Personal Finance

·         Always have a will prepared and consult a solicitor.

·         Are you in the CORRECT COUNCIL TAX BAND?

·         Banks make charges for no reason. CLAIM BANK CHARGES.

·         Check all your insurance premiums once a year.

·         Check your mortgage interest rates and types of mortgages available and REMORTGAGE. ASK, BEG FOR A LOWER RATE OR THREATEN THAT YOU WILL MOVE TO ANOTHER COMPETITOR.

·         Credit cards have high interest rates and these must be at zero to be beneficial. 0% CREDIT CARDS IS WHAT IS NEEDED. AVOID STORE CARDS AT ALL COSTS.

·         Decide to buy something, work out the maximum you can pay and then stick to it.

·         Do a job and get paid, ask for the money upfront or within 30 days maximum.

·         Don’t spend anything higher than what you earn or have in savings.

·         ELECTRIC, GAS, BROADBAND - COMPARE AND SWITCH TO SAVE.

·         Entertain at home.

·         Get specialist pension advice.

·         Have a student fee saving account for your children when they are born.

·         Have only a single credit card for emergencies.

·         Investments in the stock market are tricky, think about exchange traded funds.

·         Join a trade union, it is important to fight against redundancies.

·         Keep your receipts.

·         Know how you spend your money.

·         Look after your health and the health of your family.

·         Mobile phone contracts should be negotiated OFTEN.

·         Obtain software to mange your personal finance.

·         Read and learn everyday, take up college course.

·         Reduce the cost of your gifts.

·         Reduce your extended warranties; buy from Costco who provide longer extended warranties as standard.

·         Save 5% of your wage for a rainy day.

·         Sell your old junk.

·         Set up a direct debit to pay your credit cards on time. DO NOT PAY ANY INTEREST.

·         Set your financial plan at Christmas and stick to it.

·         Shop at different places and see what the cost difference is.

·         Take out a one account flexible mortgage.

·         Take out mobile phone insurance for expensive smart phones.

·         Take out mortgage payment protection insurance from an internet service provider and not the high street banks or building societies.

·         Try to obtain as much free financial help and medical schemes from your employer.

·         Use a debit card.

·         Use SKYPE, Yahoo Messenger. MS messenger or send an email with an attachment.

·         When shopping for high costly purchases. WINDOW SHOP AT DAY ONE, SEARCH THE INTERNET AT DAY TWO AND BUY AT DAY 3+. STOP YOUR IMPULSIVE BEHAVIOUR NOW.

·         Write down your maximum spend on items for the year.