If you’re looking to get your finances in order in 2026 – look no further, as we’ve gathered expert advice on the best ways to save and make money this year
There’s nothing quite like the start of a new year to motivate you to sort out your personal finances.
And the encouraging news is that with the proper attitude and some professional advice, anyone can save and make money.
The Mirror consulted some of the UK’s top money experts, who revealed 26 tactics for saving and earning money, and some of them may come as a surprise.
Helen Dewdney, consumer specialist at The Complaining Cow, points out that people are losing out by not negotiating, especially on major purchases. “Most places are more open to haggling than you might imagine,” she recommends.
“Maintain politeness and establish a positive rapport – you could request an additional item instead of always seeking a price reduction.” But that’s merely one method to stretch your money further in the year ahead.
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2. Beyond negotiating, Helen urges people to make this the year they begin filing effective complaints to prevent being shortchanged.
“Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you’re entitled to products that are of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, match the description, and last a reasonable length of time. If you’ve purchased an item that violates the Act, you’re entitled to a full refund within 30 days of purchase, and after that period, a replacement or repair.”
3. If you’re grappling with debt – consider taking on additional debt! Zero interest balance transfer cards provide an excellent way to reduce interest payments, according to Michael Taylor from stock trading website Shifting Shares.
This method offers breathing room to sort out your finances, accumulate savings, and settle the balance before promotional rates expire. As long as your plan is achievable, you can break free from the cycle of substantial interest charges and restore financial stability.
4. To avoid overspending temptations, banking specialists at Finansvalp recommend withdrawing your budget in cash. Alternatively, you could utilise a debit card loaded solely with your designated evening spending allowance. This tactic makes you significantly more aware of expenditure compared to simply tapping contactless payments.
5. Janine McDonald, a professional declutterer and organiser from Salford, maintains that mindset is vital in money management. “When you go shopping and you see something you like, rather than putting it straight in your basket, carry on shopping,” she says. “Ask yourself, where will it go in my home? Chances are you’ll get to the checkout and have forgotten all about it.”
6. Therapist Vic Paterson recommends creating what she calls ’emotional spending speed bumps’ to establish psychological barriers that stop you from overspending. For instance, those handy saving pots provided by your bank can be customised with names that mirror your financial worries. ‘Vet Fund’ becomes ‘Stop Tiddles Dying Cash’, ‘Holiday Fund’ transforms into ‘Future Me Holiday’s Fund’ – it’s a practical way to reduce impulse purchases.
7. Among the best apps for earning money is YouSpotProperty, which offers the chance to makeup to £10,000 for merely 10 minutes of effort. Yes, you read that right – but to secure such a substantial amount, you’ll need to spot derelict properties that could be sold to developers. Users who flag a property meeting the requirements will first receive a £20 gift voucher, but they’ll also receive one percent of the sale price later on if the transaction goes through.
8. Polly Arrowsmith urges making the coming year the one where you become proficient in investing. “Learning financial literacy is like learning to drive a car,” she says. “At first, it doesn’t seem easy until you practise, practise, practise. One day, you will notice you are driving without thinking about it – investing is the same. I recommend Andrew Craig’s book ‘How to Own the World.'”.
9. Instead of splurging on new items in 2026, why not borrow what you need and contribute to environmental conservation? Kathy Cakebread recommends starting with Fat Llama and Speedy Services, but nowadays most towns and cities have libraries of things. You can rent anything from power tools to lawnmowers, PlayStations or drones, and even earn some extra cash by hiring out your own belongings.
10. Keep your finances in check by adhering to the 50-30-20 rule for budgeting, a simple yet effective method for managing your money. The idea is that you allocate 50% of your income to necessities like mortgage and bills, 30% on discretionary spending, and 20% towards savings. If this isn’t feasible due to high living costs, consider the 70/20/10 rule instead.
11. I’ve recently pocketed £175 by switching my bank account to Nationwide. But now there’s an even better deal – Lloyds is currently offering up to £250 for making the move (monthly fees may apply). The Current Account Switch Service guarantees all incoming and outgoing payments will be automatically redirected to your new account.
12. Why not embrace new hobbies in 2026 that could bring in a bit of extra dosh? You might consider joining an extras agency, or ponder the idea of renting out your driveway, or even your motor when it’s not being used. Your home could even double up as a film set for hire, or you could offer services such as cleaning and gardening through platforms like TaskRabbit or Airtasker. If you’ve got a unique skill, why not share it on Skillshare?
13. In 2026, if you’ve got a spare room, you could potentially pocket an additional £7,500 annually, tax-free. Options include hosting a Monday to Friday lodger, a full-time tenant, or housing foreign language students. Over the years, I’ve hosted students from all corners of the globe and simply provide them with an evening meal and a room.
14. Kick off the new year by decluttering and selling – this will not only boost your wellbeing but also give your bank balance a lift! Polly Arrowsmith rakes in more than £4,000 a year flogging items on Vinted. Some of her top tips include listing items daily to keep them high in the rankings, dispatching packages swiftly, and asking for reviews.
15. Make 2026 the year you take full advantage of loyalty apps, cashback and ‘refer a friend’ schemes. You can also score a variety of freebies on your birthday, including complimentary Krispy Kreme doughnuts and a free birthday meal at Harvester pubs. If you’re a resident of Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, or Bath and North East Somerset, you can even enjoy free bus travel during your birthday month.
16. Millions are missing out on free money and should explore if they’re eligible for free Government boosts. Those aged between 18 to 39 can open a Lifetime ISA, with the Government adding a 25 percent bonus. Individuals on certain benefits can opt for a Help to Save account instead, which comes with a Government bonus of 50p for every £1.
17. Some people earn a nice little earner on the side by entering competitions, which can be done while watching telly. Blogger Di Coke from SuperLuckyMe bagged prizes worth £35,000 in 2021 – but to hit that jackpot, you’ll need to be consistent and dedicate time each day. Local competitions and prize draws tend to be less competitive than those hosted by national brands.
18. Struggling to get household members to cut down on hot water usage? Water bills are set to rise again, but you can slash costs by installing a shower timer and considering a water meter. Water meters could help smaller households save cash – the general rule of thumb is that it may be worthwhile investigating if your home has more bedrooms than occupants.
19. One man disclosed how he boosted his pension savings by nearly £40,000 after uncovering eight forgotten pots. The Pensions Policy Institute (PPI) estimates that roughly 3.3million pension pots, worth a total of £31billion, were considered “lost” throughout the UK. You can access the service through the GOV.UK website or by calling the Pension Tracing Service on 0345 6002 537.
20. If you’re not earning 8 per cent interest on your savings, then you’re missing out on better returns. Principality Building Society is offering 8% which is fixed for six months, permitting monthly contributions of up to £200, whilst Yorkshire Bank has a one-year regular saver paying 8% AER on monthly contributions of up to £50. These rates are usually only available for the first year, so it’s sensible to switch annually to guarantee you’re still getting the most attractive deal.
21. You can reduce your energy bills by choosing heated throws, swapping the tumble dryer for a heated airer, and utilising a slow cooker rather than the oven. Heated airers cost roughly 4p an hour to operate, compared to tumble dryers which cost around 85p an hour.
22. Banks including Lloyds, HSBC, and NatWest provide free financial health checks through video calls where you can review your bank account and savings options. Book one for January and make certain you’re getting the most from your accounts, mortgage, and securing the best rates on any loans. 23.
Avoid the temptation to upgrade your mobile handset – consider a switch to a SIM-only plan as it can drastically cut your monthly outgoings. Opting for refurbished smartphones over brand new ones and reassessing your usage to find a more cost-effective plan could also lead to significant savings.
24. Undertake a direct debit detox and ditch the TV licence if Netflix is your sole source of television. A TV licence isn’t necessary for viewing on-demand content on Netflix, as long as it’s not being broadcast live. As Martin Lewis suggests, you could pocket an extra £200 a year by scrutinising your direct debits and axing any services you don’t utilise.
25. We recognise that January can be a bit bleak, but why not transform it into a no-spend month? By challenging yourself to only buy essentials for a few weeks, you’ll kick off the year on a high note and reset your financial mindset for the rest of 2026.
26. Fancy a midlife money MOT? The website midlife-mot.moneyhelper.org.uk is a brilliant resource for those aged between 45 and 65. This tool from the government-backed MoneyHelper site offers a superb platform to evaluate your finances. Answer a few queries and it will highlight what you need to concentrate on.
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