5. Don’t forget to haggle

Even once you’ve been given an offer by a company for goods or services, that may not be their cheapest price. If you’ve found a cheaper deal online you can use that as a bargaining tool to bring your quote down. This doesn’t just apply to your insurance policies, but also your phone, internet and television packages.

6. Before buying anything, see if you can get it for free 

Many people will want to treat themselves to a new sofa or dining table this January. But the good news is there will be lots who are getting rid of old ones. 

Often these are put up for grabs on community groups such as Freecycle, Freegle and Gumtree. You can find a whole range of free treasures on there: from record players to washing machines. It’s also a good way to get rid of yours when you find what you’re looking for. 

7. If not, buy second-hand rather than new 

Charity shops have been inundated with stock this year as everyone cleared out their attics and wardrobes during lockdown. By purchasing clothes, homeware or books you need from charity shops, not only will you be paying a fraction of the shop price but you will also be giving your money to a good cause. Some charities, such as Oxfam and the British Heart Foundation, also have online shops.

8. And sell your old things online 

Getting in all these second-hand items will probably mean you need to get rid of some old ones to make space. You can sell old clothes online on sites such as eBay or apps such as Depop.

There are other specialist sites, including Mazuma Mobile, Music Magpie and Zapper, that will give you money for your old mobile phones, CDs, DVDs and games. eBay is a good one-stop shop to sell almost anything.

9. Rent out your car or driveway 

More people are ditching public transport for the safety of their own cars and you could make money by offering up your empty driveway as a parking space.

There are a number of apps and websites that allow you to do this, including Kerb, JustPark and Stashbee. Most allow you to set your own price, although some firms take a cut. The monthly price to rent a parking space in London can be £300 or more. 

You could also lend out your car if you don’t expect to be driving much. This will save you money on fuel and mean that someone else is essentially paying off your running costs. One car lending app, Turo, calculates that its users earn more than £500 a month renting out their car. Other firms allowing you to do the same include Getaround and Hiyacar.