Let’s face it: money can be stressful. Between bills, savings, pensions, and the odd impulse buy (we’ve all been there ), it can feel like your salary just disappears. But here’s the good news: a few small hacks can make a big difference to your financial life

NMTBP offers you 7 practical ways to take control of your money without feeling like you’re cutting out all your fun

Pay yourself first

Instead of waiting to see what’s left at the end of the month (spoiler: usually not much), flip the script. Set aside a fixed amount into savings on payday, before you spend anything

Even £50 a month = £600 a year. Pair that with your bank’s ’round-up’ feature (Starling, Monzo, Lloyds, and others offer this), and you’ll save without even noticing. That £2.40 coffee? It’ll round up to £3, and the spare 60p goes into savings. Over the course of a year, that could be another £200+ tucked away

Make friends with ISAs

Think of ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts) as a tax-free home for your cash. You can put up to £20,000 a year into them, and the taxman can’t touch the interest or returns

If you’re under 40 and saving for a first home, a Lifetime ISA (LISA) gives you a 25% government bonus on savings up to £4,000 a year. That’s £1,000 free every year towards your deposit. It’s basically a financial cheat code for first-time buyers

Cashback = free money

Why pay full price when you can get money back? Cashback sites like TopCashback or Quidco give you a cut of your spending—perfect for online shopping

Example: book a £500 holiday through a 5% cashback deal and you get £25 back. Combine that with a cashback credit card (like Amex Everyday, up to 1% back), and you’re stacking rewards. Just remember: always pay off the full balance each month or the interest wipes out the benefit

Stop overpaying on bills ⚡

Sticking with the same provider? It’s costing you. Loyalty rarely pays in broadband, energy, or insurance

• Switching broadband = average £250 saved per year (Ofcom)

• Shopping around for car insurance = average £338 saved

Set reminders in your phone before renewals. Five minutes on MoneySuperMarket or GoCompare could give you a mini pay rise

Track where your money goes

Ever think, “Where did it all go?!” Budgeting apps like Emma, Moneyhub or YNAB show you exactly where your cash is sneaking off to

Many people discover unused subscriptions worth £40 a month (yep, nearly £500 a year). Cancel those and boom—you’ve just created a mini savings fund without lifting a finger

Build a rainy-day pot ☔

Emergencies happen:

• Boiler breakdown = £1,500+

• Car repair = £500

• Dentist emergency = £250

An emergency fund (ideally 3–6 months’ expenses) saves you from panic borrowing. Keep it in an easy-access account so it’s there when you need it most

Think about future you

Pensions might feel like a problem for ‘later you,’ but starting early pays off massively

For example: put an extra £100 a month into your pension from age 30, and you could have £80,000+ more by retirement. Plus, most employers match your contributions – so skipping out is like turning down free money

Improving your finances doesn’t have to mean living off beans on toast. It’s about making your money work smarter. Automate your savings, use ISAs and pensions for the tax perks, switch your bills, and pocket freebies like cashback