With household bills rising and the cost-of-living crisis squeezing budgets, many British families are seeking simple ways to save. Money expert and bestselling author Mel Robbins has proposed a straightforward method: the 10 per cent rule. In a viral TikTok from The Mel Robbins Podcast, she advises setting aside a fixed percentage of all income—whether wages, side hustle earnings, or tips—to make saving an automatic habit.
Robbins, speaking with guest Morgan Housel, author of The Psychology of Money, emphasises that life is unpredictable and saving is not optional. Housel notes, '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.' The rule transforms saving from a daunting challenge into a non-negotiable expense, similar to rent or groceries.
The approach resonates in the UK, where savings levels are concerning. According to Finder, the average adult has around £19,214 in savings, but 18 to 24-year-olds hold just £2,699 on average. One in six adults have no savings at all, and 39 per cent have £1,000 or less, leaving them vulnerable to financial shocks. MoneyWeek reports that the UK's household savings rate fell to 9.5 per cent in 2025, reflecting stretched budgets.
Financial experts agree that small, regular savings add up. NatWest research shows UK savers put away roughly £226 per month on average. The 10 per cent rule is not about boosting income but making saving automatic and manageable. Viewers have welcomed the strategy, with one 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.'
