We know this is a worrying time for many people, so we want to help wherever we can with any financial concerns you may have.
Working out your current financial situation and planning a budget will help give you a sense of control. Here are some steps you can take to get started.
Write a shopping list
If you know you’re going to spend on essentials, find out what items you’re after in advance and compare prices. They may be cheaper on one site than another, so doing your homework can really pay off. That way you’ll know if you’re really getting the most bang for your buck.
Get app happy
Money saving apps such as Mint and You Need A Budget (YNAB) are two of the most popular budgeting apps around. They help you create a budget, track your spending and encourage you to live within the budget you’ve set for yourself.
Cut your card interest
If you think you’re paying a bit too much interest on your existing credit card balances, a 0% interest balance transfer card could help you avoid interest on your card debts for as long as three years.
You might need to pay a small transfer fee and make sure you’re prepared for when the 0% period ends.
*We’re a credit broker not a lender
Save money when renewing your mortgage
Getting the right mortgage could save hundreds or even thousands of pounds a year.
If you have savings, you could consider paying off some of your mortgage. This means you’ll pay less interest overall.
You could also consider extending the length of your mortgage term. The longer the term, the lower your monthly repayments will be. But a longer term also means you’ll pay more overall. This is because you’ll end up paying more in interest.
A mortgage broker can help walk you through the options.
Consolidate any debts
If you’ve got a few different loans and overdrafts that are stubbornly sticking around, a debt consolidation loan could help spread the cost.
Something to think about is that the longer you take to repay debts, the more interest you’ll pay. You’ll need to weigh up the benefits and potential risks to decide which course of action is right for you.
Check your credit report and score
Your credit report is essentially your financial CV. Lenders, banks and card providers will look at it before deciding if you can have credit cards, loans, overdrafts, mortgages and more.
You can access your Experian Credit Score with a free account.
These tips should be useful at any time, but we hope you find them especially helpful now, when we know many people have enough to worry about. By taking a few steps, you can be better placed for whatever the future holds.