Money Saving in Ireland: Extra Cash & Bill-Cutting Tips

💡 Why this page exists: We see thousands of people looking for "free food" on our site. While immediate help is vital, lowering your monthly "fixed costs" (Energy, Broadband, Tax) is the best way to free up cash permanently.

⚡ The "Big 3" Bill Killers Save ~€400+

Loyalty doesn't pay in Ireland. If you haven't switched these in 12 months, you are paying the "lazy tax."

📱 Legit "Beer Money" (Surveys) Earn €10-€50/mo

Most survey sites are scams. These are the only two we recommend for Ireland that actually pay out in vouchers or PayPal.

💶 Claim Your Money Back Avg Refund €1,100

Thousands of Irish workers overpay tax (PAYE) or forget to claim relief on medical expenses and "Work from Home" costs.

• Medical Expenses: You get 20% back on GP visits, prescriptions, and consultants.
• Rent Tax Credit: Worth €500 per year (increasing in 2024/25).
• Flat Rate Expenses: Shop workers, nurses, and tradespeople often have a fixed allowance for uniforms/tools.

How to do it free: Log into Revenue.ie > myAccount. You can do this yourself for free in about 20 minutes. Don't pay an agent unless your taxes are complicated!

🏦 Stop Paying Banking Fees

If you are paying €6+ a month for a current account, stop. Switching bank accounts is now much easier.

• Revolut: Standard account has no monthly fee (great for day-to-day spending).
• Credit Unions: Many local CUs now offer full current accounts with lower fees than big banks.
• N26: Another digital bank with a free standard tier.

🛒 Grocery savings that actually stick

Groceries are where “a few euro here and there” quietly becomes hundreds over a year. Focus on repeatable habits, not one-off deals.

• Plan 3–5 cheap staples you can repeat (pasta, rice bowls, soups, tray bakes).
• Shop once, not daily — impulse trips are the silent budget killer.
• Swap brands for basics (pasta, rice, tinned goods, cereal) and keep “treat brands” for 1–2 items only.
• Use the freezer aggressively: bread, cooked rice, leftovers, chopped veg.
• Set a “max basket” rule: if it doesn’t fit the basket, it’s not essential.

Also useful: Free food & essentials in Ireland (food banks, community meals, parcels).

🔁 Subscriptions & free trials (avoid the traps)

Subscriptions and free trials are easy wins because they’re recurring. The goal is simple: know what you’re paying and cancel anything you don’t use weekly.

• Do a 10‑minute subscription audit: bank app → recurring payments → list them.
• Cancel first, re‑subscribe later (you can always come back).
• Stack trials safely: start the trial, immediately set a calendar reminder for 2–3 days before renewal.
• Prefer monthly plans unless the annual saving is genuinely big.

Go deeper: Free trials & subscriptions hub (what’s worth trying + how to avoid surprise renewals).

🚗 Transport & fuel savings

Transport costs creep up fast (fuel, tolls, maintenance). Pick one change you can stick to.

• Combine errands into one loop (fewer short trips saves fuel).
• Check tyre pressure monthly — low pressure increases fuel burn.
• Drive smoother: gentle acceleration + steady speed is the cheapest “hack”.
• Split longer drives into one big weekly run instead of multiple mid-week trips.

Planning a cheap weekend? Free road trips in Ireland (routes with zero entry fees).

📅 Monthly money-saving checklist

If you only do one thing, do this once a month:

1. Switch check: energy / broadband renewal dates — are you out of contract?
2. Revenue check: confirm you’ve claimed all credits/reliefs you’re entitled to.
3. Bank fees check: are you paying monthly fees you could avoid?
4. Subscriptions: cancel anything not used in the past 7 days.
5. Food budget: plan 3 cheap meals before you shop.

Bonus: birthdays are a hidden “freebie day”. See Birthday freebies in Ireland.

❓ FAQ: Money saving in Ireland

Short answers to the most common questions on this page.