A mum of two has shared exactly how she managed to save £25,000 in just one year.
Lara Joanna Jarvis, who is known for her budgeting tips and tricks, shared the details with her subscribers on her YouTube channel.
Lara committed to what she calls a "no buy" year in 2019, which meant she wasn't able to buy anything other than essential items.
With husband Stuart on board, the pair managed to save a staggering £25,000, which they put towards buying their first home together.
For those of you who are looking to cut back on spending, follow these five steps.
Wait 30 days
Lara suggests waiting an entire month after you put an item on your wish list before you buy it.
Lara says: "I live by this rule. When I did my no-buy year for 2019 it was the foundation for changing my money mindset.
"If you want something then put it on your wish list and if you still want it after 30 days have passed you can allow yourself to buy it.
"It stops that impulse spending. Often we’re not thinking things through.
"And I found that I never actually wanted to buy that thing at the end of that time."
Plan your meals in advance
Lara has cut her food bill in half by meal prepping, but not how you might think.
"Meal planning not only alleviates the stress of trying to find something to eat, it saves you time, it saves you money, it makes you more organised.
"I do it backwards, so I will look at what I’ve already got and I will then think of the recipe that will work for those ingredients.
"I will then meal plan, working out what we need for each day and write my shopping list accordingly.
"I have cut my food bill in half doing this."
Avoid using your card
Paying with your card "devalues money" says Lara.
"Handing over a crisp note from the bank is so much more effective than just tapping your card, or even worse, tapping the app on your phone.
"It just devalues money so much, cash just makes it a bigger deal."
Take a picture wearing your favourite outfits
Every time you wear an outfit that makes you feel good, take a picture.
Next time you think about wanting to buy a new outfit, you can refer back to these pictures.
"She said: This is directed at people who like wearing nice things. Take a photo of yourself when you like what you’re wearing.
"Whenever you feel like you haven’t got anything to wear you can look at your photos and pick out an outfit."
Remember why you're saving
It's vital to remind yourself what you're saving up for, and why.
She said: "We started this journey as a deposit saving journey and it was a reason to keep going when things were hard and you have to say no to going out with your friends or buying something.
"Know your why, write it down and always keep a look on it and congratulate yourself.
"Celebrate the little wins along the way and just keep your why in your vision because otherwise you’ll lose your way a little bit."
Find more money-saving tips and life hacks on her website, larajoannajarvis.com.
