Eight New Year's resolutions that will make you richer
If your finances have got into a bit of a tangle, why not make 2017 the year to sort them out?
To give you a helping hand, here are eight financial New Year's resolutions that will change your life for the better.
1. Get out of debt
Christmas is a time when many of us get a little carried away with our spending. As a result, it can be really easy to get into debt. So if you've spent a little too much over the festive period, now is the time to start tackling that debt.
If you've racked up a lot of debt on a credit card, and you're paying a hefty rate of interest, you should transfer that debt over to a 0% balance transfer credit card such as the Barclaycard 42-Month Balance Transfer Credit Card.
As the name implies, you'll be able to avoid paying interest on that debt for 42 months!
This will give you plenty of time to start tackling your debt head on, without worrying about the interest stacking up. Just bear in mind you will need to pay a transfer fee (2.99% on the Barclaycard) on the balance you shift. It's worth shopping around as you can get a shorter 0% period with a lower transfer fee.
2. Get into the savings habit
With money tight for many of us, saving on a regular basis can be difficult. However, if you work out a budget and make a few cutbacks, you'll find it much easier.
Perhaps you can get rid of that gym membership you've been forking out for each month, or maybe you can start taking your own packed lunch to work rather than buying one each day?
It's also a good idea to set yourself a realistic target. Telling yourself that you'll start saving half of your salary each month is likely to be impossible.
So make sure you set a target you know you can stick too. Even if you can only manage a small amount each month, this can soon add up.
Of course, once you've done this, it's important to choose a suitable savings account to put all of that extra money into.
You might want to look at a current account, with the top ones paying over 3% right now.
Compare high-interest current accounts
3. Reduce your food bill
For your New Year's resolution number three, start slashing those food bills!
A good place to start is online, using a clever website called mySupermarket.co.uk. This website compares how much your shopping would cost at the main supermarkets so you'll be able to choose the cheapest one!
Ditching the big brands and plumping for supermarket own brands, as well as buying from deep discounters and planning ahead, rather than buying on impulse, can also help to shave money off your bill.
4. Cut your car costs
Similarly, why not make 2017 the year to cut your car costs? Filling up with petrol each week can do some serious damage to your bank balance. So if you want to save money, try to avoid using your car wherever possible and walk or cycle instead.
If you do need to use your car fairly regularly, there are still plenty of things you can do to keep the costs down.
Shop around for both your fuel and your insurance can save you a fortune. Use PetrolPrices.com to see where's cheapest to fill up in your area.
See if you can pay less for your car insurance by comparing premiums
5. Plan for your retirement
Forgetting to plan ahead and prepare for your retirement can be easy, especially when times are tight. But the earlier you start, the better off you'll be in the future.
So don't put off starting your pension any longer. Even if you've already started contributing, try to increase those contributions this year.
Of course, if you'd prefer not to use a pension and are planning to rely on your ISAs or property instead, it's still important not to leave it too late and end up short.
6. Save money on energy
Millions of us are paying far more on our energy bills than we need to, with the cheapest deals now setting back the average household less than £850 a year.
See if you can switch supplier and save a small fortune. Even if you don't want to switch to someone else make sure you're not just on your supplier's standard tariff and spending money you don't need to.
Could you save on your energy bills? A quick, simple search will tell you
7. Get a better insurance deal
Make 2017 the year to shop around and get a better insurance deal!
Whether it's car insurance, life insurance, home insurance or travel insurance, use a comparison service to see if you can save on your premiums.
8. Earn rewards
Improving your finances doesn't just have to mean making cutbacks. So the final New Year's resolution to make is all to do with being rewarded for your spending.
Every time you shop online, make sure you use a cashback website such as Quidco or TopCashback.
And whether you're shopping online or on the high street, it's also a good idea to use a cashback credit card: just make sure you can afford to pay off the bill in full each month to avoid getting hit with a hefty interest rate.
See also: New Year's Resolutions for 2017 to transform your finances
See also: Why 2017 could be the worst year ever for retirees
See also: The 4 biggest threats to your wealth in 2017
