When it’s all said and done and the festivities are over, when the crackers have been cracked and the pine needles hoovered, many of us are left with little more to show from the Christmas period than an almighty hangover and a depleted bank balance.
Indeed, the festive season is expensive, and many of us are once again entering the new year faced with debt, overdraft fees, and worryingly low bank balances. No wonder, then, that a more responsible attitude to spending ranks as one of the UK’s top New Year’s resolutions, just below the usual suspects of exercising more and improving our diets.
We all dream of financial security, and we all know that is exactly what we should be working towards. However, the truth is that many people are in a tough situation when it comes to their finances, either because they are struggling to make ends meet, or because there is something in their financial situation that is holding them back. With a cost of living crisis on the horizon, pledges to be more financially cautious feel more pertinent than ever.
But being financially healthy requires more than simply ranking amongst the top earners in the country or winning the lottery. Instead, it requires small, incremental changes that add up to one larger whole. With that in mind, here’s how to fine tune your financial health for 2022.
KEEP AN EYE ON FLUCTUATING PRICES
The old adage that knowledge is power couldn’t be more true than when considering your finances. Right now, for a variety of factors ranging from Brexit and supply chain issues all the way to delivery driver shortages and the continued effects of COVID-19, prices of everyday essentials are fluctuating. Let’s be honest, here; mostly, they’re rising.
That said, some are set to rise much quicker than others, with the BBC reporting in November of last year that five everyday items, in particular, were going to see a serious price increase. These were Uber fares, home renovations, savoury snacks, heating bills, and second-hand cars.
Because of this, it’s important to regularly check current prices across a whole manner of items, using price comparison tools to identify which supermarkets and retailers are currently stocking essentials more cheaply.
Sites like Pricelisto are created to empower consumer choice by allowing end-users to compare prices from different businesses. It’s especially useful for comparing restaurant prices here in the UK. The site lists up-to-date prices from most chain restaurants, from fast food outlets like Burger King and McDonald’s to casual dining restaurants Franco Manca and MEATliquor. If you’re going to treat yourself to a meal out, you might as well be making fiscally responsible choices.
For the changing cost of groceries, we’re big fans of the price comparison tool Trolley, which helps you compare the cost of groceries across supermarkets. Simply enter a product name or brand and you’ll be shown a cost comparison across all local supermarkets. You’ll also see a detailed history of price fluctuation and the chance to sign up for price alerts on any product from your usual supermarket shop.
SPECIFIC LONG TERM GOALS
We often daydream about the future, but rarely plan for it. When we do give it some thought, we tend to stick to generic goals that fail to focus on specific actions.
Where your personal finances are involved, this can be detrimental, as vague pledges to tidy up your budget or save more money, without any tangible numbers involved, are hard to stick to.
On the flip side, long term, meticulously researched financial goals can reap dividends. For example, if you determine how much money you will need to retire comfortably, starting with your current income, what kind of retirement lifestyle you want to live, and what age you expect to retire, you’ll have a concrete figure of how much you’ll need to save. Though this is, of course, an extreme example, it can be applied to smaller savings goals, too.
By setting a goal like this up-front, you will likely start living more frugally today so that more money is available tomorrow.
SPRING CLEAN THOSE SUBSCRIPTIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
You might be shocked at the number of people who continue to pay subscriptions, free trials that have turned into monthly standing orders, and direct debits long since obsolete, all without even realising.
Actually, you might not be shocked, since this is becoming an increasingly modern conundrum, with companies seemingly setting up ever more intricate hurdles to cancellations. In fact, in 2019, Freeview reported that the nation spends five times more than they think on subscriptions, and since the global pandemic, we only imagine that number is even higher.
Rather than succumbing to apathy, this only means it’s more important than ever to give your outgoings a thorough once – twice, and thrice – over to identify any savings you could make.
Ask yourself if you really need a Spotify, Apple Music and TIDAL subscription. And while you’re posing those searching questions, are you genuinely making use of Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus and Sky Go? We know you just settle on Come Dine With Me every night, anyway.
REVIEW YOUR CONTRACTS
Consider making cutbacks where your contracts are concerned, too. A cheaper deal may well exist on recurring costs like your mobile phone, energy bills or car insurance. All of this will accumulate extra money at the end of the month which can go into savings, or be invested, in order to give you greater financial stability during these uncertain times and beyond. If there is a beyond, that is.
CREATE A BUDGET
Creating a budget is one of the most important things that you can do for your financial health, and yet many people completely ignore this step. A good budget allows you to spread your money around so that it stretches as far as possible, allowing you to enjoy life without constantly worrying about how much money is left in your account at the end of the month.
This also enables you to save some money, which will help improve your financial situation even further.
HELP IS OUT THERE
If your financial situation won’t be remedied simply by pruning your streaming service subscriptions and doing price comparison searches on your groceries periodically, then there is more all-encompassing help and advice available. Consider contacting one of these free debt advice charities:
- Citizens Advice can provide free help in person or by phone
- StepChange Debt Charity can provide advice or a free debt management plan (DMP)
- National Debtline can offer free advice by phone and help you set up a free DMP
- PayPlan is an independent provider of free DMPs
- Shelter is a housing charity that can provide advice by phone, online or in person
- Christians Against Poverty can visit you at home to give advice and help you budget
THE BOTTOM LINE
Finding financial security might seem like an impossible task, but it’s achievable if you take things one step at a time.
*Anything written by IDEAL Magazine is not intended to constitute financial advice. Always consult with an independent financial advisor or expert before making an investment or any personal finance decisions.*