The Japan Times - London Couple Cuts Annual Spending by £1,600 Without Giving Up Travel

A savvy couple "never pay full price for anything" by using discount apps and reward offers - and save £1,600 per year living in London. Charlie Herlihy, 26, and partner Sophia Woodcock, 24, have been living frugally since their teens, and since moving to the capital on entry-level salaries in 2025, have been working out ways to maximise their savings. They eat out using apps that give huge discounts, choose their energy providers wisely to get the best rewards and use Gold Amex cards to earn points "anywhere" they spend to exchange for luxury perks like plane tickets.

In July the duo were able to save £137.02 from their swaps. After travelling to southeast Asia for six months after saving £12,000 in just three months in 2022 using their tips and tricks and spending less, their next goal is to afford return tickets to Singapore. Charlie, a graphic designer, from London, says: "Kind of our brand became we never pay full price for anything.

"I think mainly the reason it became a habit is anywhere you go you tap your card without thinking about it. "We have a back catalogue of apps on our phones that do deals and discounts and websites we research on first. "Say we're planning a weekend we'll check certain websites for offers and places that are doing different discounts.

"It takes 15 minutes in the morning but to plan it out is the most cost effective way of doing it. "I was used to doing it myself and a lot of people don't factor it in and go with the flow but you end up spending loads of money without planning. "It really does add up." Sophia and Charlie have a "portfolio" of methods to ensure they can live frugally, especially on food and drink.

Sophia stated: "Eating out and coffee is something me and Phi love to do and one of the things we spend on and apps are the best way to save money on a big expense. "The Paace app rewards you with coffees for getting your steps in. "Eat Club gives you discounts at restaurants that don't have their tables filled." They also make use of First Table, an app that often gives you a 50% discount on your food bill if you dine early.

The pair try to shop at Sainsbury's where they can – as Charlie says they have an affiliate with Amex where they can earn four points per £1 spent, as oppose to £1 at other supermarkets. Lidl Plus is also a go-to, and they will check out the app before hitting the shops to see what's on offer, as well as making use of Ocado's 25% off offers. "We use Octopus energy as it gives you stuff like two for £8 cinema tickets, e-bike rides around London and free coffees for literally paying your bills as you would with every other provider," Charlie says.

"We use the gold Amex card which gives you points on everything you spend anywhere really. "You can build those up and buy flights, stuff like that. "Our project we're working towards is return tickets to Singapore.

"We've made it our default card even when tapping on the tube and stuff like that." She is also a "big advocate" for checking promotions that come through from restaurants on emails – having recently "paid nothing" after bagging a £15 voucher and cashing in on half price ramen at a restaurant. Charlie stated: "We're not really saving for anything but just to have enough money for freedom in life as we'd love to go to Australia and go travelling again." You can follow Charlie and Sophia on TikTok @lifeofphiandcharlie. Utilities Octopus Energy-Cinema trips £11.96 saved-Free Forats bike hire - 30-minute free session (usual price £10.90) Food and drink Paace-They bought four coffees and saved £16.60 (£8.30 each) Eat Club-Went out to dinner using discounts 3 times and saved 30% on one bill (£51.07 became £29.86 saving £11.21) First Table-Saved 50% on one saving £23.69 from a £65.38 bill (including the first table £6 booking fee) London on the Inside-£88.90 down to £50 with a 50% off offer (with service charge) To Good To Go-Didn't use this month but normally pick up a £3.99 Gail's bag worth £15, an £11.01 saving Banking The Amex Gold card-The couple say they make back between 0.05%-1% every time they tap their cards on anything with Avios redeems - which is how nothing they pay for is really ever full price (unless they do not accept Amex).

In July, they spent £850 through Amex which equates to £4.25-£12.75 depending on where they redeem their Avios. They are still saving up for their first fully paid for Avios flight. Also, whenever purchasing anything online they try and do so through the Avios portal - similar to TopCashback - which gives them Avios for free just for buying something through the portal.

Total savings - £137.02

M.Fujitav--JT