a couple of hours a month to review your finances by:

1) Checking your accounts to ensure that no illegal activity has been going on

2) See if you can get better interest on your savings or lower rates on your mortgages and loans 

3) Compare utility deals to see if you can make savings

4) Budget and plan for food and activities

5) Look for local deals and offers

6) Check your eligibility for assistance, grants and free service - these can change from month to month

 

Here are some more specific ideas.

1. Food & Groceries:

·       Meal Planning and Shopping Lists: This is one of the most effective ways to save. Plan your meals for the week, check what you already have, and then make a strict shopping list of only the missing ingredients. Avoid daily shopping, as it leads to more impulse buys.

·       Don't Shop Hungry: Shopping on an empty stomach often results in buying more, especially unhealthy snacks!

·       Stick to What You'll Eat: The average household in Reading  throws away almost £40 of good food every month. Be disciplined about buying only what you'll consume.

·       Try Cheaper Brands: Don't be afraid to try supermarket own-brand products; they often offer great value. Or check your local stores or markets such as those at St Mary's Butts or Oxford Road, where you may well be able to buy cheaper vegetables, meat and fish.

·       Look for Reductions (Yellow/Orange Stickers): Supermarkets reduce items nearing their sell-by date. Find out when your local supermarkets do their markdowns for bargains. These are more common at the end of the day or before closing time

·       Batch Cooking: Cook larger portions of meals and freeze them for later. This saves time and money.

·       Packed Lunches: Make your own lunches for work or school instead of buying food out.

·       Don't buy that coffee - not buying that Costa or Starbucks every day can easily save you £80

·       If you go out for lunch look out for bargain set lunch menus - for example Soju and Royal Tandoori offer £10 set lunches in town

·       Utilise Food Pantries and Surplus Projects: Reading has initiatives like the Reading Food Pantries (run by Faith Christian Group) and The Food Surplus Project, where you can access food for a small subscription.

·       Consider Vegetarian/Vegan Meals: Meat and dairy can be expensive. Incorporating more plant-based meals can significantly reduce your grocery bill.

·       Loyalty Schemes: Make the most of supermarket loyalty cards and apps for personalised discounts and points and more and more pubs and restaurants are offering loyalty schemes. Blue Collar Corner, for.exsmple, has a loyalty app you can download

·       "No Spend" Days: Challenge yourself to have days where you don't spend any money on food outside of what you have at home.

·       Healthy Start Scheme: If you're eligible, the Healthy Start scheme can help with buying food and milk.

·       Free School Meals: If you receive income-based benefits, check if your children are eligible for free school meals.

 

2. Transport:

·       Sell your car ! Or at least sell your second car. Use car clubs such as GoWheels and public transport, get your food delivered

·       Public Transport: Buses are generally the cheapest way to get around Reading. Consider a monthly travel pass if you use services frequently, as this can be more cost-effective than individual tickets. Students can often get further discounts.

·       Walking and Cycling: Reading is a relatively walkable even if it is not a very cycle-friendly town. For shorter journeys, this is obviously free, healthy, and environmentally friendly. 

·       Car Sharing: If you commute, consider carpooling with colleagues or friends to split fuel costs.

·       Avoid Taxis: If you can, avoid using taxis, or ask people in a taxi queue if they will ride share.

 

3. Energy & Utilities:

·       Insulation & Draught Proofing:

·       Draught Insulation: Seal gaps around windows and doors to prevent heat loss.

·       Cavity Wall Insulation: If your home has cavity walls, insulating them can make a significant difference.

·       Hot Water Cylinder Insulation: Wrap your hot water tank with a jacket to prevent heat loss.

·       Heating Habits:

·       Turn Down Thermostat: Even reducing your thermostat by 1 degree Celsius can save money.

·       Programme Heating: Use a programmable thermostat to heat your home only when needed.

·       Don't Heat Empty Rooms: Turn down or off radiators in rooms you're not using. Keep doors between adjoining rooms shut.

·       Bleed Radiators: Trapped air makes radiators less efficient; bleeding them ensures they heat effectively.

·       Close Curtains at Night: This helps to stop heat escaping through windows.

·       Reduce Boiler Flow Temperature: Adjusting your combi boiler's flow temperature to 60°C or below can save money (check if suitable for your system).

·       Appliance Use:

·       Turn Off Standby Appliances ("Vampire Devices"): Unplug or switch off appliances at the wall when not in use.

·       Wash at Lower Temperatures & Full Loads: Modern washing machines are efficient at lower temperatures. Always run full loads.

·       Reduce Shower Time: Aim for shorter showers instead of baths, as this uses less hot water.

·       Don't Over-Boil Kettles: Only boil the amount of water you need. Consider a boiling water tap.

·       Energy-Efficient Appliances & Lighting: When replacing appliances, look for high energy ratings. Switch to LED light bulbs, which use significantly less energy.

·       Smart Meters/Thermostats: These can help you monitor and control your energy consumption more effectively.

·       If you can, use clothes lines and dry washing outside - dryers are amongst the biggest users of electricity

·       Use slow cookers or microwaves instead of ovens, which is another expensive appliance to run

 

4. Entertainment & Leisure:

·       Free Local Attractions: Reading has many free or low-cost places to visit:

o   Reading Abbey Ruins

o   Reading Museum (in the Town Hall)

o   Museum of English Rural Life

o   Forbury Gardens, Prospect Park, Christchurch Meadows, Harris Garden (parks and green spaces)

o   Caversham Court Gardens

o   Cole Museum of Zoology

o   Walking and cycling routes along the Thames and Kennet rivers.

o   Dinton Pastures (unless you have to pay for the parking)

·       Libraries: Utilise your local library for free books, magazines, and sometimes even free internet access and events. You can even get free streaming content at home with a library card

·       Community Events: Look out for free local events, festivals, and markets. Check community notice boards, Cheeselogs and What's On In Reading

·       DIY Entertainment: Host board game nights, potlucks with friends, or explore hobbies that can be done cheaply at home.

·       Picnics: Instead of expensive restaurant meals, pack a picnic and enjoy it in one of Reading's many parks.

·       Rotate your streaming media subscriptions and binge each service one month at a time

·       Close your Amazon account ! Stop all those purchases you don't need.

 

5. Budgeting & Financial Support:

·       Create a Budget: Track your income and outgoings to see where your money is going. This helps identify areas where you can cut back.

·       Money Advice Services: Reading Borough Council has a Money Advice Team that provides free, confidential, and impartial advice on budgeting, benefits, and debt.

·       Benefit Checker: Use online tools to check if you're entitled to any benefits or financial assistance you might be missing out on.

·       Organisations Offering Support: If you're struggling, consider reaching out to organisations like Citizens Advice, National Debtline, Money Helper, StepChange, or Christians Against Poverty, which offer free advice and support.

·       Review Subscriptions: Cancel any unused subscriptions (streaming services, gym memberships if you don't use them, etc.).

 

By implementing a combination of these strategies, you can significantly reduce your day-to-day expenses and better manage the rising cost of living.