How to save money

The easiest way to get your savings working for you is to set things up so that you automatically add a little bit each month to your savings. That way you won’t have to remember to make the payment and you won’t be tempted to skip a month. Before you know it, you’ll have built up a solid chunk of savings for example, one way of saving tax efficiently is through a Cash ISA. One of the quickest way to do this is to set up a standing order (a regular payment) from a bank current account into your chosen savings account.

The best time to put a bit of money aside is just after you’ve been paid, so set up your standing order to go out on, or just after pay day.

Or ask your workplace if they have a savings scheme – and think about joining it if they do - find out more about Workplace Saving Schemes on the Money Advice Service website.

This makes saving even easier, because the money comes straight out of your pay, just like your tax and National Insurance contributions.

If you’ve got money left over at the end of each week or month then great - you’ve already got your starting point. You’ll be able to save this amount – and maybe even more.

But even if there’s usually nothing left, it doesn’t mean you can’t save – it’s not easy to change how much money you have coming in but most people can change how much goes out.

The UK government defines saving as putting money aside without risk, and usually with the chance to earn interest. Investing involves committing money into an investment vehicle in the hopes of making a financial gain. Investing is different from saving because it involves a greater level of risk and there is no guarantee that you’ll get your money back. You can make regular payments from as little as £25 a month into investment products, such as a Stocks and Shares ISA or Unit Trust Investment Funds. Investment products are for the longer term and are generally suitable if you already have enough cash savings to keep you going for 3-6 months if needs be. Investments generally outperform cash savings over the longer term, but their value can rise and fall, so you have to be prepared to take on some risk. They might be suitable for people who don’t require easy access to their money and are prepared to take on some risk.