Ever wondered why your wealthier friends always seem to have so much spare cash? Chances are they're super-careful with their finances. After all, nobody ever got rich by being a spendthrift.

With this in mind, read on to discover 28 smart things money-savvy people do in January.

Your wealthier friends will start the year as they mean to go on by setting strict money goals, whether they're planning on saving for a new car, upgrading their property or putting cash aside to buy shares in a hotly-tipped company.

People with sound financial sense know exactly how much money they have, how much is coming in and precisely how much is going out – at all times. They budget like crazy using banking and money-saving apps or good old-fashioned spreadsheets and lists.

Research from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) shows that people who use finance apps regularly spend less and manage their money more effectively. According to the study, app users saw their monthly spending fall by 16% on average. 

January is the perfect time to look for smart new ways to generate extra cash. People with a knack for making money usually have a lucrative side hustle or two, be it a passive income stream like a stock market tracker investment or a more active stream such as a house-flipping project. 

Robo-advisers may be commonplace today, but your wealthier friends no doubt have a human financial adviser or accountant at their disposal too. Hiring a financial professional can make all the difference, and they almost always end up paying for themselves, and then some.

Your richer friends are likely to steer clear of 0% deals and restrict credit and store card debt, which can easily get out of hand. Many money-conscious people make a point in January of cutting up the cards they rarely use to avoid the temptation to spend, spend, spend.

Financially savvy people don't hold onto things they neither need nor want and don't waste any time returning unwanted Christmas gifts. For gifts that can't be returned, make like your richer friends and list them on eBay or similar auction sites.

Alternatively, you can exchange those unwanted gifts for things you really want. There are dozens of swap and barter websites out there, including Vinted for clothing, Bookswap for unwanted books, and Swapabee for just about everything.

Your more moneyed acquaintances are unlikely to hit the sales without care and caution. They make a list of things they need or want and don't deviate from it. They also use comparison sites and apps to check prices and only buy items with significant markdowns. 

Cost-per-use is a handy ratio money-aware people calculate when they're buying pretty much anything. You simply divide the cost of the item by the estimated number of times you'll use it. That way, you'll know how much the thing really costs.

People who are good with money are always on the lookout for a bargain, particularly in January. They use price and deal tracking sites and apps and sign up for retailers' mailing lists, so they're in the know about the latest sales and discounts.

Without fail, cash-conscious shoppers will always check for discount codes and vouchers before they snap up something online, especially during sales time. It's worth remembering that many retailers offer a 5% or 10% discount to first-time customers who sign up to their mailing list.

Believe it or not, haggling is still a thing and there's every chance your richer friends partake in the art now and again. Many retailers are open to offers at this time of year, particularly independent shops and small-scale online stores, so don't be too shy to give it a go.

People who aren't short of money don't do their shopping by halves. They buy in bulk to take advantage of the best deals and discounts. Take their lead and stock up. You'll be amazed at how much cash you can save.

Research from LinkedIn and PayScale shows that January is the best time of the year to ask for a pay rise. If your performance has been strong over the past 12 months, take a cue from your wealthier friends and speak to your boss about upping your pay or benefits.

Money-conscious people are all about saving for a rainy day and maximising their finances with compound interest. Ideally, you want to save or invest at least 15% of your income in reliable investments and high-interest savings accounts.

Having the equivalent of three months of outgoings in an account you can access immediately is key if you don't want to go broke when the heating fails or your car breaks down. That's why financially smart people always ensure their emergency cash fund is topped up and available.

Freeing up cash for investments and savings almost certainly involves some sacrifice, whether that means kicking an expensive coffee habit or holding off on your smartphone upgrade. Wealthier people are more than prepared to give up or go without to boost their financial security.

You won't find your richer friends pumping all their spare cash into high-risk investments such as Bitcoin this January. Money-savvy people aren't scared of speculating, but they'll only use cash they're not worried about losing for those more volatile investments.

The smarter you are about money, the richer you're likely to be, so improving your investment and general financial knowledge is essential, whether that entails reading a financial newspaper every day or attending a training course.

Money-savvy people don't think twice about changing suppliers if they spot a better deal. Energy companies are notorious for disincentivising loyalty and tend to offer the best deals to new customers. If you haven't switched for a while, get the ball rolling today.

Financially savvy people plan their shopping and stick to that plan. They take a list to the supermarket and ensure they don't veer from it. They also make sure they don't do their food shopping when they're hungry; a study by the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management found shoppers who were hungry spent 64% more than those who weren't. 

Regular takeaways are surprisingly expensive and can make a real dent in your finances. People with more disposable income have it for a reason – they don't waste money on too many takeaways, or only order out as a rare treat.

Wealthier people make their money work for them by using cashback websites, receiving a small payout each time they buy something via the site. Top tips include clearing your cookies to get better deals and comparing deals on other sites.

January is as good a time as any to improve your DIY skills. People who are prudent with money learn as many DIY skills as possible and only call on the professionals to take care of the more complicated jobs around the home.

If they have outstanding loans, cash-smart people always make sure they're not missing out on a better deal by comparing refinancing options online. Refinancing or consolidating loans can save you serious money, so get comparing today.

An overdraft is an expensive debt to have and should only be seen as an emergency option. People who generally have more money to play with avoid going overdrawn and tend to pay it off ASAP if they do.

Yes, we know it's the time of year to hit the gym or stay in at the weekend with Netflix, but do you really need all your pricey memberships? Ditching the ones you rarely use can save you a pile of cash over the long term.

Now discover the secrets banks don't want you to know about