Financial Housekeeping: There’s No Better Time's featured image

The professional residential cleaners at MOLLY MAID see the New Year as an ideal chance to review all residential matters to get one’s home in order and set good practices for the remainder of the year.

There’s nothing like the start of a new year to prompt an urge to improve our finances, but all too often our best-laid plans fall apart.

Luckily, an approaching deadline might be useful for spurring action: tax time. Your tax return isn’t due until April, but it pays dividends to start preparing for the date and getting ready now has a number of benefits.

The process of reviewing your money situation in 2014 may help prepare your mind for getting your finances on track in 2015.

By disciplining yourself to review the following areas of expenditure, it will ensure that you are both up-to-date with current deals, but also reassured that you are being as financially savvy as possible.

Pay special attention to the following areas:

  • Credit Cards / Loans – Do you have the best deal on the market for your circumstances? It is a fiercely competitive market place. Check cost comparison websites for the best opportunities.
  • Utilities – Check that you are on the most appropriate ‘rate’ or ‘package’ and compare costs of other providers. You may find that a new player has come to the market since you signed up.
  • Insurance Policies – Avoid falling into the trap of simply ‘renewing’ your annual home, health or travel insurance and research whether you could achieve savings by switching providers. Armed with this information, approach your existing provider with the rates you have found and challenge them. They may well match these rates.
  • Vehicle Insurance – Ensure that your policies relating to your vehicle are up-to-date and meet your and your family needs. Take some time to shop around.
  • Grocery Shopping – For ideas on savvy ways to shop, please check our blog coming up this Friday!

For more information on tips to achieve savings, log on to: www.moneysavingexpert.com