02 January 2007

Happy New Year!

If like most of us you've over-indulged, you probably have plans to get in shape and spend less money. January is often a difficult month as many of us are paid early in December, and then have to make that money last until we're paid again at the end of this month.

Indeed, recent research by Yorkshire Bank has found that 1.3 million parents are so short of money this month that they are prepared to raid their children's Christmas money to see them through.

Of course, raiding piggy banks is the last resort, and many parents will be aiming to cut back in other ways to reduce spending. And there are a number of things we can do to tighten our belts, simply by aiming to spend less on what we have to buy, whilst avoiding expense where possible. So to help you on your way, here are a few tips to help you to hang on to more of that cash: