Ways to Save and Make Money Around the Home
Published 22nd of August 2013·Updated 5 April 2026
Reviewed by: Reviewed for accuracy April 2026
Your home is one of the most practical places to cut costs and generate extra income. Selling unwanted possessions, growing food, reducing energy use, and renting out a spare room can together save or earn a UK household several thousand pounds a year, with little upfront investment required.
Short Summary
Selling items you no longer use on eBay, Vinted, Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree is one of the fastest ways to bring in extra cash. Research by eBay suggests the average UK household has around £700 worth of sellable items sitting unused.
Growing your own herbs, salad leaves and vegetables can reduce weekly grocery bills by a meaningful amount. A basic window box of herbs costs under £5 to set up and can replace regular purchases of fresh basil, mint, coriander and parsley from the supermarket.
Reducing energy waste is often the fastest route to sustained household savings. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that draught-proofing, insulating a hot water tank, and switching to LED lighting can collectively save £200 to £300 per year on energy bills.
How much can I make selling unwanted items online?
The amount you can earn depends on what you have and how you price it. Designer clothing, branded electronics, sports equipment, children's toys and furniture in good condition sell reliably on eBay and Vinted. Smaller everyday items shift quickly on Facebook Marketplace, which has no listing fees.
Vinted specialises in second-hand clothing and charges no fees to sellers. eBay charges a final value fee of around 12.8 per cent on most categories, plus a small fixed fee per transaction. Both platforms allow you to list from a smartphone in a few minutes.
Rare or collectible items, including vintage clothing, vinyl records, retro gaming equipment and antique crockery, often sell for significantly more than you would expect. If you are unsure of an item's value, search completed listings on eBay to see what comparable items have actually sold for.
What are the best ways to reduce household energy bills?
| Action | Estimated annual saving | Upfront cost |
|---|---|---|
| Switching to LED lighting throughout | £40-£60 | £20-£50 |
| Draught-proofing doors and windows | £45-£65 | £0-£100 |
| Installing a smart thermostat | £75-£150 | £50-£250 |
| Loft insulation (top-up to 270mm) | £150-£250 | Free-£300 (grants available) |
| Hot water tank jacket | £35-£45 | £20-£30 |
| Washing at 30 degrees instead of 60 | £25-£35 | £0 |
The Great British Insulation Scheme and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) both provide government-funded grants for insulation and heating improvements to eligible households. Contact your energy supplier or visit gov.uk to check eligibility.
Can I earn money from a spare room in my home?
Yes. The UK government's Rent a Room scheme allows you to earn up to £7,500 per year tax-free from renting out furnished accommodation in your own home. This applies whether you rent out a room to a lodger year-round or rent your property through Airbnb while you are away.
If you earn above £7,500 from letting rooms in your home, you pay income tax only on the excess above the threshold. You declare income from the Rent a Room scheme through self-assessment.
For Airbnb income, the same £7,500 threshold applies if you are renting rooms in a property you live in. Renting out an entire property you do not live in is treated differently and does not qualify for the Rent a Room scheme. HMRC provides detailed guidance on rental income at gov.uk.
Does growing your own food actually save money?
Growing vegetables and herbs genuinely cuts grocery bills if you choose the right crops and are willing to tend them consistently. The highest-value crops for home growing are herbs (basil, mint, parsley, coriander), salad leaves, courgettes, tomatoes and runner beans; these are expensive to buy relative to what they cost to grow.
A small raised bed of 2 by 1 metres can produce several hundred pounds worth of vegetables across a growing season, according to the Royal Horticultural Society. Seeds cost pence; starter plants cost slightly more but produce crops within weeks.
Even with limited outdoor space, a windowsill box for herbs and a few pots on a balcony can meaningfully reduce spending on fresh produce. Herbs bought pre-packaged from a supermarket cost £1 to £2 each; a pot plant of the same herb costs the same and lasts far longer if watered regularly.
What are the easiest ways to save money on household bills?
Switching energy supplier or tariff when your fixed deal ends is the most direct action most households can take. The price cap set by Ofgem limits how much suppliers can charge per unit, but the cheapest tariffs consistently sit below the cap. Compare tariffs at Uswitch, MoneySuperMarket or Energy Guide.
Broadband is another area where loyalty costs money. Existing customers routinely pay more than new customers joining the same provider. When your broadband contract ends, compare deals at Broadband Choices or use the Ofcom accredited comparison sites. Switching typically saves £10 to £30 per month.
Water bills cannot be switched in England (you are tied to your regional provider), but a water meter often reduces bills for smaller households. Contact your water company to request a free meter fitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What household items sell best on eBay?
Electronics, branded clothing, children's toys in good condition, home gym equipment, sports gear, gaming consoles and games, vinyl records, and kitchen appliances all sell consistently on eBay. Completed listing searches on eBay show exactly what similar items have sold for in the last 90 days, which is the most reliable way to set your price.
How do I qualify for the Rent a Room scheme?
You must live in the property as your main residence and rent out furnished accommodation within it. You can earn up to £7,500 per year tax-free. Joint owners each receive a £3,750 allowance. You opt in to the scheme by completing a self-assessment tax return and ticking the Rent a Room box. Detailed guidance is at gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home.
What grants are available for home insulation in 2026?
The Great British Insulation Scheme and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) both offer free or heavily subsidised insulation for eligible households. Eligibility depends on your income, energy tariff and the current insulation level of your home. Contact your energy supplier directly or visit gov.uk/apply-great-british-insulation-scheme to check whether you qualify.
Is Vinted or eBay better for selling second-hand clothes? Vinted charges no seller fees, making it more profitable for lower-priced items. eBay charges around 12.8 per cent of the final sale price, so it suits higher-value items where the wider audience justifies the fee. Vinted's user base is large and focused on clothing, which means clothing sells quickly. For branded or designer items worth over £30, list on both platforms and sell through whichever receives an offer first.
Can I reduce my council tax bill?
Yes, in certain circumstances. A 25 per cent discount applies if only one adult lives in the property. Full-time students are exempt from council tax entirely. People with severe mental impairments are disregarded for council tax purposes, which can reduce or eliminate the bill for the household. If your property is in the wrong council tax band (which applies to around 400,000 properties in England, according to the Valuation Office Agency), you can challenge the banding through the VOA. Check your band against neighbouring properties at gov.uk/challenge-council-tax-band.