Many households in the UK have been really suffering with their finances over recent months. Increased bills, petrol prices, and food costs, as well as other increased living costs, have made it harder and harder for many cash strapped households to cope with their financial commitments, and many have had to look at ways to try and cut back on their outgoings in order to make ends meet.

Many industry officials have offered advice to consumers over the best way to try and save money on their monthly outgoings, such as switching services and products, cancelling unused subscriptions, and cutting back on going out. However, there are a number of other ways in which you may be able to save a small fortune every month, and with some of these tips you could also increase your health.

Now is the perfect time to give up smoking. With the smoking ban now in full effect it is becoming more and more difficult for smokers. There seems little point in damaging your health, wasting your money, and then being sent out into the cold every time you want a cigarette when you are out. It is well worth trying to kick the habit, improve your health, and save a fortune, and there is plenty of help available from the health service.

Another tip is to make your own lunches for work. Most of us are guilty of rushing out of the house each day empty handed, thinking that we will go out and grab a sandwich at lunchtime. However, the cost of buying your lunch every day can really add up, and whilst £3 for a sandwich and a drink may not seem like much, this comes to £15 a week, or £60 a month – cash that could be better spent elsewhere. Instead, do a weekly shop and buy items so that you can take in a nice, healthy, yet filling lunch each day without spending a fortune.

Cut back on how much you are spending at the pub as well. Many people think nothing of popping out for a few drinks every night, but the cost of this can quickly add up, as can the number of units you are consuming. Instead you can look at enjoying a few nights in without drinking, and you can save money each month. In fact, recent research has shown that some people are already cutting back on drinking in the pub, with beer sales in pubs falling by around 10% and the sales of drinks in pubs rising, indicating that many people prefer to save money and have a drink at home.

There are many other simple steps that could help you to rein in your monthly spending effectively, helping you to stretch your budget much further. If you use these, in addition to other professional advice such as switching products and services to cheaper alternatives, you could save a fair amount of money each month, which is vital in the current financial climate.

Recent Additions:

• Credit card borrowing much higher than in 2006
• Are credit cards being handed out without proper checks?
• Cut the cost of fuel with the right credit card
• Which is the best credit card for your needs?
• Credit cards being used by millions to pay mortgage