Research from moneysupermarket.com has found that Brits have cut their spending by around £3.2billion a month, thanks largely to the fact 2.1million discount vouchers are now used every day.
To celebrate the new wave of rationistas - the under 30s that refuse to spend on anything unless they really need it - we're issuing the UK's first modern day 'ration book' as part of our brand new voucher channel.
How to pick up an exclusive discount
The online ration book will be available on moneysupermarket.com until June 5. It is a collection of new and entirely exclusive discounts to help you save on everything from fashion, to food and films.
Among the discounts currently available are 15% off everything at Boden; 10% off everything at Avon; and 50 free music downloads plus an audio book at eMusic.
You can also get 10% off spend over £25 at Borders; 20% off everything at Kickers; and even a third off your food bill at Slug & Lettuce.
The key is to use the vouchers wisely. Don't go out and buy things you wouldn't have otherwise bought simply because they're cheaper. Instead just pick up the vouchers that can help you make planned purchases for less.
Ways to save
According to our survey, clothing, food, entertainment and alcohol are the most common items being rationed on a monthly basis. More than half of those surveyed had cut their fashion budget, with a third making food at home, rather than buying lunch at a shop, and a quarter ditching their regular pint after work.
The craze for using discount vouchers and codes has now reached epic proportions with the average person having claimed almost £300 in savings from money-off discounts and two-for-one deals in just the last six months.
However, using discount codes and cutting back on your spending is not the only way to save cash.
Here are some more tips to help keep more money in your pocket:
- Cut the cost of motoring: Use petrolprices.com to find the cheapest forecourt in your area, shop around for car insurance and even ditch your car in favour of a bicycle or walking on short journeys.
- Get the best deal on consumer goods: Don't pay over the odds for home essentials such as clothes, DIY tools and household appliances - our shopping channel compares the prices from several retailers to help you find the best deal.
- Pay less on your bills: Make sure you're getting the best deal for your mobile phone and broadband use, and that you're not stuck on an uncompetitive gas and electricity tariff. You can compare rates online.
- Make a shopping list: Know exactly what you want when you go to a supermarket and stick to it.
- Learn to say "no": How often have you been dragged out for a drink after work only for it to turn into an evening out? Say "no" more often and your bank balance will be grateful.
- Beat the ticket touts: Ticket touts buy tickets for gigs and then sell them on at extortionate prices. Beat them to the punch by noting down exactly when the tickets go on sale and grabbing them straight away.
- Ask yourself if you really need this: Is everything you buy an essential? Or could you do without it?
- Prepare your own meals: Ditch ready meals and prepare food with your own ingredients - you'll save a bundle and probably eat healthier too.
- Stop gambling: We all dream of a big win on the National Lottery but the chances are slim. The cash you spend on tickets each week could be put to better use elsewhere.
- Don't pay for things you don't need: Make an honest assessment of all your outgoings and see what you could cut out. For example do you have a gym membership you never use, a magazine subscription you never read, or are you paying for TV channels you never watch? Make cut backs where you can.
Disclaimer: Please note that any rates or deals mentioned in this article were available at the time of writing.
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