A third of Brits use “No‑spend February” to tackle life admin as winter pressures squeeze budgets

• A third (34%) say February is when they finally tackle life admin they have been putting off

• Nearly 6 in 10 (58%) feel more pressure to stretch their money after an expensive winter

• Other popular money‑saving hacks include pantry challenges, bank rewards and automated saving tools

New research from the Current Account Switch Service shows that a third of Brits  (34%) say “No‑spend February” is the point in the year when they finally tackle the life admin tasks they have been putting off, from cancelling unused subscriptions to checking whether their financial products still offer great value.

How people are navigating early‑year pressures

The findings highlight the financial pressures present for many UK consumers at the start of the year.  The nationally representative survey of 2,001 UK adults finds that 58% feel increased pressure to make their money stretch after an expensive winter, and nearly half (49%) say the long gap between December and January paydays adds stress to the start of the year.

Following the most recent Budget, 64% report they are actively looking for small ways to cut everyday costs. To do this, many lean on straightforward behaviours that reduce friction in daily spending. 56% say cashback or small rewards help them manage their finances better after January, and 37% say they rely more on “financial hacks” at the start of the year.

February as the month for life admin

February also becomes a moment to address delayed tasks. In addition to subscription audits and household bills, 44% say they review products such as insurance, utilities or bank accounts at this point in the year, and 43% say they are more likely to look at whether their current account still suits them.

The features people rely on to stay in control

Digital banking features play a central role in how people manage these pressures. Over half (52%) say they value digital tools such as automated savings and spend alerts above any other banking features. 35% say that switching feels like a simple way to relieve financial strain, and 52% say they would switch this month if it helped their money go further.

Switching sits alongside everyday money‑saving habits

Switching current accounts sits among a mix of financial hacks UK adults are considering this month, including:

• Using up pantry items before buying more food (19%)

• Using cashback apps or bank rewards (19%)

• Cancelling unused streaming subscriptions (14%)

• Automating small weekly savings transfers (13%)

• Switching broadband or energy providers for lower bills (13%)

• Considering switching their current account for cashback or better money‑management tools (9%)

John Dentry, Product Manager at Pay.UK, owner and operator of the Current Account Switch Service, said:

“The start of the year is always tough on household finances, and this year is no different. What we’re seeing is a desire to regain a sense of control - small, manageable steps that help people breathe a little easier. For many, that starts with simple hacks: using up what’s in the cupboard, trimming subscriptions, or finding a bank account that genuinely supports day‑to‑day life.

“Switching your current account can be one of those steps. When budgets are tight, the right account - with tools that help you track spending, save automatically, or earn rewards - can make a real difference. The Current Account Switch Service is designed to make that change as effortless as possible. It completes switches in up to seven working days, moves payments automatically, and protects you if anything goes wrong. At a time when every pound counts, we want people to know that switching doesn’t have to be another stressful task on the list.”