October Money Reset: 7 Easy Ways to Spend Less This Month

Simple changes you can make this October to cut everyday costs and keep more pounds in your pocket.

October is a great time to give your finances a quick reset. With Christmas approaching and colder weather arriving, cutting a few unnecessary expenses now could leave you with more money later.

Start by checking your regular spending. Look through subscriptions, memberships and automatic payments and ask yourself which ones you actually use. Even cancelling one or two small monthly expenses can make a noticeable difference over the year.

Next, set yourself a weekly spending allowance for non-essential purchases. Having a clear limit makes it easier to decide whether that takeaway, new outfit or impulse purchase is really worth it.

This is also a good month to take advantage of seasonal promotions. UK retailers are currently running autumn sales across categories including clothing, toys, beauty, household products and days out. Some current promotions are offering savings of 50% or more.

Before buying, however, compare the discounted price elsewhere. A big “SALE” sign doesn't automatically mean you're getting the cheapest deal.

You can also try these simple October saving habits:

• Plan meals before doing your food shop.
• Use loyalty rewards you've already collected.
• Compare fuel prices before filling up.
• Look for free local activities at weekends.
• Start Christmas shopping gradually rather than buying everything in December.

Small changes won't transform your finances overnight, but saving £5 here and £10 there can quickly add up.

Money-saving challenge: Pick one expense you can eliminate this week and put the money you would have spent directly into savings.