Money-savvy tips to boost your new year finances


Ever wondered why your wealthier friends always seem to have so much spare cash? Chances are they’re super-careful with their finances. After all, nobody ever got rich by being a spendthrift. Click or scroll through the smart things money-savvy people do at the beginning of every year.



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They set financial goals and stick to them


Your wealthier friends will start the year as they mean to go on by setting strict money goals, whether they’re planning to save for a new car, upgrade their property or put cash aside to buy shares in a hotly-tipped company.



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They budget like crazy


People with sound financial sense know exactly how much money they have, how much is coming in and precisely how much is going out – at all times. They budget like crazy using apps such as Mint or PocketGuard, or good old-fashioned spreadsheets and lists.



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They download the best finance apps


Research from UCLA shows that people who use finance apps on a regular basis spend less and manage their money more effectively. According to the study, app users saw their monthly spending fall by 16% on average. As well as Mint and Pocketguard, top-rated money-tracking apps include Wally, Clarity Money, Squirrel and Spending Tracker.



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They look for new revenue streams


January is the perfect time to look for smart new ways to generate extra cash. People with a knack for making money usually have a lucrative side hustle or two, be it a passive income stream like a stock market tracker investment, or a more active stream such as a house-flipping project.



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They meet with their financial advisor or accountant


Robo-advisors may be all the rage right now, but your wealthier friends no doubt have a human financial advisor or accountant at their disposal too. Hiring a financial professional can make all the difference, and they almost invariably end up paying for themselves, and then some.



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They cut up their extra credit and store cards


Your richer friends are more than likely to steer clear of 0% deals and restrict credit and store card debt, which can easily get out of hand. Many money-conscious people make a point in January of cutting up the cards they rarely use to avoid the temptation to spend, spend, spend.



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They return or list unwanted Christmas gifts on eBay…


Financially savvy people don’t hold onto things they neither need nor actually want, and don’t waste any time returning unwanted Christmas gifts. For gifts that can’t be returned, make like your richer friends and list them on eBay or similar auction sites.



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…or swap them for things they actually want


Alternatively, you can exchange those unwanted gifts for things you really want. There are dozens of swap and barter websites out there, including SwapStyle for clothing, PaperBackSwap for unwanted books, and SwapAce for just about everything.



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They hit the sales with caution


Your more monied acquaintances are unlikely to hit the sales without care and caution. They make a list of things they need or want and don’t deviate from it. They also use comparison sites and apps to check prices, and only buy items with significant markdowns.



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They always calculate the cost-per-use ratio


Cost-per-use is a handy ratio money-aware people calculate when they’re buying pretty much anything. You simply divide the cost of the item by the estimated number of times you’ll use it. That way, you’ll know how much the thing really costs.



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They never miss a bargain


People who are good with money are always on the lookout for a bargain, particularly in January. They use price and deal tracking sites and apps, and sign up for retailers’ mailing lists, so they’re in the know about the latest sales and discounts.



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They always check for discount codes and vouchers


Without fail, cash-conscious shoppers will always check for discount codes and vouchers before they snap up something online, especially during sales time. And it’s worth remembering that many retailers offer a 5% or 10% discount to first-time customers who sign up to their mailing list.



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They indulge in the art of haggling


Believe it or not, haggling is still a thing and there’s every chance your richer friends partake in the art now and again. Many retailers are open to offers at this time of year, particularly independent shops and small-scale online stores, so don’t be too shy to give it a go.



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They buy in bulk


People who aren’t short of money don’t do their shopping by halves. They buy in bulk to take advantage of the best deals and discounts. Take their lead and stock up. You’ll be amazed how much cash you can save.



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They negotiate a pay rise


Research from Linkedin and PayScale shows that January is the best time of the year to ask for a pay rise. If your performance has been strong over the past 12 months, take a cue from your wealthier friends, and speak to your boss about upping your pay or benefits.



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They resolve to save and/or invest at least 15% of their income


Money-conscious people are all about saving for a rainy day and maximizing their finances with compound interest. Ideally, you want to save and/or invest at least 15% of your income in reliable investments, and/or in high interest savings accounts.



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They make sure their emergency cash fund is topped up


Having the equivalent of three months’ outgoings in an account you can access straight away is key if you don’t want to go broke when the heating fails or your car breaks down. That’s why financially smart people always ensure their emergency cash fund is topped up and available.



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They aren’t afraid to make new year money sacrifices


Freeing up cash for investments and savings almost certainly involves some sacrifice, whether that means kicking an expensive coffee habit or holding off on your smartphone upgrade. Wealthier people are more than prepared to give up or go without to boost their financial security.



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They only earmark money they’re prepared to lose for high-risk investments


You won’t find your richer friends pumping all their spare cash into high-risk investments such as Bitcoin this January. Money-savvy people aren’t scared of speculating, but they’ll only use cash they’re not worried about losing for those more volatile investments.



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They boost their investment know-how


The smarter you are about money, the richer you’re likely to be, so improving your investment and general financial knowledge is essential, whether that entails reading a financial newspaper every day or attending a training course.



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They switch suppliers


Money-savvy people don’t think twice about changing supplier if they spot a better deal. Energy companies are notorious for disincentivizing loyalty and tend to offer the best deals to new customers. If you haven’t switched for a while, get the ball rolling today.



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They plan their food shopping


Financially savvy people plan their shopping, and keep to that plan. They take a list to the supermarket and make sure that they don’t veer from that. They also make sure they don’t do their food shopping when they’re hungry; a study by University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management found that those who were hungry spent 64% than those who weren’t.



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They cut down on takeouts


Regular takeouts work out surprisingly expensive and can make a real dent in your finances. People with more disposable income have it for a reason – they don’t waste money on regular takeouts, or only order out as a rare treat.



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They use cashback websites


Wealthier people make their money work for them by using cashback websites, getting a small payout each time they buy something via the particular site. Top tips include clearing your cookies to get better deals, and comparing deals online.



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They perfect their DIY skills


January is as good a time as any to improve your DIY skills. People who are prudent with money learn as many DIY skills as possible to save money, and only call on the professionals to take care of the more complicated jobs around the home.



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They refinance their loans


If they have outstanding loans, cash-smart people always make sure they’re not missing out on a better deal by comparing refinancing options online. Refinancing or consolidating loans can save you serious money, so get comparing today.



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They avoid going overdrawn

An overdraft is an expensive debt to have and should only be seen as an emergency option. People who generally have more money to play with avoid going overdrawn, and tend to pay it off ASAP if they do.



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They get rid of memberships they rarely use

Yes, we know it’s the time of year to hit the gym, or stay in at the weekend with Neflix or Hulu, but do you really need all your pricey memberships? Ditching the ones you rarely use can save you a pile of cash over the long term.

Discover the secrets banks don’t want you to know about



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