Take control of your finances
It is so beneficial to sit down and get an overview of your finances. We have put together some tips that will make it easier for you to take control of your money.
Set up a budget
A budget is an easy way to get control of your finances. With a good budget, you have an overview of your monthly fixed and variable expenses, and can see if you have any extra cash left over. It may take some time to create a clear and complete budget, but it will be of great use throughout the year.
Go through all subscriptions
Many of us have subscriptions we don't really use. This applies to everything from magazines to gyms and television streaming subscriptions. If you have several subscriptions that you do not use, this can add up to large sums per month. Take an evening to go through your subscriptions and cancel the ones you don't use. Any cash released can always be set aside for savings.
Get hooked on saving
Some people love to save, while others are not as good at it. However, saving does not have to be boring. Do you have a holiday you want to go on? Maybe there is something nice you would like to buy? Or maybe you want to build up a buffer account?
There are several tricks that make saving fun. Set a goal for what you want to save for, and find the methods you think work best for you. For example, you can try the savings app Dreams. Before you know it, you will have reached your goal and you can achieve your dream.
Get an overview of your biggest expenses
It is easy to use your bank card without really thinking about what you are spending money on. Today, most online banks offer overviews of how much you spend on different categories. Perhaps you could cut back in some areas? For example, many of us spend more money than necessary on food. With a little planning, you can save a lot of money on food shopping.
Pay off credit cards
Did the summer cost more than planned and you ended up using your credit card? Or maybe you have some outstanding credit card bills from earlier this year? Interest rates on credit cards are often high, and unpaid bills can quickly become expensive. If you have the means to do so, you should pay off your credit card bill immediately.
If you can’t pay everything at once, it's smart to make a plan for how you’re going to pay off the bill as quickly as possible. For example, you can enter it as a fixed item in your budget, so that you don’t spend the money on something else.
Get rid of problem debt
If you have received a debt collection letter, it is important that you deal with it straight away. The sooner you deal with your problem debt, the sooner you will get it paid off. Don’t be frightened to get in touch – our highly-trained and empathetic team are happy to help you find a solution. You can either log in directly to the self-service portal or contact us by phone.
