Look after your pennies first, then the pounds will look after themselves (Image: Jenner Images via Getty Images)
With household bills rising, expenses mounting, and every penny being squeezed further, countless British families are searching for simple ways to cut costs. The persistent cost-of-living crisis has made budgeting a daily challenge, but are there any strategies that actually work?
Enter Mel Robbins. The New York Times bestselling author may have uncovered exactly the solution needed – a method she claims is surprisingly simple, yet could completely revolutionise your approach to saving. In a viral TikTok from The Mel Robbins Podcast, she revealed all. “We often act as if money won’t run out, or that emergencies are someone else’s problem,” states Robbins, speaking with guest Morgan Housel, bestselling author of The Psychology of Money.
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Yet life is unpredictable, jobs are uncertain, and the economy shifts in ways we cannot anticipate. Housel emphasises that this unpredictability is exactly why saving isn’t a choice.
“Even if you don’t want to think about money, you have an obligation to respect it – because it’s going to affect your life whether you like it or not,” he said.
Mel’s solution is straightforward and can be put into practice immediately. Every time you receive income, whether it’s your wages, earnings from a weekend side hustle, or a few pounds in tips – set aside a small, fixed percentage.
It’s a method she calls the 10 per cent rule, and it transforms saving from a daunting challenge into a simple, automated habit. The approach resonates in the UK, where many people are struggling to save money.
In 2026, the average adult has around £19,214 in savings, although younger age groups fare significantly worse with 18 to 24-year-olds holding just £2,699 on average, according to Finder.
Worryingly, one in six adults have no savings at all, and 39 per cent have £1,000 or less, leaving them exposed to financial uncertainty.
MoneyWeek confirms this, highlighting that the UK’s household savings rate fell to 9.5 per cent in 2025, reflecting stretched budgets and rising living costs. Robbins’ method of putting away a fixed proportion of all income could offer a practical solution to start building a buffer without dramatically changing daily life.
Financial experts agree too. Small, regular savings add up over time with research from NatWest showing UK savers put away roughly £226 per month on average. The 10 per cent rule isn’t about boosting income, it’s about making saving automatic, predictable, and manageable.
Viewers are welcoming this cost-cutting strategy, with one individual commenting: “I have my bank account set up to automatically transfer 10 per cent to savings on every pay day. So it comes off the top and I forget it’s even happening which is nice.”
Another agreed: “For sure, the main factor here is including savings in your budget.” Meanwhile, a third observed: “This is very helpful”.
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