Imagine you’re Martin Lewis. You have just enough time to give the people or the UK one tip to save money, what would you say?

[Do a spending audit.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X65jxnKiJpM) It takes me 30 - 60 minutes to do. Download your last 6 months of spending history into excel, and categorise each transaction into columns that fit you (bills, public transport, phone, groceries, pub, subscriptions, video games, books, DnD, private dentist treatment, whatever you spend money on). Total it up at the bottom. You'll probably be very surprised about the stuff that is costing you most. I spent years mostly agonising over what I spent on food. An audit showed me I'd spent £200 on charity shop clothes, a buildup of many times "oh it's only £5 and it's a whole lovely dress/t-shirt that will last years!", and one new pair of shoes. That was *well* over half my food spend for the whole six months. The kicker was that this spending peaked around one particular month when I was suddenly called to be warned about abuse in my future workplace, so the audit taught me that I was trying to use clothes to make myself feel safe. Now when I find myself browsing clothes, I know to take a step back and assess what's going on. The third and most recent time I did one of these I was really happy with my spending, and I learned I could afford to spend a little extra on hobbies and things I enjoy. I'd really recommend it. **This advice only goes if you are not financially struggling and not** ***acutely*** **aware of every single outgoing.** I've been there and I see you. Don't let anyone tell you you just need to be more careful or spend smarter.