If your finances have got into a bit of a tangle, why not make 2023 the year to sort them out?
To give you a helping hand, here are seven 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.
Alternatively, if you've a sizeable overdraft, you should consider a money transfer credit card.
We've rounded up the best credit cards for you below.
All these cards will give you plenty of time to start tackling your debt head-on, without worrying about the interest stacking up.
- Best fee-free 0% balance transfer credit cards;
- Longest 0% balance transfer credit cards;
- Best 0% money transfer credit cards.
2. Get into the savings habit
With money tight for many of us, saving on a regular basis can be difficult.
But 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 if you’re not working from home, maybe you can start taking your own packed lunch to work rather than buying one each day?
It’s 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.
3. Reduce your food bill
For your New Year’s resolution number three, start slashing those food bills!
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 help to shave money off your bill.
You can also check out our guide to cutting your grocery bill and keep an eye on our weekly supermarket deals roundup, as it'll help you spot where the best bargains are to be found.
4. Cut your car costs
Similarly, why not make 2022 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.
Check out our guide on how to save a fortune at the petrol pump.
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.
Pension planning: avoid these mistakes for a comfortable retirement
6. Save money on energy
It's no secret that energy bills have rocketed in the last two year - and they could rise higher still in 2023.
The Government has effectively admitted that prices are going to stay high for the time being and, with options to switch to a cheaper deal limited to say the least, the reality is the only way to save is to use less of the stuff.
We've loads of great content that could help you do just that, as well as roundups of the various schemes out there to help you pay for energy efficiency improvements.
- Top tips to cut your energy bills;
- Low-cost ways to reduce your energy usage;
- Get up to £1,500 towards your home's energy efficiency improvements.
7. 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.