4 Things You Might Be Saving Up For This Year

Save Money (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

There are some things in life that - unfortunately - are just more expensive than we would like. These types of things can take a lot longer for us to save up for than we would like too, but most people would agree that it is worth it in the long run when you meet your goals and expectations. 

Here, we will look at a number of common products, services and experiences that people save up for - maybe you will find something on this list that rings home for you, and if so you might be inspired to find a new way to save for it.

Car

In order to get out and about, many of us rely on our cars. They come in a whole host of specifications and budgets, and cater for us in different ways such as accessibility, speed and size. You might be saving up for your very first car, or you might be looking to upgrade your existing car for a newer model. Regardless of which type of car you want, there’s a good chance that you’re looking for the best price for it. Look out for sales, use your negotiation skills, and see if you can get a good finance agreement from the seller. 

House

A house is probably the most expensive purchase you will ever make in your life, so naturally it is the thing that can take the longest to save for. Of course, not many of us will be cash buyers so we rely on a mortgage in order to secure our new house. But in order to get a mortgage we need a deposit, which can still mean needing to find tens of thousands of pounds. Look for the best savings accounts that will give you a higher rate of interest for the money that you’ve put aside. 

Education

If you have a family with young children, you might be looking ahead to their schooling and university education. Whilst it is possible to get student loans in the UK, you might want to pay for education fees up front to save your children from paying them back at a later date - this can mean the cost of the loan ends up being much more than the education itself. If you aren’t going to need the money in the next few years, look for a high interest account where you can safely save for the future. 

Holiday

In the scheme of things, a holiday can be a slightly more affordable thing you might be saving for. There are still a couple of ways you can reach your holiday fund more easily though, such as putting your savings into a reserve account so it’s not simply sitting in your main bank account. You can also keep watch on the currency exchange rates in order to get the maximum holiday spending money. 


About the author Stephanie Craft is a blogger in the UK who keeps track of the best savings accounts and discount websites.

7 Ways to Stay on Top of Your Savings

As the economic climate continues to look bleak it is important to stay on top of your finances. As well as staying on top of your savings, you also need to cut down your outgoings and identify ways in which you could do so. From looking at your receipts to the latest apps, we look at ways you can stay on top of your finances in 2013. 

1 – Simplify Your Finances 

It is a good idea to consolidate all your debt onto one credit card and also try to shop around for the best rates you can get on your savings and current account. The less organizations you have to deal with, the easier it will seem to focus on your finances. 

2 – Use Apps 

With a huge range available on smartphones, tablets and computers, finance apps are a great way of tracking your expenses and allow you to work out budgets efficiently. Many of these apps also let you sync up different account. 

3 – Online Banking 

With online banking at your fingertips  it provides a great way for you to stay on top of your finances. It also allows you to set up direct debits that can be a great way to ensure you meet financial deadlines in the future. 

4 – Analyse Your Budget 

As many finance guest posts state - Separate your budget down into sub sections such as bills, food and luxuries. Doing so will allow you to see where you could be spending less, ultimately helping save you money for the future. 

5 – Keep Receipts 

Keep all your receipts together in manageable folders or even scan them onto your computer. In doing so, you can ensure you are not wasting money and it allows you to break down your finances further. 

6 – Direct Debits 

Setting up direct debits via online banking couldn't be much easier and it is a great way of ensuring you meet payment deadlines on time and avoid penalties. 

7 – Loans 

Look out for loans that may be suitable to your situation, whether it is payday loans, loans for bad credit or guarantor loans. It is important to ensure you shop around for the best deals to ensure you don't get ripped off. 

Author Bio: Luke writes about finance, from extreme money saving to the latest news in the industry. In his spare time he enjoys helping others, you can find him on Google +.