Common Money Leaks

Takeaways

An occasional takeaway isn’t necessarily a problem.

Several each week can be.

If a takeaway costs £15 and you order twice each week, that’s around £120 a month.

Try deciding in advance how many takeaways you can comfortably afford rather than deciding every time you’re hungry.

Coffee, energy drinks and bottled drinks can become surprisingly expensive if you buy them every day.

Even £3 each weekday can add up to around £60 a month.

Buying lunch every day is usually much more expensive than preparing something yourself.

You don’t have to make every meal from scratch, but a little planning can make a considerable difference.

A night out isn’t just the price of entry.

Remember to include:

A night that sounds like it will cost £20 can easily become £50 or more.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps are convenient, particularly late at night.

But frequent journeys can quickly become one of your largest non-essential expenses.

When it is safe and practical, consider walking with friends, public transport or sharing the cost.

Subscriptions are easy to forget because the payments happen automatically.

Check your bank account for:

Ask yourself whether you still use each one.

A free trial isn’t free if you forget to cancel it.

Whenever you sign up for one, put the cancellation date in your calendar immediately.

Ordering small amounts online can mean repeatedly paying delivery or service charges.

Where practical, combining purchases can reduce the overall cost.