Feeling the Financial Pinch?

Hi-de-ho Peeps!

Apparently, today is a normal working day…so let’s deal with a normal kinda problem; funds.

A lot of people will be counting the cost of Christmas and either facing a 5 week month before payday (if they got paid early) or, like us, are waiting for payday to sort it all out for January.

A couple years ago the average spend on Christmas in the UK was in the high 400s but this year it was around 800!! So if you’re feeling the pinch, or have a new year’s resolution to improve your finances, then here are my top tips:

Get Information: For the UK, National Debtline is the best debt charity. There are fact sheets, budget sheets and letter templates on their site and a number you can call any time you struggle. Dave Ramsey is an inspiring character too…his baby steps program can be found on his site, YouTube and Pinterest to name but a few (literally google his name and you’ll find it). I also have 2 Pinterest budgeting boards with many of these ideas on, have a look and see what works best for you.

Always do a budget: for everything, even if you know there’s not enough…we have an actual budget sheet for each month, but we also have an ideal one we are working towards with our goals. A black and white sheet is the easiest way to spot obvious issues…and the Potential solutions. If you have no idea where to start, that’s ok. Read these Why We Have A Budget, Budgeting Basics, and much more on my Budgeting page.

Plan Ahead: If your budget allows, buy stuff after a holiday for the next year…like now I will go and hunt out gift wrap and tags for 25p that were a couple of quid before Christmas. Also, when we do our budget each month, any bills to pay go on the calendar/in the diary as well as longer-term stuff (so I can look in the diary and tell you when the car tax is due). It just makes the bumps in the road easier to handle.

Save: If you know you have a big bill or event, save up for it. even a fiver a month would give you 60 a year. Even if your bills and stuff are all covered having some savings will help buffer you from surprises… in 5 years that 60 will be 300…could that help buy a teen their first car or kitchenware for college/uni? I’m sure you can find a use for it….savings are always useful. 🙂

So I hope that helps you in your quest for financial peace, feels free to ask questions if you need help; we’ve been there, we know.

Have a good one,

Anna x

 

Photo by Jonathan Brinkhorst on Unsplash

Advertisement