It's always good to get a bit of advice every now and again, particularly when you are starting out on your financial journey. We hope this site has provided you with some guidance, but remember if you want to know more you can always email us, or request a call back.
- You know you should have emergency savings but you don't know how to start. Not sure where all your money disappears to? Keep a spending diary — try writing down every penny you spend for a month, or keep a spreadsheet on your computer. Also why not try saving just £5 a month in a Regular Savings account, by watching your money grow and understanding how much you can save each month, you might be surprised to find that you will want to save more.
- Remember to include those things that you only pay for once a year such as car insurance, estimate what you would spend over a year and divide by 12.
- If you're overspending and you don't have any spare cash each month, identify specific areas and ask yourself if its absolutely essential or would that next holiday be far better? Could you reduce the amount you spend in that area or cut it out altogether?
- If you are lucky enough to receive a bonus, pay rise or promotion try to save the extra you earn. Transfer it to your savings as soon as you're paid and you won't miss it.
- Organise your monthly direct debits and standing orders to go out of your account on or near to when you get paid, so then you know all of your commitments have been taken care of and the money left is your own.
- Get into the habit of checking your balance online or by phone. Both our Internet Banking and Telephone Banking services can be accessed at any time, day or night. It's worthwhile saving the number on your mobile phone so you have it when you need it — the number is 08457 449900 or if you are calling from abroad — +44 (0) 8705 449900.
- Use cash wherever you can instead of cheques or debit cards, then you know exactly where you are with your money.
- Start building a picture of what your balance should be at different times of the month, so that when you check your balance you know if you're on track.
- You could save money without even having to think about it with our Save the Change facility. When you use your Visa debit card linked to your current account, we'll round up the amount you spent to the nearest pound and transfer the difference into your savings account. Easy!