We're now in April, the start of the new financial year. Meaning NOW is the perfect time to have a look over your finances, and start setting good habits that will hopefully pay off over the next twelve months!

1. New year.
New you?
Get in shape for the
new financial year

2. Sort out your spending!
If the last financial year was an absolute money stress for you, then
NOW is the time to get sorted for this financial year.
Here's what you can do...

3. Set yourself goals
What do you want to achieve in the new financial year?
Start by sitting down and having a good long think.
"I'm going to save money this year" is too vague - you need to get specific and start
thinking how you're going to approach it, either in the long-term or short-term.
A short-term goal could be to cut down on unnecessary spending each quarter.
Long-term goals could include:

4. Save it...
Invest it...
Saving money is great. Investing it is even better.
Your own attitude to risk will affect what you decide to do here.
If you want minimal risk, then putting your money into a savings
account makes sense.
However, if you're comfortable with risk, then investing your money can potentially allow it to grow.
Putting your money to work at the start of the financial year means a longer growth time
than trying to top up your ISA at the start of April (!)

5. Set your own budget
Before you start spending as per usual and then
wonder why you have no money left by the end of
the month...
Put pen to paper and write down what you need to
buy or spend on. Then write down what you want
to buy. Finding out you have more 'wants' than
'needs' can reveal where you can cut your
spending habits...

6. Deal with debt
Credit card debt? Store card debt?
Debt can help you to build up a credit rating, provided
you pay it off on time each month.
A 'quick fix' mentality to your finances will just not
work in the long term. Prioritise your biggest debts
and pay these off first.

7. Estate Planning
It doesn't just have to be about writing a will
(although that is a good starting point).
It can also include creating a trust, to divide your assets fairly. It can
even be something as simple as purchasing life insurance in case
something happens to you...
It may not sound exciting...
It may be a far off thought...
But it's one area that often gets neglected....

8. Unsure where or how to start?
Before making any major financial
decisions, it is best to seek financial
advice if you do not feel confident or
have more questions...