💸 7 Simple Tech Tricks That Could Save You £500+ a Year

Whether you're on a fixed income, trying to stretch your budget, or just hate overpaying for things, the internet is full of sneaky ways to cut costs — if you know where to look. Here are 7 tech-savvy strategies that could quietly save you hundreds (or even more) every year.

Author

Oliver Jones
May 12, 2025

Quiz - 🧠 "How Tech-Savvy Are You in 2025?"

1. 📉 Automatically Track Better Deals with Browser Extensions

Install a price tracker like Honey, Capital One Shopping, or Keepa.

These free tools work in the background when you shop online. If the price drops after you add something to your cart, they notify you — or even apply coupons automatically.

  • Shopping on Amazon? Tools like CamelCamelCamel show you price history so you know if you're actually getting a deal.

  • Honey can apply discount codes at checkout — often saving 10-20% with zero effort.

Estimated savings: £100+

2. 💳 Cancel Forgotten Subscriptions

Ever signed up for a free trial... and then forgot about it? You’re not alone. Many people are paying monthly for services they never use.

Try tools like:

  • Rocket Money (formerly Truebill)

  • Emma (UK-based, good for banking and subscription insights)

  • Mint (tracks spending and highlights recurring charges)

They scan your accounts for subscriptions and let you cancel with one tap. No awkward customer service calls.

Estimated savings: £60-£120/year

3. 📶 Switch to a Better Broadband or Mobile Plan

Prices creep up. Loyalty is rarely rewarded. Comparison sites help you fight back:

  • Use Uswitch, MoneySuperMarket, or Compare the Market to find better broadband, SIM-only, or bundle deals.

  • Many ISPs have "retention deals" if you threaten to leave. Call them armed with a cheaper competitor's offer.

Don't forget low-cost carriers like GiffGaff, SMARTY, or VOXI that use the same networks as big players but cost far less.

Estimated savings: £120-£180/year

4. ❌ Avoid Scams That Could Cost You Big

Scams don’t just trick you emotionally — they often hit your wallet hard.

Here’s what to watch for:

  • Fake Amazon or PayPal emails asking you to "verify" an account

  • Tech support scams where someone calls claiming your computer is infected

  • Facebook ads that link to fake stores selling products that never arrive

Use:

  • Browser ad blockers (like uBlock Origin)

  • Spam filters in Gmail/Outlook

  • Scam alert newsletters (like Which? Scam Alert Service)

Staying vigilant = keeping your money where it belongs.

Estimated savings: £50-£1000 (depending on what you avoid)

5. 🚀 Get Cash Back for Things You Were Buying Anyway

Cashback sites are like getting a secret rebate on almost everything you buy.

  • TopCashback and Quidco (UK)

  • Rakuten (formerly Ebates in the US)

Shop through their links and earn a percentage back — sometimes 10% or more on big-ticket items like insurance, electronics, or holidays.

Pro tip: use a cashback browser extension so you never forget to activate it.

Estimated savings: £75-£200/year depending on spending

6. 💾 Ditch Paid Cloud Storage (or Reduce It)

Paying for iCloud, Google One, or Dropbox? Ask yourself: do I really need all that storage?

  • Google Photos can store compressed images for free (still great quality!)

  • OneDrive gives you 5GB free — perfect for documents

  • External drives are a one-time cost alternative

Also: tidy up your digital hoard. Deleting old photos/videos/apps can downgrade your storage plan.

Estimated savings: £18-£60/year

7. 🔑 Stop Paying for Microsoft Office (Legally!)

Microsoft Office 365 costs £59.99/year. But guess what? You probably don’t need to pay it.

Use these free, legit alternatives:

  • LibreOffice (offline, open-source suite)

  • Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides (online and cloud-based)

  • Office Online — a limited but free version from Microsoft themselves

They handle documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with ease — no license required.

Estimated savings: £60/year

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✨ Bonus Tips

  • Switch to free antivirus: Windows Defender is already excellent. Stop paying Norton £50/year.

  • Use Wi-Fi calling: Save mobile minutes when at home.

  • Refurbished devices: Buy from certified sellers and save 30-50% on laptops or phones.

  • Print less: Store documents digitally instead of burning through ink.

🎁 Final Thought

You don’t have to be a tech expert to save money using the internet. Just a few smart changes — and a bit of awareness — can quietly save you hundreds every year.

Did you find this helpful? Forward it to a friend who could use a tech-powered money boost.

Until next time,

Oliver - Your Tech Guide

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