If you want to spend next Christmas far better off, you could do a lot worse than follow these tips
This time next year you could be out of debt (Image: iStockphoto)
As 2018 approaches, and many of us are starting to think about New Year resolutions, this is a great time to sort out any money matters.
On average, it takes people five months to repay the debts they rack up over Christmas, according to research from Nationwide Current Accounts.
But by acting quickly in the New Year, and changing a few financial habits, you may find you can get back on track more quickly - and the transformation doesn't always have to be painful.
Here, Sarah Coles, a personal finance analyst at financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown, suggests seven simple tips to transform your financial life in 2018...
- Go on, treat yourself - to a financial makeover
You may be a tad too cash-strapped for much of a social life after Christmas and New Year - but while you're cooped up indoors, this could be a great opportunity to take stock of your financial life.
Consider your overall pension and investments position. Review how much you're paying in, whether that's enough to meet your goals, and how to free up more cash to invest.
Take a look at performance too, so there are no nasty surprises waiting when you finally come to cash in your investments.
You also need to consider whether the mix is still appropriate if your circumstances have changed.
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As 2018 approaches, and many of us are starting to think about New Year resolutions, this is a great time to sort out any money matters.
On average, it takes people five months to repay the debts they rack up over Christmas, according to research from Nationwide Current Accounts.
But by acting quickly in the New Year, and changing a few financial habits, you may find you can get back on track more quickly - and the transformation doesn't always have to be painful.
Here, Sarah Coles, a personal finance analyst at financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown, suggests seven simple tips to transform your financial life in 2018...
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- Go on, treat yourself - to a financial makeover
You may be a tad too cash-strapped for much of a social life after Christmas and New Year - but while you're cooped up indoors, this could be a great opportunity to take stock of your financial life.
Consider your overall pension and investments position. Review how much you're paying in, whether that's enough to meet your goals, and how to free up more cash to invest.
Take a look at performance too, so there are no nasty surprises waiting when you finally come to cash in your investments.
You also need to consider whether the mix is still appropriate if your circumstances have changed.
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- Clear away any financial clutter
Tidying up your finances, along with any discarded Christmas wrapping paper, will make life easier.
If you have built up several pensions, ISAs, and a handful of individual shares over the years, you may either have a complex filing system or little idea about what you have - or where it is.
Dig out the paperwork on your old pensions, check whether there are any valuable guarantees or expensive penalties for switching.
If you're free to switch, consider whether it may be worth moving them into a single, more modern pension, which may be cheaper and have more investment options.
13
SHARES
Get Money updates directly to your inbox
Enter your email
- Subscribe
As 2018 approaches, and many of us are starting to think about New Year resolutions, this is a great time to sort out any money matters.
On average, it takes people five months to repay the debts they rack up over Christmas, according to research from Nationwide Current Accounts.
But by acting quickly in the New Year, and changing a few financial habits, you may find you can get back on track more quickly - and the transformation doesn't always have to be painful.
Here, Sarah Coles, a personal finance analyst at financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown, suggests seven simple tips to transform your financial life in 2018...
READ MORE
New Year's Resolutions For Less
Resolutions that will save you the most
5 cheap ways to lose weight in 2018
5 cheap ways to find love in 2018
7 cheap ways to eat well in 2018
5 cheap ways to learn a language in 2018
Cheap ways to learn a musical instrument
Group of people exercising in gym
7 cheap ways to get fit in 2018
5 cheap ways to travel more in 2018
- Go on, treat yourself - to a financial makeover
You may be a tad too cash-strapped for much of a social life after Christmas and New Year - but while you're cooped up indoors, this could be a great opportunity to take stock of your financial life.
Consider your overall pension and investments position. Review how much you're paying in, whether that's enough to meet your goals, and how to free up more cash to invest.
Take a look at performance too, so there are no nasty surprises waiting when you finally come to cash in your investments.
You also need to consider whether the mix is still appropriate if your circumstances have changed.
READ MORE
New Year 2018
New Year's Eve party ideas
NYE events and fireworks
Best New Year breaks
Two young girls having a party for Christmas
NYE staying in guide
Auld Lang Syne lyrics
Shake it: Impress with these easy cocktail recipes, just like Tom Cruise (kind of)
New Year's Eve cocktails
New Year traditions
Good New Year's resolution ideas
- Clear away any financial clutter
Tidying up your finances, along with any discarded Christmas wrapping paper, will make life easier.
If you have built up several pensions, ISAs, and a handful of individual shares over the years, you may either have a complex filing system or little idea about what you have - or where it is.
Dig out the paperwork on your old pensions, check whether there are any valuable guarantees or expensive penalties for switching.
If you're free to switch, consider whether it may be worth moving them into a single, more modern pension, which may be cheaper and have more investment options.
READ MORE
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- Consider giving up what you don't love ahead of what you do
The small luxuries in life, such as morning coffees and after-work takeaways, may be the obvious candidates for the chop in your new, healthier financial regime - but if they are a great source of joy, losing them will be a constant, ongoing battle - increasing your chances of failure.
Before you give up the things you love, it makes far more sense to give up what you don't love at all - like paying more than you need to for utilities, or buying expensive grocery brands - so see if you could pay less simply by shopping around.
- Consider dividing up your cash up into smaller portions and building a savings portfolio
(Image: PA)
Remember, it's wise to keep around three to six months' worth of expenses in easy access accounts as an emergency fund - in case you suddenly need access to cash.
Once you have that in place, for periods of between one and five years, you may want to consider looking at fixed rate bonds - which could potentially offer higher rates in return for tying your money up.
If you're saving for a longer-term goal, consider whether your time horizon and appetite for risk means some of your money could be moved into share-based investments. Your capital will be at risk, but this potentially has more opportunity for growth than cash when you are investing for five to 10 years or more.
- Get your ISA into shape
(Image: The Image Bank)
There are different types of Isas to suit different needs, so consider whether your choices suit you, and whether it's time to switch.
Build good and regular investment habits
Make this the year that instead of putting off investments, or rushing to meet the Isa deadline, you commit to investing little and often. This is less painful than trying to find a lump sum.Finally, be realistic
Saying, 'I'm going to retire at 50', may sound great, but if you're being unrealistic you could soon become disillusioned and run out of momentum.
Set realistic, achievable goals, build a budget around them, and save a sensible, affordable sum every month.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/money/7-simple-ways-transform-your-11738136