Getting Smart with Your Money
MoneySuperMarket is full of great advice on saving, spending wisely, and making your money go further — so I’ll admit, I get a little excited when their latest newsletter lands in my inbox!
For many of us, money management wasn’t something we were taught. As a self-confessed “baby boomer”, I learned the hard way. At 23, I got my first credit card and quickly discovered that spending money I didn’t have on things I didn’t really need was a fast track to financial stress.
It wasn’t until my fifties that I finally took control. I started breaking my budget into what I needed to survive and what I wanted to thrive — then added a little extra for holidays, car costs, vet bills, or lean months when work slowed down.
One of the easiest traps to fall into is the monthly subscription. While some services are genuinely useful, many quietly drain your account long after you’ve stopped using them. Make it a habit to review your direct debits and PayPal authorisations regularly. If you’re not using a service, cancel it.
I learned this lesson after signing up for a “free” trial with Avast and later discovering an unexpected charge. Although I eventually got a refund, the experience reminded me to double-check everything and to remove unnecessary payment links.
Here’s a simple rule of thumb:
If it doesn’t save or enrich your life, it’s not worth the money.
Take time to review your spending, know your priorities, and make your money work for you — not the other way around.
For more practical guidance, see MoneySuperMarket’s Money Made Easy guide.
