Top budgeting tips

Stay in control of your money

Bank online

You can bank online through Internet Banking or using our Mobile Banking app.  Keep track of what's going in and coming out of your account at any time. Our Spending Insights feature shows you a breakdown of your money every month split by categories. So, you can spot the patterns and see where you might be able to make some savings in the future.

Organise your money

Sometimes it can help to split your money between accounts. You could consider one for bills and the other for everyday spending. So, you'll know how much you have to cover your bills and how much you have left to spend at the end of the month. When reviewing your household bills, you may want to shop around to see what offers are available. You might find that you could get a better deal elsewhere. Find out more about how to get your bills under control.

Spread it out

You may find that spreading larger payments over the year (such as, your car insurance or TV licence fee) is a good option for you. Setting up a monthly direct debit to cover these costs can help you avoid having to pay a large sum, which can be helpful if money is tight.

Shop around

There are lots of ways you can save money. Looking out for family deals or discounts and loyalty and cashback schemes is a good place to start. Even waiting to buy something in the sale can make a big difference to your spending too. Don’t forget, there are also benefits schemes such as Universal Credit which is a payment to help you with your living costs so it’s worth taking a look to see what you may be entitled to.

Be smart with your money

Start saving

If you have some money left over at the end of the month, why not think about saving it? Sometimes things happen that you haven't planned for like an unexpected bill, repairs or maintenance, or losing your job. So having some savings can help. Find out about different ways to save or see our helpful savings hints and tips.

Spend wisely

If you can plan your spending in advance, you're less likely to buy things you don't need or can't afford. This will help you stick to your budget and keep your spending under control. Our budget calculator can help you manage your money too.