Share your financial new year’s resolutions with other Mumsnetters - chance to win a £300 Love2Shop voucher, courtesy of Lloyds Bank NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

With a bit of luck the festive period left you with LOTS of happy memories - but we all know that Christmas can leave bank accounts looking a little worse for wear. To help you into 2016, Lloyds Bank would like to know the financial new year’s resolutions Mumsnetters are making.

Here's what they say: "January sales, unwanted presents and resolutions - the new year will bring new challenges, but plenty of opportunities for those who are shrewd with their finances. We'd love to hear Mumsnetter's tips for starting the new year in financial style‎." - Lloyds Bank

So how do you make sure your bills stay in the black? Do you make a spending plan to control your budget? Maybe opening a savings account is the best option? Perhaps you give the credit card a well-deserved rest and pay everything upfront? Or do you have some money-saving habits you force yourself to get back into once the festive season is over?

Whatever your tips, Lloyds Bank would love to hear them.

Everyone who posts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw, and one MNer will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher.

Thanks,

MNHQ
Standard Insight T&Cs apply

I try and save a small amount each week in case of emergencies, I'll carry on doing this throughout the year. I try to only buy things that I need.

This year I want to pay off all debt and have enough at Christmas to enjoy a good Christmas without using credit.

We are making some big financial changes this year. Just having had our third child we would really like to buy a larger house. I've never been too "on top" of our finances but had a huge shock when I totted up that we were spending around £1,300 a month on pretty much nothing (I blame the husband- fags and a lot of lunches for him.) I'm pretty disgusted in ourselves to be honest. So it's out with all of that and he's been put on a set budget and sandwiches!
We aren't extravagant- I wish i'd at least been spending it on shoes and handbags.
Other than that we do spend quite a lot on the food shop and we have a family Saturday night takeaway that adds up. So we've set a budget for the food bill and limited takeaway to every other weekend for now.

My resolution is to increase my mortgage payments by £50 a month, it will mean it is paid off 2 years earlier and shave ££££ in interest payments!

I am saving £2 coins in a jar this year, they are easier to save and add up quickly.

This year has started as a good one We have paid off everything we owe and now debt free! (except the mortgage!) So this year, my resolution was to save money and book our first proper family holiday!... So far I have cleared out our house with the items that are no longer needed or played with, have made just over £200!.
I have started visiting charity shops for anything that we need, this has saved a huge amount of money! Great bargains and nice to know money is going directly to charity.
I have also started to take cash out to buy our shopping, that way I know exactly how much I have for shopping and it's not as easy to say - Oooooh we'll just have these too!. But I've also started to shop in the evening! All the reduced items are marked down and meats etc that can be frozen are under £1! So a huge saving :) Happy 2016! Xxx

My financial resolution is to ensure I keep an eye on each of my bills and switch to save money.