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
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I am keeping track of money in and money out each month so that we don't over spend as it is all too easy to just spend without thinking if we can afford it.

To open an easy access account to save small amounts each week instead of wasting pennies. Hopefully I will have enough saved for the dreadful month of October when my car insurance, tax, MOT and car service is due.

I'd find it hard to improve on the way I handle finances, its been such a tight budget the last few years that there are no more cuts or care that could be taken! We don't do christmas presents, january sales, sky tv or tv licence. We don't smoke or buy lottery tickets. We shop around for everything, we only buy essentials. We put up with faulty or damaged stuff around the house rather than replace it unless we absolutely have to! I buy second hand things. I keep a track of everything so I'm not paying excessive charges or interest. Sigh! But I'm very happy with my choices and we do splash out on lovely food and alcohol because its a good investment as we get alot of enjoyment out of it!

To check my bills.

Try and save, and use as many money-off vouchers as you can find!

My new year financial resolution is to save £100s on my shopping by buying fruit and veg (only what I need) from my local market, to bulk buy and freeze my meat, again from the local butchers in the market. I will then plan my meals in advance, made from fresh, and that way I won't be wasting any food, won't have to buy ready meals, and the food will be fresh and healthy, so I will have a healthier surplus in my bank and a healthier lifestyle.

After being made redundant and getting myself in a right royal mess 5 years ago, I've almost paid off all of my debts (apart from the mortgage) so this year I intend to pay an extra £20 a month off by cycling to work instead of taking the car ... every little helps!

I plan to save, save, save by working hard and reducing spontaneous spending and living very frugally.

My New Years financial resolution is to watch the pennies and hopefully covert them into a few pounds to reduce the mortgage. If I can make some modest cuts- such as cutting out a coffee on the go, then hopefully this will make big savings over the course of the next year.

Be aware how much money I have, how much is going out on regular bills, and how much I have to spend.

My New Year's Resolution is to continue my spending diet - buying only what I need throughout January and February

I put my salary/earnings into a separate account and give myself a monthly budget for food, petrol, bills etc. That way, I tend not to over-indulge and it lets me put some of my earnings away to save for a holiday or something nice.

My financial New Years Resolution is to stick to a budget and to clear a majority of my debt in 2016. :)

Going to continue to save money this year by shopping around for the best insurance deals and spending less on food shopping by using the likes of Aldi and Lidl

I only buy what I need.So for example I have a TV that is over 10 years old,it works so I do not need to waste money buying the latest one.Apply this across all aspects of life and you cannot help but save your finances :)

I put money aside each month into a savings account and both me and DH have ISA's. We haven't (anywhere near) used up our available ISA allowance money annually, but plan to try add to them this year by being more frugal with shopping, etc. We'll also be going for a cheaper holiday this year and hopefully be staying with a relative in Devon.

I'm going to do the money sacong challenge were u save 26.50 every week and in a yr u will have saved £1378! Will cover xmas and a good shop in the sales for next yrs clothes and early start on xmas

I'm on maternity leave and I want to stretch it to ten months but it'll be hard. Working part time money wise is awkward but we have chosen to live in a small house so we don't struggle as much.

Strange money resolution but I really want to spend spare cash on family days out this year. It seems that money goes on bills and boring stuff -- you only live once!!

I plan to save as much as possible so I am not in a blackspot when emergencies arrive

We're going to make sure we have all the bills taken care of each month and will use Park to pay for vouchers for Christmas to spread the cost over the year so we're not caught out at the end of the year again.

thankfully we are comfortable enough financially, but we always put emergency cash away every month into a separate isa, we have done so for the past 8 years, and this has helped us buy a new boiler this winter without going into the red. Even if it is just £10 per month, it really did help us. It has totally depleted our savings though.

To check my balances more regualarly and to shop around for the best interest rates and deals on things like utilities on a regualr basis.

I need to sort a cash ISA

Get a good job and save money for more holidays and win more things.

Buy in the sales and keep for birthdays and Christmas:-)