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 won't go shopping for food when I am hungry!

We now try and operate a strict replacement only policy for buying things. For everything that comes into the house, something has to go out (bonus points if two things go so that we also reduce clutter!).

No buying stuff I do not need even if it is a bargain!!!

I need to keep a closer eye on things and I would like to up my income considerably but, other than that, I have no financial resolutions.

I am withdrawing and saving weekly!

I need to save up to clear a secured loan, so really need to stick to a tight budget. Must stop going out and having fun!

I will be using some money saving apps while doing my weekly food shop such as shoptize etc and build it up to use for christmas pressents at the end of the year,also trying to put money in my savings each week x

to compare my gas and electric and broadband and tv package to see if I can get a better deal

I am going to spend the year paying off debt

to be more healthy

I have bought a savings can that can only be opened with a tin opener. I cam going to put what spare cash I have in it and open in December 2016 and that will go towards Christmas.

To save money by not wasting food and shopping smarter

I have always been one to spend, spend, spend but this year I am going to save as much as I can to put away for my children.

To save more at the beginning of the year when I've got less expense rather than later in the year closer to Christmas.

Resolution for 2016 - to have more savings at the end of the year than the start.

To try and overpay on the mortgage so our money isn't always paying interest.

i plan to gradually pay off my credit card & store cards in 6 months before my maternity pay ends

Stop buying coffee from Costa everyday, and take a filter into work.. put £5 in a pot everyday!

I'm quite good at budgeting and sticking to it but this year I want to be a lot more on the ball when it comes to renewal dates for home insurance, the TV package, our mobiles etc and really take the time to see what the best deals out there are and either negotiate or change supplier.

To open a bank account for my son, so I can pay his spends by direct debit & he can start learning to manage money.

spend less than we earn and enjoy another year

I have already completed an expenditure form of all my income and out goings This has REALLY helped
I have cancelled my sky package because really I wasn't watching all of the paid channels
I have decided to buy in some own brand products instead of branded labels
I have even cut back on how many loads of washing I do per week and i put the load on in the evening when the electricity is cheaper.
I really want to save some money so I can afford to go on a holiday this summer

I keep a spreadsheet of all my spending and then I can compare the last 3, 6 or 12 months. also hopefully win a competition or two like this

Opening a bank account for my son and a savings account for him so he gets used to it

I draw out the cash I spend for the week and only spend that.

It's much too easy to pay by card all the time and you can lose track of what has been spent.