Smart Saving Tips Every Apprentice Should Know: Keep More Cash in Your Pocket!

Being an apprentice with low starting pay and high living expenses can be difficult. Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to save some extra cash and avoid getting into debt. 

Take Advantage Of Student Discount 

Some student discount platforms have options to sign up as an apprentice. TOTUM offers an apprenticeship card which can be used for specific deals. This includes 10% off at ASOS, 50% off at Better Help, and two tickets for £14 at Cineworld. Apprentices can also get deals through UNiDAYS. When going somewhere like a restaurant, bowling alley or the cinema, it’s always worth double-checking if there are cheaper options for students and apprentices. 

Save Money At Home On Bills 

If you don’t have a water meter already, you can request one of these from your water supplier for free. Doing this means your bills will be calculated based on how much you use. You and your housemates can work together to use less water and try to lessen the cost of your water bill. Here are some examples of things you can do: 

• Take shorter showers 
• Collect rainwater and use it for your plants 
• Fix any leaks 
• Turn the tap off when it’s not being used (like when you brush your teeth)

If you live with others, then splitting bills is something else to consider, which can allow you to be smart with your money. You can split bills equally, split the cost of house meals, and pay for what you ordered when getting a takeaway instead of one person paying for the whole thing. This also minimises the risk of arguments occurring because everyone pays their part. 

Practice Budgeting 

It’s good to have budgets for different areas of your life. For example, you might limit your food shop to £30 and spend no more than this. It’s also okay to experiment with your food shop budget until you decide on one which feels comfortable. Once you’ve decided on a final budget, make sure you stick to it. You can also decide on a budget when buying something new which might be expensive. For example, if you’re going to town to do a clothes shop, you might limit yourself to spend no more than £40. Sticking to budgets means you’re less likely to overspend and buy things that you don’t need. 

Cycle To Work Scheme 

The cost of driving to work or taking public transport can add up over time. The Cycle to Work Scheme allows you to choose a bike and pay it back in instalments through payroll. Depending on the scheme provider that your workplace is registered with, you may even have the option to choose an electric bike. You’ll be eligible for this scheme if:

• You’re 16 or over 
• You earn at least the National Minimum Wage after the salary sacrifice of the bike has been taken from your pay 
• You’re paid and taxed by a PAYE system 

Save Money and Create an Emergency Fund 

Unexpected costs, like if your car needs a repair, can catch you off guard. Having an emergency fund means you can be prepared for unexpected costs. If you do the things mentioned in this article, like budgeting, cycling to work and aiming to reduce your bills, then hopefully, you’ll have some extra money left over. Try putting a small amount of money each month into a savings pot. This could simply be £5 or £10, but it’ll add up quicker than you think. 

Hopefully this article has given you some useful money-saving ideas! Life can be expensive, but with the right tips and tricks, you can make sure you’re financially prepared!