Everyday money mistakes and how to avoid them

Preparing lunch and dinners at home, as opposed to buying food out or on the go, can be an effective way to reduce expenditure. But we should also pay close attention to where we shop. There may be a notable price difference between groceries at different stores. 

From essential maintenance to our homes, to a period of unemployment – it’s a good idea to always be prepared for extra costs above and beyond our monthly budget. We recently conducted research that found only half (52%) of UK adults had a pot of emergency savings, and now we know that over one in ten people (12%) surveyed got caught short. We’ve put together some top tips on how to give your emergency funds a boost and be prepared for the unexpected. 

Birthdays, anniversaries and weddings can catch us off guard – especially if we want to buy a present or arrange a celebration. So, it’s a good idea to either plan ahead for specific occasions, or to have a savings pot ready for when we need it. This will avoid any surprise costs. 

People in employment may be eligible to a range of perks such as childcare, eye tests and health cover. This can be incredibly helpful to save many people from making a big dent in their wallets It’s always worth investigating what benefits are available and making the most of these.