Tricks of the Trade

Cash versus cards. Where safe and practical, use cash for everyday, local transactions. Every card payment skims a percentage in fees to banks and card networks, rather than to the people actually doing the work. At scale this drains money from the real economy and concentrates it with payment providers.

Inflation. Buy by unit price, not headline sticker. Batch-cook, freeze, and plan meals to cut waste. Switch to generics where quality is comparable. Use price alerts and delay non-essentials by a week to avoid impulse buys.
Shrinkflation. Check weight or volume every time. Compare cost per 100g/100ml and switch brands when pack sizes drop. Call it out to the retailer and manufacturer with photos and receipts. Public complaints get faster responses.
Hidden fees and surcharges. Screenshot the quoted price before checkout. Remove pre-ticked add-ons. Challenge service fees added after the fact. Pay by credit card for protection, but avoid bank transfers that lack recourse.
Mortgages and early repayment. Extra payments made early in the term cut the capital and reduce total interest paid. Check your lender's overpayment rules and use any penalty-free allowance each year before saving at lower rates elsewhere.
Credit cards and revolving debt. Treat credit cards as a payment tool, not a long-term loan. Pay the statement balance in full where possible, and if you are already in debt, prioritise the highest-interest card and avoid new spending until it is cleared.
Insurance add-ons and exclusions. Read the policy schedule, not just the headline cover. Strip out add-ons you do not need, and check exclusions carefully so you are not paying for protection that will not respond when you claim.
Travel pricing and flexibility. Be flexible on dates, flight times, and nearby airports. Avoid peak school holidays where you can, and compare the total cost of one-stop routes, separate tickets, and package deals, including luggage and transfers.
Foreign currency and overseas fees. Use low- or no-fee cards for spending abroad. Decline dynamic currency conversion at tills and ATMs, and compare total costs across cards and bureaux rather than focusing on headline exchange rates alone.
Car ownership and maintenance. Choose reliable models with good parts availability. Service on time, check tyres and fluids regularly, and get quotes from independent garages instead of accepting the first price from a main dealer.
Energy and utilities. Submit regular meter readings and check that bills use actual, not estimated, usage. Review tariffs annually, challenge unexplained increases, and cut waste with simple measures like draught-proofing and turning heating down a degree.
Tenancy and rent rises. Photograph the property and complete an inventory at move-in. When faced with a rent increase, research local market rents, challenge unreasonable rises in writing, and use deposit protection schemes properly at the end of the tenancy.
Poor durability and planned obsolescence. Favour products with long warranties, user-replaceable batteries, and available spares. Keep proof of purchase. Use the Consumer Rights Act 2015 to insist on repair, replacement, or refund when goods are faulty.
Overcomplicated subscription models. Use virtual cards for trials, set calendar reminders one day before renewal, and cancel the moment value fades. Prefer monthly over annual unless the saving is material and the exit path is clear.
Extended warranties and extras. Rely on statutory rights and manufacturer guarantees before buying extra cover. Many extended warranties are poor value, especially where the item is cheap to replace or already covered under another policy.
Loyalty schemes and vouchers. Collect points where it does not change what you buy. Track voucher expiry dates and use rewards on purchases you would make anyway, rather than spending extra just to unlock a perceived saving.
Misleading advertising. Demand the claim in writing or take a screenshot. If it is not as described, return it under your statutory rights. Report repeat offenders to the ASA. Persistent complaints force corrections.
Declining customer service standards. Put complaints in writing with a firm deadline. Ask for a deadlock letter and escalate to the relevant Ombudsman where available. If service fails, use chargeback or Section 75 where the criteria are met.
Health risks from ultra-processed food. Read ingredient lists. Favour single-ingredient staples, cooked at home. Limit products with long additive lists and added sugars. Shop with a list and do not buy snacks on promotion.
Greenwashing and false sustainability claims. Ask for independent certifications and lifecycle data. Reject vague terms like “eco” without evidence. Prioritise repair, refill, and second-hand before buying “green” new.
Loss of choice through monopolies and consolidation. Split your spend across competing providers. Support independents and local alternatives. Export your data where possible and avoid lock-in. Report anti-competitive practices to the CMA.
General leverage. Keep records, names, dates, and screenshots. Be polite but firm. Public, factual reviews and small-claims actions concentrate minds. Collective action with others is more effective than lone complaints.
Pressure to upgrade constantly. Keep devices longer by replacing batteries and storage. Choose SIM-only and buy handsets outright to avoid upgrade traps. Only replace when security updates end or repair is uneconomic.
Data harvesting and surveillance. Revoke app permissions you do not need. Use email aliases and tracker blockers. Exercise UK GDPR rights: submit a Subject Access Request and request erasure for services you no longer use.
Algorithm-driven manipulation. Turn off personalised ads and switch to chronological feeds. Search directly, not through “recommended for you”. Compare prices in a fresh browser session to avoid profiling and dynamic pricing.
Walkie-talkies. Use for short-range coordination when mobile signals fail or group messaging is too slow. Keep charged spares and label each device with user and channel.
Flip phones. Ideal for travel, site work, or low-security environments. Long battery life, minimal data collection, and no distractions. Store emergency contacts and critical numbers only.