17 Practical Savings Hacks from Holly Smith’s Money Saving Book

Money Saving Tips

15 Dec

“Small changes can create big savings — it all begins with simple, everyday habits.”

If you’re looking for practical, everyday ways to save money without stress, Holly Smith’s Money Saving Book: Simple Savings Hacks for a Happy Life is full of clever ideas that anyone can start using right away.

In this article, I’m sharing only a few of the helpful tips from the book, but it is fully packed with many more money-saving ideas, so I highly recommend reading it to get the full benefit.

These beginner-friendly explanations will give you a quick glimpse into how Holly’s tips can support smarter spending in everyday life.

1.Weekday Wedding

Getting married on a weekday can save you a lot of money because venues charge much higher prices for weekend weddings.

Weekday dates are less in demand, so the venue and suppliers often offer cheaper rates, helping you cut your wedding costs without losing out on the experience.

2.Student Florist

Hiring a florist student for your wedding flowers can save you a lot of money because they charge much less than professional florists, as the work forms part of their training and portfolio. You still get beautiful arrangements but at a much lower cost.

3.Budget Travel

Taxis at train stations are usually more expensive, so walking a few minutes away can help you find a much cheaper one. You can also check Uber, which often costs less.

This simple step can save you money on every trip.

4.Flight Savings

Always clear your cookies when searching for flights because websites can track your repeated searches and may show higher prices each time.

By clearing cookies or using incognito mode, you avoid this price increase and see the real, lower fares, helping you save money when booking.

5.Small Trolley

Using a small trolley while shopping helps you save money because it naturally limits how much you can pick up.

A big trolley creates the temptation to fill more space, which often leads to unnecessary purchases. With a smaller trolley, you buy only what you really need and avoid overspending.

6.Year-Round Deals

Buying Christmas toys throughout the year helps you save money because you can grab them when they’re on sale or heavily discounted, instead of paying full price during the festive season.

This way, you spread out the cost and always get the best bargains without last-minute pressure.

7.Travel Savings

Booking your Christmas travel early helps you save a lot of money because train and flight prices rise closer to the holiday season.

If you book train tickets at least three months in advance and flights up to a year ahead, you can secure the lowest fares before demand pushes the prices up.

8.Stationery Deals

Stationery is usually cheaper in September because the back-to-school rush is over. Shops try to clear their leftover stock, so they reduce prices, making it a great time to buy notebooks, pens, and other supplies for much less.

9.Budget Venue

Hiring a church or community hall for a birthday party can save you money because these venues are usually much cheaper than restaurants or private party spaces.

They often offer large rooms at low rates, and you can bring your own food and decorations, which keeps the overall cost down.

10.Park Party

Having a party at a park is a great way to save money because the space is free, and you don’t need to pay for a venue or decorations.

You can bring simple food, enjoy the open area, and create a fun picnic-style celebration without the high costs of indoor party bookings.

11.Sell Unused

Many everyday items you might think are useless can actually be sold for extra money. Things like empty toilet rolls, old TV remotes, Argos catalogues, DVDs, books, computer games, old mobile phones, tins, jars, and board games can all bring in small amounts.

Instead of throwing them away, selling them helps you declutter while making a little extra cash.

12.Boot Setup

While selling at a car boot sale, keep plenty of change, buy a waterproof ground sheet to protect your items from getting dirty or damaged,

Arrive early to secure a good pitch and attract more buyers, and bring your own refreshments to avoid spending extra at food stalls — together, these simple habits help you keep your costs low and maximise your profit.

13.Local Selling

Selling items on Facebook Marketplace is a great way to save money because it’s completely free to list your items, and people in your local area can buy directly from you. This means you avoid paying selling fees, postage costs, or packaging expenses. Local buyers can collect the item in person, making the process quick, simple, and cost-effective for both you and the buyer.

14.Survey Earnings

You can make money using your smartphone by completing surveys through apps like VoxPopMe, Swagbucks, Toluna, Fronto, YouGov, and i-Say.

These apps give you short tasks or questionnaires, and once you complete them, you earn points or cash depending on the app. The amount you earn usually depends on the length of the survey and the time you spend on it.

It’s an easy way to make a little extra money in your spare time, directly from your phone.

15.Mystery Shopper

Mystery shopping is another way to earn money, as many big chains use mystery shopping companies to send people to visit their stores anonymously and check whether staff and the shop meet certain standards in customer service and cleanliness.

To do this well, you need a good memory, an eye for detail, enough time to complete the visit, and the ability to stay factual and professional — it’s not about giving your personal opinion but about reporting exactly what you experienced.

You also need to keep everything confidential, as the role relies on remaining anonymous.

16.YouTube Start

Starting a YouTube channel is an easy way to earn money. Choose a niche you enjoy, get comfortable on camera, and remember you don’t need expensive equipment.

Things don’t have to be perfect — just be consistent and willing to work hard. Follow YouTube’s guidelines, and always check what’s in the background of your videos.

These simple steps help you start without spending much.

17.Veggie Savings

Using frozen vegetables when certain items are out of season can save money because frozen produce is usually cheaper, lasts longer, and still keeps most of its nutrients.

Buying loose vegetables also helps you save because you only pay for the exact amount you need instead of buying pre-packed portions, which often cost more and may lead to waste.

Together, these simple habits help reduce grocery costs and avoid unnecessary spending.

I hope you enjoyed reading this review and found these few tips helpful. Holly Smith’s book is filled with many more smart ideas, so do give it a read if you’d like to discover even more ways to save in everyday life.

Stay tuned! I’ll be sharing more in upcoming articles. Please visit My Insights for self-care tips, simple joys, money-saving ideas, spiritual reflections, home organization, time-saving hacks, and book reviews.