Asda, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Lidl, Aldi shoppers must 'put five items back' at end of shop

UK households are being urged to be more savvy with their cash - due to UK Savings Week. Consumer champion Jane Hawkes has spoken out over 20 nifty tricks, tips and hacks households can use during No Spend September.

Ms Hawkes shares that the "key" to savings money is by forming a plan and sticking to it. Speaking to GB News, she said: “A zero spend challenge isn’t when you don’t spend any money at all. Instead it is when you set a goal to only spend money on essentials in a given time frame.

"It can be a week, month or even a weekend or day where you cut out what you can live without. Necessary expenses include rent, mortgage, transport, food, utility bills, phone bills, credit card payments, childcare and insurance. Unnecessary spending is everything else. By making some simple changes to your usual spending you can clear that summer debt, spring clean your finances, save money and still have lots of frugal fun.

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“You absolutely can go a whole month without spending a penny more than you need to. But for the best chance of nailing a zero spend saving challenge, you need a smart plan of action.” Jane's tips included setting clear and achievable goals.

She also had a key trick for Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Lidl, Aldi and more supermarket shoppers. Download free printable budgeting templates so you can see exactly where your money is going and where savings can be made, she said. Other tips are to lean on friends for support, and find a "budget buddy" as well as unsubscribe from marketing emails.

She said: "Eat from the larder – When was the last time you did a stock take of your food cupboards and freezer? There could be so many meals in there which could save you a fortune." She also urged you to swap with friends, family or neighbours for babysitting or doggy day care.

Sign up to freebies websites such as Latest Free Stuff, usee retail and supermarket reward points, and make a shopping list and stick to it and shop alone to avoid the urge to put treats in your trolley. Pick five items at the end of each supermarket shop to put back, she said.

Ask yourself ‘do I really need it?’ to avoid impulse buys, do a Direct Debit audit, stay in, reuse, pause digital subscriptions for a month, check out free activities, get cashback, organise a clothes swap party and sell.