How to make your budget work harder this year (so you're not panic-spending next March)

A new financial year usually means a fresh start - but for many charities, health organisations and public sector teams, this year’s budget comes with extra pressure. With widespread funding cuts, job losses, and even greater demand for services, every penny counts more than ever.

If last year’s budget felt like it disappeared faster than a tray of biscuits in a meeting, let’s make this one work harder. Here’s how to make sure your design, comms and digital budget actually delivers impact - without last-minute panic spending or wasted resources.

1. Figure out what actually matters

Before spending a single penny, take a step back:

• What’s working? What’s not?

• Where do you need to level up your comms or design?

• What’s going to have the biggest impact on your audience?

(Translation: don’t just do stuff because you think you should. Make sure it’s useful!)

2. Plan ahead (so you’re not panic-buying in March)

If you found yourself scrambling to spend leftover budget last year (and didn’t see our blog on how to use that leftover budget wisely!), let’s fix that:

• Map out your key projects now, so you know what’s coming up.

• Keep a ‘just in case’ pot for the unexpected.

• Consider working with an agency on a retainer - more strategic support, fewer last-minute rush jobs.

3. Get the most out of what you create

Make sure every bit of work goes the extra mile:

• Repurpose content – a big report can become a blog series, a few social posts, and an infographic. Boom, instant value.

• Invest in evergreen assets – good branding, website improvements, and design templates will serve you well for years.

• Look at the data – double down on what’s working and ditch what’s not.

4. Know when to DIY and when to call in the pros

Yes, DIY can save money, but some things really do need expert input:

• DIY: social media posting, basic content updates, internal comms.

• Outsource: branding, website development, campaign strategy, high-quality design (trust us, it’s worth it).

5. Make agency support work harder for you

If you’re working with external experts, get the best bang for your buck:

• Be upfront about your budget and priorities.

• Think long-term - strategy always beats one-off, rushed projects.

• Consider a retainer or package deal to get the most out of ongoing support.

• Asking an agency to train up in-house teams as part of the work could provide a more long-term sustainable solution for some of those easier to do, DIY tasks.

We're here to help

Want to make your budget work harder this year? Whether you need strategy, design, or content support, we’ve got you covered. Let’s chat and get you set up for success!