Earlier this year I made a conscious effort to start saving more [1]. Of course, it's easier said than done and come payday there was never much left in the pot [2]. I needed to get better at budgeting but I had a hunch that I would find it easier to save if I didn't notice it happening. So I looked for some apps that would help me, and in using a combination of different ones, I've saved hundreds of pounds this year. I've cut my overdraft in half and bought many, many croissants on a weekend in Paris. There are a lot of apps that can help even the most reluctant of savers squirrel away some cash. Even if it's just a few pennies or pounds a week, they all add up.
Bear in mind that you will have to give some apps read-only internet banking information — including your online password — which is why many banks aren't keen to recommend them. You should always be aware of the details before signing up and research the apps carefully. As with any financial agreement, always read the small print and terms and conditions so you understand where your money is and how it's protected. I'd love for you to be able to pay for a surprise weekend away in a few months, but I'm not a financial advisor so do all of the necessary reading and have a chat with your bank about their saving options before downloading.
Plum
Saving apps Plum [3] and Chip work in very similar ways - they both have read-only access to your bank account and use computer smarts to save every few days (usually around once a week). The apps pull back on the saving when you need and up the numbers around payday, but never more than you can afford. Some people might find it strange that the app only works through Facebook messenger, but it does the job.
Chip
After much deliberation, I opted for Chip over Plum - I just wasn't comfortable with Facebook being connected to my bank details (although Chip does have that option if you're totally cool with it). You can earn up to 5% interest on your savings if you refer friends, which can be more than some savings accounts, and you can save up to £100 a day (although if I had that much money I probably wouldn't need the app in the first place). They annoyingly insist on using gifs and emojis to be super cool but I don't need my money to be cool, I just need it to be secure. Chip will save in your overdraft, but you can set a limit on that.
Available on Android [4] and iOS [5].
Moneybox
Moneybox is an investment app, so as with any investment it's always worth remembering that your money is at risk. The app saves your change for you with each debit card payment and then invests it. You can decide how adventurous you want to be with your investments. There's a subscription fee with this app - it'll cost you £1 a month. And yes, it'll let you save when you're in your overdraft.
Available on Android [6] and iOS [7]
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Save The Change
Save The Change isn't actually an app, it's a brilliant account add-on for Lloyds bank customers (for some reason they don't seem to shout about it at all). It works in a similar way to Moneybox - rounding up your debit card transactions up to the nearest pound – and the money goes straight into your Lloyds savings account. It won't save while you're in your overdraft, but if you bank with Lloyds already it's really easy to set up online - just ticking a box on your internet banking screen. I rarely carry cash and thanks to all my contactless payments, this nifty scheme saves me nearly £100 a month.
Cleo
If you need help managing your cash, Cleo [8] will definitely help with that. You get some serious stats with that show you exactly where you're spending (despite my new found love of saving, Deliveroo still gets a significant portion of my income). Again, it's a Facebook chat bot rather than an app, and you'll get cash if you refer pals. You can set savings goals and get a better idea of where you could save on a weekly basis.
A Secret Standing Order
It's easy to promise you'll save money regularly but I've found that it's far more likely if it happens automatically. I set up a weekly standing order for a nominal amount and watched it build up in my savings account. This, alongside my spare change savings and my regular app savings have really made a difference. Even if it's the price of a couple of takeaway coffees, you will notice the money add up in your account more than you notice it missing, whereas I probably would notice fifty quid coming out of my account each month - that's new shoes money! When saving becomes natural, as it has done for me over the last few months, it's really exciting to see that money grow.