On the money - top tips for your finances

I have found myself reading and re-reading everything Martin Lewis says about saving and keeping my finances in check!

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From all of the top tips I have found, I decided that I would use this lockdown period to look at all of my outgoings, create a budget planner and create a financial calendar. A calendar you ask, why yes! Staying on top of a few important dates can help keep personal finances in check and can save cash all year round.

Keeping tabs on when bills are due to be paid and when contracts are about to expire can feel like a juggling act, but forgetting it or choosing to ignore could have bigger implications. Now is a perfect time to create a cash calendar.

• Get in the habit of checking bank statements, it could show you some things that you are paying for but aren't using.
• Free trials are a great way to try before you buy, but remember to cancel within the trial time if you aren’t going to carry on using it.
• Keep on track with your direct debits, these can be cancelled at any time by contacting your bank or building society.
• Check your phone contract, could you be eligible for an upgrade if you are happy with your phone could you go to a SIM-only?
• Check the expiry dates on your vouchers, use them so that you don’t risk losing out.
• Could you switch suppliers for a better deal? Watch out for increases to help you decide whether it could be worth switching suppliers for a better deal.

Find more top tips for staying on top of your finances at moneysupermarket.com and comparethemarket.com