Fixing energy tariffs, savings best-buys, cashback current accounts and other ways to revolutionise your finances

As the money blows keep coming in 2025, we round up four products that will shore up your budget and leave you £100s better off.

Autumn 2025 feels like a real turning point for our household finances and unfortunately, most of the news isn’t great.

At the time of writing, savings rates are slipping, energy prices are rising again, and the cost of borrowing remains stubbornly high.

Thankfully, it’s not all doom and gloom.

In this article, we reveal four ways you could turn your finances around before 2026.

1. Max your access savings or shield against future rate cuts

If you’re keeping cash aside for emergencies or short-term spending, an easy-access account could be the best way to maximise your nest-egg.

Right now, app-based provider Chase is offering a market-leading rate of 4.5% AER, including a 12-month bonus of 2%.

If you’d prefer a big-name provider, Ulster Bank (part of NatWest) also offers 4.5% – although you’ll need a minimum deposit of £5,000.

Bear in mind, the ongoing rate will drop after one year.

Note that both accounts are FSCS-protected, meaning the Government will cover your savings up to the value of £85,000 if the bank goes under.

Top tip

As the returns on many market-leading accounts can fall drastically after an introductory period (typically one year), you should make a note of any upcoming rate adjustments.

This way, you can switch again when rates drop.

Manage all your savings accounts in one place with Raisin, the simple savings service

Want to shield your savings from rate cuts?

As most of our readers will be aware, the Base Rate of interest is expected to keep falling throughout the next year.

Unfortunately, such a move would also likely lead to a drop in savings rates.

If you’re keen to protect your nest egg, you might want to consider locking your money in a fixed-rate account.

At present, Chetwood Bank offers 4.47% AER on a three-month fix, while Oxbury Bank is close behind at 4.45%.

Arguably, however, a three-month deal won’t protect you for long.

If you prefer a longer term, JN Bank has a rate of 4.52% on a minimum deposit of £100.

Manage all your savings accounts in one place with Raisin, the simple savings service

2. Clear existing unsecured debt: 14 months fee-free

If you've racked up debt during the cost-of-living crisis, fee-free balance transfers can be a lifeline.

These allow you to shift existing debt to a new card without any interest for a set period, while also avoiding the typical balance transfer fee.

With many of these cards, fees can be as high as 3.5%, meaning you would pay £140 to transfer £4,000 worth of debt.

At present, Barclaycard has the market-leading fee-free deal of up to 14 months, although you’ll pay interest at a representative rate of 24.9% APR when this period expires.

Top tip

Remember, the key is to avoid a fee when your debt is at its highest.

In essence, this means you should aggressively clear as much of your debt as possible on a fee-free card and then move any outstanding debt to a suitable low-fee or long-term balance transfer card.

It goes without saying that the right solution will depend on how much debt you have left.

The longest 0% balance transfer credit cards

3. Get your day-to-day banking in order: earn £180 a year or save on charges

If your bank isn’t rewarding you for your business, consider switching to one that does.

At present, Chase Bank pays 1% cashback on spending, up to a maximum of £15 per month.

That means you can earn up to £180 a year on your daily spending.

Of course, earning a bit of cashback doesn't make much sense if you're going overdrawn every month and racking up huge interest charges that way (some banks charge up to 40% APR). 

So, if you regularly dip into the red, you should seek out a bank that doesn’t punish you too harshly for doing so.

As a market-leader, First Direct offers a £250 interest-free overdraft buffer, as well as a £175 welcome bonus.

Top tip

When it comes to current accounts, you should always factor in any fees associated with a deal – a market-leading offer can suddenly become much less attractive if you’re paying £20 a month in fees.

The best UK bank accounts for cashback

4. Get a better energy deal to save £263

With energy bills remaining a key concern, this brings us back to an eternal question for households: to fix or not to fix?

While none of us can predict the future of energy prices, the latest evidence suggests that fixing could indeed be the way forward.

As more than 30 million currently sit on Standard Variable Rate tariffs (the amount you pay if you fail to switch), price comparison service USwitch estimates that households will save £207 on average by switching to a fixed-rate deal.

At present, British Gas is offering a 14-month fixed tariff that works out around 15% cheaper than the October Price Cap.

That works out to a whopping £263 annual saving for a household with typical energy usage levels.

It’s available to both new and existing customers, and those already on a British Gas fixed deal can move to this one without paying an exit fee.

It’s the supplier’s cheapest fix since 2021, though it’s limited to 40,000 customers – so it’s first-come, first-served.

Be aware that this deal is only available through MoneySavingExpert.com, specifically for those who have signed up for its newsletter or Cheap Energy Club.

Top tip

When you’re looking for a new energy deal, always remember that no single tariff is cheapest for everyone, with region playing a big part in pricing.

This means you should visit a price comparison site and find the best offer for your specific circumstances.

Shop around for an energy deal with Uswitch and save £100s (opens in new page)

The bottom line

Switching your financial providers might feel like a lot of admin, but it’s some of the easiest money you’ll ever make.

The gap between average and best-buy rates is now significant enough to save you several hundred pounds a year.

So, before the end of Autumn, it’s worth taking half an hour to check your deals – and stop your money working harder for banks and energy companies than for you.