WELLBEING: How are your finances post Christmas?

Most people find January a struggle and often batten down the hatches ready for the next payday. According to the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) one third of us struggle to pay bills in January due to overspending at Christmas. If Christmas debts have got you feeling worried now is the time to act. Don't bury your head in the sand and hope it all goes away. Take time to sit down and fully assess your outgoings, debts and bills so you can prioritise your repayments. If you feel you need further help seek advice from your Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) where you will be able to gain impartial advice and solutions for personal debt problems. We have provided a couple of tips and simple ways to save on outgoings in January so give them a try and we hope you have a great start to the year.

FIND YOUR INNER CHEF

Take your cookbooks off the shelf and cook more. Eat your way through your freezer and store cupboards and try not to buy unnecessary food. If you feel like a takeaway try to cook it yourself. Not only will it be a cheaper and healthier it will help hone your culinary skills!

DON'T JUMP INTO A GYM MEMBERSHIP

Many people join a gym after Christmas but as many as a third stop going after three months. Many gyms lock you into a 12 month contract so bear this in mind and shop around to find the best option for you and your budget. Log into the Online Health Portal for exercises and try them out at home first. Often a set of dumbbells (or bags of sugar) and some tarmac is enough to keep you fit and healthy.

RENOVATE RATHER THAN BUYING NEW

Why not try to recycle and renovate those vintage gems rather than buying new? Dust off the tools and give it a try. You may find a hobby emerges as well as boosting your creativity and confidence.

FLICK THE SWITCH

Turn off lights and the TV when leaving the room. Try spending less time in the shower and only use the water you need. It all helps to reduce your energy bills.