Practical money for real life in the UK

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Hi, I’m Dr Kalpana Govindaraasan, a UK mum, PhD scientist and author. I arrived in the UK in 2008 with £1,000 during the financial crisis. On one salary at a time, we saved £36,000 in three years—a 20% deposit—and bought our first home. Here I share the habits that helped us and practical steps to help you cut everyday costs, plan your spending and work towards your own goals.

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Dr Kalpana Govindaraasan, founder of MoneySavvyUK

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£1,000 → £36,000house deposit, saved on one salary at a time
£400saved on car insurance in about an hour
£560 a yearsaved by leaving Sky TV
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What would you like to do?

Pick the one that fits you today. Every guide is written for UK families, with figures checked against GOV.UK, HMRC, Ofgem and MoneyHelper.

💷Cut your billsBroadband, energy, insurance and subscriptions 👪Family moneyBaby costs, maternity pay and kids eat free 💡Make extra moneySide hustles that fit around family life 👗Sell what you don’t useVinted and local selling, step by step 🧾Side hustle taxThe £1,000 trading allowance explained 🧮Free UK calculatorsTax, benefits, bills and saving 🎁Freebies and treatsUK birthday freebies that are really free 🏡Build your futureEmergency fund, ISAs and your first home

What I’ve actually done

Real money stories from my own life

No made-up results. These are things I’ve done myself, with the exact steps so you can do them too.

My story, on MediumWe saved £36,000 on one salary. Here’s what we didn’t buyFrom £1,000 to our first home, through the 2008 crash. Saved £400How I saved £400 on car insurance by not auto-renewingAbout an hour of comparing, and when to do it. Saved £560 a yearHow I ditched Sky TV and didn’t miss itWe kept only the streaming we really used. Saved £180The script I used to cut my broadband billWhat to say, and when to switch instead. Made £180How I made £180 selling on local Facebook groupsDecluttering that paid, with 7 beginner tips. About £800 earnedHow I use cashback sites in the UKMake spending you’d do anyway pay you back.

For your family and your future

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Family MoneyPractical guides to family budgeting, maternity pay, baby costs and days out. Build Your FuturePlan your emergency fund, explore ISAs and prepare for your first home.

Free tools

Free UK money calculators

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160% tax trapEarning near £100,000? 2Child Benefit taxWill you have to pay some back? 3Energy price capWhat your bill should be 4Emergency fundHow much you need to save 5Lifetime ISAYour 25% bonus for a first home 6Rent vs buyWhich costs less for you? 7Stamp DutyWhat you’ll pay on a home 8Subscription costWhat your subscriptions really cost a year

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Dr Kalpana Govindaraasan, founder of MoneySavvyUK

Behind MoneySavvyUK

Hi, I’m Dr Kalpana Govindaraasan

I came to the UK in 2008 with £1,000 during the financial crisis. Living on one salary at a time, we saved £36,000 in three years and bought our first home in 2011 with a 20% deposit. I share how we managed it, alongside the lessons I’ve learned as a mum, scientist and former science teacher. My guides explain the practical steps so you can decide what could help your own household. I also publish on Medium and Amazon.

I’m not a financial expert or financial adviser. I share personal experience and researched information, explain the figures and point you to the sources, so you can make better-informed choices.

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