10 ways to find an extra £100

If your bank balance is looking a bit thin, there are plenty of small changes and quick wins that can give it a healthy boost. Here are ten ideas to get you started.

1. Switch your car insurance at the right time

Renewing your car insurance around 26 days before your policy ends can save you a surprising amount. Research from Go.Compare shows drivers who switch in this “sweet spot” pay around £390 on average, compared to £554 if they leave it until the last day. That’s £164 saved without cutting cover.

2. Negotiate with your broadband provider

When your broadband contract ends, prices often jump. It’s worth calling your provider and asking for a better deal. Even a £8–£9 monthly discount adds up to over £100 a year. If they think you might leave, they may offer you even more.

Money Saving Expert has a great guide on how to haggle with your broadband provider if you’re looking for more guidance.

3. Sell what you don’t use

That gadget gathering dust, the clothes you never wear, the toys your kids have outgrown, they could all be cash in your pocket.

Websites and apps like Vinted, eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree make it easy to create listings and sell stuff you don’t need.

4. Share your opinion in market research

Companies pay for your views. Market research focus groups can offer £50–£100 for an hour of your time. Sign up with agencies like Saros or Angelfish Opinions to hear about opportunities.

5. Check if you’re missing out on benefits

Every year, billions in benefits and social tariffs go unclaimed in the UK. But it’s easy to check if you’re missing out. Use a benefits calculator or speak to an advice service to see if you’re entitled to extra help.

6. Earn cashback when you shop

Before buying online, check cashback sites like TopCashback or Quidco. Big purchases like insurance or broadband can quickly add up to £100s in rewards. Lots of people save up all their cashback to pay for big, one-off expenses like Christmas or deposits on holidays.

7. Save with automatic coupons

It’s also worth looking into browser extensions like Honey. When you add them to your computer, they automatically look at your online cart and apply the biggest savings they can find by scouring the web for coupons.

8. Track your energy use with a smart meter

A smart meter won’t save money on its own, but seeing your usage in real time can help you cut waste.

Small changes, like switching off unused appliances or using the tumble dryer less, can save £100 a year or more.

9. Try mystery shopping

Get paid to review shops, restaurants or websites. You’ll often be reimbursed for what you buy, plus a small payment. You could get free food and cinema tickets for reviewing businesses and earn a little extra on the side. A few jobs could easily add up to £100.

10. Tighten your budget

Think about all the subscriptions, streaming services, or apps you have. Do you use them as much as you’d like?

Going over your budget and making cuts is a great way to save cash long term. With streaming services costing more and more each year, dropping just one or two subscriptions could save you in the region of £200 per year.

Here at thinkmoney, we have a Budgeting Hub with lots of tips and resources on how to create and stick to a budget.